Art called late Saturday afternoon. "God, I hate overtime Saturdays," he groaned, "Im exhausted." "Poor guy," I sympathized. "Well, the reason I called is just to say hello and that Ive been thinking about you all day. I really meant what I said last night about needing a friend like you." "Well, you didnt wait for me to say it last night, but I like knowing you as well. I think youre a great guy." "Thanks," he said very quietly, "That means a lot to me.

Dennis called me the next day just to chat and I mentioned the evening Id spent with Art and how the gay discussion had progressed. "Hmm," Dennis said, "So you told him about you but he told you nothing about himself. Sounds like theres something more going on here to me." "Oh, Dennis," I countered, "You see a mystery in everyone you meet. I just think the guys curious about being gay. I know I gave him a new viewpoint to look at it from, anyway." We made plans to go to a movie that evening and the three of us had a nice time. We stopped for a drink at our local gay watering hole after the movie.

The week after we had dinner with my parents, my manager told me he wanted me to go to a weeklong conference in Chicago. It was a major compensation conference, and I was really excited about getting to go to it. What I wasnt excited about, at all, was being away from Art. We were growing closer and I knew I was going to miss him. He tried to hide his feelings though and encouraged me to go and enjoy it.

Art groaned most of the day about how nervous he was about meeting my parents. I kept trying to reassure him, but it didnt seem to help. "Why dont you have a drink and relax?" I asked late in the afternoon. "Oh no," he answered, "Im not gonna take a chance on getting drunk before I meet your folks." I laughed at his distraught look. "I really dont understand why youre so worried.

Art: Waking up the next morning, I could feel Darren spooned up against my back, but I didnt move. I went over in my mind the events of last night and suddenly it brought tears to my eyes again. Part of me - the sensible, down-to-earth guy I usually am - wanted to accept Darrens explanations at face value. Id never known him to lie to me or to anyone else. He just seemed to be honest about things.

I didnt really think too much about the evening Id spent with Art. I didnt see him as date potential as he obviously wasnt gay, though he certainly was attractive. A couple of days later I went to dinner at a friends house and I casually mentioned the encounter. Dennis was my friend from college days and his partners name is George. George was a few years older than Dennis and me, but he was a total sweetheart of a guy and I liked him very much. I was also rather envious of the two of them and the relationship they had.

Darren: After we had delightful oral sex that Saturday morning, Art and I snuggled together for another quarter hour. Despite the problems with Neils calls the night before and that morning, I felt closer to Art than I ever had. I felt as though wed reached a new level of understanding. "Art, babe, are we okay?" I asked. "I think so," Art said. "I must admit I dont understand why anyone would want to stalk somebody like he did to you and Dave,

Art: The week we spent at Darrens parents cabin was wonderful. I admit Ive never personally known people who have two homes before, and I couldnt help but be impressed. The place was beautifully furnished without being at all fussy, so it was great for relaxing. That was the best part. Both of us were completely relaxed by the second or third day so we could really enjoy ourselves.

After church we drove home to my place and put on some other clothes. Wed been home about half an hour when the phone rang. I checked the Caller ID and was surprised that it was Neils number again. I let it go to the machine. "Hello, my name is Carl Foster and Im Neils roommate. Ive been so angry with him for making those obscene phone calls from my phone, and for all the crap Ive taken from the local phone company

Despite the fact that Darren and I had been seeing each other for only a few months, the week that he was gone was hell. I cant explain it. Id lived alone for several years, but that week I just felt incredibly lonely. Logically I knew it was only going to be for a week, but nonetheless, I still felt it. I made myself stay busy on Sunday after I took him to the airport, and I finished my weekend chores and stuff and then watched some TV alone.