the smiling sailors. All the laughing eyes. All the arms around each other. Brothers forever, unto death and beyond.

“Were we ever that young?”

“Or that good looking?” replied Jesus.

“The cars will be here around four this afternoon.”

Brian looked up at the stairs. The boy didn’t move or speak.

“Well, it is about time, said Jesus, smiling.”

The boy walked slowly down the stairs. Twenty, skinny with muscles, not as Mexican as Jesus, black wavy hair, earring in the left ear, tight white singlet and even tighter blue jeans, no underwear. No reason to ever be embarrassed in a public shower.

“Brian, this is my brother’s grandson, Carlos. Charlie, this is the famous Congressman Smith I have told you about.”

Carlos launched a “knock ‘em dead” smile and extended his hand.

“Very glad to meet you, Jefe. Uncle Jay has told me all about you. He’s your biggest fan.”

“I hope he hasn’t told you all about me.” Brian smiled.

“’Fraid so. But don’t worry; it’s no problem for me. I’m another Segrado family faggot.”

They all laughed.

“Carlos is joining the Navy next month. Mad keen on submarines.”

“That’s the spirit. America needs more men like you. But don’t tell the Navy about yourself. Especially the Submarine people; just makes them nervous. Do you live in Los Angeles?”

No. El Paso. I’m here to finalize my papers and tests for the Navy and the Submarines. I only want the Submarines. I don’t need to stand on deck; I’ve got a good enough sun tan.

“Carlos, I hope you love the navy as much as Jesus and I did. But be careful. A boy with your looks will get lots of attention. Don’t get caught. There’s nothing worse than being thrown out from the Navy when you really love it and want to stay. I’ve gone to bat too many times with the Navy Department over the last forty years for boys like you.”

“Like us, Brian.”

“Correction. Like us. The current rules on gays in the services are mad and stupid. But America is a puritanical country. It is ideologically Puritan. That means it doesn’t have to actually be Puritan, but it has to publicly pretend to be Puritan. It is one of the occasional fuck ups in the handsome head of Uncle Sam.”

“I don’t intend to be caught and I don’t intend to be thrown out.”

“Have you ever been in love, Carlos?”

“No. Not really.”

“The problem with being in love is that everyone around you can see it. It is worse in the services because everyone lives so close to each other. Not everyone you will meet in the Navy will be nice. Always remember that.”

“Did you ever get caught, when you were in the Navy?”

Jesus and Brian both laughed out loud.

“What have you told him, Jesus?”

“Nothing much; just little bits about me and Ricky. Nothing about Pearl.”

“Pearl? Who’s Pearl? Carlos looked at each of them.”

“Does your family know you are gay?”

“Sure. They have no problem, they are living in the 1990s. They know about Uncle Jay, and my mother’s brother Vic, is also gay.”

“Jesus, I think that you should make some more coffee and