Deleted conversation from “Silent Bites”

“Dan, I used to have this job... it was weird...” Arturo says in a frown.

“Weirder than you already are?” Dan teases. Arturo shoves him playfully, laughing softly with a snort.

“Shut it! This is serious,” he gives Dan a blank, almost zombie like stare.

“I bet.”

Arturo gives him a short, angry huff and Dan sighs, “Oh, dang, I’m sorry. Just tell me. Please.”

“When we moved from Bogota, I was very young—maybe about six, and it was in Florida, and we lived there up until I was twenty-two.”

As Arturo speaks, they move closer to each other, hands touching, eyes staring hotly, intensely.

“After I turned eighteen, I used to go to these clubs, and wear my pumps. Sometimes I’d wear my friend’s clothes. Blouses, or cute button ups. This one time, I was wearing my red heels… only that but I had my regular clothes on. And this man approached me with an offer.” Arturo’s eyes were downcast, and he frowned. “It was for a very affluent and professional brothel… one that gave in to different types of tastes and proclivities. Not usually sex.”

Dan was invested in the account, not judging, but concerns were arising in his countenance. He held onto Arturo’s hand, and the look they shared was one of security and safety. Trust.

“What kind of things? If... if you don’t wanna say… it’s okay...” Dan says softly. Arturo nods.

“I don’t mind.” Arturo pauses as he picks up on Dan’s chill countenance.

Dan gives him this look that makes him feel relaxed and comfortable. A deep breath as he explains, “Just weird rich people that liked men dressed up in really pretty clothes and silks and… they liked oddities, like bearded women with soft hair, to touch their beards… and just… interesting things. I’d dance… I’d get people who just wanted to hold me. Just things like that.”

“Hmm. That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Yeah. But...” Arturo bit his lip, “I had to run out one day. That’s why I came to New York.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“The man who convinced me into the whole business was a… cartel. He wanted me to get into that whole thing… and he wasn’t taking no for an answer.” 

“So you got the hell outta dodge,” Dan says flatly, and Arturo nods solemnly.

“Yeah. My parents are still in Florida. But my two older brothers, Jorge and Carlo, live in other states doing their own thing.”

“Seems better now to be in boring customer service, huh?”

Arturo nods. “Much better. But I’d like to get into design. I’d like to make a general brand of clothing. Inclusive, comfortable.”

“That would be so dope,” Dan says, repeating Arturo’s usual line, making the latter chuckle and crinkle his nose.

“And you?” 

“Hmm. Haven’t thought about it, maybe I will decide after my retirement. But, I do love being with you. Maybe I’ll be a cook, or something.”

Arturo leans in and their noses touch, “You got the talent, after-all. From your mama.”

——

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This is a deleted scene, not a part of the book… Hope you enjoyed it.