The Peacock 1929

"Did you used to perform in drag?" wonders Carey. "I was a hooker." "You mean sex worker." "I mean hooker." "Here we go again", mutters Carl to me from his side of the table. "That word is offensive", says Carey primly. "Not to me it ain't." Carl jumps in. "Kenny is right. I was never a sex worker either. I was a hooker. Or ho. On the canals of Amsterdam", and he pauses for effect, "When I was a teenager." "You're a retired rent boy", says Kenny. "You bet I am." "So you both used to do sex work", says Carey. "We were not sex workers", says Kenny patiently, "We were prostitutes. I worked as a gal, Carl worked as a boy. But we were not sex workers, we were both hookers", he concludes, raising his voice a little for emphasis. "Well", if you don't mind", says Carey, her lovely face embellished by a very wide and very fake smile, "I have some paperwork to do." "No you do not", enunciates Tommy, blocking his lovely wife with his arm. "I already did it, and you, dear wife, are not going anywhere." "You can sure say that again", she grumbles with a beautiful pout.

1928

To Kenny, who is seated to my left, I whisper, "How much should I tell them?" "Never mind.  I'll handle it."  To Carey and Tommy he says, "I entrusted my journal to Chris many years ago, during a lengthy absence, and with my full permission he has shared the contents with Carl, and, who is that black fellow, the priest?" "Ex-priest", says Carl. "You mean Francois." "Why is he an es-priest, he is so young.." "He will tell you soon enough", say I.  "If you're good", prompts Carl." "But when I'm bad", says Kenny in the purest Mae West purr I have ever heard, "I'm better." "Have you ever done drag before?" says Carey, all wide eyed, "Darling", says Ken now in purest Cassandra, "Where would you like me to begin?"

The Peacock 1927

We're all gorphing down burgers and fries because Carlos is off today, and according to Tommy who with his wife has joined us at our booth, only his uncle really knows how to cook Cantonese, or Cantonese with a good dose of Venezuelan. "This is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten", says Kenny, who like me has opted for the veggie burger smothered with blue cheese. "So, what did you do with your other burgers?" says Carl with a grin. "Don't listen to him", say I. "No one does anyway, so I'm used to it." "Oh listen to it", I am laughing as I gesture with my fingers that right under my chin I am playing the world's tiniest violin. "Yep, says Carl, "I know where to find sympathy." Says Kenny.  "Under S .. Between shit and syphilis." Now we are all laughing heartily as Carl mutters, looking at me then at Kenny, "Where did you two find each other anyway?" "Oh, under a rock somewhere, says Kenny, still laughing then with both hands taking a huge bite from his burger. "And we have read your journal", say I. "You guys read his journal!" says Carey, evidently shocked.

the Peacock 1926

I cannot believe my eyes.  Yes, this is indeed Amanda's son, hand outstretched as he approaches our table, or, more explicitly, approaches Carl. "Hey", he says. "Tristan", says Tommy, "You know these guys, I'm sure. "Carl, yes,"he says, still smiling while they shake hands, "and I think I saw you before too", he adds, looking at me.   "Your name is..." "Christopher.  Yes, you had lunch here with us a couple of weeks ago." And Carl says, "So good to see you man. you are looking great  And these are two friends of Christopher's, Kenny, and Erik" All hands are shook and Carl says, "Your mom said you were working at a grocery store." "The local Save On Foods, but that's just a couple of days a week.  How are the others?" "They're all doing well." "Listen, I better get back and cook your food." "They haven't ordered yet", says Carey, passing him her pen and notepad.  "Listen, I must dash off to powder my nose.  Mind?" "Oh, sure", he says, receiving pen and paper, as she gets up and goes to the back of the diner.

The Peacock 1925

"That's right", say I,, "You are a recreation therapist?" "Close, though I have the creds and the chops for that too  I'm a music therapist.  But the three nursing homes where I have been contracted have been all shut down because of the pandemic, which makes hubby have to put up with even more of my presence in his life." "I haven't complained lately", says Tommy from the next booth. "There's room here, why don't you guys come and join us?" says Carl. "Don't mind if we do" says Tommy, swinging over from his booth to ours, "Well, someone has to do the work around here", sniffs Carey playfully "Who's cooking today?" asks Carl. "We're trying out a new guy.  Second day.  Pretty good so far."  Then towards the kitchen he shouts, "Hey Tristan, come on out and meet some of your old friends." And indeed it is Tristan, decked in a stained white chef's apron and...is he smiling?

The Peacock 1924

""Where's your uncle?" says Carl. "He's enjoying one of his rare days off with his wife and their granddaughter." "Does she live with them?" "For a few months. Their mom and dad are in Venezuela visiting the wife's parents, her mother is battling cancer right now, and Leticia is staying with grandma and grandpa." ""How old is she?" "Just about to turn twelve." Carey returns, notepad in hand.  "Nice to see you helping hubby", says Carl. "I was temporarily laid off from my day job thanks to lovely covid", she says, "So might as well do something besides sit at home on my phone.  instead I can sit in the Sunshine diner on my phone.  What'll it be?"

The Peacock 1923

"Who's hungry?" say I, and the place is open. We tumble out of the car onto the gravel parking lot, and our footsteps crunch all the way to the entrance.  The place is empty, save for Tommy and his wife Carey both slumped at the booth in the back on the comfy vintage vinyl upholstered sets, absorbed in their smartphones.  They together occupy the back seat facing the front, Tommy on the edge as though anticipating visitors. "Well here's a sight for sore eyes", shouts Tommy smiling.  "What brings you guys here today" "Well hello" rings out Carey, as though suddenly roused from a deep slumber.  We take the next booth. "We got some business to attend to at the mansion", says Carl as he takes a seat. "And you got hungry on the long drive from beautiful Vancouver and decided it's time to drop in on your pals here", says Tommy. "I'll do it", says his gorgeous wife as she slithers by him and heads in the direction of the menus.