Quiet Saturday

Today I write this from my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia.

Brokeback and I drove here yesterday to spend this weekend with my parents and help them celebrate their 53rd Wedding Anniversary.

It is so good to be here and to relaxe because it has been a very busy week.

And I do mean a VERY BUSY week.

The office has been...simply put...a zoo -- nostop activity including some drama. My staff, while the majority of the time are quite professional and on top of things, has been quite juvenile and immature. Petty arguments have erupted for no reason...people not speaking to each other. It's just one of the perils of being in management -- government management.

Late in the week we found that we had been approved to take government time and resources to have an offsite team building exercise. We're taking a cruise down the Potomac River to Mt. Vernon. While on the boat, we'll be giving out awards to the staff in recognition of their many contributions and efforts.

It seemed like an uphill battle at one point to get to do this. But in the end, saner heads prevailed and realized that we have never done such an activity. It was believed that it was now time to do something to help curb the stress and strain and juvenile outbursts that have been on the increase lately.

On Wednesday morning I got a telephone call from Mom O'Lovey explaining that she was having a dinner party on Saturday (today). She was wondering if I would come over and help her shampoo her rugs. when they threw the big wedding reception bash for my niece early on in the summer, her carpet had been terribly stained.

Well, since I'm a nice guy, I decided to help. I took my trust shampooer....all the shampoo and stain removers, and showed up at her house. My shampooer is a good one that heats the water and the cleaner and does a great job. I began my work...only to take a few moments to eat and to drink something cold. In the space of about two hours, I had cleaned the dining room carpet...it looked brand new..... The original knap of the rug was in place.....traffic patterns had been erased and those nasty stains from Lovey's cat....and Mom O'Lovey's deceased cat had disappeared.

Since I was feeling rather invigorated, I had heard Mom mention that her den and guest room had also been initiated by Lovey's cat. So I moved back there and cleaned away all evidence of that pesky cat!

As I left, Mom presented me with a check for $50 for my good deed. With alimony being so expensive, I gladly received it.

Friday, Brokeback and I headed to WV to visit my parents this weekend. It's good for Brokeback to have some time away from his stressful job and family lives. Although we only get one full day here...today....we will return tomorrow afternoon to the hustle and bustle of DC. Thankfully I have Monday off to recover from this whirlwind trip.

Mom is still bothered by Lovey...and I've just been allowing her to vent. But I have told her that we just need to let it all go because the divorce is now OVER. It is time to begin a new and happier life.

Each day does seem to get a little bit better.

I'm seeing more and more of my old self....my old personality.....

It just keeps getting better.

Next weekend I go to my first religious retreat as a single gay man. It is sponsored by my church...and I'm looking for the time away. There is no internet availability and no cell phone service.

My only wish is that Brokeback could go with me there.

I must say that on this trip Brokeback and I don't seem to have lost any of the basic chemistry that brought us together in the first place. This is the first trip he and I have taken in a very long time...and I love it. No disagreements....no cross words.....no fights....no anger....no hidden agendas....no hositlity....no manipulation.

Just the joy of two guys who love each other dearly spending time together...

Really, that's not a lot to ask or wish for...

Is it?