Sausage and Change

Image by Günther Schneider from Pixabay

Chris leaned back in the creaky chair into the shade of the nearby umbrella. The group at the next table burst into laughter, causing Chris to smile. He couldn’t understand any of their loud conversation, but he could see why Marlowe loved this little village.

As if on cue, Marlowe approached the table, balancing two plastic baskets atop massive glass mugs of beer. Marlowe plunked one down in front of him. “You don’t expect me to—”

Marlowe set the steaming baskets down before taking his seat. “You were saying?”

“Doesn’t matter.” The basket contained a soft pretzel, two pale, ugly sausages, a pile of wet cabbage leaves, and a large dollop of mustard. Chris poked at a sausage with his knife. “This is…?”

“Weisswurst. You only think you’ve had sausage before.” Marlowe bit into his, then slid down his chair while chewing loudly.

Chris couldn’t hold back a chuckle as he sliced into his own dubious tube of meat.

“Oh, my God,” he said around a mouthful.

“Right? This is why I brought you here. This and one other thing.”

Marlowe reached across the table, and after looking around at the other patrons, Chris took his hand.

Marlowe squeezed it. “I know coming out has been hard for you. The world isn’t changing fast enough, and it’s full of judgmental pricks.”

“Like my family,” Chris said.

“But this village is proof that change happens.” Marlowe twisted around, pointing toward the fountain across the square. “In July of 1974, two gay men were beaten to death next to that fountain.”

Chris tried to pull his hand away. Marlowe held tightly for a moment longer, then gently released him. “But now I want you to see what happens when I do this.”

Marlowe slid out of his chair, got down on one knee, and offered Chris a small, velvet box.

Chris reached for the box, his hand shaking, tears filling his eyes.

The crowd around them erupted in applause.

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