had at least one. It was not long before they found a small shop that had the type of thing they were interested in purchasing. The old lady that ran it was only too happy to accommodate them. She displayed several heavy gold chains and the two lovers, after discussing the merits of each, decide on one that they both liked. “We will take two of these. Please wrap them separately, as gifts,” Richard requested.

“Oh! And I thought you were buying them for each other,” the storeowner said as she handed them to the cashier for payment and wrapping.

“We are, but we want it to be a surprise and we want to see the other’s delight when we unwrap them later tonight at dinner,” Rich said. Each paid the cashier and took one of the packages.

As they were leaving, Joseph jokingly said to Richard, “I say, old man, I think you have my package and I have yours.”

“Yes old boy. I believe I do,” he played along.

They exchanged packages and as they exited the shop, they could see the storeowner smiling and shaking her head and saying to the cashier, “Lovers, they come in all shapes and sizes!”

After getting home, Richard placed the take-out in the oven to warm it up and made salad, while Joseph set the table. Richard insisted that Joseph set the table with a tablecloth and cloth napkins and two candlesticks. When Joseph finished, Rich stood looking at the table. “Hey something is missing,” Richard observed. “Tell you what. Why don’t you take a shower while I go out and see if I can get it. And I want to see you all washed and dressed in your class ‘A’ uniform. This is going to be a ‘formal’ dinner.”

“What’s missing? Everything looks perfect to me,” he questioned.

“Never mind, just do it, my love.” And with that he left the apartment. Joseph showered, shaved and got dressed in his uniform. He was just coming out of the bathroom when he heard the key in the door. The door opened and in walked Rich his arms loaded down with a beautiful bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine.

“Oh yes!” Joseph said as he relieved some of Rich’s load. “You were right, that’s the crowning touch to the entire evening.”

“Well almost, the crowning touch will come later. You look good enough to eat,” he said, leaning over and kissing Joseph’s lips. “MMM and you smell divine. I love the smell of my aftershave on you. Brings out the animal in me. Grrrrrr! Oh, before I forget, I also had this key made up for you. It’s an extra key to this place. Keep it and use it when you come in on your next leave.

“You didn’t have to do that. I will be calling you before I come in,” he said, and added, “I would not want to walk in on you unannounced. You might have someone else here.”

“No chance of that happening now that we are going to be chained,” Rich assured him. “Here, put the wine on ice and the flowers on the table while I take my shower and get dressed up for our dinner party.”

Joseph