The fruit ripens

Bill bitterlawngnome shot more photos of me yesterday morning, same location, different light. Take a look and let him know what you think. Working with Bill is a powerful experience and one I hope to continue whenever inspiration leads.

Danny, Bill and Daniel

I have spent several weekends this summer with Danny djjo and the members of his household. For the benefit of my friends I will identify the characters. Danny lives with Bill bitterlawngnome, his partner of ten years who introduced us in the first place. Bill also has a boyfriend, Daniel danthered, who has his own apartment but plays a vital role. My friendship and intimacy with Danny is central, but I am attracted to (and increasingly fond of) all three men. It is a new and important experience for me. We are open and honest, though I have much to learn about speaking my mind. I don't do it readily. Bill frequently challenges me about that.

Living alone, I get skin starved. That's how I felt on Friday afternoon upon arrival at the house. I had warned Danny I might maul whoever answered the door.

It was Bill, which required a change of plan. He towers nearly a head taller and could probably lift me off the ground with a single finger. I am 5'9" and 175 lbs., so extrapolate (Gnome indeed!). Besides, he had been feeling under the weather for several days. I felt as inclined to maul him as I would a grizzly bear emerging from hibernation. But he gives good hug, and that was what I needed.

We lounged and chatted in the living room for a while. Then Danny came home from work and dragged me upstairs until dinnertime to find out how much I missed him the past three weeks.

One commonality among the four of us is an interest in photography. Saturday morning, after sleeping in, Danny and I took our cameras and headed to Kensington Market. The sidewalks bulged with crates of summer produce. The scent of fresh basil and ripe fruit hung in the air. A jazz trio performed on the sidewalk. We stopped to take photos of brightly coloured batiks and two hot-rodded vintage cars.

Then we continued to Chinatown, exploring the noisy stalls along Spadina Avenue and stopping for a sweet snack of sesame balls and coconut tarts. The neighbourhood is also known for its numerous small art galleries. Danny took me to see the co-operative studio where he has use of a dark room. By then we were exhausted and caught the bus home for a rest.

Saturday night I showed off my culinary prowess. It turns out Daniel is especially fond of one of my specialties, spare ribs. So I brought some pork ribs from Guelph, wrapped with an ice pack in foil and plastic and carried in my luggage. Saturday evening I precooked and marinaded them in Bill and Danny's kitchen, then we all went to Daniel's and used the gas barbecue. Bill and Daniel brought some sweet corn from their afternoon drive, which Danny grilled. Daniel made a cucumber salad. We finished things off with hot blueberry pie and a glass of port.

Daniel's 22nd-floor apartment overlooks Toronto harbour. At 10 p.m. we turned the lights out and watched the CNE fireworks (Daniel's photos) in the distance. Afterward we sat visiting for a while, Bill and Daniel snuggling on the couch, myself between Danny's knees, enjoying a head rub like I haven't had in years.

I felt a sense of belonging. Everyone has a primal need for belonging. It was an honour to experience it with those three exceptional men.

Finally Danny and I headed back to the house for another snuggly night.

Monday: Queen Street

Monday afternoon I let Danny knit and went for a long walk.

August words

My August instalment at 100words.com can now be viewed. For those who aren't familiar, you have to write 100 words, no more, no less, every day for a month. My self-imposed theme in August turned out to be more personal and difficult than I expected, but I'm pleased with the result. As usual, I'll mail a postcard to the first person who correctly identifies the theme. One word sums it up.