Page 60 of Keep

“You’ve been on the same page for twenty minutes.”

“It’s a complex page.”

Chad set his book down. “What?”

“I wanted to ask you something.”

“Okay.”

“There’s a concert.” Hank set his own papers aside. Straightened. The formality was involuntary—the senatorial posture that crept in whenever he was nervous. “At the Kennedy Center. October 11th. Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.”

“Okay.”

“It’s National Coming Out Day. I had mentioned us maybe doing something for it. The concert is that evening, and I looked into it. They have a private balcony seating—not completely private, but semi-private. Removed. We wouldn’t be in the main audience.”

Chad was watching him with an expression Hank couldn’t read.

“Classical music is—it’s important to me. It’s how I—you don’t have to say yes. I know it’s not everyone’s thing. If you’d rather do something else, or nothing, or if the timing is wrong⁠—”

“Hank.”

“—because I realize the Kennedy Center is public, and we have the rules, such as they are, what’s left of them⁠—”

“Hank.”

“—and I don’t want you to feel pressured⁠—”

“Yes.”

Hank stopped. “Yes?”

“Yes. I want to go.”

“You do?”

“You’re asking me to share something that matters to you. On a day that matters.” Chad shrugged. “That’s not a hard yes.”

Hank sat there. He had prepared for negotiation. He had prepared for gentle rejection and gracious alternatives and a backup plan involving a quiet dinner instead. He had not prepared for yes delivered in five words, like it was the simplest thing in the world.

“I’ll need a jacket,” Chad said.

“You don’t have to⁠—”

“If I’m going to the Kennedy Center. I’m wearing a jacket.” Chad picked his book back up. “Ricky Ricardo has a wardrobe for every occasion. He’ll have something.”

Hank blinked. “Ricky Ricardo.”

“That’s his name.”

“Your roommate’s name is Ricky Ricardo.”

“His parents are Cuban. Apparently, Desi Arnaz is a national treasure. His mother explained this to me once. At length.”

Hank shook his head slowly. “Ricky Ricardo.”

“You’re stuck on this.”

“I’m going to be stuck on this for a while.”