James Rockton is ready to die. In fact, he plans on it. Having lost his life partner to AIDS, he books the South Pacific cruise Richard didn't live to share. James will spread Richard's ashes at sea, and then slip overboard to join him forever. He’s too old and too heartbroken to continue on alone.<br><br>But James doesn’t count on meeting a young man whose parents constantly put him down. Then there’s the obviously gay young art dealer who ogles a crazy young photographer traveling with an older gay man about James’s own age.<br><br>James and Herb begin spending time together, trying not to laugh too hard or get too involved with these young men, who circle each other in rapidly shrinking orbits. After all, James and Herb are old, with gray hair and less stamina. With time, talk, and martinis, will love manage to find them, too?

Fade to Gray

Anyhow, some dear old doll in the audience asked if they had families. One guy said he had a wife and new baby. One said he had the same girlfriend for nine years. One said he had someone special at home. The drummer said he had a brother, and his mom and dad. Nobody said they were gay, but I’d bet good money on two of them at least. And having a girlfriend for nine years is like having nine girlfriends all at once, kind of a dead giveaway if you’re watching for it. There were more questions, but it got cut short because a pipe broke in the kitchen and the floor got pretty wet and slick. They said they had it under control, but we had to leave so they could clean it up. More about this later. Stay tuned.


I’m a little concerned about my health as I’m having hot flashes so to speak and tire easily, but I think I’m okay. Don’t worry, I’m taking my meds and taking care of myself. Bacon is a fruit, right, and ice cream is a vegetable?


Chapter 15