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you just got a call. Yes, I answered it. You didn’t say I shouldn’t! Sorry… I don’t know who it is. No wait, it said Matty. Who is Matty?”
    I had to smile. Matty? I didn’t mind it so much coming from Aaron.
    “Matty, hold on. He’s on his way, although he looks like he wants to strangle me. Be nice to him. He’s a little cranky,” Aaron’s friend whispered loudly into the phone.
    “I’m not cranky, bitch. Give me the phone, sweetie.” That voice I’d know anywhere.
    “Bitch, sweetie… which one is it, Aar Bear?”
    “Hello?”
    “Aar Bear? Hi, Aaron. It’s me. Matt. I’m not sure if you remember…,” I began nervously.
    “Call me Aar Bear again and I’ll hurt you, but don’t be silly, of course I remember you, Matty. It’s been a while. How are you?” Aaron’s voice was like honey. I wanted to keep him talking, but moreover, I really wanted to see him.
    “It has. I wanted to call you, but I wasn’t sure I should. How’ve you been?”
    “Same ol’, same ol’… nothing exciting.” He sounded great and anything but same ol’ and unexciting to me.
    “Can I see you, Aaron? I don’t mean to sound weird, pathetic, whatever. I just… I can’t stop thinking about you. What are you doing?”
    I heard a small laugh, and Aaron said, “Yeah, Matt, that sounds good. I’m at a party, but I’m really ready to leave. Want to pick me up now?”
    He gave me quick directions to a residence off of Logan. I had been sitting in my car while talking to Aaron, so I turned the engine on and headed over the bridge toward the Circle. Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up to the address Aaron had given me to find him standing outside with his arms wrapped around himself to ward off the chill. He saw my car and made his way to me.
    “Where’s your jacket?” I asked. He looked at me in surprise and then laughed.
    “Matty, I didn’t want to mess up my ensemble by covering it! Like the shirt?” I nodded slowly. Aaron had on a tight-fitted, floral-printed button-down shirt, which at least had long sleeves, and tight dark jeans. Yeah, he looked good. Really good.
    “Yes, I like your shirt. You look amazing. But you look cold too. Want my coat?” I offered my coat almost without realizing I had done it. He looked surprised again, but he gave me that glorious smile and shook his head.
    “No, I’m good. Thank you for offering. Where should we go?”
    “Well, I have a suggestion, but if you’d rather go somewhere else, that’s cool too,” I began lamely.
    He raised his eyebrows, inviting me to continue.
    “This friend of mine, Sam, is playing at this little bar off Pennsylvania. It’s pretty cool. A little crowded, but….”
    “Sure. I’m in. Show me how the other half lives, Matty.” I must have given him a funny look because he continued, “The straight half, I mean. This is a hetero bar you’re taking me to, yes? I’m game and I promise not to embarrass you. Much.” He said the last part tongue-in-cheek, but I still wondered what that was supposed to mean. Maybe he was referring to his tightly fitted clothes and the ever-present eyeliner. I guess he looked gay, but plenty of gay people went to straight bars, and vice versa. He was my friend. Who cared what anyone thought? I didn’t imagine they’d think anything one way or the other. This was DC, not some backwater hick town.
    The traffic was a little heavy the closer we got to the bar, so I parked in the first available spot I saw and suggested we walk the remaining two blocks.
    “Aaron, seriously. You’re going to freeze. Take my jacket. Please.” He was wrapped around himself as closely as he could manage, but the guy was very lean. Of course he was cold. I took off my leather jacket and practically shoved it at him. He looked at me funny but didn’t argue this time. The jacket was enormous on him. I had him by five inches easily and a good thirty pounds.
    “I must look ridiculous!” He laughed out loud.
    “Ridiculous but warm,