he made you perfect, babe

Matéo

as I watch the foaming breakers
when the tide comes rushing in

It wasn't Matéo's first trip to the Halenani. Even before the intended separation from his late wife he had been a client, though his trips usually ended up being far more innocent than one would think when seeing him enter. Initially, he had solely sought after the services by women employed at the Halenani. Perhaps the lack of love in his marriage, the sense of duty he felt, was only because of his wife. Being shallow was something he could work on; being anything but straight was another issue altogether.

As it was, maybe something was just broken in general. Even after seeing the men the Halenani offered, he couldn't bring himself to touch them. Admiring them was one thing, but with a completely sober mind, there was usually an awkward amount of distance between one person and the other and more than a few sessions of crying, to the escorts assured discomfort.

Today, he had his resolve set. (Mostly) Sober and with a wave to the bouncer on duty, unfortunately not Harper, he made his way once more into the Halenani to check-in at the front desk.

"Hello, I'm here to uh... Rent a room."

I will contemplate my lifetime
with its virtues and its sins