Heart Matters on Valentine's Day 3

[Guest guest]

We walked here and there in the park, holding hands and stopping

occasionally under a tree, in a hidden glen to steal a kiss and hold

each other near.

Steve laughed as we were kissing.

" What…? " I asked.

" Someone is going to say to us, `Get a room!' " he said. " You know, I

really didn't expect this kind of first date. I'm kind of in awe of

the whole thing. I mean, I wasn't looking for… um… I wasn't looking

for anyone. You know? "

We entered the National AIDS Memorial Grove and read these words:

" In October 1996, a historic milestone was reached when Congress and

the President of the United States approved the National AIDS

Memorial Grove Act. This official designation as the National AIDS

Memorial Grove, a status comparable to that of the Vietnam Veterans

Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor,

proclaims to the world that there is now a dedicated space in the

national public landscape where anyone who has been touched by AIDS

can grieve openly without being stigmatized, can find comfort among

others whose lives have been affected by AIDS and HIV, and can

experience the feelings of renewal and hope inherent in nature. As

the AIDS pandemic continues to invade humanity in unprecedented

numbers, the establishment of the Grove as the national gathering

place for healing, hope, and remembrance also serves as an important

marker in the history of this dreadful disease. "

We sat in the grove and talked more. He told me about his younger

brother who had died of bone cancer, and I told him about my gastric

bypass surgery. There was a feeling of ease and lightness despite

the heavy subject matter. I told him about my desire to parent a

child, and he said whimsically, " Marry me, and you'll be step-dad to

my son. " We both laughed freely. " Well, don't forget that I need

jewelry, and I prefer silver, " I joked. " Duly noted, sir, " he said

then he kissed me. Then Steve said, " Do you want to get naked with

me? " I let out a hearty laugh, and said, " Sure. Why not? "

We held hands and walked toward the Panhandle. Before long we were

on Page Street. I wasn't really aware of our location. Steve

asked, " So where are we going? " I said, " Wherever. I'd just like to

spend more time with you. "

" Do you want to go to your place? " said Steve.

" Sure, " was my answer.

" Well, we're standing in front of my house, " Steve said as he pointed

to a beautiful n. " Would you like to come in? " I said yes.

To be continued...

[Guest guest]

We walked here and there in the park, holding hands and stopping

occasionally under a tree, in a hidden glen to steal a kiss and hold

each other near.

Steve laughed as we were kissing.

" What…? " I asked.

" Someone is going to say to us, `Get a room!' " he said. " You know, I

really didn't expect this kind of first date. I'm kind of in awe of

the whole thing. I mean, I wasn't looking for… um… I wasn't looking

for anyone. You know? "

We entered the National AIDS Memorial Grove and read these words:

" In October 1996, a historic milestone was reached when Congress and

the President of the United States approved the National AIDS

Memorial Grove Act. This official designation as the National AIDS

Memorial Grove, a status comparable to that of the Vietnam Veterans

Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor,

proclaims to the world that there is now a dedicated space in the

national public landscape where anyone who has been touched by AIDS

can grieve openly without being stigmatized, can find comfort among

others whose lives have been affected by AIDS and HIV, and can

experience the feelings of renewal and hope inherent in nature. As

the AIDS pandemic continues to invade humanity in unprecedented

numbers, the establishment of the Grove as the national gathering

place for healing, hope, and remembrance also serves as an important

marker in the history of this dreadful disease. "

We sat in the grove and talked more. He told me about his younger

brother who had died of bone cancer, and I told him about my gastric

bypass surgery. There was a feeling of ease and lightness despite

the heavy subject matter. I told him about my desire to parent a

child, and he said whimsically, " Marry me, and you'll be step-dad to

my son. " We both laughed freely. " Well, don't forget that I need

jewelry, and I prefer silver, " I joked. " Duly noted, sir, " he said

then he kissed me. Then Steve said, " Do you want to get naked with

me? " I let out a hearty laugh, and said, " Sure. Why not? "

We held hands and walked toward the Panhandle. Before long we were

on Page Street. I wasn't really aware of our location. Steve

asked, " So where are we going? " I said, " Wherever. I'd just like to

spend more time with you. "

" Do you want to go to your place? " said Steve.

" Sure, " was my answer.

" Well, we're standing in front of my house, " Steve said as he pointed

to a beautiful n. " Would you like to come in? " I said yes.

To be continued...