Chapter 7

When Ted looked up he saw Erik coming through the door. Ted smiled as his friend made his way toward Ted’s booth. Ted rose and greeted him with a half hug and a fist bump.

“I’ll go get me a latté mocha spice,” Erik said.

“A latté mocha spice! Man, I thought I was the one sent to the looney bin to be cured of being gay!” Ted laughed.

Erik laughed, too. “Shut the fuck up.” He punched Ted on the shoulder. “Can I get you a refill?”

“Sure, but make mine a double espresso—that’s a real man’s drink! I learned that at the clinic,” Ted said with a wink.

“What?” Erik asked. “A fucking big football player like you had to be taught how to be a man?”

“Never mind. I’ll tell you about it. Go get our coffee.”

In a few minutes Erik returned to Ted with their beverages. He slid into the booth. “So, tell me, what was this Golgotha place like? Was it as bad as the name sounds? Did they really teach you what kind of coffee to drink?”