real good. Just watch your asses and don’t let the customers ‘goose’ you. They can get a bit raunchy at times and I don’t want any trays dropped.”

“Oh! Is it going to be one of those parties?” Richard queried.

“Yes, most of the people here will be gay. It’s a twenty-fifth partnership anniversary party,” Reinzi told them, “and their friends are throwing them a surprise Silver Anniversary party. Can you imagine that? Twenty five years and they are still together?”

“What's so unusual about that?” Richard said. “I know lots of couples that have been together that long. Some of them are even heterosexual. Although in this day and age, I will admit that among the younger ‘Heteros,’ 25 days, let alone 25 years, is unusual.”

The owner walked out shaking his head, mumbling to himself something about what this world is coming to, then turned and said to his help, “Okay guys, the plan, as I understand it, is that the guests should be arriving right about now. The guests of honor should show up about a half hour later. You will serve canapés until they get here. There is coffee and an open bar, so you can expect a lot of drinking. Let’s get out there and get to work. Good luck guys!”

Joseph, Rich and the others each grabbed a tray of canapés off the kitchen table, went out into the festively decorated dining room, and started serving the guests. The group was made up of mostly older men. Most were in their late 50’s or 60’s, with a few younger men here and there. There were also a few women, or what Joseph thought were women. The invited guests stood around talking, drinking, joking, and just having a good time. One or two of the men tried to engage the waiters in conversation. Two or three of the men even asked Joseph if he would like to go for a drink after the party. Joseph played it to the hilt, and he even told one persistent guy, “I’ll have to ask my boyfriend if he would mind if I went with you.”

“If that handsome waiter over there is your boyfriend, bring him along too. I’d love to do a threesome.” The guy winked. “I’ll just have to remember to take my heart medication.” The man then reached into his pocket, withdrew something and placed it into Joseph’s pants’ pocket. “I was just kidding about my heart, and as you can see, I’m in very good shape for an old fart. Just in case you should change your mind, there is my address and some cab fare.” Joseph almost dropped the tray of food as the man playfully groped his crotch and whispered, “There’s nothing I like better for a nightcap than a young cock and a hard ass to go with it.” Not wanting to make a big deal out of it, Joseph moved away to serve the other guests.

The drinking and socializing continued for about three-quarters of an hour until someone hushed everybody and said, “Hey, they’re coming, quiet everyone!” As the guests of honor arrived, they were greeted by shouts of “congratulations!” and “surprise!” The stunned couple had to be helped to their places at the head of the table.

Joseph had meanwhile gone into the