“I heard you,” Sean said, “and I know it’s the whisky talking.”
“No, that was one of the best nights of my life. I want to do it again.”
“You don’t,” Sean said. “You want Rory naked in bed with you, not me.”
Tears formed at the mention of Rory. It would never happen now. He’d made sure of it. Rory wouldn’t talk to him again, let alone get naked with him.
Sean brought over a hot cup of coffee and placed it in front of him.
“I thought you stopped drinking years ago,” Sean said.
Bernard picked up the coffee in front of him and drank. The bitter liquid slid down his throat.
“I did until I ruined everything with Rory. I don’t deserve to be happy.” Bernard put his face against the table. “I screwed up, Sean. He’s gone because of me.”
“Tell me what happened.” Sean sat across from him with his cup of coffee.
Bernard told him everything that happened.
“So, I did it. I pushed away the one man who wanted to date me, just like I always do.”
He’d never verbalized it. Every date he had after Tracy ended because he wasn’t ready. He told them as much. He didn’t even have a second date with any of the men Sarah set him up with. Sean was the first guy he slept with after Tracy, and that was the first time he thought about continuing a relationship. Then Sean told him he wasn’t interested in a relationship. That’s when he gave up on finding love.
“She called you what?” Sean asked.
“A faggot.”
“She is a bitch.”
“Sean!”
“What?”
“That’s Rory’s mom.”
“I don’t give a shit who she is. That’s a disgusting thing to call someone.”
Bernard lowered his head. She had used a vile term, but he shouldn’t have retaliated. He needed to stay calm for Rory, but he didn’t.
The phone rang as Bernard continued to sip his coffee.
“I’ll get it. Stay here.” Sean got up and walked to Bernard’s kitchen phone.
“Hello?” Sean stood silent. “This is Sean, I’m a friend of Bernard’s. I came to get him for a ball game.”
Sean stood as the voice on the other end spoke.
“Nice to meet you, Kelly. So, if you have no plans, maybe you can come over to Bernard’s. He might need another friend.”
After saying thanks and goodbye, Sean hung up.
“You’re going to miss the game,” Bernard said. “I’m sorry I’ve ruined your day.”
“It’s just one game.” Sean put his arm around him. “There will be more. What’s important right now is to help you.”
*
TIME SLIPPED BYand there was a knock at the door.
