true color {Thomas}

[Jeremy Derenstein]

Jeremy had met Thomas, oh, he didn’t know how long ago. They’d been in brief conversation from time to time, but he hadn’t thought to ask him out for dinner or lunch or a drink just yet. That evening, Jeremy had time. He was off from work, and (this was unusual for him), he’d nothing lined up afterwards. Why not? He’d casually asked him to go to the bar with him, and flashed him a bright smile when he agreed. “Alright, man,” he replied.

January in Vermont was as cold as it could get. Even he had to bow his head to keep the wind from nipping his ears off, despite the scarf he had wrapped around them. His gloved hands were shoved inside his fine Nordstrom coat, though he was starting to regret bringing it where it could get pieces of wet slush stuck to it.

On the way to the bar they passed a piece of graffiti proudly displayed on a store wall. ‘Meta Peace, Mutant Power’ was scrawled over the image of birds’ wings and child-like clouds.

“It won’t be safe for us normal folk soon,” Jeremy said.