CHAPTER4
Theo
Once the shipwas docked at their normal berth in Old San Juan and passengers began to depart for the day, Theo found Gabe, and they made their way to the crew gangway.
“Do you have anywhere specific you want to go?” Gabe asked as they proceeded along the pier.
“Not really. I just need to pick up a couple of things, either at CVS or Walgreens. You know, toothpaste and deodorant, things like that. And I may look for a new hairbrush.”
“Oh, okay. I feel like walking a bit first if that’s all right with you. I haven’t been off the ship for a week, and it will feel good to take a stroll along the water,” Gabe said, clearly excited. Theo loved to see Gabe so animated about something as simple as taking a walk. “Then maybe we can grab something to eat before we shop. We should have plenty of time.”
“That’s fine with me. We could get food at Spiga. You liked it there when we went a few weeks ago, right?” Theo asked.
“Oh, yeah, that breakfast sandwich I had was excellent.” Gabe pointed toward the left. “Let’s head this way. We can walk through the neighborhood a bit and then stop for lunch.”
They went along with no real destination at first, then ended up at the Plaza de Armas. It would be easy enough to backtrack from there, eat at Spiga, then stop at the CVS before returning to the ship.
Lots of tourists milled about in the plaza, and they both waved to a few passengers whom they recognized from the ship. Gabe even spotted Stefan and Chase entering a little coffee shop across from the plaza. He pointed them out to Theo and smiled.
“Looks like the matchmaker strikes again!” Theo said, chuckling. “Well done, Gabe. Have you seen anyone that might be suited to me?”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were looking for someone, my friend.” Gabe seemed curious. “I’d need to gather a bit more information.”
“You can ask me anything you’d like.” Theo’s heart was pounding in his chest. But he’d decided that he would be more open with Gabe.Looks like today’s the day.
“Well,” Gabe began, “we’ve never really spoken about this before.” They sat on a bench near the fountain and people watched as they chatted. “I guess the first thing I need to know is if you’d like to meet a woman or a man?” Gabe’s voice caught a bit as he posed the question.
“Hmmm, you’re right, we never have talked about this before. So maybe I should start by apologizing for not bringing it up earlier. You’ve never been shy about the fact that you like guys, and I like the fact that you were always up front about that.” He saw Gabe blush a bit and smiled.
“Well, I’ve learned over the years that it’s best to be honest about that early on,” Gabe told him. “That way if folks don’t like the fact that I’m gay, I don’t waste a lot of time developing a friendship with them.”
“That makes sense, I guess, but it also makes me a little sad that you’ve had to go through that.” Theo paused for a moment, looking around at the people walking by. “So to answer your question, I’ve dated a few women in the past”—he glanced at Gabe, looking for a reaction—“but I much prefer the company of men.” Relief flowed across Gabe’s face, and his small smile turned into a huge grin.
“That’s extremely helpful,” Gabe said, winking at Theo. “I have lots more experience with men.”
“I bet you do.” Theo grinned wickedly at him.
“Next, what qualities do you like in someone you’d be interested in dating?”
“First of all,” Theo said seriously, “they must be kind. They have to care about others, be a good person.” Theo pondered whether or not he should say more, and deciding not to chicken out any longer, pushed forward. “Someone like you, for example.”
“Me?” Gabe’s voice squeaked. “You’d be interested in someone like me?”
Theo looked directly into Gabe’s eyes. “Gabriel, you are the kindest, most generous, and giving person I know. Of course, I’m interested in you.”
“Why haven’t you ever said anything before?”
“I guess partly because I’m a coward.”
“Please,” Gabe scoffed, “you are the last person I’d call a coward.”
“Well, I guess I was just afraid.” Gabe looked like he wanted to object, but Theo continued. “I knew you like guys, and I realize I should have said something before now. Hell, we’ve known each other for a couple of years. But the more time that went by without me saying something, the harder it was to bring up the topic. What if I said I liked guys too and asked you to go on a date or something, and you said no? Said that I wasn’t your type or something? The thought of that terrified me.”
“Oh, Theo,” Gabe spoke softly. “I guess I need to apologize too.”
“Why?” Theo was confused. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Even though you’ve never talked about whether you like guys or girls or both, maybe if I’d told you that I liked you, it would have been easier for you to talk about it.”
