The Gay Uncle remains on Cape Cod this week. Having finished with his pregnant pals in Brewster, he and his boyfriend have moved up the Cape to Provincetown to spend time with some folks whose kids are on the outside, his friend Danika and her two girls to be precise: Erica, 8 and Anna, 5. Gunc adores these two (and their parents) and looks forward to his annual visit with them each summer, particularly their stellar beach days, which always revolve around digging holes, building castles, eating ice cream sandwiches (emphasis on the sand), competing to tell the most boring story, and, of course, splashing in the ocean. Erica has recently emerged as a more confident swimmer, and braved the waves on her own, but Anna still required a grown-up to help her feel grounded in the choppy surf. G.U. was on the shore catching up with his friend during the first plunge, and his b.f. Tal took on this job, a role for which he was roundly praised. “What a nice Uncle,” Danika said to her daughters. When the next swim trip came up an hour or so later, Gunc volunteered to brave the cool water with the kids. Anna reached out for him. “Take me in too,” she begged. The Gay Uncle wanted a moment to accustom himself to the temperature first. “Just a sec,” he said. Anna stomped her foot and put a hand on her hip. “Come on,” she protested. “Don’t you want to be a nice Grandpa, like the other one?” Gunc flushed in the chilly surf. “Uncle,” he said quietly, rubbing his hand through his graying hair. “Not grandpa. Uncle.”