“… I don’t know. I just don’t know…” “Don’t know what?” “I just… You. Me. Us. All of… them.” “What about them? Do you think they’ll care?” “Well, sure.” “Why should they? I mean, consider, bud. No matter what, what you say goes. If you tell them this is all okay, then it’ll all be okay,” “… You make it sound so easy.” “Maybe because it is? I mean, after all… look at you. You’re… you. Alpha Male. Head Rooster. Top Dawg for all us sheep. We do what you tell us to do.” “… Why?” “Huh? “Why do you just blindly do it? What if I’m wrong — “ “Uh, right, like that would ever happen.” “It would, and it has, and you know it.” “Yeah well, that’s not how they see it. You’re golden in their eyes.” “… Maybe so, but this…” “Look, I’m sensing some ambivalence on your part. So… you and me — do you want to end it?” “What?” “It’s a simple question, yes or no. You want to end this?” “No!” “Then?” “It’s not that simple! Maybe if we lived in another time, anther place where folks were more… you know… understanding… but here? Now? Have you seen what they do to guys like us?” “Yup. Every day.” “It’s not pretty.” “Nope, it’s not.” “And God knows I don’t want that to happen to you!” “I sure hope so…. kidding!! Sweet Jesus, you’re so serious tonight! We don’t need to worry about… them. Besides, aren’t you going to protect me?” “Don’t be flip, okay? We’re talking about… monumental risk here.” “Risk for who? You? Look, sorry, not to sound… you know… but I doubt that. I seriously doubt that. I almost categorically deny that. I can only imagine what you’d do if any of them tried to lay a hand on you. You’re sorta beyond risk.” “But you’re not! They could — !” “Nope, I’m not. Yes, they could.” “So why — “ “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve risked so much already with you? Maybe because we all have? But me more than anyone else in that other room, I think maybe you’re worth the risk?” “… I don’t know. Really, I don’t.” “I wonder if you realize how ironic that statement is. I mean, you’re supposed to know everything, remember?” “Well, I don’t. That’s just some nonsense that got cooked up when... Look, if I knew everything, I’d know how to…” “What?” “I’d know how to say I love you without feeling like someone’s going to… I don’t know… grab me up and hang me from a tree or something.” “That’s not going to happen.” “Yes, it is.” “Don’t be silly. Long as you and me are together, no one’s getting hanged from anything, okay?” “… You know I can’t control what they think.” “Who they?” “The rest of this bunch. Some of them might hear this and think, Nope, I don’t want to get involved in any of that shit. Then they’ll start talking about how this is a radical change from the old ways, and — “ “Okay, has it escaped your attention that everything you do is radical? Why should this be any different?” “… Because it is.” “Why? Aren’t you supposed to be the one setting the rules now? Aren’t you supposed to be the one telling us what is and is not okay? And if you change the rules, do they have any right to say otherwise?” “Well, yeah. Free will, remember?” “… I swear, sometimes you talk about free will like you need an escape clause from everything everyone else does. All right, here’s the deal: if you want to keep all this on the down-low, fine. I’ll accept that as just yet another Great Mystery, part of the cost of being in love with you. And I do love you, remember? I’d follow you… anywhere. I will follow you anywhere.” “I know… Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should tell them. Just have it out in the open once and for all.” “Well, your choice… since I assume free will extends to you as well.” “Sometimes. Sometimes not. C’mere.” “Oh, now he wants a hug. Well, all right.” “You’re my rock. You know that?” “Yep. And you’re mine. I’ll never let you down, y’know?” “Yeah.” “… So?” “I’ll tell them tonight.” “Really? Tonight?” “Yes. Right after prayers in the garden. I just need… some alone time to figure out how I’m going to say it.” “You got it. C’mon, dinner’s being put out. Let’s go eat… What?” “I just… I just want to look in your eyes one more time. I might not get another chance.” “You wish. Hey, you can look in them for all eternity, as far as I’m concerned.” “I just might.” “Okay, c’mon, you, let’s go. And they better have something more than just bread and wine. I am so over that. Tonight I want to celebrate!… Wait! One more thing.” “What?” “We really need to talk about… Well, you know he’s going to be here tonight. And I don’t like the way he looks at you.” “Oh stop. You’re just jealous. And you’re kinda cute when you’re jealous.” “Yeah, well, if he tries to kiss you…” “He won’t. Well, not on the lips anyway.” “You are so… infuriating sometimes.” “I know. C’mon. Let’s go eat.”