Free Is He Or Isn't He? by John Hall Page A

what I eat,” Anthony said. “Sometimes I go to the gym to lift weights.”
    Like on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I know that cute personal trainer with the barbed wire tattoo on his right bicep is working. Girls aren’t the only ones who can play dumb when it comes to figuring out how to use exercise equipment.
    Max squeezed Anthony’s arm. “It shows.”
    Tingles shot up Anthony’s arm and he could feel his cheeks turning red.
    â€œYou okay?” Max asked.
    â€œJust need to get some water,” Anthony croaked, walking in the direction of the locker room. “Still recovering from the Harris workout.”
    â€œSorry I’ve been out of touch,” Max said. “Felix’s been taking me everywhere. I hardly have five minutes to myself.”
    â€œFelix is great,” Anthony lied, leaning over a water fountain.
    He’s a great big scheming conniver who wants you all to himself!
    â€œAnyway, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out together one afternoon. You know, so we can get to know each other better. I’d like to start making some friends of my own. That way Felix doesn’t have to feel like he’s babysitting me.”
    This is your chance, Anthony. Do it, do it, do it! Invite him over this afternoon!
    Anthony took a sip of water and wiped his mouth. “We must be psychic twins or something, because I was going to ask if you wanted to come over to my place this afternoon.”
    â€œYou were?”
    â€œI wanted to run an idea by you.”
    â€œShoot.”
    â€œAt my party you told me you wanted to be an actor. Well, I’m trying to become a screenwriter and I’ve just finished a screenplay. I’m going to be including it with my admissions packet to UCLA and I’m going to shoot it this fall—just on a video camera. I’m casting some of the parts and I think you’d be great as Michael, my lead character.”
    â€œWhat’s it called?”
    Anthony paused and then said, “ Not All Italian Boys Are Straight. ” He waited to see if the title had any effect, but Max just looked like he was listening. “It’s a gay coming of age comedy set in Brooklyn.”
    Anthony held his breath. This was it. The moment of truth. Either Max was going to say yes or he was going to run screaming for the hills.
    â€œSounds interesting. I’d love to read it.”
    â€œReally? You would?”
    â€œAbsolutely. What time do you want me to come over?”
    â€œHow does four sound?”
    â€œIt’s a date.”
    Date? It’s a date? Okay, Anthony, calm down. It’s just a figure of speech. He didn’t mean date in a romantic way. He meant it as in a time and a place kind of thing.
    But what if he didn’t?
    Concentrate, Anthony. Concentrate. Stay focused!
    â€œOkay, I’ll see you later.”
    After changing back into his clothes, Anthony whipped out his cell phone and called Paige.
    â€œIt’s about time you called!” she exclaimed.
    â€œGym’s now my favorite class. You would not beee-lieve the bod he has. Jealous, much?”
    â€œIf you were standing in front of me, I’d scratch your eyes out. So you talked to him?”
    â€œI did more than just talk to him. I invited him over this afternoon. And he’s coming!”
    â€œWhoa! You didn’t waste any time.”
    â€œYou sound bummed.”
    Paige sighed. “I had an opportunity for a little alone time this afternoon with Max, but I blew it.”
    â€œEnlighten me.”
    â€œHe wanted to cut class and spend the afternoon together in Central Park.”
    â€œAnd you said no ?!” Anthony was horrified. “What are you, crazy?!”
    â€œI know, I know. Don’t remind me. Anyway, what are you planning?”
    â€œHe’s coming over to read my screenplay.”
    â€œDid you tell him the plot?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œYou told him everything about the