Happy Hour

It finally broke one hundred degrees during the day, the scorching heat combining with a muggy atmosphere that made the boys’ polos cling to their torsos. It made Jake feel self conscious; he had gained a few pounds on his usually perfectly flat stomach and he felt like the little pocket of fat was pronouncing itself through the cloying fabric. He and Louis were meeting friends on the rooftop patio of one of their favorite bars. It was happy hour, the first in a long stretch.



It had been a long winter and spring filled with frustratingly unproductive work. It was time for Louis and Jake to be social again. The sun cast red rays as it set and a hot breeze fanned the already brown palm fronds around the rooftop patio. Jake had a beer, and regretted the calories but knew he couldn’t handle gin in this heat without getting a headache. Misters sprayed little droplets over Jake and Lou, who sat alone on the couches, and Jake took a breath and relaxed for a moment. The two men were comfortable and happy with each other; it was a good moment. After a year long relationship they each knew that they cared more about each other than about all that was missing in their lives.



Justin showed up first. His boyfriend had stayed home to avoid the heat. Justin was wearing a sky blue polo that brought out the blue in his eyes, his prized blue eyes that contrasted with his black skin. Louis was wearing cool turquoise and Jake was in fiery red. They exchanged hugs. They hadn’t seen in each other in months. Dustin showed up next, and then John and Nathan. Settled into a long couch they tried to position themselves in a circle, talking about work and home life. Dustin had a new job after a stretch of unemployment and had immediately bought a new car. Justin had finished his second degree and was thinking about renting out his house and buying a condo downtown. Jake kept his mouth shut. He tried to listen in on a side conversation between John and Nathan; Nathan was moaning about his ex-boyfriend. Who invited him anyway? He was terrible annoying. He was wearing a hot pink polo and lime green sunglasses.



They plodded dutifully through the small talk. Soon the dirty jokes and gossip started up, anything to spice up the conversation. Someone ordered a martini. Jake had another beer, and the waitress brought them a carafe of water to battle the last of the day’s heat. Dustin dropped his face in Justin’s crotch. John and Jake laughed politely. Later Justin payed for Dustin’s drinks. “What did I do to earn this?” Dustin asked with a wink, then glanced at Jake who was pushing his tongue in his cheek suggestively. Dustin mouthed the words, it’s been a long time. Dustin and Justin used to date. It was cute and short lived, like all the relationships in their social circle. They had all dated or fucked at one point or another, except for Jake and Louis, who were kept at the margin of the circle. Justin told them that their friend Nick had been leading on Matt while playing with Taylor, and was angry that someone had set up Luke with another guy. It was the usual story.



They went home before it was dark. Justin and Dustin were going to the next party, to meet with the boys who thought happy hour was lame. Louis had to get up early, so he and Jake made plans with John for next week and they all parted ways. Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses, assurances that it was so good to see you and we should do this more often.



At home Jake peeled off the tight polo. He wondered if Louis noticed his belly. He had noticed Louis gain weight. Real relationships take their toll on the body. But he didn’t care. Louis was perfect. He was perfect. They cared more about each other than about all that was missing in their lives. “I had fun tonight,” Jake said.