Tales of Akron

[In Chapter 22, Mike broke with contemporary office protocols and took a photograph of Dan, his life-partner, to his office and placed it on his desk. Mike's office friend, Chester, followed Mike's lead and placed a photograph of his lover on a shelf in his bookcase.]

          Mike waited for someone to say something about the photograph. No comments. At mid-afternoon, Mike received a telephone call from Chester.

          "Anyone notice the new photograph in your office?" Chester said.

          "No one said anything," Mike responded. "I don't know if anyone saw it. Is this a veil of silence or is everyone in the office too busy to notice a color photograph in a silver frame on my desk?"

          "That's happening here. I'll keep you posted. Let's get a drink after work."

          Mike continued to work. People walked into his office, conferred with him on projects and left. Doris, the accountant, knocked on Mike's open door.

          "Doris, come in," Mike said.

          "Just checking on your time sheets and travel forms. Moving toward the first of the month. We need to bill those hours."

          "Doris, you're so efficient. Sit down a minute and I'll finish today's time sheet and I'll be even with you. I don't have any travel forms."

          "Oh, nice picture frame. Good looking guy. Who is that?"

          Mike froze for a fraction of a moment. This was the question he wanted. Later, he remembered that his heart beat didn't increase. He was calm when he said, "That's Dan. He's my life partner."

          "Oh," Doris smiled. "Is that like a lover?"

          "Yes, he's my lover."

          "That's what Sam, my brother, calls his lover -- lover. I've not heard of life partner. But, that may be better."

          "Where does Sam live?" Mike asked.

          "He's in Key West. Sam and Joseph have a bed and breakfast and an antique shop there. You and Dan should go to Key West and stay at their place. They give a discount to people who get their time But, Mike, don't think you can get away with this."

          Mike looked at Doris.

          "I know what you're doing," laughed Doris. "You thought you could get me talking about my family and forget your time sheets. It won't work. Give me the time sheets."

          "Thank you, Doris," Mike said.

          "Oh, it was nothing. But, you are responsible for your time sheets. Get them to my office or I'll come and steal the photograph of that handsome man off your desk. I may try to fix him up with my cousin, Gary."

          "Whew!" laughed Mike when she was gone.

          After work, Chester stopped by Mike's office and they drove to Adams Street Bar. Mike told the story about Doris, her comments about Dan's photograph and her gay brother.

          Chester laughed, "Maybe this is less painful than we expect. Sometimes I think everyone in the office knows. I'm just the one pretending."

          "Chester, we need to celebrate. Let's get Dan and Greg and celebrate at Ken Stewart's. I need some hard liquor, some champagne and a party."

          "It's a deal."

          "Chester, do you know what perfect pitch is?"

          "No, what?"

          "Perfect pitch is when you throw a banjo into the dumpster and it hits an accordion," Mike laughed at his joke. "I know what. Let's stop at our house. We can have a real drink while we wait for Dan and Greg. We can make our reservations while our lovers and life partners are coming home."