by Matt Potter
“I've met someone,” Trent beams down the 'phone.
Thank God, I think. The drought has broken.
“You must meet him.”
Standing on the corner, I wonder if Trent's new boyfriend will look like any of the exes: tall and muscled, like Rodrigo, Manny and Bruce? Petite and muscled, like Kim, Jackie and Ba? Or hairy and muscled, like Spike, Max and Bruce (doing double duty ten years and a new body later)?
“Hi, stranger.” Trent's arms enclose me. A bursting warmth shines through his eyes.
“This guy's worked wonders,” I say.
“I'm like a new man,” Trent trills. Then holds up his hand, as if pledging allegiance. “Wait: I am a new man!”
“Come in,” he says, leading me through a side door. And into a church. Which I'd noticed while waiting but thought was just a meeting point.
Trent stops before a statue of a buff Jesus. “Meet the new man in my life.”
Trent's had many phases: Madonna, Bette, leather, water sports, rollerblading, haiku, chicken queen, rice queen, muscle queen, daddy. But religion? This is new.
But there's no denying Trent looks a different — certainly happier — person.
“How serious is this?” I say.
He lays his hands on my arm. “Come with me to my prayer meeting tonight.”
I look for a chink, to find the Trent I've always known.
“I can't,” I say. “I have a date with the devil.”
“Oh,” he says. But I see the familiar spark in his eyes. “Tell him I said hello.”
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This was written for Week #39 of '52 / 250 A Year of Flash' (theme: password). Religion has long fascinated me and the way it can change people's lives is always interesting. And I like the idea of a sexy Jesus.
Ha, really like the last couple of lines.
"Trent stops before a statue of a buff Jesus."
Oh Matt, you made my day! Big star for you. *
Enjoyed this, Matt. Good piece.
Clever and funny story.
Thanks for making me laugh! I enjoyed the humor of your story, especially Bruce "doing double duty ten years and a new body later." I don't usually laugh out loud when reading but this certainly did it for me!
ha! loved it over at 52/250, now I get to hang the star of bethlehem over buff jesus. peace *
Thank you all - thus far - for reading and enjoying 'Love'. Yes, it was fun to write.
MATT!! This is incredible! I wish I could hug you for this. Instead, I've fav it.
Score again for The Potter.
Funny one!!!
This is an all too familiar story...but then, it seems we have shared more than just one walk down memory lane. Fiction, or not. Fantastic how your snappy dialogue seers through with honesty and pain. The happy/sad combination of this speaks volumes for me. *
Really like this one, Matt!
Trent stops before a statue of a buff Jesus. “Meet the new man in my life.”
Perfect!
ha! And there I was thinking people would believe 'buff Jesus' referred to the colour of the alabaster!
Like that twist with the Devil at the end. Jesus as the ultimate bridegroom is refreshing as a gay icon.
god and the devil, good pair.
Funny! Good writing and a great ending.
nice stuff...
Love the last line. Parkerian (as is Dorothy).