Member-only story
Living a scrupulously closeted life
Based on true events
On the bank of the holy lake, Galilee.
Jesus, shall we walk once more on top sealevel, fragile water?
Me, and the gang.
Festival.
Wild curls, muddy feet, 17 of age.
Puberty thrives in this microclimate of humanity, right here.
Where the music pounds louder than science spoken in formulas of forgotten high school classes.
“Free food”
It says on the sign.
We come in, informal dressing code for a little religious shrine.
Hungry street dogs, looking forward to some quick licking and keep playing.
“Pray with us, and the rewards shall be bountiful”
Ok, let’s pretend praying and stuff these empty mouths.
A circle of men is calling us.
Led by a young ‘Rabbi’ perhaps 35 years old.
He talks about relationships between men, specifically love between father and son.
He is very touchy.
He is very persuasive.
He lays his arm on my knee.
He tells many stories.
I don’t dare to move.
Until I do.
I get up.
I go empty-handed.
I learn about human nature.
