Rose 2

My cell rings. I groan inwardly, seeing it's bro's number. It would be nice if once, just once, he could phone to chat and not to ask for a favor.
Still, to be fair, it's not like he borrows money or needs bailing out of jail. Mosta the favors are truly nonsense trivia.
"Hello Nathan."
"Hi there Sis," I attempt to control my squeamishness as I hear obvious bathhouse sounds in the background, "you remember my buddy Chad?"
Hard to forget Mr Super Over The Top Flamboyant, "is he the one with the neon clothes?"
Nathan and Chad both laugh.
"It's like this Sis. Chad's little sister is going through the whole lesbian angst thing. And yes she knows there's counselling at the Center and free. Best if I put Chad on."
Friendly tone, "Rose, she's scared to death of going to one of those appointments alone. Ditto, being seen in that area with an obvious person like me. But there's lotsa other places straight people could be going to on that street, like the New Age bookstore. So please, could you escort her to the first appointment?"
Inwardly I heave a sigh of relief, coulda been worse, "I understand they have evening appointments?"
"Yes they do Rose. Could I count on your help?"
"Tell her Thursdays are no go. Book any other evening and I'll be glad to do it."
"Thank you so much Rose. You're a nice person, lot better than your brother."
We all laugh.

A Cold War era spy would approve of the amount of planning Megan puts into rendezvous. She chooses a coffee house several blocks away, favored by straights, shunned by gays.
I must describe myself and clothing in detail and she even gives several lines of recognition code. It's not lost on me that she doesn't describe herself. Doubtless leaving open the option of chickening out at the last minute. Do it bimbo and it'll be a Frosty Friday before I do anything else for you.
Rendezvous goes without incident. Spies don't accost us.
Now Megan sees herself as incognito walking down the street in those oh so nondescript clothes. But the amount of rubbernecking and eye motion would earn brownie points from even the toughest US Sgt during days of Nam.
Once she's in her appointment, I take out a textbook.
A half dozen gay guys are lounging about, obviously there just for the free coffee. They switch to talking about the last S&M night at the bathhouse. So obvious they're trying to gross me out.
Still, I have the ability to totally switch off, concentrate on the text and do so.
As Megan and I leave, she says the words I long to hear, "I realize how silly all this has been. I can go by myself in future."
Yes! There is a Santa Claus.