He was clearly in a state of shock. And I was nervous.
We had come home from the party and Drew sat on the couch -- just sat there and didn't move. I got him a glass of wine, put a fire on, got him an old afghan and covered him with it.
"I'm not sick, Eric." he said and turned away.
I could feel the fear as his anger filled the room. He was trying so hard to be brave.
"I just keep thinking of all those stupid tabloid TV shows, y'know? All those stories where stalkers find their victims alone in the garage or on the street and pull out a gun, or a knife..."
I got on the couch with Andrew and tried to help him relax. I put my arms around his torso--holding him-- when he pushed me away.
"Don't touch me, Eric! That's not going to help, nothin's gonna help. Just leave me alone. Don't you get it? Someone is after me. ME! And nothing anyone can do is gonna stop this guy till he gets what he wants!"
Andrew went to the front door, threw it open and screamed,
"I'm right here, RUDY! I'm right here! Come out of the goddamn shadows and take me, goddamnit!"
I was still, I couldn't move while this happened. I felt so helpless, so useless. Finally, a neighbor screamed for him to shut up, he stopped as quickly as he began -- he turned to me, still in the doorway and whispered...
"Eric... help me."
I did my best.
We cried for over an hour, sitting up in bed, the television on but muted (the television is oddly comforting in these times). We cried and cried, until we couldn't cry anymore.
I couldn't help feeling this travesty was bringing Drew and I closer together.
Finally, I said, "Drew -- I'm begging you to call the police. I'm calling Mark tomorrow too, whether you want me to or not. This is enough, Drew. We've hit the bottom here on the 'fright meter' and we have to take some action."
Drew was numb, but calmer. His beautiful eyes were red and puffy, his nose plugged up... but he looked better. He smiled at me and finally, after weeks of this, agreed.
"Eric -- okay. The police... but who?"
I had a great idea. "What about Hugo's friend? He'll definitely be able to go easy with this and maybe he can cut through the red tape and get us in the right direction."
Drew was brightened by this. He agreed to call Hugo's friend tomorrow.
We slept well that night -- for the first time since either of us could remember.
Thank God.
