TONIGHT WE'RE GOLD

ONE

His alarm goes off at 6:30 am.

As Frank walks to the bathroom, he hears the coffee brewing already. Thank God or whatever for automatic drip coffee makers. Lois is waiting for him by the back door as he puts on a jacket, ready for her morning walk. 'Good girl,' he says to her. 'Let's go.'

He's been sober for three years, and his sponsor told him that following a routine would help him to stay away from alcohol and drugs. He already gave up his music career, and started a more normal life. Which took a lot of time, and patience he doesn't have. He got a normal job, and got his own place. He's tried dating again, but it's harder for bi men in their late thirties when they can't go around bars or places where alcohol is sold. He's tried dating apps, but other than staying up late talking to random strangers or a couple one night-stands, it didn't work for him. There was Holly. She was a nurse, he thought. They went out a couple times, and then she ghosted him. There was Matt, but he was too young. And Julian, and Kyle. All in their twenties. All of them hot. And they were good in bed. But they were just fuck buddies, not ready for a relationship. So he decided to stay single.

Then, he adopted Lois, and his life changed.

He doesn't need anyone else. Just him and his girl.

He has a purpose now.

Waking up every morning and filling her food bowl and taking her for a walk is all that matters. And it keeps him going.

Every morning, they head out of his tiny apartment, walk down the street, a couple blocks until they reach the strip mall on Main Street, and then right back. On weekends, or his days off, he takes her to the park.

He has a job as server in an Italian restaurant. It doesn't pay a lot, but it's something. He also gives music lessons twice a week. And every other Friday, he goes to his AA meeting.

It keeps him sober, and it keeps him alive, so there he is.

On his morning walk with Lois, he's sipping coffee from his to-go cup, and even smiling. He never thought he'd be happy with his life, ever. Especially not with a life so simple. But he is, he can't deny it. This is one of his favorite parts of the day.

'Hey!' he hears someone yelling in an angry voice, taking him out of his trance, and a second later, Lois is in attack mode too. First thing he sees is a couple kids running away, and trash all over the lawn of this fancy house, Lois barking at the kids, and a long-haired man – the owner of the house, he guesses – standing just outside the door. 'Get the fuck out of here!' Frank yells at the kids. He knows he shouldn't, he's a grown man. But they shouldn't be assholes throwing trash in people's properties. 'Lois, get them!' She's still on a leash, so she can't even go after them, but she still barks.

The house owner just looks from his porch, not doing or saying anything, confused as to why this man is helping.

'Stop littering, or I'll tell your mom!' Frank continues.

Then one of the kids turns around and says to Frank, 'Why? Are you his boyfriend?'

'Yeah, why? You have a problem?' he replies, blowing kisses to the kid. When they're finally gone, he starts picking up the trash.

'You don't have to do this,' the man says, also picking up trash. Frank finally looks up from where he is and sees him. He looks around his age, with hair to his shoulders, and a beard. He looks so pale, like he hasn't been outside in ages, and he's sure he's never seen him around, but again, Frank doesn't know any of his neighbors. 'Any of this.'

'What are you talking about? They're the ones who shouldn't be fucking throwing trash in people's lawns!' He puts all the trash inside the plastic back the stranger is holding. 'I'm Frank, by the way. I'd shake your hand, but that wouldn't be sanitary after –'

'I'm Gerard,' the man mumbles.

Frank notices him now that they're closer, and there's something mysterious about him. He looks sort of a wizard who somehow got trapped in the real world, and he wants to know more about him. 'Anyway, I was just walking my dog, and couldn't let that happen. It's no big deal.'

'Thanks, anyway.' Gerard gives him a tiny shy smile, which makes Frank's day. He likes helping people.

'No problem. I guess I'll see you around.' Then he keeps walking back home.