The Last Summer I Could Love Another Man
A story about hopeful love through harsh times
This is fiction inspired by the art of Károly Ferenczy, and also by the fact that during the 20th century, gays in Hungary were put in a registry that lasted until the 1960s — although some say it was still in effect all the way into the ’80s.
It is important to note that, most of the time, queer life still thrived in the big cities, even when homosexuality was a crime. Decriminalization occurred in 1961.
Also, for context, this story is set in the first quarter of the 20th century, with the First World War and some short mentions of societal changes in Austria-Hungary.
I remember the weeks of scorching hot weather that year. It was impossible to survive under the sun; you’d have to hide in the shade, find a neck of woods for relief or jump into the waters of a spring — which was mine and Miko’s favorite activity.
We would run away from Budapest into the countryside, since the city was getting more and more dangerous for us. It’s not like it never was, at least to some extent.
We were not holding hands as we walked down the streets, at least not during the day. At night, when we thought no one was looking, Miko would grab my hand, tickle my fingers and squeeze them so…
