AUTUMN

Jose opens his eyes to see the red rear lights of the cars in front of him, his eyes close again. He begins to wonder why the man to his left is so kind to him. Of all the random gentlemen that have courted him in the past why has he repeatedly spent time with this one. Maybe it’s the way his stubble graces his forehead? Or how quickly he responds to his touch? The way he kisses him? Yes that must be it. Like he means it and what surprises Jose the most is that he kisses him back with the same intent. Is this what they call Falling? To be honest he doesn’t believe he can fall again there’s too many scrapes on his knees. Still as they pull up to his Mommas house Jose doesn’t want to get out, he just wants to spend the night in his arms repeating that goodnight kiss. “You know someone asked me tonight if you were my husband” said Jose

Him: Oh

Jose: I said no, he’s not my husband

Him: That was just his way of figuring out if you were single or not.

Jose: It’s just weird that people assume that about us.

Him: He was into you, don’t let it get to you.

Jose: I had a good time tonight

Him: So did I beautiful.

Jose: Really though I think it says something when random people assume we’re married.

Him: Why do you feel you have to get married?

Jose: I didn’t say that, and I like the idea of it, but I would like someone to date

Him: Do you think it will happen?

Jose: Yes it’ll probably happen when I stop looking for it, or expecting it to happen

Him: Mmmhmm

They look at the other for a long second

Jose: Where is my hat?

Him: On the floor.

After Jose gathers his things in his arms they wrap each other in a tight embrace and kiss with their eyes open. As Jose walks towards his door he finds himself unable to think of any prolific question or witty remark. Only the image of his watery eyes as they said good night laid on his mind.Wait there was one thing that he wanted and that was for those eyes to be the first and last thing he saw every day and night. Still Jose stood stone silent at his Mom’s door, he looked to his car and waved.