The week flew by work was going so well at this pace I may get a big bonus for bring the job in way under budget. I hadn't seen Sammy, everything was just too busy but here it was Friday and I decided to let the guys go early. Around 1:30, everyone gone and paperwork done, I locked up the jobsite trailer and gate going to hopefully visit him.
Walking in the coffee shop door Rahim pointed to the office door, I walked over and knocked.
"Yeah who is it?" Sammy hollered.
"It's me Joe," I said.
"Hi Joe come in," he said.
"Sammy how are you doing?" I asked.
"Good Joe and you?" he asked.
"I'm doing ok, my wife comes home this weekend I just need to figure how to tell her I'm gay, you know," I said.
"You'll find a way," he said.
"Would you like to go to Charles party with me next weekend?" I asked.
"Joe we need to talk, you see I'm not into gay relationships," he said as he made air quotes with his fingers. "I really am in the hunt to find the gay in straight guys, or at least guys who think they are. You see I have the ability to see thru them, knowing if they are straight or are hidden gays. Joe I like you and want to be a friend, maybe a guide for you, but I can't be a thing with you. This weekend I will be on my search to free another like yourself, show them the way they were made to be."
Not knowing what to say, I was dumbstruck trying to figure what I do now, then quickly said, "That's ok I guess I'll see you there then?"
Scribbling a number on a piece of paper he handed it to me saying, "here's Charles number give him a call, he'll help you through telling your wife, he's a good man."
Leaving the coffee shop I was feeling so vulnerable, what should I do now, I can no longer be with my wife, I needed men but now I have none. Dialing the number on the paper I called Charles.
After a few rings he answered, "hello this is Charles."
"Hi Charles it's Joe, you know the guy that was with Sammy," I said.
"Oh oh you're calling me, did he have the talk with you about turning straight dudes?" he asked.
"Yes he did, thought maybe we had something but I guess it was all in my head," I answered.
"Man don't let it bother you he's been on a mission since his lover broke his heart. Turns out he was bi not gay and decided after 3 years he wanted to marry a girl and left him," he said.
"I didn't know that, wish I knew maybe then we could have gotten closer," I said.
"No that wouldn't happen he's been trying to get straight guys, at least ones he sees as gay, to come out into the community and he's turned quite a lot the last few years," he said.
"Well anyway he gave me your number and said maybe you could help me figure how to tell my wife," I said.
"Figures he turns you and left you out to dry, but seriously he is a good guy trying to do right. Listen I can't tell you what to say but just be honest, that's how I told my wife many years ago." he said.
"Oh I didn't know you were married," I said.
"Yeah married with two boys, still see my boys when they are in town. I met Sammy about ten years later and we've been friends since," he said.
"Thanks I guess I'll just figure it out," I said.