Chapter 52

“I want the two of you to meet. After all, you’re both pretty important in my life.”

Except for the cool breeze that washed over him as they drove along, Dan would have felt a warm glow rise in his chest.

They exited the highway and drove down Main Street toward the downtown area. Before they reached it, however, Bill turned onto a side street and into a parking lot.

“Welcome to the Aus Bar,” Bill said as they parked before a building that looked more like a row house than a bar.

Dan looked at Bill quizzically. “This is your surprise,” Bill said enthusiastically.

“Oh.” Dan nodded his head, not knowing quite how to react.

“I remember you said that gay bars turned you off. Well, this one is guaranteed to let you see you don’t have to look at them all through the same lens. The Aus Bar is definitely different. Come on.”

They got out of the car. As soon as they walked in the door Dan was amazed. Here were men, women, couples, families, both gay and straight, all enjoying dinner in an atmosphere of openness and acceptance.

A cute young man came up to them. “Welcome to the Aus Bar. Just the two of you?”

Bill nodded. “Have anything on the patio?”

“Sure. Follow me.”

The young man led them through the closely packed tables, past the bar, and outside to a table for two. They were seated and Dan looked around. The late summer twilight had descended. The enclosure was illuminated by brightly colored paper lanterns hanging in rows above the tables, and strings of white Christmas lights draped over the bushes that ringed the patio. The sound of happy conversation filled the air.

“Wow, this sure is different,” Dan said, thinking of his experience that first night at The Flame, which now seemed so long ago.

“I thought you’d like it,” Bill said, a big smile on his face.

“Hi, my name is Marcio, can I get you anything to drink?” a darkly handsome server with a slight accent asked as he laid menus on the table.

They both ordered beers.

As Dan gazed around at the happy crowd, he felt a sense of peace. Here was gay life as it should be lived, integrated seamlessly into society. He reached out and took Bill’s hands in his across the table. “Thank you.” He smiled warmly over at Bill.

* * * *

Dan felt something scratching him lightly on the back. He opened his eyes. As soon as Lad saw Dan’s eyes were open he began to quiver all over and his tail wagged furiously.

Dan raised his head and looked over his shoulder at Bill. They were spooned together and Bill was sleeping soundly. The clock on the bedside table read 7:54.

“Okay,” Dan whispered. He rolled away from Bill, crawled carefully out of bed, and slipped on a robe.

Lad had run out of the room. Dan bent over Lady, who was still sleeping at the foot of the bed. She was always the hardest to get moving in the morning.

“Come on,” he said quietly as he gave her a light shake. “Time to go outside.”

She sat up, stretched languidly, and yawned. Dan looked at Bill again. He was still sound asleep.

He lifted Lady and carried her out of the room. Lad was running in circles at the door to the deck. Dan put Lady down and they both ran into the yard. Dan followed them out onto the deck.

The sun was just coming up, the air was chill, pink clouds floated on the horizon. A perfect morning to follow a perfect night.

Dan thought back over the evening at The Aus Bar. After a very good dinner of prime rib, baked potato, and steamed broccoli, Dan had been pleasantly surprised to see a small band setting up. There was a small dance floor. The band began to play and couples got up to dance. Bill held out his hand and Dan took it.

Dan hardly dared to think as they held each other and swayed to music of the Glenn Miller era. Had he finally found the man he was searching for?

As he stood on the deck and watched the sunrise, Dan couldn’t help but think of the night before: their kisses, caresses, and union couldn’t have been anything but love-making. He’d fallen asleep being held in Bill’s arms.

So deep was Dan in his reverie he hadn’t heard the sliding door open and close. He felt those same arms wrap themselves around him once again.

Bill kissed his neck. “Baby, it’s cold out here.”

Bill was dressed only in boxers. Dan opened his robe and Bill snuggled inside as Dan wrapped it around the two of them.