“My knees shook as they descended upon me like vultures, squeezing the life out of my fragile bones. Never had I witnessed such a loud group of guys who got wound up so high over nothing. All they did was hoot over Ellis’s new apartment and belch the school’s theme song. Joy.”

“Did Ellis hurt like I did my first time? I hoped not. I tried desperately to prep him as best I could, but there was still no guarantee that today he wouldn’t feel the repercussions, despite my careful planning. To his advantage, and to the detriment of my ego, I was on the low side of average.”

“Yeah, Jame. I don’t have a woman. I am sure as fuck not taking a guy. You can be my date.” Matt answered. “Oh, because I’m not a woman, or a guy.”

“What do you feel?” Curiosity hung in the air.Matt was thankful Darian didn’t walk out except now he had to explain himself. “I feel jittery.” “Oh, then it’s gotta be love.” Darian shook his head and turned away. Matt knew sarcasm when he heard it. He grabbed Darian’s elbow and pulled him into his arms. Darian’s hands were smashed to his chest and his face was very close to Matt’s. “I’m not letting you walk out.” He asserted. “You make me feel sick.”“Oh, that’s so much better.”

“I wasn’t in the habit of spewing out personal facts in a church setting. While I was here, I was bound and determined to keep it to myself. If no one was going to stand up and shout, “I’m straight,” then I wasn’t going to wave my Pride flag.”

“Russell piped in singing, “Four pounds of back bacon, three French toasts, two turtlenecks, and a beer….” He leaned his body over Ellis. On the last line, Rob joined him. “…in a tree!” They stopped, and Russell asked, “How does the beer stay in the tree? Wouldn’t it fall out?”

“I don’t know why I have to write down my fucking thoughts. What if I don’t have any thoughts?”