It was a hot day in July in the city. It also happened to be my day off work. Wearing a Swiss-blue Champion shirt, black jogging shorts and Nike footwear, I was walking through the park mainly for exercise but also admiring the scenery. Very high wispy clouds partially covered the sky. Trees provided shade giving some relief. Even so, the heat was to eventually take a toll on me.
Little did I know that at 10 a.m. after walking for a half hour I was seconds away from an encounter that would change my life.
I looked into the bluest eyes I had ever seen. Light-brown hair framed a diamond-shaped face. A beard covered Porcelain skin. He stood 5' 7, exactly my height. His toned physique radiated sex appeal. Hell I would've taken him then and there.
His Golden Retriever bumped my leg with its body then sniffed my foot. I responded by petting its head.
"Friendly animal," I observed.
"He likes people", the owner replied.
We fell into easy conversation about recent incidents in our lives, our families and growing up. I mentioned that my black lab had died.
"I'm so sorry."
"I Lost him a month ago."
"How long have you had him?"
"Ten years," I replied. "He was a rescue dog."
Michael, it turns out, is 40 years old, 12 years older than me. A physician assistant at Mount Sinai, he specializes in Cardiovascular/Cardiothoraic.
I, on the other hand, work as a radiology tech at Lenox Hill. I mentioned that I got into the medical field recently after working for years at a dead-ender job in dietary.
There seemed to be chemistry between us right from that first moment. He turned around and walked with me for perhaps a half mile.
I asked "are you ever on call."
"I have been," he replied.
After chatting for a short while longer I said, "Let's go for coffee some weekend."
He nodded.
"I'm working this weekend. Hopefully there will be a weekend when you're not on call and I'm off."
"Yah hopefully," he said.
"Let's exchange phone numbers."
With that, we exchanged phones and entered our number to each other's contact list.
His phone rang.
"I need to take this."
Seconds later he was on his way to the hospital and I was on my way home.
I came back to an apartment that seemed not so lonely anymore. I could look forward to seeing Michael. I realized that this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Comfortable in my sofa, I resumed the audio book titled "Hard Call: Stonewall Investigations series." In the story defense attorney "Lorenzo DeLuca" falls in love with P I "Zane Holder" as they prepare the defense of "DeLuca's" client.
In the days that followed Michael and I sent text messages back and forth and even engaged in video chats.
Two Saturdays after that Saturday in the park my phone buzzed with a text while I was having breakfast at 8 o'clock.
"Let's walk in the park then we'll go for lunch. I know a good pizza and sub shop."
Is this a date? Will he become my first boyfriend in 13 years since I was 15?
"Great, I can be there in a half hour."
We came together on the north shore of the resevoir. Like before, the Golden Retriever got chummy with me.
We hung out in the park until almost noon while his pet chased the frisbee and returned it to him.
Angelo's Coal Oven Pizzeria was crowded but a table was available at 12 30. Michael and I had each ordered spaghetti and a beer. We enjoyed an unhurried meal with small talk. Chat about books and authors revealed common taste. That topic gave way to chat about TV shows, movies and actors.
I found myself alone that Saturday evening and missing him. Am I just a friend? Is he not in love with me? What is he doing tonight?
My imagination brought on a strong urge to masturbate. At 9 that evening it took me just a few seconds to get naked and leave my clothes and briefs scattered on my bedroom floor. Rubbing my erection vigoriously, I was bent on achieving an orgasm or two.
Sunday morning found me walking through the park again, this time hoping to see Michael. It was not to be.
Back at my apartment I sent a text.
"I missed you. I just got back from the park."
The reply came within minutes.
"Sorry, I had some personal matters to deal with."
What does he mean by 'personal matters'? Is there another man in the picture? God please don't let there be another man in the picture. Please don't let him be straight.
My longtime friend Jackie Kent is my goto when it comes to relationship matters. We chit chat about all kinds of other stuff as well.
I placed a video call. It rang twice.
"Stevie, what's happening?"
"I think I'm falling in love with someone but I don't know if he feels the same way."
