Free Love Comes in Darkness by Andrew Grey

others. I can’t cook very well, and me around open flame is never a good idea. There’s a stove in the house I’ve never used. I microwave everything, because I can do it and be safe.”
    “It must be hard. The world is geared toward sighted people,” Gordy said.
    “Yes, it is. But most people are kind and try to be helpful. My independence is important to me, though, so I do my best to maintain it. And I know I hurt my mother because of it. She only wanted to help, but I pushed her away—my dad too. I kept them at arm’s length because I felt I needed to. Then they were gone and my independence didn’t seem so important.”
    “We all make mistakes, and it wasn’t like you knew they were going to die. Besides, you have a right to a life just as much as anyone.”
    “As much as you?” Howard asked, and Gordy was silent. All Howard heard was his soft breathing.
    “You’re good,” Gordy finally said.
    “I heard once that there’s nothing so bad that you can’t add guilt to it and make it worse. Yes, I felt guilty when my parents died, but I also know that if I hadn’t pressed for my independence, their deaths would have left me alone and unable to care for myself. I miss them every day, but I’m happy I learned to live on my own.”
    “So it’s just you and your sister?” Gordy asked.
    “Well, Lizzy and my niece, Sophia. She’s six and the sweetest child ever. I love her to pieces. She and Lizzy are planning to come for a visit in the next few weeks.”
    Token shifted and whined softly. “Does he need to go out?” Gordy asked.
    “Yes, it’s time to park him, I’d say,” Howard replied. He almost expected Gordy to volunteer to take Token out, but he didn’t.
    “I’ll wait while you do that, and when you come back, you can explain all about whatever ‘parking’ means. I was hoping you’d let me take you out to dinner for being such a jerk the other day.”
    “You weren’t a jerk until you decided not to call,” Howard told him, getting up from the sofa. He took Token’s harness and they walked to the door. He opened it and led Token out into the yard. He gave Token the command and felt him shift as he did his business. Token gave a small yip, and Howard led him back inside. “I need to feed him, and then we can go if you like.”
    “Okay,” Gordy said. Howard and Token walked to the kitchen, and he measured out the food the way Wendy had told him. He also filled Token’s water dish and, once he’d set it down, gave Token the okay. Howard heard quick feet and then crunching as Token ate.
    “He’s really something,” Gordy said. “I know you can’t see him, but he’s really beautiful. I always wanted a dog when I was a kid, but my parents would never allow it. They were too expensive, and somehow God didn’t believe in us having pets.”
    Howard listened as Token ate and smiled when Gordy’s arms folded around him. “I’m really sorry I bailed on you. I like you, I really do, and I shouldn’t have let my fear get in the way.”
    “But what were you afraid of?” Howard asked. “I thought it was being with a blind person.”
    “No,” Gordy answered quickly, “it isn’t your blindness, not at all. It was what you’d find out if we were together. I never thought of myself as vain, but I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
    “What I’m trying to figure out is what could be so bad,” Howard said, leaning back into Gordy’s embrace. “You aren’t deformed or anything, are you?” Gordy chuckled. “All the parts are there and working, right?” Howard wriggled a bit and was pretty sure all the important parts were there and most definitely working, judging from the firmness in Gordy’s jeans. Gordy’s chuckles turned to a small moan, and he tightened his hug just a bit. “I can’t see, Gordy. I don’t go by looks, but by feel.”
    “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Gordy said, and Howard stilled. He didn’t understand and wouldn’t until Gordy explained it to