San Francisco
1998

I stood under the over hang the stone temple provided. Taking an extra long drag on my cigarette, I finished it off and threw it on the ground. Making a point of stepping on it, I dug my heel in and twisted it into the muck made by the rain the day before. Noticing a car slowly making its way up the drive, I gave one last look over the tombstones. Pulling out another cigarette, I walked over to the drivers side.

The driver rolled down his window when I was next to it. “Boss said you’d be here.” The driver squinted up at me and frowned. “Ira Burr, right?”

I nodded.

“Just making sure. Get in.”

Walking around to the other side, I took an even longer drag on my smoke. Opening up the door, I leaned down and looked in. “Thanks for the lift. Is it okay if I smoke in here?”

He nodded. “Name is Aaron Kaufaux.” He gave a slight pause. “What are you doing in a cemetery?”

“Was taking pictures of the statues. They are often sorely misunderstood.”

Aaron briefly stared at me for a moment before pressing his lips together and pulling away from the curb. “You talk to statues often?”

“Doesn’t everybody?” I purposefully kept my face straight. I didn’t feel the need to share that the real reason was to visit my dead parents. Starting off a conversation like that tends to make people pretty uncomfortable, and people clam up. I don’t like that. I like it when people babble. You tend to learn a lot more about that person. The rest of the trip passed in silence.

Aaron parked in a lot behind a building. “Boss’s name is Dolph, who’s taken it upon himself to have your pass ready.” He passed me a swipe card. It had my beautiful mug on it.

“How’d he get a picture of me already?”

“He’s that damn good.” He gave me a look, and shrugged.” If you lose it, it’s twenty-five smackers out of your own pocket. Also, keep it away from any plastic cards, which includes your debit card. You know the usual.”

I took it and shoved it in my back pocket.

“Come on, I’ll show you up.” We got out of the car and headed towards the entrance.

Aaron walked into the foyer of the building with me following. A voice said, “Say cheese” then there was a blinding flash of light. Aaron cuffed the man who held a camera across the back of his head. “Not cool, Dean. Way to assault the new guy on his first day on the job.”

Trying to blink out the spots of lights that were now dancing in my field of vision I saw Dean give me what could only be an impish grin and waved Aaron’s admonishing off with one hand. “Dolph is waiting, that’s all I’m stating.”

Aaron motioned for me to continue. “Don’t mind him, he has a tendency to start rhyming around new people, states it gets his creative juices flowing.” He paused to look thoughtfully at me. “I think you’ll get along with him and his brother just fine.”

I decided that it would be best if I didn’t say anything, but continued to follow him into the elevator. He pushed the close door button and then another to get us to the appropriate floor. A few minutes later we walked into an extremely large office. I saw a man pacing in front of his desk before they entered. Feeling strangely at home, I walked into the entire-glass walled office. I was used to the feeling of having being an outsider so I immediately picked up on what my new boss was going for. It was sort of a n“Hey, I’m here, I’m working, but if you need me… come on in” sort of deal. Walking in, I couldn’t help but have a small smile on my face.

Dolph looked at me as soon as he walked in. I looked back at him. “What?” He was built like he’d been bench pressing small cars since he hit puberty.

The large man scowled. “Your hair. It’s a mess. Make sure you get it cut before going live, tomorrow.”

Standing there, I didn’t say anything for a moment. I pictured something in my mind briefly, and my smile got bigger. “Yes, sir.”

Dolph squinted at me. “We don’t tolerate any shit in this office, either.”

“Righto. No shit, sir,” I stated, sketching a salute.

Dolph, looking away suddenly, shook his head. “Beat it, kid. Aaron, there’s a meeting No time for what would have been a welcome.” He nodded in my direction, and I nodded back. “Take him.”

I raised my hand in a Vulcun salute. “Live long and prosper, sir.”

Dolph’s face went red.

Aaron looked at me. “Ooh, he’s going to love you,” he drawled out, voice dripping with sarcasm as he dragged me out of the office.

After the meeting, Aaron nudged me. “Want to go get some drinks?”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. Throughout the entire meeting I had continuously found him staring at me. I had known right from the get go that he was gay. “Well that’s awful forward of you.”

Aaron took one look at me and burst out laughing. “You think I’m trying to pick you up? Pffft. Hey Chris, come here a minute.”

Pursing my lips slightly, I crossed my arms. I really didn’t enjoy being laughed at if it was at my expense.

“Chris, Ira here thinks I’m trying to pick him up.” Aaron let out another giggle.

Chris took one look at me and shook his head. “Well, if he is, Aaron, he’s going to be highly disappointed. I’m expecting to take you home, and nobody else.” He winked cheekily at me.

I usually don’t embarrass easily, and therefore didn’t blush. Chris was just trying to get me riled up.

Aaron lightly hit him. “Shush you.” He turned to me. “So, are you coming?”

It was then that Dean came up. He had somebody else with him, and a quick glance told me that it was his twin. Dean jutted out his chin as a greeting. Scowling at him didn’t deter the kid. “This here is Sean,” he said by way of introduction, but was off blathering away. “So, are you coming?”

Aaron blinked. “There an echo out here?” Chris snorted.

I looked at Dean and blinked almost owlishly. It made the twins grin. “Are we going somewhere?”

Aaron nodded. “Tonight is wing night at Leopard’s Palace.”

The name was innocent enough, but I could not help but do a double take. Considering the fact that was just way too coincidental, it felt like something was up. Coming from the twins, there was an aura that I hadn’t noticed before. I brushed it off, and squinted slightly, considering it. I finally nodded. “I’m game.”

The twins grinned. “This is going to be fun,” they said in unison.