Strangers with Candy

“I was told as boy by my mother, never accept candy from a stranger.”

“Gareth Witherspoon.” He held out his hand to shake.

Urie felt obligated to take it. The café was filling up, and so were the available chairs. “You need sit?”

“Do you mind?”

“How I mind when you just bought candy?” Urie sat down in the chair that he had placed his coat on. He caught Gareth inspecting his groin area before he did. He drew the food closer to him and used a knife to cut the bagel in half. “Here, you eat.”

“I can’t take your lunch.”

“You can give me? But I can’t give you?”

“Okay.” Gareth picked up the bagel and bit it. “Thank you. I was hungry.” He chewed and swallowed. “Where are you from?”

“Ukraine.”

“My parents are Danish. They don’t speak very good English.”

“I speak okay?” Urie felt slightly more at ease knowing Gareth’s family also immigrated to the United States.

“You speak perfect.” Gareth took another bite.

“I know I no speak perfect.” Urie found Gareth staring at his mouth. He looked around the busy, loud room, but no one seemed to take notice of them. “Why you give me this? Real reason.” Urie touched the red box.

“Did you ever just see a person and feel a bond with them?”

“What is bond?”

Gareth shrugged. “I guess I got the sense you felt uncomfortable like I often do too. I feel like a fish out of water sometimes. My parents kept me pretty sheltered. What can I say?”

“You? Why? You look and sound like everyone.”

Gareth glanced around and whispered, “I’m gay. I always feel like everyone knows and stares at me.”

“You are gay?”

Gareth waved his hands to hush Urie. “You don’t have to announce it.”

Urie stopped eating and stared at Gareth. Though he had never been with a man before simply because he was terrified to expose his sexual identity to his family, he felt an instant kindred spirit to Gareth. They were the same ilk, strangers in a very strange land.

“Do I make you sick?” Gareth used the heel of his hand to pile the crumbs neatly on the table. “Do you want to get away from me now?”

“No.” Urie leaned closer to say, “I too am gay.”

“What?” Gareth choked, blinking his eyes. “I knew it. I mean, I just knew there was something amazing about you.”

“Amazing? No.” Urie ate the last bite of his food. “Terrified yes.”

“Me too. Honestly, Urie. I can’t go to gay bars. I just work and go home.”

“You been with many men?”

Gareth sipped his drink and again checked to see if anyone was listening. “I’m a virgin.”

It was Urie’s turn to choke and blink in surprise. “You have women?”

“Once. In high school. You?”

“I must while in home country. No more.”

“We’re like soul mates, Urie. I swear, I have goose bumps. Look.” He raised his shirt up his arm. “I have no idea why I came into Starbucks today. I never do. The coffees are too expensive and way too many calories.”

Urie felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. “I never come either. I don’t know why I come today.”

“So I could give you a box of Valentine’s chocolates.” Gareth smiled sweetly.

Urie finished sipping his coffee, putting the cup and saucer on top of the bagel plate, and sliding it aside. “This holiday is sad to me.”

“Me too. It shows me how alone I am.”

“Right. All couples. I cannot watch television. All I see is happy pairs two by two. They buy jewelry together, go to dance. I sit home. No one to kiss.”

“You’re describing me.”

“Why? You so like everyone here. Why you no make love?”

“I’m really shy. I can’t believe I found the courage to buy you candy and tell you I was gay. I really am not like that. Seriously. You won’t believe me but it’s true.”

“You need to rush?” Urie wanted to spend time with him. Gareth was the first man, gay man, to approach him and not be intimidated by him. Who wanted to date a Ukrainian butcher who spoke broken English? No one.

“No. Do you need to go?”

“No. But is so loud, I feel I am shouting.”

“It’s the espresso machine.”

“Yes.”

“I…uh…I live close by.”

Urie noticed Gareth’s cheeks go red.

Gareth said, “I mean, we could just hang out.”

“Will you eat candy with me?” Urie was delighted to have a friend.

“Sure.” Gareth stood, throwing away his cup and busing the table for Urie.

Urie put his coat on, picking up the box of chocolates and finally not feeling so alone. He nodded to Gareth he was ready. They walked to the exit and Urie asked, “What direction we go?”

“That way.” Gareth zipped up his leather jacket and wrapped a scarf around his neck. “It’s cold.”

Urie smiled. “Is no cold to me.”

“I bet. How long have you been here in LA?”

“Only few months. I stay because I have family here.”

“Your mom and dad?”

“No. Cousins. Mother and Father still in Ukraine.”

They walked in silence for a block and then Gareth asked, “Do your cousins know you’re gay?”

“No. No one knows.” Urie held the chocolates in his fist, squeezing the box tightly as bitterness washed over him. He knew what would happen if he revealed his secret to his family. He’d be an outcast.

“It’s okay.”

When Gareth rubbed Urie’s back affectionately, Urie didn’t realize how much he missed physical contact until he was touched. He missed it badly. Maybe Gareth was right and they were kindred spirits.

“I live in an apartment back here. It’s not very big, but the rents in this area are really high.”

“I know. If no for my cousin I no could afford it.”

Gareth took out his key. He smiled at Urie and unlocked the door.