Taste. Part 3

"You're sweet," Lil said, basking in the compliment.

"Tell me about Lyndon Lyle Lampert," Grier asked. "Do you have a partner?"

"Heavens no."

"Don't you believe in love?"

"I do, but I haven't met the right guy yet, and I won't settle."

"Does he have to walk on water?"

Lil laughed. "Not necessarily, but he's got to make my heart flutter, my breath catch in my throat, my c.o.c.k surge with interest, and not always in that order. Two out of the three ingredients are a requirement."

"I suppose I could always glamour you."

"True Blood fan?" fan?"

"Vampire Diaries," Grier admitted. "My heart jumps around whenever the bad vamp shows up on the screen."

"Damon is rather hot, isn't he? Makes you want to bare your neck willingly."

"And other parts as well."

"s.l.u.tty boy," Lil teased. "Do you have anyone special?"

"If I did I wouldn't be here, would I?"

"Oh, you're one of those good boys who believes in monogamy."

"Don't you?"

"I've never found anyone who'd make me even consider it."

"That's hard to understand."

"We can't all be Clark and Jody."

"I wish I had a little bit of Clark in me."

"Hon, you're just as gorgeous, except he's got the whole Viking G.o.d thing going, whereas you're more Italian bad boy."

"s.h.i.t," Grier mumbled. "I'm nothing like Clark."

"In what sense?"

"He's out and proud."

"And you're not?" Lil was very surprised considering Grier had no problem kissing him in public.

"I take that back," Grier clarified. "I'm out with everyone except my father."

"And his approval means the most?"

"Yes."

"What about your mother?"

"She pa.s.sed away last year."

"I'm sorry."

"I miss her a lot." Grier looked out toward the horizon, and Lil could feel the melancholy that swamped the young man as memories surfaced. "Her biggest regret in dying so young was leaving me unsettled."

Lil put his arm around Grier and drew him close. "She was your friend."

Grier nodded.

"Don't think that Clark's journey wasn't difficult, Grier. His father is a h.o.m.ophobic megalomaniac. I can't imagine your father being half as bad."

"I read about Clark's dad... he's a little controlling."

"A little is an understatement."

"My dad is a good person, Lil. He loves me, and my brother, and has worked very hard to provide a future for us. Unfortunately, he doesn't understand that my s.e.xual orientation is nothing like his. Mom and I were trying to figure out how to convince Dad to let me finish my schooling, but then she got sick."

"You're not done with college yet?"

"Two years of general ed courses is all I've accomplished so far. When I asked to transfer to the Illinois Inst.i.tute of Art, he had a fit."

"Why?"

"Only queers go for design."

"Give me a f.u.c.king break. Hasn't he heard of Frank Lloyd Wright? He was one of the greatest architects who ever lived, and he was from the Midwest, for Pete's sake, and from everything I've read about him, an absolute hound with women."

"Lil, even if he'd heard of him, it wouldn't make a difference. All Dad wants is someone to take over Dilorio Trucking, but even Ali won't touch it."

"Who's Ali?"

"My brother, Alissio."

"You boys certainly have unusual names."

"Lil isn't that commonplace either."

"Touche."

"Why do they call you Lil? I think I prefer Lyndon."

"Oh, please, Lyndon makes me sound like an old fart. When I was younger, and utterly outrageous, my friends started calling me Lillian. It got shortened through the years."

"Lillian," Grier frowned slightly. "I don't see it at all."

"Enough talk about me, okay?" Lil said, embarra.s.sed about bringing up ancient history. Grier was only eight years old when Lil was prowling The Castro and earning that nickname. He leaned into Grier and said, "Let's postpone this conversation until after the tour, alright?" The boat had finally filled up and was slowly moving away from the dock.

"Sure."

Earplugs were pa.s.sed out and attached, and they settled in for the two hours. The narrator described the forty different buildings they were about to see, along with a brief history of Chicago architects and their work. It was fascinating to Lil, and even to Grier, who'd been on this tour several times. Halfway through, Grier went down to the bar and purchased two beers. Lil accepted his Heineken gratefully.

"I'm particularly interested in the Chicago Board of Trade Building and Sears Tower," Lil mentioned. "I'd like to tour them on land if possible."

"We can arrange something," Grier offered. "They changed Sears to Willis Tower, you know?"

"When did that happen?"

"In 2009."

"Whatever it's called, I'd like to see it. Would you come with me?"

"I've got to work around my shifts at the Taste."

"Since you're the tour guide, we'll work around your schedule."

By the time the boat ride ended, they'd each had three beers and were feeling no pain. Both men were a little sunburned, but Lil was certain the tour wouldn't have been as much fun without the wind on his face and the sight of the bright sun bouncing off the Chicago River. He'd learned a lot about the architecture and had also gotten a glimpse into Grier's world. His impulsive hookup was turning out to be a lot more than just a pretty face.

"Did you have a good time?" Grier asked, hanging on to Lil's arm to steady him. They were both a little woozy from the beer and the sudden shift to terra firma.

"It was great," Lil admitted. "Aren't you supposed to be working the booth today?"

"I asked for the day off."

"Good deal. The guys want you to barbecue with us."

"That sounds great. Where do they live?"

"Bucktown."

"I'm surprised. I thought they'd have a big old house in the 'burbs."

"They kept their home in Berkeley, so they opted to rent in the city for now."

"Bucktown's not bad."

"My initial impression wasn't all that great."

"What do you mean?" Grier asked. They went to stand in the cab line.

"The first time I came to visit was Thanksgiving two years ago. It was snowing, gray, and quite dismal. I was dismayed when we drove through the streets and even more so when we got to their house."

"Is it a dump?"

"No, but it wasn't what I expected."

"What were you expecting?"

"San Francisco," Lil said, laughing. "It's so different."

"I suppose, but it's just your typical Chicago neighborhood. Is it a narrow, three-story house with a deck out back?"

"How'd you guess?"

"They're all like that."

"The inside of their home is lovely. It's the outside that disturbed me."

Grier c.o.c.ked his head to the right. "Why?"

"The houses are practically on top of each other and so old. At least the antiques in San Francisco are colorful."

"You have a problem with age; I can tell," Grier teased.

"I like clean open s.p.a.ces, and yes, I'll admit that brand new is better than antique."

"I'll keep that in mind when I start designing for you."

Lil raised a brow but didn't reply. They got into a cab, and Lil gave the driver Clark and Jody's address.

Chapter 4.

THEY had barbecued brisket, and baked potatoes loaded with all the extras. Jody had even purchased an apple pie for dessert and was urging everyone to have a slice. had barbecued brisket, and baked potatoes loaded with all the extras. Jody had even purchased an apple pie for dessert and was urging everyone to have a slice.

"I can't eat one more thing," Lil groaned.

"Come on, you can stand to gain a few pounds," Jody commented.

"If I had a bite every time I heard that statement, I'd look like Shrek."

"I love Shrek," Grier exclaimed. "Did you know they've turned him into a play?"

"I read that somewhere," Jody replied, "unfortunately, we don't get to the theater much."

"Our schedules make it difficult to have much of a life," Clark said. "But if we ever get a chance, I'd like to see that."