At 32' 7" the Cuddy boat is anything but cramped. Above deck, L -shaped forward seating encourages chit chat. Below deck there is a convenient head with sink and shower. Cushions wrap around a V-shaped berth to create a private lounge.
My boyfriend Keith had purchased the craft a before we met at the 2020 Pride Parade. We happened to be both standing at the curb watching the pageant when suddenly his eyes held my eyes.
Back then he had been involved with a dude he called "Crazy Carson" and would some day tell me all about that relationship. For those first few days after the parade we didn't go out of our way to see each other but we did send text messages.
At 6 1 his body is nicely toned. Dark hair and brown eyes with wide thin lips on an oval face cut a handsome figure.
I'm shorter by just two inches. We have similar body types and facial features.
The July sun beat down on Long Island Sound. A few wispy clouds partially covered the sky. Some gulls glided over the water.
For several minutes there was only the sound of the boat's engine and the cries of gulls.
"I ran into my ex the other day."
"Where," I asked.
"I was at Morgan Memorial park with the dog. He had his pet."
"Did you guys chat?"
"I blew him off," said Keith.
I said, "so you only saw him from a distance."
"Yah," he replied.
"I don't blame you."
An incident of road rage led to the breakup with Carson. Having witnessed the fist fight, Keith began to reevaluate his relationship.
"The other driver was a straight dude. He was in the car with his girlfriend. Anyway I pushed the combatants apart."
"A real hot head," I said.
"I remember thinking 'chil out'."
Life with my ex was on my mind.
"I have a really close friend named Ron. He's straight. Clifford, my ex, got pissed off and bitchy about me hanging out with Ronny."
"Does Ron know that you're gay?"
"He's one of the first people I told."
"How long have you guys known each other?"
"Since high school," I said. "We played varsity football."
Meanwhile we continued on course staying within two miles of the north shore.
"I'm thinking when we reach the tip we can go ashore maybe go for a swim."
I suggested, "Orient Point park."
Keith nodded. "That sounds like a good spot."
I pulled off my teeshirt shirt. Keith had already taken his off. We were approaching the north eastern corner before noon and had planned to spend a few hours getting a tan.
Just before noon Keith put out the anchor. We stepped out of the boat into waist depth water and waded to chest depth.
I mentioned that "I grew up in Brooklyn so I've only been to Coney Island."
He replied, "I love it here."
"This is a beautiful spot."
"My boyfriend in high school brought me out here. We were with his parents. Neither of us were out so we had to act as though we were just friends."
I asked, "did you guys do it at all."
"We used sneak around. One time we did in the press box at the high school football field. I remember it was a Saturday night. The place was empty. There were no lights so we snuck in, bounded up the steps."
I chucked at the story but it felt like time for some heart to heart. "You're a good friend to have but you're not my type."
"Not your type," he challenged.