The New Old Friend

My composer friend has become my new gay husband.

Like many relationships, ours has been strengthened by proximity and copious free time.

We met in college. He lived across the hall from me. Now he lives 30 blocks away, which I consider walking distance. Recently his work schedule has contracted -- he is a professor and one of his classes was cut due to budget considerations. More importantly, his boyfriend has chased work to Illinois.

We realized that we now meet about once or twice a week. We do mundane things together. The types of things we did in college, such as watch Bollywood movies on television and make dinner together. These are inexpensive ways to meet, but they are also luxuries at our age when time tends to become more precious.

Although we have known one another for nearly two decades, we have discovered new things about each other. I've learned that he has become a very good cook. He also has pursued an interest in regency-era British female authors. This is a literary interest that I share, and it has been a delight to discuss literature and the manners and history of that era with him.

Our deepening friendship has been an unexpected pleasure during this fallow time.