Bromance

We sat by the countertop, facing the front window of a small but popular ice cream parlor. Seated close together, we merrily chatted away, sharing two scoops of our favorite flavors, watching people as they passed by.

To those walking past, we probably looked like a couple of guys out on a date. Well, technically we were. I mean, on a friendly date. And yes. We used to be together. Mark's was the very first promise that I held on to.

But then he had to go away to further his career. We each promised we'd wait. He became lonely, and I was too young understand what he was going through. In the end, the distance just became real.

We never got to tie a lot of loose ends. I knew he wanted to ask questions as much as I did. But we kept quiet, as we both set aside the peanuts in our shared dessert. Why bother, we were already both happy.

We hugged each other, perhaps a few seconds too long, before saying goodbye. He had to rush back to the hotel to meet his husband, while mine was on his way to pick me up.

I went to the counter and handed my debit card to settle the bill. The cashier handed me a device, and I typed in my PIN number.

Mark's birthday and mine.

photo from www.allkpop.com