Page 151 of Something Like Hail

“You chose the one place Icouldn’t resist,” Felix said, eyes darting around the roomagain.

“I’ve got a pocket full oftokens to keep you here too,” Noah replied.

They smiled at each other, which felt good,until Felix started searching the room again. “You said you wantedme to meet some people.”

“Yeah!” Noah turned andgestured to the table where Chester sat. “Just one person for now.Um. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

Felix remained where he was, still staringat the table. “Who’s that?”

“Come find out,” Noah said,putting a hand on his back to gently guide him forward. “Do youwant something to drink?”

Felix shook his head, still fixated on thetable. “He’s one of them, isn’t he?”

“He’s a lot of things,”Noah said. “I’ll let him speak for himself. Try to be open, okay?For me?”

Felix nodded. At least he was still willingto trust, if only a little. They sat at the table, side by side,both facing Chester, and Noah made the introductions. First namesonly. He didn’t dare put a title on his relationship with Felix,and he didn’t want Chester being pigeonholed.

“I’m told you enjoy videogames,” Chester said. “So did Raymond. That’s my late husband. Heloved his gadgets! I thought he was crazy when he brought home avideo game for the first time. I don’t mean a Nintendo or aPlayStation either. This was in the early seventies, yousee.”

“Pong?” Felix asked,already hooked.

“No, it was a Magnavox…Let’s see.”

“A Magnavox Odyssey?” Felixguessed. “Did it have overlays you had to put on the TVscreen?”

“Yes!” Chester chuckled.“That’s it exactly.”

“Those are amazing!” Felixenthused.

“They were terrible,”Chester said with good humor. “And expensive. I was furious whenRaymond brought it home, but he insisted we play together. Hethought I would be impressed! I wasn’t, but after seeing him behavelike a little boy with a new toy, I couldn’t stayangry.”

Noah risked a glance at Felix, who seemedinterested in the conversation. That was good. Maybe he already sawChester as the gentle and friendly person he was. “You should tellhim more about Raymond,” Noah suggested. “It’s a beautifulstory.”

“I’d hate to bore him,”Chester said with a twinkle in his eye, “although I did see someonewalk by with nachos. I’d feel a lot better about droning on and onif you both had something to occupy yourselves with.”

“Nachosdosound good,” Noah said innocently.“And a few Cokes to go with them?”

“I am kind of thirsty,”Felix admitted.

“Then it’s a deal!” Noahhopped up to take care of their order. By the time he returned tothe table, Felix was enthralled by the story Chester was telling.He laughed at all the funny parts, but what mattered more was theemotional ending—how deeply affected Chester was by the loss of hisgreatest love, and how the Gentlemen’s Agreement Club provided himwith a brief respite from the isolation he sometimesfelt.

Chester was in the middle of explaining thiswhen a handsome guy walked over to the table. Noah didn’t recognizehim at first, having only seen a photo before. The dark curly hairand fine features were even more impressive in person. Ruben washandsome, his style refined and yet casual. He wore a thin V-necksweater and faded blue jeans. The expensive watch on his wristimplied he could afford whatever he chose to wear. His grooming wasimpeccable too. Judging from the cultivated way he spoke, he eithertook his education seriously or came from an intellectualhousehold.

“Sorry, gentlemen,” Rubensaid as he took a seat next to Chester. “I’m rarely late, but whenI am, I make it count. Are we discussing Raymond?”

“Indeed we are,” Chestersaid.

“Then there will be timefor introductions later,” Ruben said, looking at Felix and Noah. “Idon’t want to interrupt. I’m too fond of this story. I’ve beenlooking for my own Raymond ever since I first heard it.”

“If only they had made morethan one,” Chester said wistfully before resuming histale.

Noah checked on Felix, who was distracted bythe newcomer. Or maybe attracted to him, which wouldn’t bedifficult to imagine. Harder to understand was why Harold wouldever hesitate. Assuming that Ruben’s personality matched the restof him, he seemed like a good catch.

Chester was a good enough storyteller tocomplete with handsome faces and soon had the table’s fullattention again. “Nothing is more important than spending timetogether,” he said, eyes wet with emotion. “I wish I had realizedthat sooner. When I remember Raymond, it’s not the exotic vacationswe took or life’s big events I think of. It’s us sitting at thekitchen table in the morning, or driving up to Oklahoma to visitfamily. Quiet moments where it was just the two of us, and all wehad for entertainment was the pleasure of each other’s company.Human connections matter most. That’s what I’ve carried with meover the years. Possessions are a welcome luxury, but nothingsoothes the soul like good companionship. I feel honored to havemade the acquaintance of many charming young men. I’ve enjoyed thecamaraderie and had the pleasure of hearing their stories whilesharing my own. Why, two of my favorite young men just happen to besitting at this table!”

“We’re the lucky ones,”Ruben said. “We all adore spending time with you, and I meant whatI said earlier. Your story is what finally got me looking forlove.”

“I can’t imagine thatyou’ll have to look far!” Chester said. He turned next to Felix.“Do you have any questions for me?”