Nothing Will Keep Us Apart
Part 6
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The evening air was chilly. Brian took out Justin’s tiny jacket from his backpack and dressed him. He didn’t have a jacket for himself, so he tightened his hold on Justin, hoping to draw warmth from the toddler.
They walked down Liberty Avenue, checking out all the action with a little
shock and a lot of curiosity. All around them they could see guys kissing
guys, girls kissing girls and even a couple of drag queens.
“Lwook Brian, lwook. We’re here.”
“Yes we are. It looks even better with all the twinkling lights,
right?”
“Wight.”
Brian and Justin entered the diner, and he sighed in relief. It was much
warmer inside. They walked to the counter, and Brian checked the big menu
on the wall. He had only 4 dollars, so there wasn’t much he could afford.
All of a sudden the weirdest woman that Brian had ever seen was in his face,
nametag reading ‘Debbie.’
“What can I get you?”
“Umm... What do you want J?
“Mac n’ sheeze...”
“Do you have macaroni and cheese?”
“Sure.”
“How much is it?”
“2.99”
“Ok we’ll have mac n’ cheese.”
“That’s for the little one here, but what about you?”
“I’m not hungry.” Brian’s stomach groaned in protest.
‘Fuck I hope she didn’t hear my stomach,’ he thought.
Just his luck, the woman had heard his stomach, but choose not to comment
on it.
“Why don’t you sit at that booth over there and I’ll bring
your food when it’s ready.”
“Ok.”
Brian and Justin sat at the booth, waiting for Justin’s food. After
about ten minutes, Debbie placed two plates and two glasses in front of the
boys. She served Justin’s mac n’ cheese along with a big burger,
a generous serving of fries, a coke and apple juice.
Brian’s mouth watered at the sight in front of him, but he quickly called
Debbie back to their booth.
“Excuse me miss, I didn’t order all this.”
“I know you didn’t. Didn’t you hear about today’s special?
Buy one meal, get the other for free?”
Brian was about to protest. He didn’t need any handouts. Debbie read
the conflict going inside his head.
“Listen kid. You are going to eat your burger and fries or I will force
feed it to you. Got it?”
In the end, Brian gave up.
“Got it. Thanks.”
“Any time.”
Another customer called Debbie, so she left the boys to their food.
Brian started feeding Justin, taking a few bites from his burger every once
in a while.
Do you like your food?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Do you want to drink?”
“Un-unh...”
“Ok, tell me when you’re thirsty.”
“Kay.”
Debbie knew that something was going on. She did her job, all the while keeping
an eye on the boys, waiting for the right moment to join them. She gave the
check to one of her customers and yelled that she was taking a break to no
one in particular. She joined Brian and Justin in their booth and started
her interrogation.
“What’s your name kiddo?”
“B...Bobby.”
“So B...Bobby, what are you doing here all alone at this time of night,
and who is this cute little guy with you?”
Brian took a bite of his burger, stalling for time.
“This is my brother Jeremy and we came here to eat.”
“Here? Of all places? What are you trying to do, get food poisoning?”
“Ju...Jeremy wanted to come here, he likes the decor.”
“Do you know where you are?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know where this diner is located?”
“Liberty Avenue.”
“Do you know which kind of avenue this is?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you kid? I guess in your young age you
don’t even know what it means.”
“I’m not that young and I know more than you think. Try me.”
“Do you know what gay means?”
“Of course I know. Geez, I’m 13 not 3!”
“So, do you know what kind of avenue, Liberty Avenue is?”
“Gay Avenue?”
“That’s one way to put it. What I’m saying is... What the
hell are you doing here and…. all alone? Where are your parents? In
case you haven’t noticed, there aren’t any kids here at this time
of night.”
“Our parents know where we are. They’re ok with it.”
“Bullshit! You are not shitting me kid. Why don’t you try the truth
this time, huh?”
Return to Nothing Will Keep Us Apart