of black shoes. Something that will make me forget about the army,” he said, sitting down to eat. Rich placed his food on the table before him and joined him. “Dad tells me you made a very sexy victim for that belly dancer the other night. You and I are going to have to go to that Cafe together sometime. Was she really as beautiful as dad said? Did she really give you her address and phone number? Not that I blame her for trying, but you are mine, or have you forgotten that?”

“You know I haven’t forgotten it, babe. Now tell me about this strange man you almost invited up for a bedtime romp last night.”

“Well he isn’t strange at all. You knew him before I did,” Rich said and told him all about Frank Gordon and what a good friend he had turned out to be. “He likes to put on this big act and there are times when it’s hard to tell if he is serious or not, but he always behaves himself. He says he still wants the two of us in his bed… but if either of us were to say ‘yes’, I think he would run for the hills. Anyway, he always says to give you a kiss on your ass for him.”

Laughing and then turning so serious that the words came out in a torrent, the soldier started to babble, “Look, Rich, I have something to tell you that you will not like. I seems that I have gotten myself into a bit of a problem and I can’t get out of it, at least not yet. I have always been honest with you, and you know that you are the only one that I love. I want you to keep that in mind when I tell you what has been going on.”

“Oh, oh! This sounds real serious. There is only one thing I want you to tell me first, Joseph. Do you want to split up with me–is that what this is all about? I can take the truth, really I can and I would rather have it. I don’t want to be lied to, not by you.” Reaching over and taking Rich’s hand in his, he lifted it palm up to his lips and kissed it. “Darling, I never knew what love was or could be like until I met you. If I thought we would split up, I would be devastated. I will never stop loving you. You on the other hand, might not want me after what I have to tell you. I swore to you when I started this that I would keep you informed. Please remember that I did ask your permission to do this. However, it has now reached the point where I can no longer be 100% true to you. Well I am true to you, but… in order to get information…”

“Oh God, no!”

“Let me tell you everything before you speak,” Joseph said.

“Another question first,” Rich demanded.

“Yes anything.”

“Will it be just the two of us in the end?” Rich asked.

“That was, is and will be up to you. As far as I’m concerned, even if you threw me out, I would still love you. I love you and your family and what I have to do; I’m doing for you and them… This thing is so important that I feel it not only constitutes a