“Do you expect a packed house?” Rod slid his hands into his pockets to keep from fidgeting.

“We have two opera performance centers in Ireland. One in Cork and one in Wexford. Neither is near Galway, so we are rather isolated. I expect we’ll have quite a few opera fans for tonight’s lecture.”

“Do you have a wireless mic so I can stroll the stage as I talk?” Rod asked.

“Yes,” Tadhg walked to the lectern. “I believe we have a cordless microphone ready for you.” He picked up a microphone, switched it on, and spoke. His voice boomed over the auditorium sound system.

“Fantastic,” Rod took the microphone.

“I have your bio in my pocket,” Tadhg said. “I’ll introduce you and bring you up on stage. You and Wyl can sit in the front row over to the right.” Tadhg motioned to the place they should sit. “Wyl, I’ll introduce Rod and introduce you as his husband. Would you prefer something else?”

Wyl shook his head. “Husband is fine with me.”

“Excellent. You can stand and wave to the crowd.”

“Okay, I guess we’re all set,” Rod said.

Rod and Wyl took their seats as people began filing in.

Within twenty minutes, the auditorium filled to capacity. The din of chatting guests flooded the room. Wyl reached for Rod’s hand and squeezed it, showing support for his husband. Tadhg McCourt walked on stage and approached the lectern. The crowd quieted as he picked up the microphone.

“Good evening, and welcome to tonight’s lecture. The Arts League of Galway is pleased to offer an unusual treat. Dr. Rod Bonner is an expert on opera and is here tonight to share his thoughts on Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Dr. Bonner holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of North Texas. His husband, Mr. Wyl Sterling, is with him. They own a ranch in West Texas. Wyl, stand and wave to the audience.”

Wyl did, and a round of applause ensued.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Dr. Rod Bonner.” Tadhg began applauding, and the audience joined him as Rod climbed the steps and walked to center stage. He shook Tadhg’s hand and accepted the microphone.”

“Thank you, Dr. McCourt, and thanks to the Arts League of Galway for having me here this evening,” Rod began.

He spoke about the production aspect of opera and how it took teamwork between the set crew, the chorus, and the soloists. He mentioned competitive sports coaches often used opera as an example of how collaboration is used to craft a winning production.

He highlighted the various roles in opera and how the operatic soprano part called for a younger woman, with an older woman acting as a mother or a governess. An operatic tenor often played the leading male role, with a bass voice playing the antagonist.

He covered the three aspects of listening: musical, physical, and emotional, giving his audience a clue about how to best enjoy music.

The standing ovation showed how much the audience loved his presentation.

“Wow, babe, fantastic lecture.” Wyl gave his husband a quick hug after Rod left the stage. “I learned several new things tonight.”

Tadhg McCourt approached, a smile on his face. “You are a hit, Dr. Bonner. The audience is abuzz about the information you shared. I can tell we need to host a performance of Don Giovanni here at the university soon. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go schmooze.” Tadhg shook hands with both Rod and Wyl before melting into the crowd.

Many well-wishers waited in line to shake hands with Rod and Wyl and chat about their opera experiences. The line thinned out, and at the end stood Ailbe and Declan.

“Rod, I’m impressed,” Ailbe offered his hand.

“Thank you, Ailbe,” Rod said, offering a hearty Texas handshake. “You mentioned this as a favorite opera of yours. It's one of my favorites, too.”

“…and mine,” Wyl grinned.

“Your preference for this fine opera came across in your presentation, Rod. You're not only an opera expert, you also charm an audience,” Ailbe said.

“You did a fantastic job, Rod,” Declan chimed in. “Opera is not my thing. I prefer rock music and selected heavy metal. I don’t go to the opera with Ailbe. It's a boring overnight trip. But tonight, I wanted to attend your presentation. I am told it helps to understand the story of an opera before hearing it.”

“You’re right, Declan. Thank you for coming tonight and for your comments.”

“Shall we go for a drink?” Wyl asked. “I'm up for a martini, and my husband needs to relax after his speech.”

“Sounds perfect,” Ailbe said. “Declan, you up for something?”

“O'Connell's Pub is not far from here,” Declan said. “Ailbe and I meet at O'Connell's after work on weekdays. They have an Irish folk band on Tuesday nights. It’s not opera, but the music I enjoy. We can walk over for the Hooley.”

Wyl raised an eyebrow. “Hooley?”

“Aye. It’s what you Yanks call a celebration. We’re toasting to Rod’s enthralling presentation.” Declan said.

“Ah yes, the Hooley!” Wyl laughed. “Are you down with the Hooley, Rod?”

“Down with?” Declan asked.

“Yeah…American slang for okay.”

Declan laughed. “As you say, I’m down with the Hooley.”

The four laughed together as they left the hall for the pub.

In O’Connell’s, they found a booth and ordered drinks. Wyl and Rod ordered martinis, Declan ordered a Guinness, and Ailbe ordered a Bulmers. The four toasted when the drinks arrived.

“So, Rod, where did you learn so much about opera?” Ailbe took a sip of the orange-colored cider.

“As Dr. McCourt said, my doctorate is in musicology, with an emphasis on opera,” he pushed the ice around in his glass with his finger. “Wyl took me to a performance of Don Giovanni in Fort Worth the weekend he proposed marriage. Aside from being one of my favorite operas, it means something to us.” Rod reached and squeezed Wyl’s hand.

“You two are too much.” Declan sipped his Guinness. “The article in The Advocate nailed it,”

“When we first met, I sort of left out my gay side,” Wyl said. “When Rod told me, I still kept my preference to myself. But he captured my heart and wouldn’t let go.”

“I’m so glad we met you two,” Ailbe said. He pondered the best way to use Wyl to his advantage, but he must first win them over as friends. “We talked about coming to San Francisco for the therapy group session, but the weeks before the beginning of the fall semester are busy on our campuses.”

“So, do you two have a place in Galway?” Wyl asked. He and Rod learned about their home from the information General Steinburg shared but couldn’t reveal knowledge of their life.

“We have a home over in Salthill, a suburb,” Declan said. “We bought it about three years ago, right, Ailbe?”

"Yes,” Ailbe said. “It's in an upscale neighborhood and includes an amazing view of Galway Bay.”

“Any problems with homophobia?” Rod experienced his share of bashing over the years.

Ailbe shook his head. “None either of us experienced. Both workplaces are aware we are a gay couple, and neither raised an issue.”

“You’re lucky,” Rod eyed his empty martini glass.