Tales of Akron
Chapter 24
by Dard Hansen
[In Chapter 22, Mike placed a photograph of Dan, his lover, on the
bookcase in his office. Mike and Chester Jennings, one of his
workplace friends, discussed where to place a same-sex partner's
photograph in the office. They agreed that Dan's photograph
would get lost on Mike's messy desk. Dan would be visible to Mike
and to anyone in the office from the bookcase. On the way home,
Mike was elated. He had taken a stand -- he had Dan's photograph
in his office -- no apologies, no explanations, no regrets.]
Dan greeted Mike at the door with a hug and a kiss. Mike
hungrily returned the kiss.
"You kiss as if you've never been kissed," Dan laughed.
"Want some more?"
"Yes. I want some more of your kisses. Let me tell you what I
did today."
Dan raised a hand to silence Mike. "But first, white or red
wine?"
"Champagne! I need to celebrate," Mike laughed.
"Fresh out of champagne. Would you settle for white wine?"
Dan opened the bottle and poured the cool wine into crystal
wine glasses.
"New wine glasses?" Mike asked.
"Thought you'd never notice. I took the afternoon off and
drove to that new antique mall in Medina. Just east of the corner of
Highway 18 and 71.
They've got some treasures and some bargains. That's where
I got the glasses. I want you to go to the Medina Antique Mall with
me this weekend.
Several other things I want to show you and perhaps buy -- if
you approve."
"Let me tell you about today," Mike said with some agitation.
The two men walked into their living room and sat side-by-side
on the sofa.
"You see, I took a photograph of you to work today. I put it on
a shelf in my bookcase. So, I can see you from my desk."
"Any reactions?"
"Chester was in the office when I put the photo on the shelf.
He thought it was a good idea. Just as we finished, Hardstone
strolled down the hall and stuck his head in the door. I said we
were redecorating the office. He said that was great and kept
walking. Frankly, I don't think he saw the photograph. But, I don't
care. I took an important stand and I'm glad."
"I'm glad you're glad," Dan said. "I suppose the shelf in the
bookcase is a place of honor, a shrine to Dan and his love for
you?"
Mike laughed. "No, I'm not sure it's a shrine to you or to our
love. The shrine to our love is here in my heart and brain. Frankly,
it's a photograph and it reminds me of you. When people come in
the office, they know that photograph is of someone I love."
"Sounds good to me," Dan laughed. "How about another
glass of wine? Let's go out for dinner. I'm not in the mood for
either of us to cook."
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