About The Boys.

Last weekend, I inserted myself into a situation I shouldn’t have.  My friend Alfonso told me not to, ‘he’s going to get mad at you if you try to say something.’  I don’t read the warning labels… I dive right in.  It’ll all be ok. Two of my friends weren’t talking, and I was not happy about it.  This is about that… this is a story about the boys.  

I came out late.  I’m always late.  I was 25, I think.  I was out one night… way past my bedtime.  Some time around 3am sitting at the bar I was complaining about the shitty music someone played, ‘Who played this shit?’  Roger looked over, ‘I did.’  ‘Oh… Hi I’m Henry….’  That’s how all this started.  That’s how I met my friend Roger.  We ended up hanging out that night, and at 5am we exchanged numbers, ‘text me tomorrow.’  He did, and we have been friends ever since, and it’s because of Roger that I have any gay friends. 

The boys.  My gang of gays.  Last week, chatting with Alfonso… ‘this has to end… we’re family… I’m not interested in us falling apart.’  I’ve talked about how important my friendships are in past posts, and the boys are certainly included in that.  We’re lucky to have each other.  All those years ago Roger brought me in.  He introduced me, and told them I was ok, and they let me in.  Over the years we have evolved and we have grown together.  A few weeks ago I text Alfonso and Julio, ‘There’s this Selena drag show at the Mexican Fine Arts Museum.  My family’s going, come with?’  Without hesitation, ‘I’m in.’ Last weekend we went to that event, with my family, and at some point my mom pulled my friends to the dance floor.  They are family. 

The boys taught me to be gay. I used to be so uncomfortable at gay bars, and probably with myself.  I didn’t fit in.  I was never the loud and proud one.  I was not the one twirling on the dance floor, which you probably wouldn’t believe if you know me now.  I’m lucky to have them.  I’m lucky they let me in.  We can depend on each other, and when shit hits the fan we will be there for each other.  I’ll laugh at how honest we are with each other… we will be out to dinner and I’ll wonder what everyone around us is thinking.  Why would you say that out loud?

My friends got over their beef.  They needed to.  There are so few people that know your history -people that know the real you.  You keep those people around.   We need each other.  We keep each other in check.  I didn’t know eight years ago what I was doing by saying hi to a random guy at a bar, but I’m glad I did, because from that came so much more… the boys.

I wonder what we’ll be like in ten years.  We’re so different today from who we were when we met.  We have grown up together.  We have become better people because of each other.  I have so many stories I could tell, but I’ll save those.  One day I’ll write a TV show or movie about us.  We all bring something to the table… and I love that fucking table.