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It became famous in the last few years because of former executive chef Kevin Gillespie, a wildly popular “Top Chef” finalist who recently opened his own restaurant, Gun Show. The kitchen is now run by Tyler Williams, the former chef of Abattoir.
Lee appeared. He leaned over and kissed Robert on the cheek.
“I’m sorry to be late,” Lee said, looking at his watch.
“I was early,” Robert explained. “I’m glad you planned our meal right here in Cheshire Bridge’s best restaurant. I guess it will continue to sit in love’s playground.”
He was referring to the defeat of City Councilmember Alex Wan’s effort to zone the road’s sex shops and some clubs out of existence. Wan is gay, a point whose relevance was continually questioned.
But the answer was obvious to many: Gay people were long oppressed for the nature of their sex lives and forced into relative invisibility. Should they do the same to others?
“There’s an effort to unseat Wan now,” Lee said. “But forget that. What about our love?” He took Robert’s hand. “It will survive too. I’m so sorry you had to meet Gene. I know it…”
“…made me wonder if I shouldn’t be across the street at Inserection instead of here,” Robert interrupted. “Listen, I’m no fool. We’re both turning 50 and my past is no dumber than yours when it comes to men. I know you’re going on the road in a few months and we haven’t talked about what will happen then. But how about giving me a kiss good-bye when that goes down?”
“Gene was my house boy and a representative of the BDSM community in my freak show,” Lee said. “I kept him in a cage at night and fed him out of a dog bowl. He quit the show and insisted on a bed. I split.”
“Oh, okay,” Robert said after a moment’s pause. “That makes sense. I guess.”
Just then, their server Andrew brought their first course to the table. The two proceeded through seven courses that were indeed like teasing, foreplay, penetration, orgasm and exhausted, sweet recovery.
Afterward, they drove to Lee’s hotel room and hurriedly got into bed, but found themselves immobilized, unable to even roll over. Instead, they chatted on their backs about the forthcoming celebration of their 50th birthdays and becoming a couple.