[In Chapter 32, Wanda, the angel of Angel Falls, helped our friends, Mike and Dan, get back together. Everyone found happiness as they looked forward to another beautiful fall day in Highland Square.]
Dan and Mike didn't say a word to each other about Mike's affair following Cleveland's Gay Pride Celebration. Dan wanted to ask. But, he didn't want to disturb the harmony in their relationship. He knew it was a dishonest harmony. But, harmony at any price was better than fighting, angry voices or being alone. "Insanity or death are worse than loneliness," thought Dan, paraphrasing Tennessee Williams. So, with his silence, he bought peace.
Mike pretended nothing had happened. He denied.
In mid-October, Mike said to Dan, "Let's go out, tonight. I don't care where we go. I just want to get out of the house."
"Sure. Let's go. Dinner and a movie. A movie and dinner. The bars. I'm willing."
"OK, a sandwich at home and we see In and Out. I hear it's good and gay and will make me laugh," Mike said.
At the movie theater, Mike got out of the car to buy tickets, while Dan parked the car. Mike walked toward the movie house and saw a familiar face and body standing on the sidewalk waiting.
"Hello, good to see you," said Mike.
"Glad to see you," said the friend. "I've thought of you several times since our weekend in Cleveland. What did Dan say? Was he angry?"
"No, not angry," Mike said. "He was hurt and now he doesn't talk about it.
He doesn't punish me by reminding me of what I should or should not have done. He punishes me with his silence about it."
"I want you to call me any time. I'm always available to you. Tell Dan how lucky he is. If he ever looks the other way for five minutes, I'll kidnap you and make you my love slave."
Both men laughed.
Mike realized that he wouldn't object to being kidnapped by his handsome firned.
The friend turned away and walked toward a car. At the same moment, Dan stepped into the line at the ticket window with Mike. "Who were you talking, to?"
"Oh, nobody. A guy from work."
"Didn't look like that to me. Looked like your Cleveland friend. What's he doing here?"
"Came to see the movie, I guess."
"You lie to me so much. I suppose you lie to yourself even more. Would you know the truth if it fell on you from the sky?"
"Two tickets, please, for In and Out," Mike said, handing the money to the ticket seller.
They laughed through the movie. After the film, Dan said, "I have to stop in the restroom. Be right back."
When Dan left the restroom, he didn't see Mike. He walked through the lobby and then sat on a bench outside the restroom and waited.
An hour later, he walked to the car and drove home. He locked the doors to the house and undressed for bed. Sleep didn't come easily. He tossed and turned and listened for the door to open.
"I've forgiven him once -- I'll forgive him again. I love him that much," Dan promised himself.
The next morning, Dan showered and dressed himself. He drove to Angel Falls for breakfast.
"Where's our friend?" Wanda asked.
"I don't know," Dan said. "We went to the movies last night and then he left. I went to the restroom and when I came out he was gone. I've not seen him since."
"That can't be," Wanda said. "Where would he go?"
"I don't know. The sad part is that I'm beginning not to care."
[Where has Mike gone this time? Kidnapped? Ah, Dear Reader, would Mike do that to us? Would he place himself in danger and disappear from our lives. Sometimes we have no control over those things. What about Dan saying, I've forgiven once and I can forgive again." Would you do that, Dear Reader? Don't be too co-dependent. Would you have kicked Mike out after the first ..oh, how do we say it ... first, indiscretion? Or would you forgive and forgive again. What is it seven times seven? Let me know? Write to me at this fine publication and let me know if you can forgive. Until then, read me next time.]
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