They always got drinks after seeing a play together and since it was so close to the old neighborhood, Becka and David chose Elixir. Other David and Brad ordered the signature Bourbon Shrub, while Becka and David ordered the refreshing Grapefruit Basil Martini.

"Well that play certainly lived up to its name," Becka said, placing the program for "Sweet & Sad" on the table.

"Man, the chick that played the sister with the actor boyfriend was SO HOT!" said Brad, halfway through his drink. That got an elbow from Becka.

"Is that really all you got out of the play?" asked David.

"Well... I mean, all the stuff about 9/11. That was really powerful."

"All that family drama reminded me of being home for Thanksgiving," said David.

"Except I didn't want to slit my wrists after," joked Other David.

"That one brother, the Republican lawyer? He kinda got on my nerves."

"Careful, babe," Becka said, rubbing Brad's arm.

"What? We're not in mixed company, are we?" The deadpan reaction from the Davids made Brad retreat sheepishly to the rest of his drink. "Sorry, I just assumed... "

"It's all right," said Other David. "I've come to terms with being in a mixed marriage."

"But... doesn't that defeat the purpose? How can you be gay and be affiliated with a party that wouldn't want to see you married?"

"It's not all about social issues," said David.

"Isn't it? I'm sorry, but if Becka were raped, I'd want her to have the option to deal with it on her terms, ‘legitimate' or not."

"And I wouldn't be so quick to base everything you know about politics on a Facebook meme."

"I'm gonna grab another drink," said Becka. "Um, do you want... " Other David quickly got up and joined her at the bar.

"I just don't get it. You're both minorities AND gay!"

"And Republicans have done more against Castro than anyone. Being gay is just one part of my identity, no less or greater than my being Cuban, or left-handed. Or Republican. I vote as I see fit."

"You don't see any problem, any at all, with supporting a political party that actively brings themselves up by keeping others down?"

"You're oversimplifying."

"But it's basic human rights. Don't you want to marry David some day?"

"I love David. I also love money and having a job and having a condo and not screwing up the world."

"How is Obama screwing up the world?"

"Don't get me started."

"But gay marriage has as much to do with economics as it has to do with equality. Why would someone so concerned with low taxation and individual freedom support a party that doesn't want to give them the right to marry and therefore force you to incur additional taxes if they want security with their other half? It doesn't make sense."

"I'll let you in on a secret: it's totally possible to care about two different things, and decide one is more important than the other, and vote based on that. I am an individual, I am not the gay community." Becka and Other David came back from the bar very solemn.

"Sorry babe," Brad said, giving Becka a kiss on the cheek. "We'll let up."

"It's not that," said Other David.

"Charlie's friend Tristan just texted,'" said Becka. "Charlie got hit by a car. He's in critical condition."

They quickly settled up their tab and cabbed it to the hospital.

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CALL TO ACTION: Author Danny Bernardo needs your help! Please visit: http://igg.me/p/203358?a=1020165

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