Todd Barker and I knew of each other but had never actually met until that Sunday afternoon in late 2008 at the home of a mutual friend. When we did finally meet, it was over a beer.
He had known my sister Amanda for five years since they met at college. She had been, from the beginning, one of the few who accepted him, his fag hag.
Amanda and I keep no secrets from one another. I had recently come out to her, knowing that she would understand.
The time was coming up on 5. I had been at her apartment for a half hour. She and I were making small talk about the television show that we were viewing. That's when Todd came in response to her invite. I had the impression that she wanted me to meet him.
Roughly a yard separated us on the sofa that first time we had a beer with each other. Amanda sat with a beer and a cigarette by the other wall.
"Todd this is my brother Ron. I told you about him."
"Hi," I said.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Same here," I replied.
"You're homo masculine."
"Yeah I guess," I answered.
Movies came to mind so I mentioned a few. He had seen some of the same films. There were some that he saw that I did not see.
"Sean Penn as Harvey Milk," he remarked, "is one I would like to see."
"He's pretty good."
"Very good," Todd answered in matter of fact tone.
I had always thought love of sports was a common trait in guys. Having heard that gays always opt for musicals, I decided to inquire about that.
"Do you like the 49ers?"
"Ahhhhh," was all he could say.
"The football team," I replied.
"Oh that," he answered. "Amanda told me you're not out."
"He came out to me just a couple of days ago."
"I told her the other morning while driving her to work."
Every guy out of the closet wants a boyfriend immediately. I'm not an exception.
My eyes roamed up and down Todd's small body as though I was cruising him. My brain memorized all his features. The triangular shape face, full lips with the upper angled sharply down to the corners of his mouth, dark hair, and brown eyes all combined to render a really cute boy.
"I'm out since college, graduated three years ago."
"Have you ever been to a sports event?"
"My dad had taken me to baseball games as a little boy. I was not enjoying it. I still don't enjoy them."
"What do you like?"
"I like musicals. The Producers is a funny film. I like shopping, and watching figure skating. I skate."