Long And Short Of It

Antsy and preoccupied with images of Teddy that wouldn't stay out of his head, Arlen couldn't stand the thought of sitting through another class. It was 10:30, and although he'd never ditched a class before, he found himself standing in front of Gio Gio's Restaurant, peeking through a front window. Other than a waiter setting up tables, he could see nothing but an empty room. He forced himself to walk away, cursing himself for being a silly faggot with a crush on another guy.

Half a block down the street he turned and headed back to the restaurant. He stopped in the parking lot, took a deep breath, then headed for the door in back. Opening the screen door, he stepped into the kitchen and nervously looked around. He saw Gio at his desk studying some bills. Then he saw Ted at the stove stirring a big pot and cleared his throat. Teddy looked around, seeing Arlen standing inside the door, he smiled, laid the spoon down and went over to him. Gio looked up at the sound of Arlen's cough, seeing him standing inside the door, he stood and stepped around the desk, but stopped when he noticed Teddy approaching Arlen like he knew him.

"Hi... Arlen, isn't it?" Teddy asked, holding out a friendly hand.

Arlen ignored the gesture and curtly nodded.

"What are you doing here?"

The question put Arlen on the defensive. He couldn't just admit he'd had to see Teddy again. He looked down as confusion raged in his head and then he glanced up. "I didn't mean anything by what I said yesterday. I mean......well, you are really handsome. But I'm not gay, so don't make anything of it."

Arlen's body language and facial expressions weren't matching his words and Teddy wondered what that was all about. "Okay," he said, and waited for Arlen to say more.

Arlen let his eyes flick over Teddy's face and he started to say something more, but over Teddy's shoulder he saw that Gio had moved closer. He bit at his lower lip, darted his eyes to the floor and mumbled, "That's all," then backed through the screen door and rushed into the parking lot.

Teddy stepped to the door and looked out to see Arlen leaning against a car, bent over gripping his middle like he had a bad stomach ache. He glanced back at Gio. "I'll be right back." He walked up behind Arlen. "Are you all right?" he asked, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Stay away from me, faggot," Arlen growled.

Teddy was at first startled, but when he recalled the look of raw lust on Arlen's face a few moments before, he chuckled. "That's like the kettle calling the pot black, isn't it?"

Before Teddy realized what was happening, Arlen straightened up and drew back his fist as he turned. Yelling, "Fuck you," he thrust his fist at Teddy's mouth, smashing the lips he wanted so badly to kiss. Then he ran.

Teddy stumbled backwards and fell, hitting his head on the car bumper, then rolled to the ground. He lay there a minute before sitting up. His head was spinning. Gio ran out and helped him to his feet. Blood from his cut lip dribbled down his chin. He spit out a gob of bloody saliva. Gio examined his mouth. "You need to get some ice on that," he said, leading Teddy back inside. Gio made him sit down while he took a dish towel and wrapped some ice in it.

"He didn't hit me that hard. I fell more from surprise than the force of his fist." Teddy took the ice pack and held it against his mouth. "Damn, that hurts," he mumbled around it as he carefully rubbed the back of his head.

Gio was feeling very territorial. He'd only just met Arlen a few nights before when Joe and Dave had come in with Pete, Jason and him. He wasn't impressed with the New Yorker then, and was even less so now. "Where did you meet Arlen?" he asked.

"He was at Pete and Jason's last night when I got there."

"Is it true?"

"What?"

"You didn't deny it when Arlen called you... that name."

Anger filled Teddy. What had made him think that he could just start a new life with no repercussions from the old? He stood up and handed the towel and ice to Gio. "I'm sorry. I'll change and get out. I should have known this was just too good." He strode into the office and threw the locker door open. Grabbing his clothes, he headed for the restroom to change.

Gio watched him walk into the office and mentally kicked himself for being so stupid. He stepped between Teddy and the restroom door and stopped him with a hand on his chest. Teddy looked down at the hand, then back up at Gio and frowned. "Teddy, I want you to stay. I was wrong to ask that. If I was going to be prejudiced, it would be because you're straight."

"Straight or gay, what does it have to do with the job?"

"Nothing, Teddy. I asked out of personal curiosity. I was too forward. I apologize."

The image of Gio being a homophobe one moment and then admitting to making a move on him the next was too much. Teddy shook his head. It made him dizzy. He put a hand out to steady himself and Gio grabbed him around the waist. "Come, sit back down. Arlen may not have hit you hard, but you have a big knot on the back of your head."

One of the waiters coming on duty walked through the door. Gio smiled at him. "Jimmy, do you have your car here?"

"Of course, Gio."

"Would you please drive Teddy home? He bumped his head and is feeling dizzy."

"No problem, Gio."

"Teddy, I want you to go lay down until this dizzy goes away. I will see you in the morning."

"I am okay, Gio, really."

"No, I cannot have you working around hot things right now. Tomorrow, if the dizzy has gone, you can come to work."

Teddy sighed. "Alright, Gio. I'll go." He knew the kitchen to be a dangerous place, and to be working around boiling pots and having a dizzy spell could be disastrous. ~~~~~


Once Arlen got around the front of the restaurant, he ducked into the alley and slumped against the wall. He slid down it until he was sitting with his legs drawn up against his chest. 'What in hell just happened? Did I ever freak out! Good God, I hit him. Why did I hit him? I didn't mean to. Oh God, why me? Why can't I get him out of my mind? When he touched my back it was like nothing I've ever felt. Why does his touch do that to me? I'm not a fag, I'm not a fag. I don't want to be a fag. I don't want to be a fag.'

"Arlen?"

'Damn, why did someone have to come along right now and see me sitting here in the alley like a bum. I must look like hell.' He looked up to see who had said his name. 'Oh hell, it's Dave Gates.' "Hi, Mr. Gates."

"Why are you sitting in the alley? Are you alright?"

"Yes sir, I'm okay," Arlen said, standing and dusting his butt off. He glanced at the big man behind Dave and realized that he'd seen the man sitting at another table the night they caught up with Jason. It dawned on him that the man was Dave's bodyguard.

"You look like you just lost your best friend," Dave said.

"Nah, I'm alright."

"Okay, just remember if you need someone to talk to, I am willing to listen, and help if I can."

"Thanks, Mr. Gates. I appreciate it."

"I'm serious. I am here for you. And call me Dave."

"Thanks, sir, but my father would shoot me if he heard me call you by your first name."

"Your dad's in New York. He doesn't have to know. I won't tell him." Dave grinned.

"Thanks, Dave."

"Well, take care," Dave said, turning to leave. If Arlen didn't want to talk, there was no point in pushing him.

Arlen watched the two men walking away and recalled an overheard conversation his dad had with his mom. He didn't know who Dave Gates was at the time, but he distinctly remembered his dad saying, "Dave Gates could be a big help to our son if and when the time comes." Arlen remembered wondering what kind of help the man could be to him, and he now wondered if his parents had realized back then that he was gay. Arlen decided he'd mull that over later, right now he needed to catch up with Mr. Gates...Dave.

Dave had nearly reached the restaurant door when Arlen caught up with him. "Dave, actually I do need to talk. If you have the time."

"Of course, I've got the time. Let's go in here. Gio's always got some good coffee."

"Please! Anywhere except in there."

Arlen's vehemence startled Dave, but knowing that Arlen was needing to talk, he took it in stride. "Would you like to stop for a cup of coffee at the bookstore?" he asked.

Arlen looked at the ground and kicked his toe against the concrete. "Ah, could we talk somewhere more private?"

"I've got just the place. How about my office in the bookstore? Nobody will disturb us and no one can overhear."

"Thanks, Dave."

"And you have to stop thanking me." Dave said as they started back up the street. "By the way, this is Roger. You can rest assured that anything he hears will be kept in complete confidence. Roger, this young man is Arlen Aldridge, the son of a good friend of mine in New York."

Arlen glanced at the bodyguard who winked at him and smiled. Arlen smiled back and nodded.


When Teddy walked in to get some ice to put on his mouth which was now quite swollen, Pete, who was studying at the kitchen table, looked up at him and his mouth fell open. "Oh God, what happened? No, don't tell me. It was Arlen, wasn't it?"

"What kind of psycho nut is he, anyway? Yesterday he was flirting with me and today he's punching me in the mouth."

"Arlen is having some identity problems. I think he's trying to come out of the closet, but he's still in denial."

"Well, tell him to stay in his damned closet if that's the way he's going to react to being gay. I didn't make a move of any kind on him." Teddy got his ice and headed for his bedroom, but ran into Jason coming down the stairs.

"Good grief. Did Gio hit you with a pot?"

"Funny, Little Man," Teddy mumbled. "I guess, Arlen thought I was too pretty."

Jason stood on the landing which brought him up to Teddy's chin, reaching up he took hold of Teddy's chin and turned it back and forth. "I don't think he damaged your looks permanently, but you're not real purty right now."

Teddy grunted in disgust and pushed Jason's hand away.

"I had a feeling that he was disturbed when he left here night before last," Jason added.

"That's understating it," Teddy growled, heading to his room. He'd developed a headache, so he'd moved the ice pack from his lips to the back of his head. He lay in his darkened room listening to the big blonde cop and his lover carry on in the next room. He couldn't make out the words, but the sounds and tone of voices made it clear they were enjoying each other's company.

He'd briefly met Charley a couple of days ago and he wondered if his partner, Jake... yes, that was his name... was as good looking as Charley. Jason had said something about him writing a best seller with a gay theme. He figured he would read it as soon as he had time. Then he wondered why Gio was interested in whether he was gay or not. Whether Gio was gay or not, didn't matter much at the moment. Teddy still found him hot, but he wasn't about to make any kind of move on his employer.

* * *

Dave led Arlen into the bookstore, stopped and got two cups of cappuccino, introduced him to Sue and asked that they not be disturbed as he led him into his office and closed the door. Roger would have loved to peruse the Science Fiction section while he waited for Dave to come back out, but he was on duty and his job was to be alert at all times, so he stood in front of the door with his arms folded. Sue watched him for a moment, then took him a cup of fresh coffee and pulled a chair over near the door and told him to relax. He smiled his appreciation.


"Wouldn't it be better to leave the door open?" Arlen asked as soon as Dave had closed the door.

"Are you claustrophobic?"

"No sir, It's just that someone might.... uh... you know. They might think we're doing something."

"We are doing something, Arlen, we're having coffee and talking. But if you'd be more comfortable, open the door. I don't mind. I just thought you wanted privacy."

Arlen blushed. "I'm sorry. I'm new to all this. It's okay closed."

Dave shrugged and smiled benignly, "It's up to you."

"No, it's okay."

Dave had two big high-backed leather wing chairs in his office. He motioned for Arlen to sit in one and he sat in the other. He sipped his coffee and acted like that's all they were doing. Arlen sipped his coffee and set it on the little side table next to his chair, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands together. "You won't tell my dad about what we say here, will you?" he asked.

"Not unless you were to tell me to. Otherwise, you have my complete confidence."

"Thank you. The reason I chose to talk to you is that my dad thinks the world of you, and you are someone I admire. You're a regular guy. No one would know you're gay unless they were told." He looked up at Dave. "I want to be like you, since I have no choice."

"No choice in what?" Dave asked.

Arlen took a moment before he looked up at him. There were tears in his eyes. "I don't want to be....gay. I can't help it, I am. I'm gay." Arlen covered his face and sighed. "I wasn't given a choice."

"Arlen. Arlen look at me." Arlen looked up. "Do you think that anyone would choose to be gay?"

Arlen scrubbed at his face before looking at Dave again. "I guess it would be kind of dumb, wouldn't it."

"In this society it wouldn't be a smart choice."

Arlen stared at the floor. "I wonder how my dad will take the news. I've always been this macho jock, it's going to be a shock to him."

"Why? Are you going to turn into a twinkle toes?" Dave asked with a grin.

"Hell no. I'll still be me. I am still me, football jock, Arlen Aldridge."

"I believe that Carl will still love you and be just as proud of you as he always has been. Your mother, too."

"God, I hope so. Right now I feel like such a big disappointment."

"They won't see you that way at all. Your parents love you, Arlen. You'll still be their son."

"I know you're right, Dave. I've got the best parents in the world."

"So, are you feeling better?"

"Some."

"Something is still bothering you?"

He nodded. "I met this fellow a couple of days ago. He's so... handsome. I keep thinking about him. Makes me crazy. I had just punched him in the face when you saw me in the alley."

Dave stared openmouthed at Arlen. "Somehow I don't think your dad would be very proud of that."

"I'm not either."

"Who is the young man?"

"He's working for Gio in his kitchen."

"Oh, so that's why you didn't want to go in there. That's where I was going when I ran into you. Gio had asked me to come meet him. He wants to rent a room with Pete and Jason. Why don't you come with me. You do want to apologize to him, don't you?"

Arlen nodded.

"You want more coffee?"

"No thanks."

"Shall we go then?"


Gio was in the kitchen by himself when Dave stuck his head through the door and called out to him. He was all smiles as he walked over to Dave and gave him a big hug. Arlen watched, feeling envious.

"I came to meet your new chef. I hear he's very handsome."

"And who told you that?" Gio asked with a big grin.

Dave stepped back so Gio could see Arlen who had his head down.

"You!" Gio exclaimed, raising the big metal spoon threateningly.

Arlen looked up at him. "I came to apologize."

"I had to sent Teddy home. He hit his head when he fell and was getting dizzy. Now my kitchen, I have to work by myself tonight."

"I'm sorry Gio. It's all my fault."

"Yes it is." Gio agreed.

"Gio, Arlen is having a difficult time dealing with some personal problems. Give him a little slack," Dave interjected.

"What kind of problems makes people hit someone in the face when they show concern?"

"I'm sorry, Gio. I didn't mean to hit him," Arlen said, stepping up next to Dave."

"You go tell him you're sorry," Gio said, poking Arlen in the chest with the spoon.

Arlen nodded and left, downcast.

Dave turned to Gio after watching Arlen leave. "You shouldn't be so hard on the kid. He's just discovering that he is gay and he has the hots for your new cook. What is his name, anyway?"

"Ted. Ted Edwards."

Dave saw the look on Gio's face. "This guy must be something. You've got the hots for him, too, don't you?"

"Dave, I've seen pictures of beautiful Irish lasses with their auburn hair. Teddy puts them to shame. But he's all man."

Dave grinned at the lust in Gio's eyes. "You were saying something about him renting from me? I don't have any rentals."

"He's staying at Pete and Jason's, your old house. I thought maybe he could rent a bedroom and share the house with the boys."

"How do they feel about it? It is their place after all."

"I guess you should ask them." Gio said.

"So he's a chef, you said?" Dave asked.

"Yes, the U.S. Air Force trained him."

"Really?"


Dave called Jason and met them at the house when they got out of class. When Dave walked into the living room he was secretly impressed with how clean and neat everything was. He hadn't been in the house since Pete and Jason had moved in. The 'ever astute' Jason watched him checking everything out. "You didn't expect a couple of gay boys to live like college pigs did you?" he asked grinning.

"Busted," Dave said as he laughed. "I actually didn't know what to expect. I am impressed."

"And we do it without a maid," Jason said, putting on haughty airs.

Pete just shook his head and smiled. He loved his ballsy little guy.

Dave nodded and tried not to grin. "Even more impressive."

"So you wanted to talk to us, Dave?" Pete asked.

"Oh yes, Gio has this idea that you might be willing to rent a room to his new chef. I just wanted to feel you out about it."

"Why don't we sit down?" Jason said, motioning toward the kitchen table.

"You know," Dave said as he approached the table, "Bill and I always sat here to hash out everything. We didn't use the living room much, except to entertain."

The two boys smiled as he reminisced.

"Can I get you something to drink, Dave? We got sodas, iced tea, or I can make you some coffee if you wish."

"Thanks, Jason, I had a Cappuccino with Arlen earlier," Dave said.

"Arlen? Did he tell you what he did to Ted?" Pete asked.

"Yes, I'm quite sure he'll be around to apologize soon."

"I don't know if an apology will be enough," Jason said. "Do you want to meet him?"

"That would be nice... if he's up to it."

"Let me go see how he's feeling," Jason said, getting up and heading toward the bedrooms. He knocked lightly on Teddy's door and heard a bid to enter. "How are you feeling?" he asked the prone man.

"I'm fine. Lip's going to be sore."

"I'll bet. Our landlord is here and wants to meet you. You feel up to it?"

Teddy sat up. "Sure, let me put a shirt on. I'll be right out."

Jason stopped at Jake and Charley's door and listened. He could hear them talking, so he knocked. "Hey, you lovebirds, Dave is here. Why don't you come out and say 'hi'?"

He heard Jake say that they'd be right out. Jason went back into the kitchen. "Did you know that Jake got out of the hospital today?" he said to Dave. "I told them you're here, they'll be right out."

"How's he doing?" Dave asked.

"He's doing great. They've been in there making like bunnies since Jake got out of the hospital," Jason said, and then giggled. Pete rolled his eyes. And Dave let out a hardy guffaw.

Teddy appeared in the doorway. Pete looked up and smiled at him. "Come on in, Ted, we were just having a good laugh at Charley and Jake's expense."

"Do they ever stop?" Teddy asked, deadpan. They all laughed again.

"Ted this is Dave Gates. He's a close friend and our landlord. Dave this is Ted Edwards, Chef Extraordinaire."

Teddy turned a rosy shade of red and took Dave's hand. "It's good to meet you, Sir." He recalled having seen Dave walking toward the bookstore when he was headed to the quad to meet up with Jason and thinking what a handsome man he was.

"It's good to meet you, too... Sir." Dave replied. They grinned at each other. "Arlen really did get you, didn't he?"

"I've had worse. It's not really as bad as it looks. There's no loose teeth."

"Gio tells me you'd like to live here."

"These guys are really cool," Teddy said. "If they'll have me, I would love living here."

"We'd love for you to live here, Teddy," Pete said.

Jason nodded. "Yeah, maybe you can cook just for us sometime," he said. Teddy rolled his eyes.

Jake padded into the kitchen. He was dressed, but still barefooted. Dave stood up and hugged the big man. "How're you feeling, big guy?" he asked.

Jake smiled. "Like I'm the happiest man in the world. Especially with this man at my side." He reached back and pulled Charley up to his side and kept his arm around his shoulder.

Charley offered his hand to Dave as he said, "Good afternoon, Dave."

Dave grimaced at the offered hand and held out his arms to Charley. "You're part of our family, first and foremost, Charley. You can be formal when you're on duty in front of strangers."

Charley grinned and stepped into the hug.

They all sat down and visited. Dave eventually asked Jake when his next book was due.

"They've made me a big offer if I can get it out in eight months."

"And can you?"

"If Charley can learn to keep his hands off me while I'm writing." He grinned at his lover. Charley grinned back and brought Jake's hand up and kissed the palm. Jake visibly shivered.

Dave shook his head. "New love, ain't it grand?" Jason and Pete grinned at each other and then at the others. Dave glanced at Teddy, who was looking on, filled with envy. "You'll find your man, Ted. Just be patient."


It was nearing nine o'clock that evening when there was a knock on the front door. Jake, Charley and Teddy were in their respective bedrooms. Jason and Pete sat at the kitchen table studying. Jason wasn't quite sure he'd heard the rapping and looked up at Pete, who hadn't heard it at all. "I think there is somebody at the door," he said, as he got up and headed through the livingroom to the foyer. Pete got up and wandered over to where he could see who was there.

Jason looked out the peek-hole. Seeing Arlen standing there, he opened the door. They stared at each other a moment before Jason spoke. "You can come in, if you promise not to hit anyone."

"I promise," Arlen muttered as he shuffled in.

Jason looked him over in the bright light. "You look downright miserable, to be on top of the world," he said, referring to the winning status of the University's football team.

"Whatever."

"You want some coffee, tea or maybe a coke?"

"Hot tea?" Arlen asked, knowing that Jason was fond of Chamomile Tea.

"Come on into the kitchen. We're still hitting the books."

Jason went back into the kitchen, passing Pete who was standing in the door staring at his friend. Arlen stopped in front of Pete, looking like he'd lost the most important game of his life. "I'm sorry, man. I need to talk."

"Feeling less hostile, are you?" Pete asked.

"I apologize for that. I'm going through some heavy shit. I don't know how you guys dealt with it."

"With what? What are you talking about?"

"I'm a Fucking Faggot," Arlen yelled. "And I don't want to be."

Jason was immediately in his face yelling back at him. "You're No Such Thing."

"You may be gay," Pete said pulling his little belligerent lover back against his chest, "but you are not a faggot, so don't use that nasty word."

Two bedroom doors down the hall had opened and three big good-looking men now stood behind Arlen. All three of them were bare chested.

"Did I hear someone yell faggot?" Charley asked. Jake was standing behind him with his hand on Charley's shoulders. Teddy stood to the side with his arms folded, looking angry. Charley had seen Arlen once, but had not been introduced. Jake only knew of him from Jason's story about the infamous kiss, but recognized immediately who he was.

"Yeah, but you won't hear it again," Jason said with conviction.

Red faced, Arlen looked at them each in turn. Seeing Teddy's bruised mouth, he muttered, "Oh shit," and covered his face with both hands, stumbled past Pete, collapsed onto a chair at the kitchen table, and buried his face in his folded arms. Pete followed him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Pull yourself together, guy. You'll get through this."

"You three lunks want some hot tea?" Jason asked, drawing their attention away from Arlen.

"Have you got Camomile?" Jake asked.

"Sure, that's what I'm making for Arlen and us."

All three of them agreed that Camomile tea would be great. Jason pulled out three more mugs and dropped tea bags into them. Pete motioned the three men to the kitchen table with his chin. "You guys stop gawking and find a chair. Our friend here has a problem. Maybe we can all help him come to terms with it."

Pete closed up Jason's and his books and moved them off the table as they quickly took seats. Arlen kept his face buried in his arms. Jake sat next to Charley with a hand on his arm. Charley sat with his elbows resting on the table, chin in hands staring at the top of Arlen's head. Teddy sat apart and away from the table with his arms folded across his chest. Pete sat next to Arlen and rubbed his hand up and down his friend's back.

Nobody said anything while Jason brought mugs of steaming brew to set in front of each man, then passed around spoons, the sugar bowl and a carton of milk, before sitting down himself. Everyone except Arlen busied themselves with their tea. Pete briskly rubbed Arlen's shoulder and squeezed the back of his neck. "Come on, dude, drink your tea."

Arlen sat up and concentrated on his mug. He finally looked up and glanced at each one of the men around the table - his eyes settled on Teddy. "I stopped back in the restaurant to apologize, but you were gone. I'm sorry I lashed out at you like that. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Teddy smiled, "I'll get over it. Are you going to be okay?"

Arlen shrugged. He looked at Jake and Charley. "I'm Arlen Aldridge." He audibly gulped. "I'm ...ah...oh God this is so hard to say... I'm... gay." He closed his eyes and hiccupped.

Charley nodded. Jake reached his hand across the table. "Jake Shipman. Welcome to our world," he said as he shook hands with Arlen.

Charley followed his lead. "Charley Hill. I guess I'm gay, too."

Arlen shook his hand. "What do you mean? I thought you and Jake are...ah... lovers."

"We are. But I'm only gay with him."

"I..I don't understand. You're straight, but you have a gay lover? Can you do that?"

Charley grinned. "No, I'm gay. I just hid it until I met Jake. Once I saw him, it was easy for me to come out of my closet. There was no reason to fight it any longer. I've just never said it out loud before."

"Cool." Arlen murmured. His eyes wandered over to Teddy.

Teddy smiled and fidgeted. He picked up his mug and sipped. When he set it back down, he realized everyone was looking at him. "I'm gay, too. I just got discharged from the Air Force. I got caught in an officer's private quarters."

"Geez." "That sucks." "Oh, man, that's hard."

Teddy grimaced and just nodded his head. "It doesn't matter. I got a certificate from the Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Paris. If they wanted to throw away that training, it was their loss... my gain. I'm a certified chef."

Arlen looked surprised. "Oh, I thought you were just a cook."

Teddy chuckled. "That's exactly what I am... just a glorified cook."

Arlen stared at him. "I'm sorry I hit you. Please forgive me."

"Sure I forgive you, but you're going to have to make it up to me."

"What do you mean?" Arlen asked.

Teddy shrugged with a coy grin. "We'll have to get together and discuss that in private."

Arlen blushed. The other four guys chuckled, amused at Arlen's embarrassment.

They quieted down, sipped their tea, mused about being gay and simply enjoyed the camaraderie.

Arlen studied each of the guys at the table. Jake was the only one he didn't really know much about. He knew that he'd written a successful novel and had been in the hospital, but not much more. "Jake, I just bought your book and have just started reading it. How did you come out?"

"Oh, I kind of knew for a long time that I was different. Never put much thought into it until I started college. By then, I'd done a stint in the army and wasn't concerned about what others thought. I met Jim Provost and we became buddies. I guess I never thought about coming out, I just did it."

"You just got out of the hospital today? Did you have an operation or something?"

"No offense, Arlen, but I don't want to talk about it. If you really want to know, I give Jason permission to tell you. In private." He looked at Teddy who he hadn't been introduced to. "And you, too, since you seem to be part of this group."

"Oh, I'm sorry we should have introduced you guys," Pete said, and then made the introductions. "So for a while, at least, it looks like the five of us are roommates."

"Oh man, I'm always odd man out." Arlen whined.

Teddy laughed. "Looks like I'm odd man in."

"We still have one more bedroom. We could see if Dave will rent it to you," Jason said.

Pete kicked him under the table and Jason glanced at him trying to convey that he hadn't thought it through before opening his mouth. Arlen grinned, "No, and please don't take offense, but there's no way I could move in with you guys and continue playing football. The University may be a no prejudice school, but I'd still get harassed until I would have to quit the team."


Charley studied the big handsome auburn haired man. It appeared to have just gone over everyone's head what Teddy had just said about his chef's education and he couldn't believe how everybody, even Teddy, was so casual about it. Teddy noticed Charley's slight frown and raised an enquiring eyebrow. Since Teddy was the center of attention at the moment, everyone else noticed and turned to look at Charley.

"Does Gio know where you went to chef's school?" Charley quietly asked.

All eyes turned to Teddy wondering at the intentness of the looks between the two men. Teddy shook his head. "No, I didn't mention it, for fear he'd think I'm over qualified to work for him."

"What happens when he finds out?"

"Maybe he won't... at least not until I've made a place for myself in his restaurant."

"What's the big deal if Gio does find out?" Pete asked.

Without taking his eyes off Teddy, Charley answered. "The Cordon Bleu is the very best chef's school in the world... the most respected. The graduates are the most sought after chefs, and Ted here, is hiding it. Why?"


Teddy shrugged and looked away. No one said anything, waiting for his answer. "I guess I'm ashamed of getting such training and not paying for it."

"That's so much bullshit, Ted. It's the Goddamned military system with their homophobic attitude that's guilty here."

"It is a real waste of our taxes," Jason commented.

"Yeah, but most of our good loving Christian taxpayers would prefer to throw the money away, rather than let a gay man serve his country," Charley said, leaving them all to contemplate the gay/Christian situation in the good ol' U.S. of A.