We tried to get Greg's dazed attention as he passed us, but he slipped by hiding in the church office or somewhere. I know he saw us. We were the only people sitting on the groom's side. Not surprising. A half an hour passed and still he hadn't come out and the bride's side starting glancing at us like the people from Frankenstein's village. We were the monsters since the delay must be the groom's fault.

I decided to take a look for myself and made my way back behind the altar. I found the room and stuck my head in, finding Greg's father sitting in a chair with his head in his hands. He heard me, he looked up and seethed. "Get out of here!"

"Hey, I'm a friend. I'm concerned." He stood readying to take me on.

"You're concerned. If you were so fucking concerned you would have stayed away and left my boy in peace. Let him live his life. Seeing you all here just sent him off the edge."

"We're the only people on his side. If we weren't here, he'd have no one."

"He'd have me and Donna and that's enough."

"No, it's not and you know it. Look, I don't want to fight with you Mr. Shamus, but I'll tell you this, I love Greg, as if he were my own brother, and if he were to honestly tell me this was making him happy, I would gladly accept it. But he hasn't been able to tell me that once, not once Mr. Shamus. There's a problem. You can pretend there's not, but that doesn't make it not exist."

"The only problem is your demented soul. Now take your friend and go. Leave my family in peace! Please!"

He was distraught and had no idea how to handle this. I didn't wantto make him feel worse, so I left without another word.

When I got back to Drew, the bride's side seemed ready to pounce. I whispered, "We better go." In complete agreement, Drew got up and we slowly walked down the aisle the opposite way.

Mumbles and whispers filled the church. In my mind I heard "Dyke, queer, freaks, fag, and lesbo." It echoed out of my brain and into the church walls. Hypocrisy carried us out and in a strange way, it was a relief.

******

Well, without a wedding and reception to go to, it was early. I had told Christine I'd come by her place after, but she probably wasn't expecting me for a few hours. I figured I'd go by early, maybe take her out to dinner someplace special to take the disgust out of my mouth. I had Drew drop me off.

"Should I wait in case she's not there?"

"No," I said, "Her car's there. See you later."

As I walked up I got a nervous feeling in my stomach. Maybe it was rude coming early. Maybe I should have called. But then I brushed that away thinking I was just being neurotic. I love surprises and so does Christine.

I knocked. I heard movement but not anywhere near the door. I rang. Slowly the door opened to Christine's guilt-ridden face and I knew.

A women excused herself, slipping by her and me. I have no idea what she looked like only that she was fast. She wanted out and I didn't blame her, because God knows what was about to come out of my mouth.