At 30 years of age I never saw the change in my life coming until it came. I had been married to Julie for five years. We started out as a couple three years before we got married. I had met Julie Wilson (maiden name) in college at a frat party.
Having just attended an early season baseball game, Julie and I came to a neighborhood tavern for a bite and a beer. We had finished our meal and were on our way out when I spotted Darren.
Darren Lockwood, a 5 9 blond with blue eyes, was an openly gay saxophone player in the West Sayville high school band.
We hung out in different cliques back in the day mainly because I didn't want to be seen as gay, not that I had anything against him. Besides that, we didn't seem to have any common interests.
A few steps beyond the entrance Darren and I stopped to greet one another in the parking lot and engage in chit chat.
He had turned out to be an electrical engineer educated at Syracuse University. He was single, having recently broken up with his boyfriend.
My wife stood by quietly as Darren and I chatted, although I did introduce her.
Later that night as I lay next to my wife in bed sleep eluded me for much of the night. My mind drifted back to high school times, playing baseball, old friends and mischief. Darren and I rarely crossed paths. My friends had been the jocks. He probably hung out with the band members.
Suddenly as I stared at the ceiling well after midnight something was stirring deep inside my soul. Whatever that was it would make me want to find Darren.
Mid morning on Sunday saw me sitting in front of my lap top on the dining table. Julie was chatting across the boundary with our neighbor and friend Elaine West while I did an address search for Darren's contact information. Was this just friendship or something much more?
He turned out to be living at an address not far away from me.
I found the contact information quickly so I placed a call.
A voice answered after two rings.
"Darren Lockwood," I asked.
"This is he."
Steve Tench. We met yesterday afternoon outside Burke's Tavern."
"Steve from West Saville how are you?"
"I'm well. Let's chat and get to know each other better."
"I'd like that."
For the next few minutes we chatted about high school experience and people we knew including teachers. I heard one surprising tidbit.
"Alan Kenner is my cousin."
My then best friend and I were seen as being "joined at the hip"
"Realy, small world," I exclaimed.
"So true," he replied.
"We still get together occasionally. He moved to North Carolina."
"Yes I know that," said Darren.
Minutes later Julia came onto the deck while Darren and I were still chatting.
"Hey I have to do some errands I'll call you back," I said.
"OK," he said in a cheerful tone.
Somewhere deep in my soul I knew that this was more than friendship. A man had come into my life and I wanted to see where this encounter would go.
Julie plays Bridge with the girls on Wednesday night thus leaving me by myself. This night I had no intention of being alone in the house.
The apartment building towered over the main road. I found parking in the spacious lot and walked quickly toward the main entrance.
From there I sent a text.
"I'm outside. I wanted to visit."
Seconds later a text came. "I'll be right down."
Darren's apartment was furnished with an interesting antique white OKD Farmhouse coffee table with sliding doors in front of a matching sofa. He also had a potted plant in one corner.
"Do you care for a beer?"
"Love one," I replied.
He returned seconds later with two mugs of Alagash which he set onto the table then settled next to me.
"You caught me at a good time. I travel a lot for work. I'm gone for weeks at a time."
"I'm glad you're home. When is your next road trip?"
"I'm leaving for Indianapolis Monday."
"Sounds exciting," I said.
I wanted to know what happened with his X boyfriend. Was it a bad break up? Was Darren away from home too much?
