HAS CONNOR MET A SARTORIAL CONSTITUENT?
"It doesn't seem like you have a lot of men's clothes in this store, but I'm glad you have bow ties." Connor said to the impetuous little redhead attending him. "I am in a position where a polka-dot tie might be a little extreme for my goals-"
The sales boy grinned at him with perfect rosebud lips. "I know, you're running for State Senate. I see your billboards, and we have a friend in common, Brian Kinney."
God, what a small world. My wife is right, I've got to be more careful. Connor thought of Governor Clinton, of Arkansas, and his "bimbo eruptions" He'd never make it to the Presidency, poor man. The world is very uptight.
The clerk knotted the bow tie perfectly around Connor's neck. "It looks very good on you, um, sir." Did he just run his palm on my chest?
Connor felt his groin stiffen, just a little. (You silver fox!) He smiled at the fair-haired boy, sort of a queer version of Opie Taylor. "So what do you do for fun in our little city? I'm trying to learn more about Pittsburgh as it relates to young single-voters."
"I'm sure Brian could show you the more interesting parts of Pittsburgh" That curly red hair! Connor indicated the bow ties he liked, and the adorable clerk bagged them up.
"I...I'm not really seeing as much of Brian. He's a good fellow, but we-he does the art on my campaign, and I don't like mixing business with..." Fornication. Yes, he'd learned that lesson. Brian had thrown a glass ashtray at Connor after their "talk".
"I'll never love another man again!" Kinney had screamed. "Just fuckable faggots, that's all they'll be!" In that case, Connor had done the boy a favor. Larissa was the only constant in his life, though she was probably spreading her legs for the janitor of the State Assembly these days...fuckable faggots...and what of you, Opie? Wanna go fishin'?
DELIVERING A TED TALK
"Quentin, I really enjoy your company, and the time we've spent together" Ted looked earnestly at Quen, who thought only this man could look fifty-five at age twenty-three.
Ted reached across the table and took Quentin's hand. Quen wondered if Ted was aware that his late father's Cartier timepiece now resided in a dormant pocket. Goddamn, look at him sweat.
I gotta get out of here, Nathaniel says there's an eight ball with my name on it once we pop the watch. Quentin had read Nana's aged copy of "Gone With the Wind" while visiting her at the Home, and knew the value of keeping a fella on the line...what was it Scarlett said to Charlie Hamilton? "This is all so sudden, your feelings, I don't know what to say." But fortunately Ted was doing all the talking.
"Quentin, I have had a difficult time coming out of the closet, you know? But I feel like you've helped me a lot. You look so much like Leif Garrett." Ted's eyes rolled madly. "A little like Shaun Cassidy."
"You used to beat off to your sister's "Tiger Beat" magazines too?" Quentin chuckled as Ted blushed hotly. Teddy wasn't horrible in bed, though he came too fast, and then of course apologized. Ugh.
Quentin's eyes scanned the Liberty Diner. Deb, that old hag waitress, she KNEW that Quentin and Nathaniel had been stealing her tips, but she didn't suspect, he hoped, that they'd also emptied the jukebox last week.
Quentin needed to go now, what could he say, he had to read to the blind? But Ted wouldn't let go of his damn HAND.
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR
Hunter hated it when Mama called him Jimmy. The kids at school and Mr. Nesbitt at the Woolworth's-he was real nice-called Hunter by his middle name now...Hunter!
"Jimmy! Where are you? You little brat. Get the fuck out here. Albion wants to see you...you love Uncle Albion, right?"
Hunter wouldn't cry. He'd hated Mamma's friends, the "uncles" when they stayed over with her...but why did they...Hunter would be eight in September, and for his birthday he just wanted to keep his clothes on.
"Goddamn it Jimmy! If you don't come and see Uncle Albion NOW, you're going down in the cellar for two days...no supper."
Hunter bit his lip and left the safety of the curtain. He hoped Uncle Albion would fall asleep fast.
