I was living in Tennessee when I met Julie, an artist that ran the local art museum. Julie was attracted to me but I gently told her that I was gay. She took it well and told that her 20-year-old son, Joseph, believed that he was gay. She asked me to meet him and talk to him about his sexuality.
Joseph was a beautiful young man, short, slim and dark haired. He was a budding musician of great promise and looked forward to a career as a composer and musician. He was a charming, intelligent young man.
We met at his mom's house and talked for some time. He was happy to talk to an older gay man and I told him my story and what it was like to come out. Joseph talked very openly about his attraction to men. It was refreshing to meet a young man unafraid of his sexuality.
We became good friends and it was hard not to be attracted to Joseph. I was bit nervous about getting so close to such a young man but Julie was not concerned and told me she was not afraid of our close friendship.