[In this issue of "What's Up", we introduce a continuing novel set in Akron. The characters are people who live in Akron and have the same issues to face as our readers have. Now, here's the first chapter, we hope you enjoy Gay Akron.]
"Should I take flowers? Yes or no," Mike asked no one in particular as he drove his new Camry from Highland Square toward downtown Akron. At a red light, Mike drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. "I don't know the guy. Yet, I have a blind date with him for lunch. Flowers? Too much too soon?"
Mike's heart beat accelerated as he reached the side street, parked his car and walked quickly to Cafe 115, which conveniently enough was at 115 East Market Street.
Mike had made the date a week ago and confirmed the date last night. He'd responded to an ad in the Gay People's Chronicle and found that he and a fellow named Dan had enough in common to meet for lunch.
"Lunch is safe," Mike had told his friend Bob. "If things don't work out, I have to get back to work. That means I've only invested 60 minutes with this guy. On the other hand, if things click, I take a 90 minute lunch break and make dinner plans."
A regular at Cafe 115, Mike waved to the people working behind the counter and turned to the no-smoking area on the left.
Mike knew he was good looking -- he'd been told that enough. And, he knew he looked good. He bought good clothes and knew how to put colors together so that he didn't look like a nerd. Mike laughed thinking about the nicest compliment he'd ever received -- "Your ass is so good it makes cheap khakis look expensive."
Mike had never met Dan. They'd only talked on the telephone. But, he knew that Dan was 35, an engineer, and was about 5' 10 inches tall and had black hair and a mustache.
Mike ordered coffee and waited.
And, he waited.
And, he waited.
It was only 11:30 and no one else was in the no-smoking area of Cafe 115. Akron workers didn't usually leave their velvet offices for lunch until about noon.
Mike waited.
He saw a man walk past the restaurant's front window and look in. The man
had black hair, a mustache, looked almost 6 feet tall. He wore a dark
blazer, white shirt and a good tie.
Dan?
The man walked into the restaurant, into the no-smoking section and toward
Mike. As Mike started to stand, the man veered away and took a table across the
room. He sat with his back to Mike.
Mike waited.
They were the only two people in the room. Finally, Mike said, "Dan, is that you?"
"Yes," the man answered. "I'm Dan." He continued to sit with his back to Mike.
[Is this the blind date from Hell? What's wrong with Dan? Does Mike have a problem? Find out in the next chapter of Tales of Akron in "What's Up".]
|
|
|