"Oh, please this is so silly. "
"Here. let me show you the proofs."
Charley's best friend, Barry, just got "married" to the man he's lived with for the past ten years. They got back from their "honeymoon" in Maui a couple of days ago and he's trying to force his vacation photos on me. I prayed for a rush of customers, but it was Christmas Eve. Theyād all be having coffee at home. 
"Who wore the dress?" I quipped.
"Don't be a smart-ass, Hugo."
"What can I say? I gotta be me."
Against my better judgment, I look down at the small black book resting on the counter top. In every picture, the two men are wearing hideous matching Hawaiian shirts.
"Are those pineapples on the shirts?"
"Pineapples and toucans. Do you like them?" he asked.
"Lovely." I yawned.
"You don't like them."
"I said lovely. That's what I meant, Barry."
"I don't understand your hostility to all this. You were practically married to Charley."
"Practically is the important word here. I never lived with Charley-"
He interrupted. "Until he got sick."
"Until he got sick. That's why our relationship lasted as long as it did. If we'd lived together, it would have driven both of us insane."
Just as I closed up, Eric came tearing in like a Tasmanian Devil. "Eric, sit down and relax or I'm going to slap you silly."
"He moved the furniture!" I waited. "He hung colored lights!" And waited. "He put plastic reindeer in the front yard!!"
"And your point...is?"
"He should have asked first!"
"Eric. Itās Christmas. Itās his house too! Why should he ask you every time he does something?"
"I thought you, of all people, would understand," said Eric, shaking his head.
"Oh, please! Are you going to make him ask you before he tinkles?"
"Maybe I should be going." He got up from the counter.
"Thatās a good boy. Now youāre talking. Go home and celebrate your first Christmas in your home."
"Yeah. Let me get something to go," he said resignedly.
"Not in your condition. Iām not going to be liable if you snap and take hostages."
He pouted. "Fine. Thanks for making the situation better."
"Eric, You wanted him to move in with you. Now go home and start acting like a grown up." I gave him a big hug. "Have a Merry Christmas."
