What keeps you up at night? Part 3
First dates were usually an annoyance for Buzz Watson. Either he quickly got clued in on the other person's shortcomings or the atmosphere lacked a certain element of excitement. Buzz was not unforgiving to the flaws of human beings, but it was something else when those shortcomings, or lack of understanding, made the other partner spout nonsensical, dehumanizing beliefs; a second date lost its appeal then. The date with Doctor Morales turned out to be something else.
First up, Buzz had spent too much time trying to figure out what to wear for the evening. Second, he was looking forward to it, excitement fluttering underneath his skin. The evening started out in a slow tempo, a throng of people mingling in the spacious underground garage, upbeat music played from speakers and makeshift walls displayed paintings and sculptures.
Buzz stood with Morales in a corner, their backs to a concrete wall while they watched the fourth piece of art of the night. Meanwhile Buzz enjoyed a long-stemmed glass of champagne and the background music that set the atmosphere. Small rosy ice cubes bopped in the frizzy champagne, melting in his mouth. The flavor of raspberry lingered; cold and bittersweet.
Doctor Morales stood shoulder to shoulder with Buzz, the point of convergence between them warm and exciting. The other man was gazing at a large painting; small geometric shapes depicting a larger landscape of spring on a foreign planet. The colors were warm and engaging, but it was the other man Buzz found himself fascinated with. One hidden glance showed Morales in deep thought and the next look, had the man narrowing his eyes.
"I once saw purple grass," Morales commented as he tilted his head. The landscape had a purple-ish tinge; grass and hilltops adorned with the color.
"Oh?" Buzz looked at the other man curiously.
Morales smile seemed playful, "I was young, and smoked too much marijuana," he paused to laugh and then leaned in closer to Buzz, his voice lower, "Shh, don't tell our esteemed colleagues."
Buzz smiled as he shook his head, wondering if Morales would be even weirder when high, or maybe the doctor turned mellow.
The other man looked sharp in a form fitted black suit, flawless design. Buzz wondered what the labels would say; something expensive certainly. Morales wore a dark purple shirt beneath the suit and a bow tie in dark colors with a floral design. Every now and then, the Doctor would tear his eyes away from the tapestry of art and instead glance at Buzz with a prominent smirk.
Whenever it happened, Buzz sipped his champagne nonchalantly. This whole back and forth saw Buzz rapidly replacing one empty champagne glass with a new one. By the time, they had circulated half around the room, Buzz was tipsy and smiling carelessly. He even gathered an ounce of courage and then linked his arm through the nook of Morales elbow and stood a tiny bit closer to the other man.
At the next art piece, a sculpture, Morales started out on a story of a European Interrail trip and the splendor of the Italian countryside.
Buzz was on his fourth - or sixth? - glass of champagne when he caught sight of none other than Captain Raydor. It was a surprise to see her and at an Art Exhibit nonetheless. Buzz tilted his head, only half listening to Morales as he observed his boss. The woman was standing next to a tall, bespectacled man in a narrow, checkered suit. The Captain's dress was snuck by the waist and for a short second Buzz imagined Andy Flynn would feel cheated out of a sight. She was beautiful. Not that she wasn't usually beautiful. There was just something different about her outside the office, Buzz reflected.
The Captain was sipping champagne much like Buzz himself, and from her stance, Buzz figured she was only half listening to her companion.
When the man turned his head, Buzz caught a glimpse of his face. It made sense then; she was out with the lawyer, Mr. Baker. The lawyer was talking with exuberant gestures, a hand in the direction of the painting they were studying.
After a minute, she turned her head and caught Buzz staring.
Buzz gave a little wave and smiled self-consciously.
Captain Raydor's mouth turned upwards and she raised her glass in a toast at Buzz while she rolled her eyes in the direction of Mr. Baker.
Buzz smiled back at her and likewise raised his glass. They each went about their ways.
On his fifth - seventh? - glass of champagne, Buzz found himself out in the back room with the coat rag. Of course, it was all a ruse. The room was unoccupied and the lighting dim.
Doctor Morales was an excellent kisser.
Maybe Buzz should figure out the man's first name?
It was a little weird kissing someone and calling them doctor. Morales leaned closer, his hands gripping around Buzz's front labels. The doctor then backed Buzz up against a wall, deepening the kiss. Buzz wavered with his grip on the champagne flute, splashing half the drink over his hand.
The spilt drink was quickly forgotten as the kiss continued; Buzz became lost in kissing the other man back, his whole body tingling with excitement.
…