Page 119 of The Texas Sterling Collection
They loaded up on fresh vegetables, luscious fresh fruits, lamb chops, and a free-range chicken.
When they strolled back through Ferry Plaza to catch the trolley, Wyl saw a guy in the crowd. A feeling of dejavu washed over him. Hands laden with bags, he nudged Rod with his shoulder and nodded to his right. “See that guy over there?”
“What guy?” Rod asked, glancing in the direction where Wyl nodded.
“The one in the lime green shirt.” Wyl stood on tiptoes to avoid losing the guy. “I think I know him.”
“Where?” Rod strained to find a lime green shirt among the throng.
The man in the lime green shirt vanished. “Never mind. He’s gone,” Wyl said. “But I could swear I knew him.”
“How could you know anyone in San Francisco?” Rod said.
Wyl shook his head. “Good point. But I swear he looked familiar.”
They caught the trolley. Back in their penthouse, they put the groceries away.
“Are we having lunch here or going out?” Wyl said.
“We’re going to Pier 39 and enjoy clam chowder. Golden Gate Bridge is clearly visible from there if the fog is not in,” Rod said. “And we’ll see the sea lions sunning on nearby platforms.”
“Sounds like a good plan, but I’m not hungry yet.”
“We’ll stroll the shops before we find that restaurant for chowder,” Rod said.
* * *
Pier 39 was busy. “This is a crowded place,” Wyl said. “Must be a popular tourist attraction.”
“Definitely,” Rod said. “You can tell by the shops.” Rod motioned a broad sweep at all the individual stores. “Tourists love the San Francisco branded merchandise.”
“Look, babe. A shop that has ball caps.” Wyl pointed to a store window filled with brightly colored caps of all styles. “Maybe we can find something we like here.”
“Good idea.” They strolled inside the small shop, bought ball caps, and ended up at Clammies for a late lunch. They sat across from one another in a booth.
“Man, are you ever sexy in a ball cap.” Rod grinned at Wyl, peering with seductive eyes beneath the bill of his own cap.
“Stop that, Rod Sterling. You’re turning me on.” Wyl’s chubby threatened to become a full hard-on as he gazed at his husband’s seductive expression. He found him attractive when he met Rod on his first day in the classroom. That attraction never faded. His stomach fluttered every time he looked at Rod. “And you’re sexy in a ball cap, too. We should take these off in the restaurant.”
They removed the distracting caps and ordered clam chowder and San Francisco beer. The beer arrived first.
“Here’s to San Francisco.” Wyl hoisted his bottle for Rod to tap.
“Here’s to Sterlings in San Francisco.” Rod clinked his bottle to Wyl’s, and they took a deep draw.
Wyl coughed. “God, that tastes awful. What the fuck is it?”
“It’s a local beer.” Rod shuddered. “And I agree, not what I expected.”
“Can we order something else?” Wyl set the bottle down and nudged it toward the table's edge with his fingertips.
“Sure, babe.” Rod shoved his bottle likewise. “They likely won’t have Shiner or Ziegenbock. Those are Texas beers. But surely they have a dark beer we’ll like.”
The server arrived with the chowder.
“Take these away.” Rod waved his hand at the local beer dismissively. “What dark draft beer do you offer?”
“We serve Guinness or Dos Equis Amber on tap,” she said.
