address an elephant that maybe only I see sitting in the corner?”

“Sure.”

“I didn’t know you were gay.”

“I guess all that happened during the big missing chunk of our friendship.  It doesn’t change anything, Ian, the fact that I like to have sex with dudes, does not define me.  It’s just one small aspect of my life.”

Ian nodded his head, “Does that mean I’m not gonna get any?”

Hooper’s eyes popped and Ian busted out laughing.  Hoop shoved his friend, “Asshole.”

They talked a few minutes more and then Hooper said goodnight.  They promised it wouldn’t be another five years before they got together again and the old friend was gone.

Ian pulled his tee over his head and grabbed his smokes.  He patted Ralphie on the head and said, “Com’mon boy, let’s go wait for Kellen.”  And together they walked back out to the pool.   

He laid back in the chaise with Ralphie beside him, pounding his tail gently on the staccato.  Ian crossed his arms behind his head and started to drift off to sleep.  Someone sitting quietly down with him stirred him.  He opened his eyes to see Kellen sharing the chaise with him and smiling.   

“Hey, buddy, wake you from a nice dream?”

“I was just about to drift off, been a Monday all day long.”

“Anything I can do to help.”

“Nope, just make Tuesday hurry up and get here.”

Kellen snapped his fingers, “Done!”

“I feel better already.  Thanks.”

“Any time.  So my son, got out again?”

“Looks that way.”

“You should have just chained him up.”

“He’s been good company.  I only had garlic bread to feed him though.”

“I ran a little later than expected.  Sorry.”

“Not a problem.  I didn’t mind at all.”

“Wish I could figure out how he’s getting out.  Sometimes I think he can walk through walls.”  He looked at Ian and smiled.  “Looks like you’ve about had it.  I’ll take this bad boy back over to my place and leave you to some peace and quiet.”

Ian smiled and nodded his head.  Kellen squeezed his hand and kissed him on the forehead.  “Have a good night, Ian.”

“You, too.”  He watched Kellen head back toward where the gate used to be and Ralphie following dutifully behind him.  Ian watched until he was out of sight.   

His mind was peacefully blank for a change.  He knew he should be upset or something, anything.  He didn’t feel empty; he just felt a strange peace. It was a nice change.  He intended to just enjoy it.

He heard a rustle in the shadows and sat up to see a figure in the shadows.  It walked toward him.  As it stepped into the light, he recognized the black mop of hair and the dancing light in the deep brown eyes.  The figure stopped before it stepped all the way into the light.

“Am I disturbing you?”  He quickly but quietly added, “I knocked but I didn’t see any lights on.  When I got into my car I saw the light back here.  I thought I’d walk back and see if you were still speaking to me.”

“Why would I not be speaking to you, Jeremy?”

He hung his head.  “Susan and I