Chapter 2-1
832 Words
Chapter 2
The following Monday, Kev having a day off, he and Neil decided to take in a movie then grab something to eat afterward. The movie was good—a sophisticated comedy that left them laughing even after they left the theater.
“Where do we want to eat?” Neil asked.
“The Italian place, if you’re up for it.”
“I am. I’ve been craving some of their pasta.”
The restaurant was within walking distance of the theater, so they left their cars where they’d parked them. Because it was Monday, the place was fairly empty, meaning they were able to find a table away from the other customers. After they’d ordered their meals and wine to go with them, Kev asked Neil about his weekend.
“Let’s see. I chartered a plane and took a trip to Paris. Then I visited my favorite five-star dining establishment in Rome,” Neil replied without blinking an eye.
“After which you went to London to visit the Queen?”
“Yep, and frightened a little mouse under her chair.”
They broke out laughing, Kev saying, “A p***y cat you ain’t. Now what did you really do?”
“The usual. Cleaned my apartment, did laundry, food shopped. Sunday I went to the park with George.”
“Who’s George? You’re latest boyfriend?” Kev wasn’t certain he liked that idea, even though it could be the cure for Neil’s problem with Zeke.
Neil grinned. “Nope. We’re doing ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ in a couple of months, so I was reading the script.”
“Smartass.”
“Yep. I’d ask how yours was, but since you worked, I know.”
“I did, and I didn’t plot murder and mayhem on any of the customers. Oh, I got the weekend of the reunion off.”
“Great.” Neil paused to thank the waitress when she brought their wines. “The reunion committee finally put up the list of events on the website.”
“Oh boy, do I want to know?”
“Maybe? For the class of twenty-thirteen, that would be my class, on Friday night there’s what they call a Welcome Home happy hour and barbecue on the Quad. Saturday there’s a breakfast, followed by meetings and lectures for all the classes, which I for one have absolutely no interest in. In the afternoon there’s an ice cream social and carnival. That’s for everyone who comes to the reunion.” Neil rolled his eyes.
“Hey, that could be fun, I guess.”
“I suppose. Saturday night is the dance. Ours is in the Student Center.”
“Do we have to dress up for it?” Kev asked, hoping they didn’t.
“They suggest suits and afternoon dresses, but that’s optional. No jeans though. I was thinking about breaking out my little black dress and pearls.”
“Neil, tell me you’re kidding.”
He laughed. “I am. I figure slacks and a nice shirt will be fine.”
“Whew. What do you want to bet Mister…what is his last name?”
“Hale.”
“Okay. What do you want to bet he comes to the dance in a tux and his wife in an evening dress, to show off?”
Neil shrugged. “It’s possible, although I think he’s smart enough to check first and decide not to flaunt that he’s done very well since graduation.”
Yeah, right. He will want to flaunt it. Kev almost voiced his thought, then chastised himself for feeling snarky about a man he’d never met. He could be very nice, if you discount the fact he was a player in college and didn’t have the guts to come out—and still hasn’t, apparently.
“If you say so,” Kev said aloud, moving his wine glass so the waitress could set his dinner in front of him.
For the next few minutes they concentrated on eating. Then Neil said, “I wonder if we’ll be the only gay couple there. Well, apparently gay, since you aren’t.”
“From what you’ve told me, you weren’t the only guy who was out when you were in school. I don’t see why some of the others wouldn’t come with dates or partners.”
“I hope. Then I won’t stand out like a sore thumb.”
Kev laughed. “You stand out no matter where you are. It’s the innocent look. It makes people wonder what you’re hiding.”
“Deep, dark secrets of death and damnation,” Neil intoned, wriggling his fingers at Kev.
“You make a lousy demon…or whatever.”
“Well, hell.”
They went back to eating, topping their meal off with take-out cups of gelato which they ate on the way back to their cars.
“When shall we two meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” Kev chanted when they got there.
“First off, it’s supposed to be three. We’re missing one,” Neil replied. “Secondly, according to the forecast it’s going to be hot and dry for at least the next week.”
“I hope so. It would put a kibosh on the reunion barbecue if we had storms.”
“That’s only for this week. Then they’re predicting floods.” Neil ducked when Kev took a swipe at him. “What about hitting up another movie next Monday?”
“No can do. The tradeoff for having time off for the reunion is I work all day Monday to make up for missing Saturday and Sunday.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah, it’s going to be a hell of a long day, but it’ll be worth it.”
“So we probably won’t see each other again until…oh, by the way, which one of us is driving to the reunion?” Neil asked.
“You. I’m your date. The asker always has to provide transportation.”
Neil snorted. “If you say so. If I remember right, the barbecue starts at five. I’ll pick you up at four-thirty?”
“Works for me. I’ll wear my bib-overalls and a straw hat.”
“Don’t. You. Dare!”
Kev laughed, promised he wouldn’t, then told Neil to call if there were any changes in their plans. Like he chickens out at the last moment, though I don’t think he will.
“Okay, will do,” Neil replied. “See you next Friday.”
- Writer
