It was a large theater, and he’d got tickets in the third row.
“How did you get tickets so close to the front?”
“Jeff’s uncle owns the theater. He holds on to tickets in the first few rows. I asked about them right after you said yes and got tickets for the show.”
“That was so sweet of you.”
They watchedWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The performance captivated Rory. He was never interested in theater, but Bernard liked stage plays in high school, and hoped he still enjoyed them.
“That was a wonderful play,” Bernard said as they moved with the crowd.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Didn’t you like it?”
“I was never interested in stage plays, but this performance was amazing. I need to go to the theater with you more often,” Rory said.
“If you didn’t think you’d enjoy it, why did you get tickets?”
“Because you like them.”
Bernard wrapped his arms around Rory. The pressure took the air out of his lungs.
“That is the sweetest thing anyone has done for me.”
Bernard pulled away and looked at Rory. Tears formed in Bernard’s eyes.
“I’m glad I could make you smile.”
“You are the most wonderful person in the world.”
“Thank you.”
*
RORY DROVE THEMto a little restaurant, Café Des Amis. It was in downtown San Jose, and parking was a nightmare.
“This looks fancy,” Bernard said.
“I made reservations.”
“I’m going to guess one of your grad friends has an in?”
“Yes. Nicolas’s mom runs it.”
“Look at you, using connections to impress me. How sweet.”
“I wanted tonight to be special, so I called in a few favors.”
“That makes me feel special.”
They sat down to eat. They both ordered the special, chicken cordon bleu. Rory ordered a glass of wine, while Bernard selected iced tea.
“Hello, gentlemen.” A tall woman approached the table. She’d tied her blonde hair in a bun on the back of her head.
Rory had met Nicolas’s mom a few times. She was a wonderful woman.
