I pulled into the parking lot of the Granville Sports Clinic, seeing the familiar BMW's and Mercedes' of my associates. Today would be my first day back at work after my "leave of absence." Would people talk about my treatment or would they simply pretend it never happened?

As I looked down at my hand pulling the parking brake into position, suddenly I froze. The pondering of how I would be treated by my co-workers seeming infantile when compared to how I would have to explain the wedding band around my left ring finger.

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

For a moment, I thought about pulling the ring off my finger or moving it to my right hand. There would be no questions then, no gossip, no lingering stares. But it would also be a lie.

I had made several commitments to myself. One being to accept and love who I was- regardless of what others thought. Another commitment was to my life partner Drew, and the vow of our impending marriage, which I chose to solidify with a ring. Yes, I knew there would repercussions from this piece of jewelry in the outside world. But it was a chance I was willing to take. A risk I HAD to take for my own peace of mind and happiness.

Walking through the medical hallways, I was welcomed back with open arms. People were kind, nurses I barely knew were smiling hello and saying, "Glad to have you back." It was almost as if they knew what I had been through, that I had come out the other side, and were happy to welcome me back to their family.

And then I saw her. Rebecca Granville, daughter of my boss, going over an x-ray in the hallway when she glanced up and saw me. She froze.

"Hello." I said, looking at the woman I had put through hell- the woman who fell in love with me- the woman who, along with Drew, had saved my life.

She reached forward and embraced me.

"You look great. How's Drew?"

At that moment, I knew I had a choice and a chance. I raised my left hand, showing her my ring finger.She stared at it, suddenly motionless.

"Oh my God. Can I be the best man?"

We laughed. It felt good, natural and easy, when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Eric?" I turned, seeing Dr. Granville approaching from an examining room. Rebecca's demeanor changed as us two gentlemen exchanged hearty handshakes.

"Glad to have you back."

"I'm glad to be back. Thank you...for everything. For understanding and letting me..."

"Don't. That's fine. We take care of our own around here. You know that." He patted my hand and then I quickly put my hands in my pocket. I could feel the fear constricting around me a like a snake. Rebecca understood the ring, but I wasn't sure if my boss- THE boss- would be as considerate.

I'd like to believe I was now the superqueer of gay men and commitment, but my instinct knew different. Just because I was now accepting my lifestyle and of being "out," that didn't mean I could expect everyone else to be there as well- particularly this conservative Republican man who just let me take a leave of absence for several months.

I knew Dr. Granville would take some special handling, and a quick fly by of my wedding ring would only confuse him. I would have to take it slow and methodic.

And even then, there was no guarantee I would still have a job once he found out I was gay.