A small town librarian

his barely concealed lisp

demurely  sips his drink

while the others down their shots.

He looks even slighter

with these braod-shouldered men in Brooks Brothers suits

laughing convulsively at their jokes

playing with the family men just off the 6:15

out of Penn Station.

He is slightly tipsy

enjoying the slap of their strong hands

against his back.

That elusive fraternity denied him

in his youth.

Middle-Age, he thought

the great equalizer

those cruel boundaries no longer important.

He shakes their hands

a small, jocular man

perhaps a bit too fastidious in appearence

leaves the Inn smiling.

" Is he a fag or what?"

The happy fraternity laughs

in approval.