A Straight Man Remembers the Second Gay Man He Loved: Carl W.
A Geriatric Journal Story
Realizing you are straight does not preclude loving men, and I have been in love with three men in my life. I’d like to share the stories with you — although what I really want to do is remember and reconstruct them and recognize what I learned from them.
— from my first love story, here.)
ALLENTOWN
Carl W., the second man I came to love, first appeared in my life at Noel’s Coffee Shop in Allentown, PA. I was usually behind the grill, but Noel was off doing errands that day, and I was working the counter. I had noticed Carl several times before.
He sat on a stool, offered his hand, greeted me by name, and smiled. His grip was firm and friendly. He wore a stylish button-down shirt and slim khaki pants. I figured he was selling something and waited for the pitch.
“I know your name, but you don’t know mine,” he said. “You’re Ron, I’m Carl.” I must have glanced down at my obvious large nametag and stared back at him.
“I work at Hess Brothers down the street, and come here for coffee, and to see you.”
I moved a little farther up the counter. I had been hit on before — even while in the Army, but rarely so obviously. I…
