1 Chapter 1
“Julian? Julian Reynolds?”
Julian turned around to see who was calling his name. At first he didn’t recognize the man who was hurrying to catch up with him. When he got close enough for Julian to identify, Julian’s first reaction was to turn and run away. He would ask the same questions as all the others, and Julian didn’t want to go through all of that again.
Not knowing what else to do, and feeling it would be rude to sprint away, Julian forced a smile and said, “Craig. Hi.”
Craig, a slender, balding man in his forties, but dressed as if he were twenty-five, came up to Julian and hugged him. Julian took a steadying breath and hugged Craig back.
When Craig released him and stepped back the anticipated barrage started. “When did you get back in town? How long will you be staying?” and most dreaded of all, “Where’s Virgil? Isn’t he with you?”
Taking another deep breath, Julian launched into his explanation, for the third time that day, as to why he was in Mayfair. “Actually, I’ve been back for about three days and—”
Craig interrupted, “Three days! Why didn’t you let me know you were here? Who else knows you’re here? Why hasn’t anyone bothered to tell me? I amyour best friend, after all!” He looked hurt.
So typically gay, Julian thought. One of the reasons I was willing to move away when Virgil suggested it in the first place, was to get away from all the drama and gossip. And as far as you being my best friend—that is purely self-proclaimed.
“Well, I’ve been busy getting settled and—”
Craig interrupted again, “Settled? You’ve moved back?”
“Uh…yes I have. I’ll be teaching at Laughton Middle School—”
A third interruption came from Craig. “Am I hearing this right? I thought you guys lovedNew York. Is Virgil okay with this? I know youwere glad to get away from here, for some unfathomable reason. What about his job with the TV network?”
“He still has it,” Julian answered, realizing he was being sucked into a lengthy explanation.
“Is he going to commute? That’s one hell of a long drive!”
“Virgil will be staying in New York.”
“How is that going to work? Is he going to be here with you weekends? Are you going to go back to the city to be with him? What? Long distance relationships are so fucking difficult. So, tell me!”
Julian hesitated. He dropped his eyes.
“No!” Craig said, covering his mouth dramatically with his hand. He stared at Julian. Julian knew what he was thinking. Julian and Virgil: the poster kids for monogamous, stable, gay relationships in Mayfair? This can’t be happening.
“Okay, I need details. Come on. We’re going to Gilby’s,” Craig said, taking Julian by the arm and steering him into the nearby restaurant.
“I really have some things I have to attend to,” Julian said feebly, knowing that it would do little good.
“Not until you fill me in!”
They went into Gilby’s. It was owned by a gay couple. The establishment was a restaurant by day and a gay bar by night. Julian had been there many times with Virgil. He cringed, knowing they might well run into more of his old friends and acquaintances.
The host, a tall, lanky, effeminate young man, with a disinterested air, led them to a booth. If he had to do this, a booth would be Julian’s preference. The less conspicuous they were, the less likely he’d have to go over this again—at least for today. Of course he would have to unburden himself, reluctantly, to Craig. That meant it would be all over the gay community by that evening. They refused menus and ordered coffee.
“All right, let’s have it, and don’t hold back. I’m here for you,” Craig said sympathetically, reaching out to cover Julian’s hands with his own.
Julian had just opened his mouth to begin his tale, when another man walked up.
“Oh, God! Julian!” the man exclaimed, literally dragging Julian out of the booth, engulfing him in a tight embrace. “I just heard about it from Ernie! How tragic! You poor baby! How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing just fine, Stephen,” Julian said, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice as he extricated himself from the man’s arms.
“Putting on a brave front! So like our Julian.”
Julian sat back down and Stephen slid into the seat next to him.
“Julian was just about to tell me about it,” Craig said, irritation showing in his voice, evidently due to the fact that Stephen had gotten the story first.
“Good,” Stephen said. “Then I haven’t missed anything.”
Both Stephen and Craig leaned toward Julian, sitting on the edge of their seats.
