Chapter 3

Jesse saw the cabbie in the front seat of the tow truck. Near the back of the tow truck, to the left and out of the way, stood Carr de Vantino, hands stuffed into a Columbia jacket, Timberland boots, wool cap on his head. Next to his left leg sat the single bag he had traveled with around the world for the last dozen years, filled with his only belongings, his life concealed by thick canvas.

They made eye contact with each other at the same time. Jesse moved into Carr’s opened arms, and the two men hugged. To his surprise, Carr kissed his right cheek, which threw Jesse off a bit. Carr had never kissed him before. Not once. Jesse wasn’t about to complain, enjoying the world traveler’s scruff on his clean-shaven skin and strong smell of sweat.

The hug ended just as quickly as it had started. Carr gently shook Jesse, clamping hands on Jesse’s wool-covered biceps. “Good to see you, guy? How long has it been?”