A man of few words

A MAN OF FEW WORDS

It is a Saturday morning of February 1986.

Steve is smoking a cigarette alone at the table of the kitchen, in the dim light.
He wears the same old black jacket and a light blue sweater.
What was he thinking of when the door's bell rang?

I know how a man can be shy or intimidating when he opens the door to a stranger
so I will have to break the ice even before we shake our hands.

But Steve put a smile on his face.
That's the first picture I took of him.

The first impression I have is that of a man of few words.
I follow him home, deeply breathing the smell of his smoke.

Turning the washing machine on, Steve reminds the times when he was a squatter - I went to self service to do my laundry. It seems like only yesterday. Now I live in luxury. What a change! It's fantastic.

I want to capture this moment of gratitude.

Do you live alone? I ask him. - No I don't. I live with Larry, my boyfriend. He could not be here but you're gonna meet him later when he'll come back.

I can't wait to see Bronski Beat all together whole.

Wanna see my butterfly collection? sounds like an indecent proposal that I won't refuse - 
But let's have breakfast first. I'm starving.

Steve leads me to a room with every sort of musical instruments.
There are even four little birds in two cages; some old toys, funny gadgets and other stuff, beyond the forniture and empty boxes.
On the wall, hung a platinum copy of the Age of Consent and the golden one.

Steve sits and grabs the guitar and starts to play C'mon C'mon, the sunniest song he ever wrote.
I must take more pictures of him, valuable material for my work.

He explains to me that he had to learn playing many instruments including the guitar - The new album is completely different from the previous. An ambitious project for which I'm personally proud. 
We did work hard for obtaining it.

I find it very cohesive and especially courageous - I add.

But please Fatty, don't stop playing.
Ain't Necesserely So is one of my fav from The Age of Consent. Would you perform it?
Steve moves to the keyboards and for the first time I hear his voice singing.

Without realizing it, a few hours have passed when we hear noise from the entrance - it must be Larry.
It was true and there he is, accompanied by the new blond singer, John Foster.
Oh my God I can't believe it. You're all here - I say - So let's make a party!

I've taken so many pictures of them: Larry and John doing the dishes or all three tightly sitting on the sofa. 
Or Steve again at the phone like a clerk or in the garden climbed up a plant.

All that's missing is them all together in bed or in the shower but I would keep those pictures to myself.

Goodbye guys. It's been a pleasure for me knowing you. 
I wasn't bad in your faggot den. 

Are you kidding? John Foster said.
You bet! Anyway! said Larry.

Steve didn't say anything though.