Page 77 of Beautiful Trauma
“Geoff, without your celebration, none of this,” I said, gesturing to the gathering of people, “would be possible. I love you, man. Thank you for always sticking by me.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be,” he said. “You deserve this life, Henry.”
“Hey, new roomie,” Jess said, flopping down in the empty chair beside Geoff. “All set to move in tomorrow?”
I’d officially moved in with Ezra the previous week, leaving my old room vacant. Jessie couldn’t afford to pay the rent on her own, and she was afraid to place an ad online or in the paper for a roommate. Geoff had been an obvious choice. He was tired of living a lie and ready to step out of the closet.
“I’m nervous, but ready,” Geoff said, his eyes searching the room for a handsome, black man who seemed to reach Geoff in ways no one else could.
“Good,” Jess said, patting him on the shoulder.
I looked for Des, too, but couldn’t find him. Ezra and Archie were also missing. What were they up to?
“Hello, birthday boy,” Simone said, moving to sit on my other side. She kissed my cheek.
“Hi there,” I replied, leaning into her one-armed hug.
Paul joined us, sitting on Simone’s other side. “Having a good time?”
“The best,” I told him.
“Um, Henry,” Geoff said beside me. “Don’t look now, but there’s a sexy, silver fox checking you out.”
I laughed. “It feels like I’ve heard this somewhere before.”
“Nine o’clock,” Geoff mock whispered.
I turned my head, and Ezra stood on the far side of the room with several drag queens, including Archie and Des, standing behind him. “What’s going on?”
“Looks like a flash mob,” Jess said.
“I Like Me Better” started playing, and Ezra and the queens started dancing my way. I laughed when the queens shouted “the Queen City” over New York City in the lyrics. They took their time dancing between the tables, but Ezra kept his eyes locked on mine with every step he took. When he finally reached me, he held his hand out to me while swaying to the beat. I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me up to my feet.
“Hello, Henry.”
“Hello, Ezra.”
We kissed and danced together while the crowd cheered. When the music ended, Ezra dropped to his knee in front of me. He pulled a ring from his pocket and said, “This ring has been in my family for three generations, gracing the ring finger of some of the strongest, most incredible men I know. My great-grandfather and my grandfather have both worn this ring as a symbol of faith and fidelity, and now I’m offering it to you. Will you be my forever?”
“You’reaskingme?”
Ezra laughed. “I’m trying here; work with me.”
“Yes, Ezra, I will be your forever.”
Ezra slid the ring on my finger then kissed my hand before standing up and tugging me back into his arms. “You know what this means?”
“We’re getting married?” I asked.
“Henry: fifty; Ezra: one million.”
The End!