"Opening Night" By Justin Balancier
Downtown Albany, NY at times, has an early Dutch feel about it, even with the gigantic Empire State Plaza, with concrete and steel. At least Joseph felt that way about his beloved city.
Perhaps it was his age talking, or perhaps just good taste. In any event, "THE SEVANTER," an excellent down to earth restaurant, with a European flair, Vince chose for dinner.
"I love this place," Vince remarked while waiting for the waiter to bring the menus.
"Is that because you did the landscaping out front?" Joseph chuckled, teasing just a little. Joe was observant, seeing the landscaping especially attractive. He knew that Vince had designed and planted it last Fall.
"Yup, exactly right along with fucking the owner in the storage room," declared Vince. "Oh yeah, I love this place."
"Yeow," squealed Joseph, grinning for lack of a comeback; you really are a slut, with garden dirt on your knees.
"I'm only kidding, I never did that! Have you ever heard of a joke? "
Vince's comment was priceless and Joe knew he was joking. He said nothing more; however, that decision was short lived, and the talking continued.
"Gentlemen – gentlemen, it is so good to see you again, my darling man Vincent!" A slender girlie acting waiter, named Ronnie, said to them. He was carrying menus in his arm like schoolgirls carry notebooks.
"Who's your `daddy'?" yapped Ronnie, staring at Joe, who only smiled. Joe felt like laughing, but only smiled.
"What a jackass," Joe quietly thought.
"Joe, this is Ronnie, a super nice guy, and a little forward," said Vince introducing Ronnie to Joe.
"Don't listen to a word he says darling, - I'm a lot forward, ha ha-ha."
"I see that, and I won't pay any attention to you, Tallulah," Joe replied.
"Okay men, check the menu and I'll be right back. Oh, and `butch' it up, they know me in here," Ronnie remarked in a deep voice before walking away.
"That's Ronnie, one never knows what he is likely to say," commented Vince.
"I think he's a nut.
"Nah, he's harmless, well maybe a little nutty, but nobody cares," confessed Vince. "He patted my butt one time when I was landscaping outside the restaurant last fall, mumbling "yummy."
"Well, he does recognize something awesome when he sees it, I'll give him that."
"I'm back, you lucky people, what are we having tonight? The prime ribs are splendid and the gravy, I mean the beef juice, is simply gallant. It is warm and favorable seeping over the crevices in the meat – simply divine."
"My, you are a good looking man," Ronnie said to Joe zooming his eyes over his body. "Indeed Vincent, now that is a man. I just don't know how you do it."
"Stand up Joseph, and let Ronnie see the bulge you're hiding under that table," giggled Vince. "C'mon, it will be just like Laramie!"
"I couldn't do that, you wore me out today! – "Ronnie, you have no idea how wild Vincent can be."
"Oh my, stammered Ronnie - baked or mashed potatoes?"
Ronnie walked away and Vince squeezed Joe's hand just a little. "You're a surprise a minute. I didn't expect you to joke like that," said Vince.
"I didn't care for the `darling' stuff. I hope I wasn't sarcastic. See, I know how to joke around! I'm not that old."
"No, of course you're not!" ******
Dinner ended, and by the time, they returned to the car, they had talked about everything. There was more talking during dinner than all week of being around each other.
Vince leaned back in the passenger seat, almost dreamy eyed. "Thanks for dinner. Nobody had ever done that for me before." He admitted.
"I hope nobody does, as of now, that is my job." Joe softly whispered in Vince's ear. He kissed him in the parked car not caring who was looking. "Do you know what I feel like doing now?" said Vince.
"I can guess, but before you say another word, I am all in for doing it, just so you know."
"I want to drain your dick getting fucked until the sun comes up. Making love is a corny expression, but I want that too with kissing, licking and whatever else pops into my warped head," confessed Vince.
He no longer kept silent, he rambled on talking and talking mainly about love and sex. The time had come for Joe to get on with it.
Joe started the car immediately. The talking was over; the way they met, the way they worked and fooled around together was slow and easy. They knew each other as friends having a warm reaction being together. That feeling had blossomed into an affair, something they both recognized as needy for the lonely hours every gay person has experienced.
Joseph finally had the man he wanted to love. The past week was a rehearsal, for this was opening night.
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