We have a weird relationship. Boundaries, but not quite boundaries. Even this, I don\’t have with my female friends. It\’s close but a different kind of closeness. Romantic notions, I am not quite sure.
I impulsively texted him, asking whether he wanted to come down to the Bike Kitchen. Knowing that he said that he would fix my bike, but it was ambiguous as to when. And he said that he would be over.
As Teddy was finishing up, Francis arrived. I saw him scanning the room, probably looking for me, but I was hunched over screwing in the screws for my water bottle cage and pump holder. It was strange that he didn\’t even notice Teddy at all. But Teddy got his attention…and he found me. In his patience, he explained several adjustments to my bike. This time, I suppressed my embarrassment.
Then he suggested going on a ride. So we went to Fort Mason…going through Polk. He had mentioned going to a party with Commonwealth—the idea didn\’t necessarily appeal to me, but I thought why not. But halfway through Russian Hill, he decided that he didn\’t feel like it…did you?, he asked me. No, I knew how it was going to be. So we decided not to go.
We got to Fort Mason. The show was over and there wasn\’t much left except for an immense crowd leaving. He led me through as I whined about the crowd…walking my bike. At some point, he asked me, Que quieres hacer? I responded as I would normally, Dulce. Much dulce. Helado! I suggested two places, and he responded that we haven\’t earned it yet. As a response, I said that we could choose a place further out. Which sounds better? Golden Island or 37 Degrees? He chose Golden Island. We were off, looping through the rest of Fort Mason, the hilly Presidio, through Golden Gate Park, then down 20th to Noriega.
It was nice, comforting eating HK cafe style. We had noodles, then dessert. He was essentially the only non-asian person. At some point, he observed how he felt so comfortable in Asian culture. Yes, why why. He paid.