“What do you mean?”
“You used to be happy sitting at home, watching a movie with Ginger curled up at your feet. Now—” she looked at him. “Now you want to push your limits to see how much you can torment yourself before you collapse.”
“I…”
She cut him off. “You have to face the fact the club scene is not for you. You need another route.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. We’ll think of something.”
“Or I live alone.”
“Bernard, you’re a wonderful person who deserves to be happy. There has to be a bear out there for you.”
She reached over and hugged him. He smiled at her use of the term bear. He didn’t know what he’d do without her. Sarah was his rock, confidant, and biggest supporter. She even set him up on dates multiple times. When the dates ended with the guy never contacting him again, he couldn’t face her. He asked her to stop setting him up two years ago. She obliged and stopped. He’d told her he didn’t want to date, and he just needed time alone.
He’d had a single date in two years, but never told Sarah about it. His coworker, Mark, set him up with his brother-in-law, Sean. She’d be upset if she’d found he let someone else try to find him a boyfriend. That date didn’t end well, and he couldn’t admit to Sarah that he’d failed again.
“Maybe I should give in to what the gay community wants. I’ll lose weight, get in shape, and become the stereotypical gay muscle bear they all want. It would make everything easier, wouldn’t it?”
“Seriously?” She pulled away from the hug. “No, it wouldn’t be easier. You’re fine the way you are, and I know you better than anyone. You’re not one to give in to the pressures of beauty standards.” She punched him on the shoulder. “You’re a strong, intelligent, and independent person. You’re a great catch. Anyone who doesn’t see that is missing out.”
“Thank you.” He smiled.
“Now get driving, or we’ll be late for work.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Bernard cleared the rest of his tears from his face and got back onto the road.
*
BERNARD AND SARAHwalked into a three-story office building. It had an empty shop on one side and a drugstore on the other. The Haggarty Insurance Corporation sign occupied the area above the door.
“See you at lunch?” Sarah asked.
“Let’s get sandwiches at Carrie’s.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Sarah walked down the hall while Bernard walked past the information desk.
“Good morning, Alice,” he said to the receptionist.
“Good morning, Bernard.” Alice smiled.
Bernard took the elevator to the third floor, entered the breakroom, waved to Sharon and Mark, and grabbed a cup of coffee on his way to his office.
A desk, filing cabinet, computer, chair, and two shelves crowded the small office. Bernard lit two vanilla candles and pulled out a folder from a cabinet. He pored over spreadsheets, entered data, and performed mathematical calculations. He used risk analysis to help his company turn a profit. His job wasn’t glamorous, but he enjoyed it. Bernard became absorbed in his work. Everything else took a backseat when he focused. He required an alarm clock set at different times to ensure he took breaks, ate lunch, and didn’t stay too late. Sarah joked if he didn’t have the clock he’d be there overnight.
His break alarm sounded. He stood, stretched, and shut it off.
His bladder ached for release. He rushed to the restroom to relieve himself.
After a break, Bernard strolled back to his office with fresh coffee, an empty bladder, and plenty of paperwork on his desk.
When his lunch alarm sounded, he headed downstairs to meet Sarah. They walked across the street to Carrie’s.
