The Obscurati

by Wynn Wagner

  And look upon myself and curse my fate,

  Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

  Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,

  Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope,

  With what I most enjoy contented least;

  Yet in these thoughts—”

  Pierre raised his glass and motioned for Hamlet to stop. I don’t know if it was planned, but Pierre knew the final part of the Shakespearean sonnet that Hamlet had started. Pierre said,

  “Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

  Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

  Like to the lark at break of day arising

  From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate—”

  Then they both raised their glasses, saying the final couplet together:

  “For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings

  That then I scorn to change my state with kings.”

  They kissed and held each other close, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the entire house, neither vampire nor human.

  I could feel Menz. Somewhere. Somehow. He would have loved being here for this. His spirit was there. I knew it. I could feel it.

  The queen walked up with a handkerchief. I took it and wiped my tears, and I heard her say what I wanted to say. She found the words that I couldn’t find.

  “Daddy,” she said softly, “the kids are all grown up now.”

  And I felt Menz smiling. Wherever he was, I knew Menz was smiling. When I looked at the queen, I saw a tear in her eye too.

  Epilogue

  With this field-dew consecrate,

  Every fairy take his gait,

  And each several chamber bless,

  Through this palace, with sweet peace;

  Ever shall it in safety rest,

  And the owner of it blest.

  Trip away:

  Make no stay:

  Meet me all by break of day.

  —Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

  William Shakespeare

  About the Author

  WYNN WAGNER and his husband Rick live in Texas.

  Texas doesn't recognize their marriage even though it was done by a real priest in a real Old Catholic Church during Mass. God recognizes the marriage even if the state doesn't. "Texas versus God," Wynn says. "I pick God."

  Wynn is an archbishop and president of the World Conference of Old Catholic Churches and Coadjutor of the North American Old Catholic Church.

  He has written numerous gay and spiritual books. The author Patricia Nell Warren calls him a "powerhouse in GLBT publishing."

  Before that, he was a programmer who helped write the tax software used by some of the world's largest corporations. He also wrote Opus-CBCS, a computer bulletin board system that was wildly popular in the 1980s. Opus generated millions of dollars for HIV and AIDS, back when almost nobody was helping fund research or caring for those suffering from the disease. He also wrote a short piece called "HIV: Day One" for those who have just learned they have HIV.

  Before programming and writing, Wynn worked in radio in Texas and New York. Before that, he was a pimply-faced teenager.

  Visit his web site at http://www.WynnWagner.com and his blog at http://www.WynnWagnerBooks.com. His Facebook is WynnWagner.

  Read how Mårten’s story started in WYNN WAGNER’s

  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com