I was in my office with ice on my jaw.

It was early the next morning and I still had a swollen cheek from Andrew last night.

Janeanne had gone to the pharmacy downstairs and got me an ice bag. "What is going on?" she asked.

"Janeanne, things don't get any worse than they do right now. We had a fight last night, we both said things we shouldn't have... we have never treated each other like that... never. God, I think my whole life is falling apart, Janeanne. My work is suffering... my home life is a mess..."

"Well, you're wrong about the work, Eric. Granville gave a lecture to a bunch of med students yesterday -- he compared you to a faithhealer -- said you could make the cripple walk."

"He did?" I couldn't help but smile-- which made my cheek hurt like hell. There was a knock at the door and Janeanne went to see who it was.

It was Andrew.

He came in, Janeanne left and closed the door.

Andrew had a big black eye. We both looked at each other, our eyes filled with tears. We both had lumps in our throats, neither of us could speak. I got up and went to him... carefully.

We hugged. As lovers, as friends, we hugged.

*****

"I'm so sorry, Andrew. I think I should move out. I know this time you won't forgive me. I know this time, I've gone too far. I'm so embarrassed, so humiliated...I'll move my things out as soon as possible."

"How could you do this to us, Eric? Wasn't I working hard enough? Didn't you trust me enough? I would never just tell Rebecca you were gay. I know that's a very private thing with you, I know that and I respect that. Eric, it just came out -- neither of us wanted to find out what we found out... all three of us are hurt in this."

What could I say? He was completely right. I had flipped out, I had completely lost it, and I had to pay the price.

"I'm sorry, Andrew. You deserve better."

"I have better, Eric. You're better. You're better than this and you know it. This time, you're going to have to do what I want -- this time, I'm calling the shots. Got it?"

Yes. I got it. And I was willing to do whatever it took to get his forgiveness.