I'm a woman so you should be aware that this isn't my story at all, but a truly wonderful love story about two men it is my pleasure to call my friends.
I first met Larry when the university called me in to interview for a clerical position. He was the office manager who made me feel welcome with his warm and cheery smile. The interview process took over two weeks to complete because it required a second and then a third interview, but eventually I was hired.
My first day into the job left me wondering if this was really the place I wanted to work. The co-worker in charge of my training was in her mid-fifties and definitely headstrong in her misconceptions of what was right or wrong. About halfway through my first day she asked me how I liked it so far and I told her that is seemed pretty clear cut; personally there really wasn't anything to the job actually and I felt that I was going to be bored out of my mind.
Alice looked quickly around her cubicle at the office manager's desk; it was empty at the moment since Larry had gone to lunch. "You know he's gay don't you?" she asked. When I looked at her like she had just grown an arm out of her forehead, she proceeded as if I didn't understand her. "You know, he's one of those."
Yes, I knew exactly what she meant. "One of those, oh you mean one of those people who has found love?" I replied. I didn't care for discrimination in any form. "Listen Alice, one: it's none of my business, two: it's none of yours and three: I don't care for gossip in any form." Needless to say, I had just made an enemy.
When Larry came back from lunch, I carried a file folder over to his desk, quietly laid it on his desk and bent over like I was asking him a question.
"Larry," I said very softly so that no one could hear me, "I need to speak with you right now, privately or I'm quitting and walking out the front door."
Larry seemed to be in a bit of shock, but he said sure and got up from his desk. We headed into the conference room and shut the door.
"What's wrong Tammy?" he inquired as he took a seat.
I sat at the table across from him. "I'm angry and upset. I don't care for Alice and her back stabbing has turned me off to working here."
"What did she do?" he inquired and leaned forward all attention.
"She made sure to tell me, while you were out to lunch, that you 'were one of those'," I said.
Larry seemed taken back at this revelation and I could tell just a bit guarded.
"Larry, it doesn't matter to me if you're gay or not. I like a person for who they are; not what they are. If you've found love, then you've done better than me."
Larry physically relaxed. He understood that I wasn't upset about him, but about Alice's 'training' procedure.
"I'd really like you to stay Tammy. I know she's a handful, but she does know her stuff," he said trying to calm me down.
"Larry, do you really think she's going to train me properly now since I put her in her place?" He smiled at me warmly.
"I've made an enemy and I know it. I don't care to work with her at all. I think it's best if I move on and find another position. I just wanted to let you know that it didn't have anything to do with you personally; just her." I said looking into his sad eyes.
He looked down at the table and then up again, "Let me make a phone call before you walk. I don't think we can afford to loose someone of your caliber."
"How long will this take?" I inquired.
"Give me two hours; that's all I ask," said Larry.
I nodded my consent and we left the conference room. Well, Larry made a phone call and I proceeded to work at my desk. In about an hour, he came over carry a folder and quietly bent over to talk with me, "Follow me to the conference room," was all he said.
I followed Larry and there was another man in the room waiting for us.
"Tammy this is Tim Bradley, he's the chair of the Language Arts Department," said Larry but his smile at Tim said it all.
