My plan was not to call Steve for at least a week. I didn't wantto come off like I was too intertwined in his life, hovering overhim, waiting for something bad to happen so that I could sweep inand take care of him. I was concerned about his behavior, thesudden, erratic mood swings and headaches, but Steve was a big boyand was responsible for himself.
But, like any other bargain you strike with yourself, whether it'sa moratorium on jerking-off when you're a teenager or a New Year'sResolution to lose weight when you're an adult, it never lasts forlong.
Steve was on my mind constantly. Every day, every hour that I putoff calling him, I could feel my stomach getting more upset.Since I prefer not to have ulcers, I made the call.
No new number?
That could mean a couple of things: He changed his number, made itunlisted or he moved.
I didn't have his address. I'd never been over to his house.
Well, all I could do was hope that he'd call me when he got towherever he was going.
I'd just try not to think about him.
When Jenn came to work she was wearing a "Dead Men Don't Rape"t-shirt.
"What a lovely shade of black," I said, passing her as I bussed atable.
"Like the shirt?" she asked.
"It'll certainly attract a different sort of crowd. More aggressive."
"Bring back the 60s. That's my attitude."
"Yes, well if we do that, than some yahoo's going to want the 70sback and then, good god, the 80s."
"Yes, " she said, raising a fist in the air. "But we'll be readyfor them."
Greg's voice was on my machine when I got home that night.
"I have to cancel our massage appointment. Sorry. I'll call you back soon to re-schedule. I have to help a friend move."
CLICK.
Help a friend move? Wasn't Mike already over at Eric and Drew'splace?
Steve.
Steve moved!
No. That's stupid. Greg doesn't really like Steve. Why would hehelp him move?
Then again, Greg has never canceled an appointment with me, evenwhen he's been sick.
Steve. Greg. Both strange.
Ah, forget about it.
