I sold equipment for ATS; John worked at Ford Both our relationships were bad across the board John was loud and obnoxious; I was just as bad We fed off one another—best damn fun we had

The first time I picked him up, the cold cut like a knife A pothole blew my Charger tire and nearly ruined my life I yelled, "JV, get out!" while I crawled in the snow He watched me change the tire fast 'cause it was five below

Filippa's served the lunches; Tilted Kilt poured beer We knew all the waitresses, and they knew when we were near We called it doing business, though no one bought that line Two loudmouths at the bar just killing borrowed time

I had a Tigers suite with Wednesday games to spare So John and I found people who were free to join us there We brought the Kilt waitresses to watch the Tigers play And gave two strip-club promo girls some tickets one fine day

We left the track at Hazel Park with John leading the pack Then took the party to Como's and never once looked back Ferndale was celebrating; freedom filled the air The gay Fourth of July was in full swing everywhere

John climbed up on a barstool with something loud to say The entire crowded patio turned and looked his way He raised his arms and shouted so everyone could hear "I'm gay and I'm out today!"—and Ferndale gave a cheer

Then Kathleen came along in January's cold I skipped a show with John to have her hand to hold He knew my life was changing as we entered that new year The woman I'd been waiting for had finally appeared

We sat out on John's boat when he told us about Krissy His married next-door neighbor—things were getting risky Her husband was an ex-Marine, so what else could I do? I raised my beer and told him, "It was nice knowing you"