Page 123 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Rod leaned into the embrace. “Let’s grab a shower. We can browse the shops before lunch when we get to Castro Street.”
“Good idea. I’ve never been to a gay district. This will be interesting.”
* * *
Around noon, they stepped off the Market Street bus at the Castro District stop, then walked south on the east side of Castro Street. Rainbow flags and other gay symbols lined both sides of the street.
“Are all the shops gay-friendly?” The number of rainbow flags fascinated Wyl.
“Not only that, but gay-owned and gay-themed. The gay district known as the Castro extends mostly from Market Street down to 19th Street. There are gay shops elsewhere, but this is the main area. It’s quite a tourist attraction.”
Wyl paused at each shop as they strolled down the street. “This is amazing. I never realized gay people enjoyed their own culture.”
“I know, babe. I don’t fit the flamboyant lifestyle normally associated with gay men. I consider myself a man who is gay, not a gay man. There is a difference. A gay man espouses the lifestyle so thoroughly and completely that it becomes his entire life. A man who is gay prefers a male sex partner but lives his life indifferent to that lifestyle. I’m not saying one lifestyle is better or preferable. Everyone chooses how they live, which is up to the individual.”
Wyl nodded, seeing the pride reflected in the sparkle of Rod’s eyes. “I’m glad you chose the way you did. Otherwise, we would never have crossed paths.”
“We love each other, which is a good thing. We enjoy unbelievable sex, which is an excellent thing.” Rod snaked his arm in Wyl’s. “I’m not ashamed of our relationship or our lifestyle.”
Standing in the middle of the sidewalk on Castro Street, Wyl turned to Rod and hugged him, nuzzling his ear. “I’m not ashamed either.” The heat from Rod’s body comforted him as Rod’s arms circled his waist.
A passerby took notice. “Hey, you’re the Advocate guys!” He held the magazine at arm’s length, eyes darting between the magazine cover and the two of them.
“Howdy!” Wyl used his best Texas drawl, turning to face the young man but keeping one arm around his husband’s shoulders. “Y’all seen us on that there magazine?”
Rod’s face contorted to stifle a laugh.
“Can I get your autograph?” The young man held out his copy and a pen he retrieved from the front pocket of his jeans.
“Sure, young feller. What’s your name?” Wyl maintained his drawl, playing up the part. He glanced at Rod’s face and raised an eyebrow. Rod turned away, shoulders shaking.
The young man practically melted into the sidewalk at Wyl’s deep, Texas drawl. “Uh…um…Lee Michaels,” he finally coughed out. “Just make it out to Lee.”
Wyl scrawledTo Lee, Howdy from Wyl and Rodon the magazine cover and signed his name. He nudged his husband, handing the magazine and pen to Rod so that he could do the same.
Rod signed, his face still looking almost psychotic as he nose-coughed through clenched lips. He handed the magazine back to the open-mouthed young man. He grabbed Wyl’s arm and tugged him away before finally breaking into laughter. “You’re such a tease, and where did that drawl come from?”
“I gotta play up the part, don’t I?” Wyl laughed. Rod’s laughter was the best sound he had ever heard, and always would be. Well...that and Rod’s gasps as he came, but here on the street, definitely laughter.
“As long as you end up in my bed at night, you can play all the parts you want.” Rod glanced back at where the young man stood, gawking at them. “That kid was about to cum in his pants.”
Wyl grinned. “Well…maybe I did turn on the charm a bit much, but the guy loved it.”
“I loved watching you interact.” Again, Rod threaded his arm through Wyl’s. “Harvey’s is another block down on the corner, but let’s stop in the bookstore. I want to pick up a few gay cards.”
“What for? You planning to abandon my bed and play solitaire?” Wyl nudged Rod.
“Not that kind of cards, greeting cards. They offer a nice selection of gay greeting cards.”
“How does a greeting card know it’s gay?” Wyl raised one eyebrow and grinned. Rod shot him theI can’t believe you said thatlook. The bell jingled as he opened the bookstore door, and they entered.
Wyl left Rod browsing the greeting cards. He became fascinated with the magazine selection in another part of the store. An entire rack filled with magazines of naked, turned-on men. He rushed back to Rod. “Hey, I found a whole bunch of naked men's magazines.”
“Yes, and ?” Rod chuckled, continuing to browse through the cards.
“You knew about this?” Wyl’s voice ticked up an octave at the end. He’d been all over the world, but as a Marine, he couldn’t allow himself to go into porn shops or, heaven forbid, gay bookstores. And his one almost-gay experience didn’t teach him much about the gay world. Falling for Rod took a lot of getting used to, but this trip to San Francisco opened his eyes to a whole world of gay men that he knew little about.
“Babe, I lived in Dallas for many years. Dallas has a gay section of town, as does almost every major city in the country. They all carry naked men magazines.”’
