*
RORY WAITED INthe parking lot of the park after lunch. He checked his watch; it was ten minutes to two. Bernard would be here soon. He wondered if he’d got cold feet or decided that he wasn’t ready. Rory wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve.
Bernard pulled up five minutes later. Rory walked over and helped pull out the basket for lunch.
“You didn’t have to make anything,” Rory said.
“Well, if we’re going to spend the day at the park, we have to have something to eat.”
They walked down the path, Ginger on her leash, until they came to the clearing near the lake.
“I like this spot,” Rory said.
“Then we’ll eat here.”
They unpacked everything and sat for lunch. Bernard let Ginger explore the surrounding grass.
“Did you make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?” Rory asked.
“Look,” he said, smiling. “You didn’t give me a lot of notice. I threw together what I had.”
They both laughed while they ate their sandwiches and chips.
“Thank you for making lunch,” Rory said.
“It’s my pleasure. I don’t care what we eat, so long as I get to eat with you.”
“You’re so sweet.”
When they finished, they lay down on the blanket. Ginger curled up between them. Rory stretched out his hand and ran his fingers through the grass. It was soft and lush.
He looked over at Bernard. Bernard lay there, eyes closed. Rory just listened to him breathe. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to press his lips against Bernard’s and never stop.
We’re in public. How would he feel if I kissed him in the park? What would other people think?
The image of the man yelling at them flashed through his head and he resisted kissing Bernard.
Bernard sat up. “It’s such a beautiful day.”
“It really is.”
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Bernard asked.
“I’d love to walk with you.”
The scent of the lake drifted outward. Rory wrinkled his nose as a hint of muck hit him. When was the last time they cleaned the water? It was a man-made lake, and the few ducks and fish were not enough to keep it clean.
As they walked around the lake Rory resisted the urge to reach out and grab Bernard’s hand. He yearned to feel his touch. The movie theater was the last time he touched his hand.
“I love the warm summer air,” Bernard said. “It’s so nice.”
“Yes,” Rory said.
Bernard stopped and moved off the trail. Rory followed. Bernard collapsed against a tree and held himself. Tears filled his eyes as his breathing staggered. He was hyperventilating.
“What’s wrong?” Rory knelt beside him.
“It’s…down the trail… I saw…I saw Jason and Tracy.”
