"You want me to do what?" said Mike, responding to my request for him to pose nude.

Donna and I met him for lunch near where he was rehearsing.

"It's his big chance," Donna said. "Besides, from what Greg tells me, you've done it in the past."

Mike looked at her, then at me. "I used to drink myself into a coma before, too. Doesn't mean that I'm going to do that again."

Mike started to get up. "I don't know what you're doing Greg."

I held up my hand to stop him. "Wait," I said. "Donna, would you

excuse us for a moment?"

"I'm not supposed to."

"Please."

She paused, and then stared me down. "All right."

Mike waited for Donna to leave before he spoke. "What the hell is going on with you? Is everything okay?"

"Everything is great. Just like you, my life is beginning to turn around. My first show at a gallery. Do you know what that means?"

"Yes," he said. "I do. That's not what I'm talking about though. It's just this seems...you and her and all.. weird to me."

"We help each other."

"Whatever. I have a feeling the next time I see you, you'll be at the airport selling flowers."

I threw some money on the table. "I thought you'd understand. After everything you've been through. It's okay for you to get help, it's okay for everybody but me. I have to go through life miserable."

Mike grabbed my hand. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about being healed. I'm talking about not having to go through life like a freak."

"Who said you were a freak? I think it's great that you got some help. But this..."

"Dr. Mince said my friends would act out in anger about the changes that I'm going through. I knew Fran and Drew might have some problems, but not you."

"Why not me?"

"You're straight," I said as I met Donna at the door. I didn't look behind me as and we left the restaurant.