Ramon, with all his rugged and ignorant Latino habits, was one of the coolest people in the Bronx. Early in the morning, he would sit outside on the brownstone steps to his home. He felt good inside watching; light peek over the horizon, welcoming a new day. You might say he was a bit of a dreamer with realism, being the center of his thoughts.

He was born in the Bronx, to Puerto Rican parents who settled in New York about thirty years ago. He was twenty-six years old with one older sister, an impossible father, who swore in Spanish, and a hard-working mother, who brought up her children to be respectable.

Struggling to get through a tough Bronx high school, he learned about life.  He was strong, although on the thin side, with black hair, dark eyes, and satin-smooth skin. Yes, Ramon was a pretty boy who grew into a hot-looking man. By the time he reached his present age of twenty-six, he saw people as class or trash and knew the difference.

Ramon was not a believer of love at first sight, but lust is something different. When there is no love, it gives one nothing to regret. That is how he began to look at things, as he grew older.

The women loved him far more than he cared to be with them.  He dated a few but it always turned to sex and that part was uncomfortable.  He was far more attracted to men and his friends, although few in numbers, were dudes.

Being gay seemed to be a plus for Ramon. He had no trouble attracting men who worked like hell trying to get him alone and naked.  In the end, it was always the same. He had moments of passion and release, but still had nothing that made him happy.

He would talk to his housemate, a gay Latino friend named Eddie, about his adventures and they would laugh and pass it off as one glorious hookup after another. 

Ramon, the sweeter of the two, understood gay men, better than they knew themselves. In some cases, that was true. Eddie did not give a damn about passing the time of day. He was interested in mainly what somebody could do for him.

"Is it still raining?" asked Eddie.

"I think it stopped."

"Jesus, don't think – take a look. “I have to go somewhere today. Do you want to come with me?"

"Where are you going?"

"To a porn movie."

"A movie! What the hell are you talking about?"

"It's in the village at this guy's place off 4th Street. He said to bring along a friend. Do you wanna go?" asked Eddie.

"I'll pass. You know you are going to be the meat in any movie he has planned, don't you?"

"Probably, but I can handle it."

"Do you really believe that?"

"Sure, he wouldn't do that," Eddie replied. “There are no freebies with me.”

"Idiot."

"What?"

"I said - you're an idiot. What Latino would fall for that?"

"I’m not worried, getting involved is so not happening."

"I'll still pass. The rain stopped and I am going to take the dog for a walk in the park."

"What dog? You don't have a dog!"

"Sure I do, it's a full-size pit-bull between my legs" replied Ramon.

"Geezus, you’re the idiot; a ‘pit bull,’ where did that idea come from?”

“I’m a creative genius.”

“A jerk is more like It,” replied Eddie.

They were different, in the way they handled being gay.  Whatever they talked about, usually ended as crazy weird nonsense. 

The park was within walking distance from where they lived. The day was rather cool for late spring, so Ramon put on a hoodie and briskly hiked along the street avoiding the puddles of water.

The area just inside the park had already attracted people after the rain. Groups of teenagers were shooting hoops and a couple of small children were playing tag, on the path composed of gravel.

The day was becoming nicer, as Ramon parked himself on a park bench and fumbling with his phone; however, he was bored.

He noticed a good-looking dad with two little boys and tried picturing him naked. However, he didn't quite cut it and felt ashamed for trying.

A jogger ran past him and a few minutes later, he ran past again. The second time he stopped and they looked at each other.  He smiled atRamon. It was automatic, with Ramon smiling back.

Hola! Cómo estás," said the jogger, as he came around again.

"Bueno, gracias." Ramon replied.

"Is anybody sitting there?" asked the jogger in perfect English, pointing to the empty spot on the bench.

"Nope."

“There is now, my name is Mateo."

"Ramon! Some people call me Rick!”

"Good enough, some call me Matt; except for my grandmother, to her, I will always be Mateo. I like Mateo better.

“Nice.”

“Oh yeah! I like Spanish-sounding names.”

“I’m impressed,” Ramon, answered placing his phone into his shirt pocket.

The next couple of minutes were silent with Mateo grinding his heel into the gravel, with eyes glued to the ground.

They were both Puerto Rican, similar in looks, facial hair, and male appeal with Mateo having a huskier build.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Mateo finally said.

"What should we talk about? – Oh no! – here comes the `mother queen' from Flatbush." mumbled Ramon, as an older gay man by the name of Irving, stopped in front of them.

"I thought that was you studly, hiding under that hoodie, you hunky Latino man" blurted out Irving speaking to Ramon.

“Yo, it’s me.”

"Oh vey, my feet - they are killing me, scoot over and let an old gal in here," Irving mumbled wedging himself between Ramon and Mateo. 

"My Spanish is just dreadful. It is conjugation overload, verbs in Spanish entails more than just a single word. ...ugh! Knowing where to place the accent marks, just drives a girl crazy.  I thought French verbs were difficult with accent marks, but I was able to learn them fairly well.  Ramon darling, do you know French?” Irving babbled on like a runaway train.

“I know what a Frenchman said to me in a hotel room,” <déshabille-toi> 

“And that is…..?”

“Take off your clothes,” replied Ramon giggling.

Mateo remained silent trying to ignore Irving, but it was difficult. He wouldn’t shut up and kept on rambling.

“Do you speak English," Irving asked Mateo?

I was born in the Bronx, so English is what I speak. At home, we speak Spanish,"  He replied.

“Do tell! What is your name?”

“My name is Matt to my friends.”

"And what should I call you?" Asked Irving "I don't know you, but we could change that,” placing his hand on Mateo’s knee.

"Good-by, would be nice; how are you set for cash?"

Ramon grinned and rolled his eyes, but said nothing. He recognized the old “get lost” trick.

Irving, sensing he was about to be hustled, struggled to get to his feet. "I have things to do, people to meet, and lunch to prepare. I do have to keep moving. I will let you two enjoy each other," and walked away.

"You are bad teasing that old man.  "Geezus, he couldn't get out of here fast enough. I think you scared him."

"I knew it would get him moving. Do I scare you?" asked Mateo.

"Me! Hardly. You don't have anything that scares me!"

"Oh yeah, what do you need?"

"I need be going," Ramon announced for lack of a better answer.

"I'll take one more run around the park and that should do it" Mateo commented. Then he began trotting toward the path away from Ramone.

He didn't go far, but stopped and walked back to Ramon still sitting on the bench. "Come run with me!" He said holding out his hand.

"Me? I don’t think so.”

“C’mon chicky, run with me?”

“Uhh...okay, but don't run too fast or I may not be able to keep up with you."

"I won't leave you behind, believe me."

They started running slowly and talking as they jogged along through the park.

"You married or have a boyfriend?" asked Mateo.

"Nope – you?"

"Nope."

"That's good," replied Mateo, with his dark eyes gleaming and his body twisting in his jogging pants.

They ran through the park past a clump of boulders on each side of the path, along the bank of a small creek, and over a wooden bridge connecting the left bank, to the right bank. 

As they came off the bridge, Mateo plopped down on the grass and Ramon dropped beside him.  They were breathing hard and laughing at the same time.

"You run too fast," said Ramon. Leaning back on the grass and letting Mateo get a full view of him stretched out.

"I do everything fast, but I make love slowly – very slowly" he replied.

"Somehow, I can believe that."

"Believe it my friend. To you, I would not lie."

"Of course, you wouldn't," garbled Ramon wiping his forehead with his shirt.  His hard flat stomach exposed with tanned flesh looking very appealing. "This running crap is too much like work"

"Wanna fool around instead?" mumbled Mateo.

"Sure – sprung back Ramon immediately – “A-ha, I bet you didn't expect me to say that.”

They looked at one another in a way that was beyond seeing. It was looking loaded with unspoken words. Without hesitation, Mateo kissed him and touched Ramon's conquistador's fine-looking face.

“Yo man, how delicious you look.” He whispered running his finger across Ramon’s lips.

The park was nearly deserted and folks were mostly in the playground area with children. Ramon was sexy and there was no missing a body like that.  Mateo didn't realize how Caliente (hot) Ramon really was, but he was about to find out.

"Come home with me," mumbled Mateo. We can take the subway and it's about six stops from here."

"Six stops?"

"Maybe five, but who's counting?"

"I have a better idea, come home with me and we can walk. It is two blocks from here and nobody is there. I have a housemate but he is gone for the day.

"You mean your boyfriend is gone for the day," interjected Mateo.

"I don't have a boyfriend. Don't correct me, I know what I said."

"I didn't correct you bro. "Hell, I guess I did – lo siento."

They got to their feet and finished the run around the park ending back at the street entrance. From there, they walked to where Ramon lived.

“I hope I'm not making a mistake with this bro," Ramon thought as he turned the key and opened the door.  That nonsense faded quickly when the door closed behind them.

The door no sooner clicked than Mateo put his arms around Ramon and drew him close to his chest. He snatched him by the wrist, forced his arms into the air, and pinned him against the wall. He kissed him frantically and Ramon bushed his body into Mateo. Their clothes came flying off tossed to the floor. They were both bare-chested and finally together.

The next few moments were not going to be just bumpy; they would be slippery, nasty, and wet. Everything was moving so fast. It was duel energy maneuvering in unison, without even thinking.  Mateo kissed his satin-smooth flesh and ran his tongue over his nipple making Ramon groan a little as his flesh rose to attention in his pants.

Ramon put his arms around Mateo and the two of them slid together down to the floor holding one another.  They were licking and kissing as if everything was a competition.  Every once in a while, awesome take on a new meaning.

Their bodies brushed up against the door and the floor was hard and cold. They knew exactly where they were, but the sudden explosion of passion caught them off guard.  It could not have been more spot-on.

Mateo held Ramon's face with both hands kissing his nose, forehead, and lips. He was definitely absorbed in wanting to touch him.

Ramon kneeled in front of Mateo and began rubbing his chest. He bent over and licked the hair on his stomach just above his belt.

"Oh man, you are so warm and awesome." Said Ramon.

"You got it borki - keep doing what you are doing," replied Mateo.

"Like this? Asked Ramon, tugging at his flesh drawing pieces of him into his mouth.   Mateo sighed, moaned, and wiggled his warm sexy body into Ramon's face, allowing him to work his magic.

"A-huh" answered Mateo, struggling to be perfect. Ramon was making him so hard he thought something was going to break.  It disappeared into his throat and Ramon closed his lips firmly around it.

"Holy fuckin mama -- Yes -- like that," yelled Mateo.

There was much rubbing, rolling around, and torrid lovemaking until both men climaxed into a frenzy, making everything worthwhile.

“Whew,” what just happened,” asked Ramon for lack of something better to say.

“I can say it in five words or less.”

“Don’t bother, this is not my first gay ride, but it is on a cold hard floor,” settled Ramon.

“It happened so quickly.”

“You can say something more direct.”

“Yeah, I can,” agreed Mateo.  You did something to me the moment I saw you sitting on that park bench. I ran thinking of you. I had to talk to you. I had to get close to you. I had to have you.”

“That’s pretty direct.”

“I’m just following orders. You want me to be direct, and this is how I feel. Can we lie down somewhere comfortable for a minute?”

“You bet! This floor is terrible for making love,” mumbled Ramon leading Mateo to his bed.

“We’re here now.” Mateo placed his hard naked body on top of Ramon losing himself in a sea of kisses and crotch gobbling.  After getting off for the second time, they rested side by side, on soft blankets, talking.

“This doesn’t end here does it?” asked Mateo.

“I hope not, we click so well together, and effortless to love.”

“Maybe we should work on doing that.”

“Maybe we should,” whispered Ramon running his tongue over Mateo’s ear.

“C’mon,” said Ramon. Let’s hit the shower and get decent again.

They showered soaping and washing together. They laughed and kissed, with water washing their bodies as one.  Everything they did together was spot-on Latino. They were becoming a team.

No couples are perfect, and I suppose that is true. Still, Ramon and Mateo were euphoric being in each other’s company.  Sexually they rocked and togetherness was never boring. It didn’t take long before they were head over heels in love with each other.

Folks like to say there are no best of times. I have my suspicions that they know little, about Puerto Rican men. Not all men, of course, which brings us back to no couples being perfect.  Maybe, just maybe, this was an exception.

********************

The End