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Chapter Four: Second Date

A Few Days Later

The phone rang. Larry looked up from his needlepoint, startled. "Hello?" A familiar voice replied "Larry? It's Joe." Larry took a deep breath before replying, in what he hoped was a calm tone, "Oh, hey." Joe thought for a second then said, "I know a nice bar, that is if you're still uh interested..." His voice trailed off uncertainly. "Yeah of cour-I mean sure I'm interested. What's the name of the bar?" "East of 8th. Nice place, casual, great margaritas." Larry had never heard of the place. He opened his mouth but before he could say anything, Joe had begun speaking. He sounded nervous. "I'm free tonight if you want to go." Larry replied that he'd love to and they hung up. Larry picked up his needlepoint and had started working again when another thought occurred to him. He didn't know where the bar was or where Joe lived. He rubbed his eyes. I'm SUCH a moron, he thought. The phone rang again. It was Joe. "After we hung up, I realized you don't know where the club is. It's on west-" Larry interrupted. "Could you just come here? To my place? I don't want to cause you too much trouble or anything." He muttered slowly. "No, no. That's a better idea, and I get to see where you live." Joe said pleasantly. Larry told him the address. "I'll be over around nine. Then we can go to the bar. Is that okay with you?" He asked. "That's great. I'll see you then."

As he was getting dressed Joe wondered if he was moving too fast. After all, his boyfriend had only dumped him a week ago. He buttoned up the navy striped dress shirt he was wearing. We'll see
what happens
he thought.

Larry looked at his apartment critically. He tried to see it as an outsider and decided it looked fine. He showered and put on dark jeans and and a green shirt. He combed his hair carefully. It was 9:03.

Joe hesitated at the door briefly before knocking. Larry opened it and they looked each other over. Joe, in his navy and white shirt, light jeans, and black shoes, looked over at Larry. "Did you do something to your hair?" Larry nodded. "Looks nice." Larry mumbled thanks. "Do you want to go?" he asked, unsure of what to say. "Yeah." The club wasn't very far. They had a couple of drinks and started talking. "What do you do for a living?" Joe watched the people at the bar for a second then replied, "I work at a daycare center. The kids are really fun. I mean you never know what they're going to say or do next." Larry agreed, "I like kids, too. I don't know if I'd want any though. It's a lot of responsibility." Joe laughed, "I know what you mean. I only take care of these kids for about seven hours and it's still a lot of work. What about you, where do you work?" Larry said casually, "I work at a craft store, and sell my needlepoint there. I work at a restaurant too." He felt self-conscious. "You needlepoint?" Joe asked. "Yeah. I...I could m-make you something-only if you want that is." Joe's eyes lit up ad he nodded avidly. "That'd be great. Here follow me." He grinned all mysterious all of a sudden. He led him out to a outdoor area. The stars sparkled over them outshining the club lights Joe turned to Larry and smiled. "Do you like this?" Larry felt a strange rush of confidence as he stepped towards him and kissed him passionately before stepping back, and saying simply, "Yes, I do."

I love this chapter and it took me forever to get it to work (continuity and my own incompetence) and to finish it and put it up. Review and PLEASE leave me a note on the title or better yet, suggest your own. I love reviews (even nasty ones, not that I'm saying you should do that...) so go ahead and push the little button. Later.