MY NEIGHBOR

I had lived in the neighborhood for about 5 years before our new neighbors, Will, Gretchen and their young son Leon moved in 6 houses from me on a cross street. I would always see them as they were constantly out in their yard. Often Will would be working on his old classic car as he showed his young 8-year-old son, the ins and outs of a car. Not that Leon understood any of this but, it was so great to see Will so affectionate with his son and just the thought of him doing something to be with, and entertain Leon, really made me feel that this guy was really special.
Gretchen was originally from Germany and would occasionally return to see her family and would leave Leo with his father for a couple of weeks. This of course, thrilled Will because there was more one on one time with his son.

Our neighborhood is quite unique in the fact that everyone knew everyone else and we all watched out for each other’s homes when someone went away. We even fed animals, took in papers, mail, and watered each other’s yards. So it was only natural when Will's family moved in that our neighborhood had a welcoming party. There were 2 houses on our block that were owned by gay couples. Jake and John being one couple and Ben and Al being the other.

There was one occasion, after Will and family had been living there for about a year, that Gretchen decided that she was going to Germany for a month and a half and take young Leon with her. She would enroll him in a school there for that month and a half. This of course, left Will home to take care of things and also, his job. Will was a CPA.

The day before Gretchen and Leon were to leave Will dropped by my house and asked if I would be free for dinner the next night, as he was asking some other people over also. Looking at this strikingly handsome man, I could hardly say no. He said to come on over about 6:00 for cocktails as the BBQ would be lit and the steaks cooking for dinner to be served at 7:00.

I thought how nice it was for Will to invite some people over to fill in his loneliness with his wife and son gone. I had no idea of whom else he might invite but found out right quick when I entered the door. It was Jake, John, Ben and Al. How wonderful to have the 2 gay couples there but, I wasn't about to let my hair down around Will, although, I think he guessed that I might be gay or even may have talked to one of the guys about me, as they all knew I was gay.

Will brought out some home made beer and offered it to anyone that would like some. There was also, hard liquor as well as wine. The evening went on just fine with no gay talk, just a bunch of guys getting together to hash out the daily problems of the world. I had even brought up the subject on what a loving father he was and how it did my heart good watching he and his son doing projects together. Not many fathers take the time to do that.

About 9:00, we all decided to call it a night and go home. The more I