Chapter 5 – Chapter 5

To the readers: I'm asking for a great deal of forgiveness on this one. My openoffice program seems to crash every time I run spell check now so if things slip by, my apologies.

*

Gabe stepped off the train onto the Dobbs Ferry platform and stood for a minute as if not sure what came next. A crowd of people rushed around him and disappeared into the night, heading to their cars or home or both. He sighed and pulled his bags after him as he made his way toward the parking lot. A voice caught his attention and he saw Darren waiting for him just up ahead. Darren rushed up and pulled him into a bear hug when he got closer.

"How are you doing?" He asked.

"I watched the man I love get married to a woman today." Gabe said, returning the embrace. "I don't think I'm doing so well."

"Let's get you home. We'll have a nice cup of tea and bitch about men. Tomorrow we'll get you all settled." Darren said, leading Gabe toward his Honda.

"I know it's a little late in asking, but you're sure Phil's ok with all of this?" Gabe asked.

"He's totally ok with this. He's got a huge list of people looking for accountants and he's even marked those he thinks you should work for with little stars." Darren laughed.

"That's nice of him." Gabe said. "He seems like a great guy."

"He is." Darren said and couldn't help the stars in his eyes. "The best."

"I'm happy for you." Gabe smiled weakly.

"No, you're not sweetie. You're hurting and in pain and want to kick my teeth in for having a relationship that you think you'll never have." Darren reached out and took Gabe's hand.

"I don't!" Gabe tried to deny it.

"Trust me, I've been there. I know how it feels, especially when you see two people in love and you get that nasty feeling in your stomach. But you will find a good man, one who loves you like you deserve to be loved."

"I don't know, Darren. I think I just want to be done with the whole thing."

"I know. You're feeling sorry for yourself and a little bitter. Not that you don't have a reason to, but let it go as soon as you can. You won't move on till you do."

Darren and Gabe rode in silence and finally pulled up in front of a beautiful Victorian house just outside of town. Though it was dark Gabe could see enough by the street lights to be impressed.

"What did you say Phil does for a living?" Gabe asked as he took in the house. Darren laughed.

"It's gorgeous, right? I loved it the moment I saw it. He's an Investment Banker. He takes money from people, makes them more money. Luckily for me, cause I don't make nearly enough on my salary to keep us here. If I were supporting us we'd be living in an apartment or back upstate, God forbid."

Darren led the way into the house and called out to Phil that they were home. A group of dogs came to greet them, yapping and barking. They were a mixed and matched set of dogs who at best could only be described as mutts. Darren bent and rubbed each one's head.

"Wow." Gabe said. "You've got dogs."

"Yeah." Darren said, laughing. "We rescued each from the pound before they were put to sleep. We couldn't just leave them there. We went looking for one dog and landed up bringing home three. Then we kept thinking of the other ones just waiting to die and went back for more. Phil finally put his foot down after ten. We've got a big yard so it's not so bad."

"That's cool." Gabe said and looked up as Phil came into the room.

"Hey baby." He said and kissed Darren's cheek. "Hey Gabe. Welcome."

"Phil, I don't know what to say. You're so great to do this for me and let me invade your home. I'll be out as soon as I can."

"Gabe, it's not a problem. Don't worry about it. Stay as long as you need to and don't rush. Really. My home is your home." Phil said and took Gabe's bag from him. "Honey, why don't you show Gabe around and I'll put his bag in his room."

"Thanks, babe." Darren said and pulled Gabe along for a tour.

The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside and Gabe was awe struck as he followed Darren around. When they finally came to the room he'd be staying in, Gabe felt humbled by the generosity of his friends. He felt like his entire apartment could have fit inside the room, not mentioning the private bath.

"We've eaten already but if you're hungry I can make you something."

"Thanks Darren, I ate before I got on the train." It was a lie but Gabe didn't feel very hungry at the moment.

"Well, if you get hungry what ever's downstairs is fair game, except the Cracker Jacks. Phil has an addiction and we're working on it."

"Got it. You know, you guys seem great together." Gabe said, as he started unpacking.

"We are." Darren admitted, honestly. "I sometimes can't believe I found him."

"How long have you guys been together?"

"It's been six years, no, seven years this July."

"Wow. That's amazing. That's what I want."

"You'll have it. You just have to find the man that's right for you." Darren sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"What's to talk about? I fell in love with someone who was experimenting with his homosexuality and when his parents said that he'd better marry or he wouldn't get the company, he chose a woman and the company over me."

"He's a scumbag."

"Well, that scumbag got married today."

"I take that back." Darren said. "He's an asshole scumbag who should be shot and tortured."

"I really don't care. I just need to pick up the pieces of my life and move on. We were only together for a little while. I don't know why I'm getting so upset over it."

"Honey, love just comes. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, you can't measure it. If you were in love then your heart was involved and that's never easy." Darren stood and gave Gabe a big hug. "You'll get through this. Till then, I'm here for you whenever you need me and you stay for as long as you like. I'm really excited having the company."

"Thanks, Darren. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."

"Then don't. It'll only irritate me." Darren headed toward the door but turned around before leaving. "Oh and when you're ready we have some really nice guys we'd like you to meet."

Gabe started work on his life the next day. Phil had left the list he made of companies looking for an accountant on the kitchen table and Gabe scanned through it over his morning coffee. He had copies of his resume and sent them out to almost everyone on the list. He prayed that he would soon have a job and be able to give Darren and Phil back their peace and quiet, though he did do his best to be an appreciative guest and help out when he could. Not having a car, Gabe would take long walks around the area, and despite the fact that there were quite a few parks, preferred sitting on the benches down by the Hudson River. He was there one day, staring out over the calm water, enjoying the warm early summer day when an elderly black woman came over.

"Do you mind?" She asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"Do you mind if I sit?"

"Oh, no. By all means." Gabe said and scooted over a little to make room.

"Thank you. You looked like you had something on your mind. I didn't want to disturb you by sitting on your bench."

"That's all right. They're city benches. They're for everyone."

"They are," She said, nodding. "But you get awfully proprietorial about them. Don't you, Gabriel?"

"I'm sorry, have we met?" Gabe asked.

"Of course we have. It hasn't been so long since we've talked that you could forget me so easily." She said and Gabe felt a shimmer of recognition crawl up his back.

"I'm new to the area and I don't know anyone around here. I'm sorry, ma'am but I don't know you." He said, stubbornly.

"You don't recognize me because the last time we spoke I was a man, but you know me."

"No, I really don't." Gabe stood and started to walk away.

"Gabe, people talk to God everyday. Are you really going to pass up another chance to hear him talk back simply because I don't look like I used to?"

"No!" Gabe said, spinning around. "This is a trick. You and the other guy got together and are punking me or something. You're just actors."

"No one is punking you. I'm simply trying to make you see a larger truth." She said.

"Why are you doing this to me? If you really are God, why me?"

"Because out of everyone in this world, you're the one who needs it most. Besides, you're not the only one I speak to like this. Not everyone who says they see and talk to God are crazy."

"If you're God, what was the last thing I said to you?"

"Are you asking me to prove myself to you? Again?" She said with a smirk.

"Well, that would clinch it, right? That would make me a believer."

"I seem to remember telling you that I'm not here to impress you."

"Yeah, the other guy would have said something pretty similar. I have to admit, you have your schtick down pat but I don't really have time for whatever kind of joke you're playing. Good bye." Gabe turned to leave again.

"The last thing you said to me was `well, still. I'm sorry'." God watched Gabe turn and slowly walk back toward her.

"Why did I say that?" Gabe asked in a whisper.

"You were apologizing for throwing me out of your apartment building. I told you it was all right, that I understood." Gabe sat down next to her.

"Let's say I'm going to go along with this, simply for morbid curiosity's sake. What now?"

"What now?"

"What comes next?" Gabe clarified.

"Oh. Well, a question, I think."

"What question?"

"What are you going to do now?" God asked.

"Don't you know?" Gabe asked and God sighed.

"Yes, I do. I know every choice you've ever made and everyone you ever will."

"Then what's the point?"

"Because you don't. You don't know what choice you'll make."

"So you're here to help me find out what choice I'll make?"

"I'm here talking to you. I'm here for you so why do you find it so hard to believe I'm here to help you?"

"Because you never seem to help me. You always give me vague riddles and tiny clues and I'm sick of it. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't have a job, I'm living off the kindness of friends, and I'm alone. I don't know what the fuck to do next." God nodded.

"Which one bothers you the most?"

"Your vague riddles and tiny clues." Gabe answered, petulantly which made God laugh.

"That's just my way, though. I can't give you the answers. It'd be cheating. I can only suggest a direction and if your heart feels it's right to go that way, then you'll follow it. Now really, which of your complaints bothers you the most?"

"I guess being dependent on Darren and Phil."

"Darren and Phil offered to take you in and help you get started in a new place, didn't they?"

"Yes."

"They're not poor by any means, are they?"

"No."

"They've told you not to worry and to stay as long as you'd like?"

"Yes."

"Then that's just pride talking. You're not used to depending on others and you feel it makes you less in other people's eyes. Everyone needs help from time to time, Gabe. Take them at their world and let them help you for now. You'll get your opportunity to pay them back. Let's see what you said, `you never seem to help me'. Do you believe that?" God asked.

"No. You kinda help."

"Well, despite your enthusiasm, I'll take that as you didn't mean it. I'll over look my `vague riddles and tiny clues', that's just how I roll, as you young kids say. What's left?"

Gabe thought over what he had said and felt a blush creep up his face. In someway he prayed that she was God because to confess this to a total stranger playing a trick on him would be mortifying.

"That I'm alone."

"Yes. Does that really bother you?"

"Yes. I want someone to be with. I've been alone for a long time now."

"You were with Ethan."

"Ethan left me for a woman! I was at their wedding! I watched them take vows promising to love and cherish and forsake all others till death do them part! I don't really think Ethan was `with' me."

"I was there too. It was a beautiful ceremony."

"Did he mean it?"

"Did he mean his vows?"

"Yes." Gabe asked, hating himself for his need to know. "Did he?"

"You know I can't answer. That's between he and I."

"See? What good are you? You're supposed to know everything and you can't even tell me if the man I love meant his wedding vows."

"Imagine if the position was reversed and Ethan sat where you do now asking if you meant the vows. Would you want me to answer?"

"I guess not." Gabe sighed. "He was what I wanted and I thought he wanted me."

"What do you want now, Gabe?"

"I want to be happy. I want to be complete."

"And the only way you'll be complete is with another man?"

"I know I'm supposed to say no, but that's how I feel. That I need someone to love who loves me."

"You're not supposed to say anything but the truth and if that's your truth than it's a good one."

"But all the psychobabble out there says that we're supposed to be complete by ourselves and then find love."

"To be complete one simply has no desires, wants or needs left in this world. They have no need for money or material things. They have no desire for anyone. Their love comes from within, not without. It is a beautiful state of being which takes lifetimes to achieve. You're not quite there yet. There is nothing wrong with imaging yourself with a special person, sharing your lives together."

"Will I have that?"

"If you want it and work for it." God stood and picked her purse up from the bench.

"You're leaving already?"

"I am. I have some things to attend to and you have a message to receive. But we'll talk again."

Gabe watched her walk off and then headed back to the house. Darren was in the kitchen cooking when he walked in the door.

"Hey."

"Hey, how was your day?" Gabe asked.

"Great. How was yours?"

"Could have been better. I haven't heard from anyone I sent applications to yet."

"You will." Darren said. "Oh, I have news. I realized that you didn't have a car so we got you one."

"You what?!"

"It's just a loaner. Our friend was going to put it out for sale and we thought you could use it for a little while till you get something for yourself. It's for sale, so if you like it you can even buy it. Just think of it as test driving."

"You guys are too much." Gabe said. "Taking me in and getting me a car to use."

"Well, we didn't buy it for you."

"But you would if I need you to, right?"

"Probably."

"Thank you for doing it and no, I don't need you to help buy me a car. As soon as I get a job, I should be able to afford car payments and a place to live."

"Gabe-."

"I know, I know, I can stay here as long as I need to but I don't want to take advantage of you guys."

"You're not taking advantage. We have this whole house. Besides, you've only been here two weeks."

"I know and I feel like a loafer. You should stop your cleaning service till I leave and I'll clean the house for you guys."

"Again, stop with the trying to help out and shit. You want to do something nice, cook dinner one night. That'll be enough." The phone rang just then and Darren stopped chopping peppers to answer it.

"Hello?….Yes, one moment please." Darren turned to Gabe. "It's for you."

Gabe took the phone. "Hello?"

"Gabriel Donovan?" A woman asked.

"Yes, this is he."

"Mr. Donovan, my name is Tara Knox and I'm the director of Human Resources at Bartley, Fitch and Meade. Our company has received your resume and would like to speak to you about a position here."

"Seriously?!" Gabe tried to calm himself. Bartley, Fitch and Meade was his first choice, though he had held no hope of hearing from them. "I'm sorry. Of course, I'm very interested and can meet with you at your convenience."

"Excellent. How does tomorrow at one sound?"

"Tomorrow at one sounds perfect."

"Fine. I'll be expecting you then."

"Thank you very much, Miss Knox."

"Thank you, Mr. Donovan." Gabe hung up the phone.

"I have an interview tomorrow."

"See? Things are coming around." Darren smiled. "Who with?"

"Bartley, Fitch and Meade." Darren whistled.

"I've even heard of them and I'm not in accounting."

Phil came home not much later and they all sat down to dinner. Darren cracked open a very nice bottle of wine in celebration. Gabe felt some of his loneliness leave him being with such good friends. The lost feeling he had felt since leaving his hometown eased with the hope of a new direction. Perhaps things would start going his way.

Gabe fought his nervousness the entire morning and changed several times before deciding on a plain black suit, which he hoped was professional enough. He was finishing up his tie as he made his way to the kitchen to pour some coffee when the door bell rang. He opened the door and looked expectantly at the handsome man he found on the door step.

"You must be Gabe." The man asked.

"I am. You are?" Gabe tried not to feel irritated with the interruption.

"I'm Kyle." The man said as if that were answer enough, but at Gabe's blank look tried to clarify. "Phil and Darren's friend?………I'm loaning you a car to use?"

"Oh! Yeah. I'm sorry, they didn't mention a name or that you were stopping by today."

"Sorry, that's my fault. I was going to drop it off tomorrow but I had some free time today."

"Great. I'm just finishing getting ready. You want to come in?"

"Sure." Kyle said and followed Gabe into the kitchen.

"Coffee?"

"I've only had four cups this morning, so yeah. Coffee'd be great."

Gabe poured a cup for himself, one for Kyle and set out cream and sugar.

"Not to be insensitive, but may I ask who died?"

"I'm sorry?" Gabe was confused.

"You look-…..Never mind." Kyle looked down at his cup seemingly embarrassed. Gabe realized that he had mistaken the black suit for mourning attire.

"Fuck! Really? I look like I'm going to a funeral?"

"No. I'm sorry. It's the black. I just-. I'm sorry." Kyle fumbled through an explanation/apology.

"Damn it!" Gabe pulled off his tie and headed upstairs to change. When he came back down, Kyle was still there waiting. "How do I look now?"

"What are you dressing up for?"

"An interview." Gabe said and watched as Kyle looked him up and down.

"Much better. The blue makes you look less formal but you still look professional."

"Really?"

"I'd hire you." Kyle smiled. "What do you do, anyway?"

"I'm an accountant." Gabe said and saw a small nod of Kyle's head. "I know. Not very exciting. But I like numbers and columns so it was either this or play a lot of bingo."

Kyle laughed. "Hey, you gotta do what you love, right? Besides, accounting sounds like a better bet than bingo."

"What do you do?" Gabe asked.

"I'm a mechanic. I've got a shop not too far away. When I asked Phil and Darren if they knew anyone looking for a car, they said that you were in need of one and we came up with the loaner deal. Use it for a while and if you like it we'll talk about a price, if not, no hard feelings."

"I really appreciate this, Kyle. This is beyond nice of you."

"Ah, not really. I'm kinda hoping you'll buy the car." He smiled. Gabe thought he was an attractive man but when he smiled he was drop dead gorgeous. Gabe put a quash on that as quick as he could and took a look at his watch.

"I hate to do this but I've got an interview at one."

"It's only eleven." Kyle said.

"I have to take the train for the first time and I want to leave myself enough time in case I get lost."

"You do remember that I brought over a car for you to use? It's outside, gassed up and ready to go." Gabe grinned.

"Yeah, but I've never driven to the city before. Actually, I've only been to the city once when I was a kid. I'm actually terrified and there's no way I could drive there, especially today."

"Got it." Kyle nodded. "Ok, fine. Where are we going?"

"Huh?" Gabe asked.

"Where are we going? I'll drive you."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to. I want to. Where do you have to be at one?" Gabe gave him the mid-town address. "That'll take a half hour tops, but let's give you a good forty-five minutes so we don't have to rush things."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Let me just run back to my house and take care of something and I'll pick you up at twelve or a little after."

"Ok." Gabe said and walked Kyle to the door. "Thanks again for doing this. I sort of didn't want to have to navigate the train system today either. It looked a little intimidating."

"Yeah, it's not that bad but it's better you didn't do it today when you've got something to do. Leave that stress for another day. I'll be back in no time."

Kyle left and Gabe had time to get himself psyched up for the interview. At twelve, the door bell rang again and Gabe was ready.

"Hey." Kyle said as Gabe came out.

"Hey. I still look ok, right?"

"You look fine. You're going to knock 'em dead."

"Ok." Gabe said and followed Kyle to a very sporty looking, newer model Saab. "Wow. Is this the car?"

"It is. It's not a manual, I hope that's ok."

"I can't drive stick." Gabe admitted.

"Really? We'll have to teach you."

The ride to the city wasn't as bad as Gabe thought it would be and he gave Kyle the credit. He seemed to know where he was going and drove the streets like a native.

"Are you from around here?" Gabe asked.

"Nah, I'm from a little backwater town in Alabama. I moved up here when I was twenty-nine. My grandmother died and she left me the house. I needed a change and thought I'd only be up here for a couple of years before I sold the house and found somewhere new. That was almost eight years ago. I sort of fell in love with the area. What about you? Phil and Darren said you're from somewhere upstate?"

"Yeah. About an hour and a half north. Near Woodstock."

"Nice area."

"Yeah, I guess." Gabe didn't offer anything else.

"And?" Kyle prodded.

"And?"

"And why are you down here?"

"I guess, I needed a change too."

"Fair enough." Kyle said.

Gabe turned and watched as they crossed a bridge and were funneled into the great city of Manhattan. It seemed no different now than it had when he was a kid. Then it was larger than life and scary as much as it was wonderful and exhilarating. Gabe watched the buildings and the people go by, the neighborhoods change but the bustle stayed the same.

"We're here." Kyle said and pulled up in front of a large building. "Take my cell phone number and call me when you're done. I should be here by the time you're outside."

"Thanks again, Kyle."

"No problem." He said as Gabe stepped out. "Gabe."

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry. You'll get the job." Gabe smiled and thanked Kyle before heading into the building.

Gabe called Kyle about forty minutes later and told him he was coming down. When he walked out of the building, Kyle was out front leaning up against the Saab. He was smiling and Gabe smiled back.

"How did it go?"

"It went really well. She offered me the job right there. You should see the salary. It's disgusting. I feel bad taking it."

"Not too bad, I hope."

"No, not too bad. I'm going to take the wonderful job, the amazing pay checks, the awesome benefits and the glorious 401K." Gabe leaned back against the Saab next to Kyle and folded his arms in a similar manner.

"Congratulations! This means we'll have to celebrate."

"Ok. Let's celebrate. What do you have in mind?" Gabe asked.

"How do you feel about hot dogs?" Kyle asked.

"Hot dogs?" Gabe asked.

Kyle drove them uptown and pulled over in front of a little hole in the wall called Papaya King. From the way he jumped out of the car and rushed over to open Gabe's door, he was excited.

"These are the best hot dogs in New York."

"Better than Nathan's?" Gabe asked, being a New Yorker one knows Nathan's reputation.

"I'm not going to lie, Nathan's does make a mean hot dog, but these are better."

Gabe bit into his mustard and onion hot dog and washed it down with a large swallow of papaya juice.

"This is an amazing hot dog." Gabe felt forced to admit.

"Hell yeah it is." Kyle agreed after taking a sip of some drink called coconut champagne. "But to be fair, you'll also have to try Nathan's."

"I've eaten at Nathan's." Gabe said.

"In Brooklyn?"

"No."

"Then you haven't eaten at Nathan's."

"It's not the same, huh?"

"Is it ever?" Kyle asked. "So, you're in Manhattan for only the second time in your life. What do you want to do?"

"I don't know, honestly. When I was a kid, we came in for a school trip. We saw a Broadway play then went home."

"Jesus, that's it?! All right, so we can pretty much do anything and it'll be new."

"I guess so."

"Then let's get started." Kyle said and ordered two more hot dogs for the road.

Kyle took Gabe to the Guggenheim museum and then for a stroll through Central Park. They rode the Staten Island ferry which passed right by Liberty Island.

"Have you ever been there?" Gabe asked.

"No. Whenever I want to see the Statue of Liberty, I just take a nice little ride on the ferry. Why would I want to go to the island and fight all the tourists. You have to walk up these little stairs with people coming down and then when you get up there, you can't even stop and enjoy the view. People are constantly pushing you to keep moving. That's not for me."

"It doesn't sound too appealing." Gabe said. "What's next?"

Kyle took Gabe to the top of the Empire State building and they stood silently watching the sun set in the west, turning the city into a sea of bright orange buildings. As the sun slipped beneath the horizon, Gabe sighed and watched the evening sky turn dark with dusk.

"That was beautiful."

"Yeah." Kyle said. "It's a great time of day, isn't it? The day ended but the night hasn't really begun. You can take a minute to yourself and think of where you were today and where you'll be tomorrow. I love this time of day."

"Wow, Kyle. Who knew you were so deep?" Gabe smiled.

"Only a very select few." Kyle said and stared into Gabe's eyes who lost his smile.

"What makes me so special?"

"I haven't decided yet. I just know you are and I'm hoping you'll give me the chance to find out."

"Kyle, you're a nice guy, no. You're an awesome guy and you really make me wish I had something to give right now, but the truth is, I don't. I'm kind of lost. You asked why I moved here, it was because a guy I loved married a woman rather than tell his parents he was gay."

"So you're not ready. That's fine. I can live with that. I think you're worth waiting for." Kyle said.

"It's not just that I'm not ready… I don't know if I'll ever be. I feel broken, in a way. I didn't know…. the guy who got married very long but I he because special to me very quickly and then he just wasn't there anymore. I sort of feel…."

"What do you feel?"

"Nothing. It was stupid. I just don't think I'm a good bet for you." Gabe said and began walking back to the gift shop. Kyle followed and they both packed themselves into a crowded elevator to make the long trip down to the lobby.

"Gabe?" Kyle said from across the elevator.

"Yeah?" Gabe looked over at him.

"It's my decision whether or not to bet on your, right?" Kyle smiled. "I still get to make that choice, right?"

"I guess."

"Ok. Then I'll wait for you. Why don't you let me know when you're ready." Kyle said. Gabe blushed and looked around at the people in the elevator, most of whom were looking at him.

"If you ask me," An elderly woman standing next to her husband said. "He's quite a catch."

Gabe smiled weakly and saw Kyle's grin widen. He looked toward the corner of the elevator to hide his embarrassment. It takes roughly two minutes to get down from the top of the Empire State building but to Gabe it felt like forever. When the doors opened, he was glad he was one of the first ones off. Kyle of course, was right beside him as they walked the couple of blocks to the car. They had driven in silence for a while when Kyle spoke.

"Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Please? I promise I'm not going to do anything inappropriate." Gabe could hear the laughter in his voice.

"Ok." Gabe closed his eyes.

"First, I'd like to say I'm sorry for what I said back there. You're not ready and you probably weren't ready to hear that someone was interested in you. I can be a little aggressive when I like someone."

Gabe opened his eyes.

"You asked me to close my eyes for that?"

"Close your eyes! Hurry!" Gabe did as he was asked. "No, I didn't. But I figured we could get that out of the way."

"Thank you for apologizing, but there's no need. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not ready. I'm sorry I wasted my time on something that apparently wasn't meant to be. I'm sorry for a lot of things."

"Life's not easy and love can be one of the hardest games out there." Kyle said.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"All right." Kyle said. "You can open your eyes."

Gabe did and was struck by hundreds of neon signs and giant screens rising up above a horde of people and cars all heading in various directions. His heart pounded a little faster in response to the onslaught of stimulation. The beautiful chaos of it all struck Gabe as almost magical.

"What is this place?" Gabe asked in wonder and awe.

"This is Times Square. The heart of New York City." Kyle said as he drove slowly through, letting Gabe take it all in.

"Is it like this all the time?"

"No, it's better at night. The lights are brighter."

"Thank you, Kyle."

"You're welcome, Gabe."

The drive home was sedate after all the excitement of the day. Gabe felt a wonderful exhaustion throughout his body. The city had definitely done a number on him. And he would soon be working in it. The thought made him smile again.

"What are you smiling about?" Kyle asked.

"Today was a great day." Gabe gifted Kyle with the same open and free smile. Kyle's heart did a funny jump and his own mouth tugged in a grin of its own accord.

"Today was a really great day."

"Have I said thank you, yet?" Gabe asked.

"About a hundred times." Kyle laughed.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm glad I was able to show you the city. I'm glad it made an impression."

"That it did." Gabe said with certainty.

"I hope I made an impression?" Kyle glanced over but Gabe didn't answer. Kyle steered the car into a drive way and pulled up in front of another beautiful Victorian house, much the same style as Darren and Phil's.

"This is me." Kyle said and laid in hands on his thighs to keep him from pulling Gabe in for a kiss goodnight.

"It's beautiful!" Gabe said and thought it was even more beautiful than his friends. Theirs was newly built in the Victorian style, whereas you could tell Kyle's house had been here for years.

"Thanks. Would you like to come in? See the inside?"

"I would but I'm a little beat. Raincheck?"

"Absolutely." Kyle said and got out of the car. Gabe did, to change to the drivers seat. "You know how to get back to Darren and Phil's?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, just go out there and take a right?"

"Yup." Kyle said and put his hands in his pockets preparing to watch Gabe drive away.

"You know," Gabe said, leaning out the window of the car. "I don't think I would have had a better time today with anyone else. I guess you did make an impression."

Kyle smiled until Gabe drove away and for a good deal longer.

Darren and Phil were sitting on the couch in the living room when Gabe walked in. He took off his jacket and flopped down onto the settee. The television was playing one of Darren's programs and Phil had been reading a book but both had pulled their attention away and were staring at Gabe expectantly.

"What?" Gabe smiled, knowing what they wanted.

"Bitch, if you don't tell us what happened I'm gonna kick your ass all over Westchester." Darren said.

"Gentlemen, you are looking at the newest Managing accountant with Bartley, Fitch and Meade."

"You did it!" Darren yelled. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Oh my God!" Phil exclaimed. "No offense, Gabe but I didn't think you'd ever get in there."

"Um, asshole much?" Darren frowned and hit Phil's shoulder.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. They're prestigious and usually take the top of the class from Harvard and shit. I didn't even want to write them down on the list because I thought it'd be a waste of time. It was really a fluke that I even found out they were looking for people."

"No offense taken, Phil. I'm actually not sure why they took me. Tara Knox and I had a really nice long talk and she offered me the position right there. I was stunned."

"Does it pay good?" Darren asked.

"Obscenely." Gabe answered.

"Oh, that's so good! I love obscene pay checks." Darren said and hugged Gabe tightly. Phil smiled and shook Gabe's hand.

"Congratulations, Gabe. I know they'll be lucky to have you. When do you start?"

"Thanks. I start next Monday."

"Now, what else?" Darren asked, with a big smile on his face.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're obviously driving the Saab so you've met Kyle and your interview was at one and it's almost ten now. Did you get lost for eight hours?"

"No, I didn't get lost for eight hours. Kyle showed me the city."

"What did you do?" Darren asked. Gabe told him all of the things Kyle had shown him. "Oh, that's so nice. He's so nice. If Phil wasn't right here I'd tell you of some very interesting dreams I've had about him."

"Well Phil is here and doesn't want to hear them." Phil said, though he didn't look threatened. "About Kyle, really?"

"Oh he's hot." Darren said.

"Yeah, he's hot." Gabe agreed.

"That dark black hair, that's just a little too long and curls at the back of his neck." Darren said wistfully.

"Or his eyes, I can't tell if they're green or hazel but they sparkle." Gabe sighed just as dramatically as he laid back on the settee.

"The dimple in his chin."

"The dimple in his ass."

"He has a dimple in his ass?" Darren said. "Bitch, you didn't see his ass."

"You don't have to see it, you can see it through his tight jeans. I know it's there. I have faith." Gabe smiled.

"I'm starting to get a little nauseous, girls, so if you don't mind can we talk about something other than Kyle's ass?" Phil said.

"Oh baby, you know there's no one for me but you." Darren said and curled into Phil's arms. "Although, there was one time that I thought Kyle was leaning in for a kiss but he was just grabbing the ketchup."

"I thought he was going to kiss me tonight." Gabe offered.

"Really?"

"It was on top of the Empire State Building. The sun had just set and he told me he wanted a chance to find out what made me special." Gabe said.

"Oh wow." Darren whispered. "That's so romantic. What did you say?"

"I told him I wasn't ready for a relationship." Gabe said and felt a pillow hit him in his head. "What was that for?"

"For being an ass. Kyle's a great guy!"

"Darren, calm down." Phil said. "Gabe's not ready. Don't push him into something he's not ready for."

"I know. I'm sorry, Gabe. It would just be so cute. You two together just around the corner, us here. We'd be like gay neighbors."

"It's only been two weeks since I moved down here, Darren."

"I know, sweetie. Take your time. I just like the idea of the two of you in my head, you know?"

"I know, but I'm not there yet. In fact the idea of me with anyone, even in your head, scares me." Gabe said. "I've decided that I'm just going to concentrate on my career right now and let everything else be."

"That sounds like a good idea, Gabe." Phil said. "Just keep in mind, sometimes you can give yourself too much time."

Gabe thought of what Phil had said and wondered if he would know how much time was too much. The thought stayed on his mind for sometime but for thoughts of Kyle sneaking in.