The Roommate

When she looked up and saw me, she froze. So did I. It was Bob. He
was barely recognizable. I really thought he was a woman, but I knew
that face. I was speechless. I just kind of stood there waiting for
something to come out of my mouth. Nothing ever did.

Bob turned his head back down, and turned down the street, walking
away from me. Even from behind, he looked like a woman. He walked in
those shoes like he knew what he was doing, shaking his ass to and fro
as he walked.

I was left standing there. I watched him as he walked the distance of
the block, and then turned out of sight. Bob? I didn’t know what to
think. I headed up to the flat, went in, popped open a beer and
plopped on the couch. I tried to make excuses for him. “Maybe it’s a
costume party.” But I knew that it wasn’t a one-time thing. I had
been so stupid. Why hadn’t I seen it? He had been showing all kinds
of obvious signs, but I didn’t recognize them. I wondered if he was
gay.

Now that was a thought. He and I had been roommates for two years,
and best friends for five. I would think I would know something as
major as that. He had never shown any signs. And he was always
dating and going out to the bars with me. No way. He was definitely
straight. That may have changed now, but he definitely used to be
straight.

I needed answers. I was just guessing about all of it. I needed him
to tell me what was going on. He had avoided me through the last two
months, obviously not wanting my friendship or ear. I needed to know
where we stood. If we were still friends. I decided to wait up for
him.

And I did wait. He didn’t come home until 4am. The door slowly
creaked open. Before he could dash off to his room, I got up and
intercepted him at the door.

“Bob, we need to talk.” He looked up at me and I couldn’t believe my
eyes. He was a very convincing woman. But I wasn’t fooled, He was
still Bob underneath.