Page 141 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“We had talked about curling up with a movie, but I like the idea of sipping a cognac and then going to bed.”
After the cognac, they crawled into bed and embraced.
“Happy Birthday, Babe. I love you,” Rod whispered.
“I love you more, Roddy.”
Soon, a soft snore came from the man who made his life complete. He had never been much for birthdays. During his years in the Corps, his birthday was simply another day. Nobody wished him a happy day, and he got no presents. Last year, he and Walt grilled steaks and shared memories of their childhood birthdays over a couple of beers. Then school started, and he met Rod. Then Walt died unexpectedly, and Rod didn’t leave his side. Walt’s death was brutal, but if anything ever happened to Rod, he wouldn’t survive. He tightened his arms around his slumbering husband and promised himself he would always keep Rod safe.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“What do you want to do today?” Rod finished his last bite of breakfast toast.
“Is there someplace you want to show me that we missed?” Wyl began rinsing the dishes.
“How about we stroll through Chinatown today?” Rod set the coffee mugs beside the sink. “It might be busy on a Saturday, but the area is definitely on the list for anyone who has not been to San Francisco.”
“Sounds good to me. I served in China briefly in my Marine days, so I am familiar with the culture.”
“There are lots of interesting shops in Chinatown. Things you won’t see anywhere else, and some pretty weird stuff too.”
“You can keep the weird stuff.” Wyl put the last plate in the dishwasher. “I’m not very adventurous, so don’t count on me to try anything strange.”
“Oh, I don’t know…you seemed pretty adventurous during that guitar lesson…and as I recall, you tried things you never tried before,” Rod teased.
“I went out on a limb, I found you so attractive, and your unexpected kiss tasted amazing.”
“Better than chicken-foot soup?” Rod laughed.
“Better than grilled scorpions or fried shrimp heads.” Wyl laughed and led Rod into the bedroom to shower and change for the day.
* * *
They left the condo at 11:00 and headed to Chinatown. They persuaded another gay couple to take a photo of them at the Chinatown Gate with Rod’s phone. Of course, they were recognized and had to chat. The other couple was from Houston, and so were fellow Texans. They signed the copy ofThe Advocatethat the Houston guys had, and wished them well. Then strolled up the street, people-watching and browsing the shops.
“This is a unique part of the city,” Wyl said. “It’s like we stepped into a different world.”
“That’s what is so amazing about San Francisco.” Rod admired a scarf on a rack outside a shop. “Such variety all crammed into a densely populated city. I wouldn’t want to live here, but it’s a favorite place to visit.”
“And how about these weird food markets?” Wyl stopped in front of a seafood shop and peered in the window. “I don’t even know what most of this stuff is.”
“You and me, both.” Rod thumbed toward the entrance. “Let’s go in and ask.”
The shop had a distinctive, and not altogether pleasant, fishy odor. Rod pointed to the display case. “What is this weird stuff? I don’t recognize any of it. You want to try something?”
“Not me.” Wyl shook his head. “I prefer meat that moos, baas, clucks, or quacks…and if it comes from the water, it better include fins or shells. I see nothing that meets those criteria.”
“You want to taste?” the Oriental gentleman behind the counter asked.
“What are these?” Rod pointed to a tray of small, gray-colored objects that resembled pods from a science fiction movie.
“Those baby squid,” the man said, reaching for one using a wax paper square. He held it above the display case so Rod could get a better look.
“Are they eaten raw?” He’d eaten some weird stuff on his travels, but never raw squid. He ate calamari in restaurants, both the circular variety and the strips. It was good, but fried.
The man nodded. “Mostly sliced in sushi, but some people eat it raw by itself.”
“Do you have any sliced?” That sounded almost like the fried calamari Rod had enjoyed.
