September was a busy month for Robert.
First, there was the move into his new apartment. Over the Labor Day weekend, he rented a pickup truck and made the four-hour drive down to his spartan one bedroom place in Norfolk News, Va., near the Newport naval station.
A couple Navy buddies helped him load his stuff up. There wasn't much. Robert had never fully moved into the place because he was often at sea. He had a bed, a dresser, a desk, and some kitchen gear.
He drove back to Washington that night and moved his meagre belongings into his new place with the help of his long-time friend Ty, a black Navy man who had also taken the military tech course.
Ty was out to Robert but remained closeted and acted straight at work. It was 1978 and the government forbid homosexuals in the military. Robert wondered what would happen if the Navy found out Ty was gay. He would never out his friend but knew others could be ruthless.
Ty was the stereotypical gay guy with good taste who knew how to furnish a place. The two men spent an afternoon at Hecht's buying rugs, a couch set, and lamps. They stopped for a beer afterword in Robert's neighborhood that bordered on the Dupont Circle gay center of D.C.
"This location is terrific. I'm proud of you, bro," said Ty. "I'd move here if I could. It's got more hot looking guys per square inch than any place south of New York."
Ty knew Robert swung both ways. They had shared some wild times when they hit international ports of call. Robert wasn't ready to tell Ty he was homosexual, not bisexual, and that he wanted to live as a gay man.
Ty was sticking around Washington for a Pentagon job. But he had decided to keep living at the Y because it was cheap, and he liked the men.
Robert began his teaching job in September, starting as a trainee under the current teacher, a fit white man of about forty who had chosen Robert for the job.
Robert knew the material but teaching it was a challenge. He also had to do a boat load of research to stay on top of all the technology the military was developing.
One evening he was at the neighborhood supermarket picking up dinner when a shopping cart banged into him.
"Excuse me sir, I'm so sorry," said a loud voice.
Robert turned. It was the white boy Jamie, the youth he had met at the Y. They had incredible sex and a connection; there was something special between them.
Robert had been thinking about the gorgeous lad, but he hadn't called. He was so busy. He wanted to hold Jamie right there in the bread aisle but knew he couldn't. Too many prying eyes.
"Where have you been stranger?" Jamie asked. He moved closer and whispered, "What happened to you?"
Robert's first thought was the kid had gotten even hotter looking. He immediately put on the straight front that was necessary in public in 1978.
"It's good to see you too. I didn't know you lived around here," said Robert though he knew the boy shared a brownstone in the neighborhood. About a month before, Jamie had given him a tour of the area and they had dinner in a place with a big gay clientele.
"Yes, I'm over on P Street. I'm still at the bookstore," Jamie said, not mentioning it was the well-known Surging Rainbow.
Jamie was annoyed at Robert's play acting but understood the game. He thought the big black man had left town without saying goodbye. That had hurt. What the fuck was he doing here? Why hadn't he called?
People were staring at them. They made an interesting pair.
Robert was a tall, well-built 32-year-old black man who filled out his khakis and button-down shirt with muscles for days. Jamie was a good-looking, 21-year-old white boy/man with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and the lithe frame of a swimmer.
They looked glorious together and male shoppers were checking them out.
"What are you up to these days?" Jamie asked.
"I'm teaching a course at GW," said Robert. He pushed his cart around a corner to get away from the nosy neighbors. Jamie followed.
Robert said under his breath, "I want to talk. Let's get out of here."
"Talk about what? You disappeared," Jamie said tersely.
"Let me explain. I want to see you," Robert said through clenched teeth.
Jamie acted exasperated though those were exactly the words he wanted to hear.
"I'm sorry. Let me explain," said Robert. He looked at the boy with pleading eyes. "I'll meet you at the German place in 10 minutes."
Jamie knew that meant the nearby Goethe Institute, the German cultural center on R Street. He agreed and went to pay for his groceries, trying to act casual.
He was churning inside. Will the fucker show up or will he just blow me off? Jamie wanted to be with Robert. Just seeing him had sent his heart racing.
Robert pretended to shop but he moved quickly to get in line to pay. He hurried to the Goethe, knowing the intersection was poorly lit and that he and Jamie could speak privately.
He stopped and looked around anxiously, checked his watch.
"Looking for me?" said Jamie from the shadows.
Robert smiled, put down his grocery bag, then took the blonde boy in his arms.
"I've missed you," said Robert.
Jamie was surprised at the affection. It felt great. It was confusing.
"Where have you been? I thought you left town," he said. He couldn't help himself and he returned the hug. He wanted to be mad, but he was elated that Robert was in D.C.
Robert explained his busy month. The new job. The new place. He lost Jamie's number during the move but had left a message at the bookstore. Hadn't he gotten it?
"No, I never got the message. When did you call? Things get hectic there," said Jamie.
Robert apologized. He insisted Jamie look at his place, it was only a few blocks away. The young man agreed.
Once there, Robert showed off his apartment. It was light on furniture, but it was a great bachelor pad for an ambitious, young gay guy. The few lamps meant the lighting was dim, giving the big place a cozy atmosphere.
There was a stereo turntable on a wood grain cabinet against one wall. Robert put on an album of Johnny Hartman singing with John Coltrane on sax. The room filled with the sound of Hartman's sexy, gentle baritone.
