2. Kindness (The Man's World Mix) in Things That I'm Grateful For

I keep to a pretty normal routine and it takes a lot to disrupt what I do on a weekly basis. It’s comforting because I tend to see the same people over and over again and then that’s how I make friends. On this particular night, I was at the bar where I used to go with my grandfather. It’s a geriatric bar by coincidence rather than actually being labeled that.

I happened to run into my friend Jared there. I’d met him quite a few times at different spots around town, usually with his friend or some girl he’s chasing. I had run into him a few nights before at a different location and he ended up leaving with some blonde girl that he wooed at the bar. Jared’s cute, slim but muscular, with pursed up lips, dark olive skin and eyes that go from green to blue and always look somewhat turquoise. We always laugh and have a good time together.

That particular night, I was stressed out from having to deal with yet another death this year. In total, I’ve had 13 deaths in 2016. It’s too much. I was talking about it to him on the smoking patio of the bar which is enclosed and facing the front of the bar, meaning that it’s a bit like a panopticon.

Out of nowhere, he passionately kisses me. I was taken aback by it. I looked at him and asked him why he did that, he simply replied, “You looked like you needed it.” Whenever I’m not prowling for straight guys and they just come to me, I’m always a little disoriented. The whole rest of the night, he stayed close to me, sometimes even holding my hand. He got more and more drunk, and by the end of the night, he was kissing my neck and clinging to me.

He kept telling me that he didn’t understand why he thought I was so beautiful. When we got back to his place, we spent a nice night sleeping in each other’s arms. We were in our underwear, and sure we got aroused, but it wasn’t about sex, it was about holding each other. We’ve talked since then and danced around that night. Our friendship has continued in the same manner…

I don’t know if he is confused or if he was just doing something nice, but it was wonderful to be comforted. He’s a good man for that.