Robert and Jamie spent a few moments relaxing in bed after their great fuck session. The two had a sexual attraction and an affection attraction. They had just met the day before but were already building a friendship beyond the sex.
It was an interesting time in America where the rising gay movement brought together these two opposites -- one white, one black; one young, one mature (yet still young); one a top and one a bottom (for the most part); one out, one not; and one a career driven professional while the second still sought his calling.
However, the country was not ready for two men to live openly as gay lovers. It was not ready for gay men to create their own community. And it was barely ready for a single man to exit the closet.
Jamie had grown up as the gay movement exploded. He wanted to push the boundaries of acceptability.
"Why don't you come to Dupont Circle and check out the neighborhood?" the youth asked. "There are all kinds of bars and men hanging out. If you're in Washington, you should see its gay center."
Robert could not show himself so openly. His Navy career would be over if he were seen in a gay bar. He knew guys who had been thrown out of the service. Robert was even concerned about Jamie being seen coming in and out of his room at the Y.
"It's easy for you to go into bars or march in a gay parade. I can't. There are too many prying eyes," said Robert.
Robert would not allow Jamie to even take a shower in the bathroom he shared at the end of the hall at the Y. Instead, Robert took a shower and come back to the room with a damp towel for Jamie to give himself a kind of sponge bath. It infuriated Jamie but he respected Robert's decision and fear for his career.
Still, Jamie kept up the pressure. "It's a beautiful summer night. We'll just do some wandering around, no bars, no checking out glory holes," he joked.
Robert gave in. He wanted to get out and see D.C. and spend time with the young man. But they would wait until dusk, leave the Y separately and meet a block away, then take a cab over to the neighborhood.
They followed this plan and were soon dropped off at Dupont Circle.
The neighborhood was teeming with young single guys, many checking out Robert and Jamie. A white guy spied their reflection in a store window, and quickly walked over to see them up close.
He saw Robert, a handsome dark black man, early thirties, tall, well built, and a great smile. The brother took good care of himself, what with the big shoulders, muscled arms and legs poured into tight Levi's. And the package he carried looked like it was busting out of the crotch.
And his partner was adorable Jamie, a medium-height white boy/man, 21, clean complexion, slim swimmers' body with feathered brown hair that brushed his greenish, hazel eyes. His pants hugged his round butt and half-hard cock.
The spy sidled up to them as they stopped to check a restaurant menu. He was a good-looking young white guy dressed for the summer heat. He had the clone look with mustache and a firm ass in his snug jeans.
"This place is pretty good, they give you your fill and the food is delicious," the man said, looking straight at the two lovers. "Are you guys from the neighborhood?"
Jamie wasn't interested. "We're just looking around." Robert stayed silent.
"I know some places that are pretty hot," the man said.
"That's OK, maybe another time," said Jamie, shutting down further discussion. The two walked away and crossed the street.
"I like this neighborhood but it's pretty white, isn't it?" said Robert. "I know folks like to keep with their own kind, but I'd like to see some color."
"You're right. Me too," said Jamie. "The city is pretty segregated and lots of the white gays are not welcoming. There are some, not many, gay bars in black neighborhoods. At least, that's what I've learned."
Jamie took them to a block with a drycleaner, a pizza place and a shoe store amid the walk-up brownstones. Another shop stood out, a bookstore with a two-foot tall, bright neon rainbow sculpture in the display window.
Robert realized Jamie was showing off the store where he worked -- The Surging Rainbow -- one of the few gay bookstores in the country and the only one in the Washington area. Other than the neon sign the store looked like any other independent bookstore.
"Don't even ask me to go in because the answer is no," said Robert.
"OK, now you know where it is," said Jamie.
The two walked another block to a popular restaurant and went in.
"I thought you worked at a record store. Where's that?" asked Robert.
"Only one day a week," explained Jamie. "That's a few blocks up Connecticut Avenue. I've cut back on those hours and become a full-timer at the Rainbow."
The restaurant had a few booths on one wall and a bunch of tables for two- and four-party diners. The place was busy and the mix of straight and gay, men and women, created a steady hum of conversation.
Their waiter was dressed in white shirt and polyester black slacks that pushed his crotch out. The attractive young white guy offered the couple a big smile and said he'd be right back. Jamie and Robert gave each other a look with raised eyebrows, signaling they thought the waiter was a babe.
When he returned the two flirted a bit with him, double checking to make sure what appeared obvious -- he was gay, and he thought the two of them were cute as hell.
"Haven't I seen you someplace before?" the waiter asked Jamie. "I know. You work at the Rainbow. I love that store."
Holding the menu, Robert looked the waiter up and down and said, "There's a lot here that looks delicious. I could see trying all kinds of things. What do you like?"
The young man blushed and moved his crotch closer to the couple. "I'm open minded too. Take a chance, you'll like it."
Jamie and Robert shared glances again and got down to ordering. After the waiter left Robert said he would pay for the meal. "All I've done in Washington is go to class, go home, workout, study," said Robert. "This is my treat since you brought me here."
"Well ... that's not all you've done," Jamie winked, alluding to the two hot fuck sessions the men had enjoyed together. "You pay but I pay the tip."
Jamie discussed working at Rainbow bookstore and its mix of customers, from flamboyant queens to businessmen in suits, old and young, tops and bottoms. He mentioned that he had a story to tell about getting the job.
The cute waiter soon brought their food including a free drink for each of them.
Robert and Jamie got down to eating. Robert soon prompted Jamie to share his tale. The tables were tight together, so Jamie had to keep his voice at a discreet level.
"I was working at that record store. It's a straight store but guys come on to me or they try to feel me out, see if I'm gay," said Jamie. "It doesn't hurt that I wear clothes that show off the goods."
"I'd like to see that," Robert laughed.
"Anyway, one day a good-looking guy comes in. He was trying to look like a 1950s motorcycle guy, a Marlon Brando type - t-shirt, jeans, black boots," said Jamie. "He was well-built, muscular arms, short dark hair and strong legs. He was trying to look like a tough guy, but he was just a regular attractive guy. He made a point of looking me up and down when I helped him.
"He tried to figure out if I was gay," said Jamie. "I made it clear I was but otherwise just acted professional. The store owner was around so I couldn't be too open.
"A few days later Brando comes in with an older guy. Good looking, nice smile. He clearly did some working out, had well-built arms. He would be categorized as a bear. Anyway, he and Brando made conversation with me, threw out some gay hints, bought some records.
"So, a few days later I go into the Rainbow bookstore for the first time. Who should be behind the counter but Brando. We make conversation. He tells me they are looking for a clerk and I was rather good at the record store. If I'm interested, I should come back that afternoon and talk to the owner. I definitely was interested."
Robert spoke up. "I'm sure you were. You get to check out all the local talent, I mean customers, and get first look at horny magazines."
Jamie nodded. "You're right. To be clear, Brando was not just coming on to me. They did need a clerk, the place was busy, they couldn't keep up with the customers."
A few guys at other tables were checking Jamie out as he told his tale, trying to listen while pretending they couldn't hear. The word Rainbow drew some looks.
"I come back, and the owner just happens to be the Bear guy. We talk, and he seems like a good guy, and I tell him about myself, and he likes me.
"He tells me I might be the right guy for the job, but he wants to get to know me better."
Robert piped up. "Yea, I bet the old horn dog wanted to get to know you better. Or should I say, horn bear."
"That's what I'm getting to," said Jamie. "So, Bear invites me to his place, which is on the third floor of the building with the bookstore. He owns the building. Come by on Saturday night, he says.
"I know where this is going but I didn't care. It looked like if I put out, I get the job," said Jamie. "It's insulting but If I'd seen him in a club or the Y, I might have made it with him. I liked the guy, and I like older guys, as you know. And Brando was hot too. Let's face it, that's gay sex in the big city nowadays.
"On Saturday I get dressed in my shortest cut-off jeans. Don't think you've seen me in those. They are so short my balls are hanging out. I get a lot of compliments," said Jamie.
"In other words, you dressed like a slut, and you were open to about anything," Robert joked.
