“Well, mingle and have a good time.”
He looked around at the guests. He recognized a few people
from Sarah’s birthday party and sighed with relief that Jeanine was absent.
Bernard found Kelly at the punch bowl. He’d dressed as a pirate, complete with a hooked hand.
“Nice costume,” Bernard said.
“Thank you.”
He grabbed a cup of punch and made his way through the small crowd to the snack table. He struck up a conversation with Thomas, one of John’s colleagues at the real estate agency. He regretted it immediately. Thomas was boring. All he discussed was the shifting prices of homes in the area. The best time to buy, how to refinance, and the best upgrades you can make to your home to increase its value.
Bernard excused himself and headed back to the living room, where music played and conversations didn’t revolve around work.
He ran into Devon and Marsha, who were dressed as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. They’d arrived after him.
Devon worked in marketing at his company, and Marsha was the secretary to the vice president. They were a cheerful couple. They discussed their upcoming Alaskan cruise. He’d wanted to take a cruise for years but didn’t want to do it alone.
“Oh, you need to go,” Marsha said. “This is our third cruise, and it’s so relaxing.”
“Maybe one day Rory and I will go.”
Bernard thought about a cruise with Rory. They’d be free to hold hands whenever they wanted, no one judging them. They’d need to find a couples’ gay cruise. A regular cruise for gays was hook-up central and he and Rory had already discussed the idea of an open relationship, and agreed it wasn’t for them. It was common in the gay community, and that was fine for some, but they weren’t interested.
“Oh, you’ll love it,” Devon said. “I have a cousin who’s an agent. I’m sure he can find a cruise for you two.”
“Thanks, I’ll let you know when we’re ready.”
“Sounds good.”
Six-thirty rolled around, and Rory walked in dressed as William Howard Taft. Bernard grinned.
He moved to meet him at the door.
“I’m glad you made it.” Bernard kissed him.
Rory had shaved as well, leaving his mustache. Bernard ran his hand along the smooth skin. It was soft. The leftover stubble tickled his palm.
“Do you like it?” Rory asked.
“I prefer the beard, but I wouldn’t kick you out of bed.”
“You’re such a charmer.” Rory kissed him.
They spent the evening watching horror movies playing in the family room. Having each other around other couples warmed Bernard’s insides. They were like everyone else.
“You two look comfortable,” Kelly said.
He plopped down on the chair next to the sofa. They weren’t cuddling or even sitting close. Bernard figured it was best not to flaunt anything. Sarah and John wouldn’t care, but they didn’t know how the other guests would react.
“Grabbed some snacks, something to drink, and now watching Michael Myers terrorize babysitters,” Bernard said.
“Sounds like a great evening,” Kelly said.
“What can I say,” Bernard said. “I’m a simple date.”
“Whatever works.”
