loneliness. His gaze traveled from Blake's lustrous hair spread over his bronze forehead, past his full-lipped mouth, lingered at the dark lashes of his eyes, and slipped back to the dark hair. He buried his face on Blake's chest and wept … the terrible tears of a boy sick and far away from home. "Oh, Bob," and his voice was like part of a dream. He turned his face upwards and as he did the vivid face descended. Their lips met fiercely, passionately. Everything swung under him and stopped. For a long and timeless moment they sat thus locked. Shadows filled the noiseless car about them and the sky was warm above them. With something like a groan Blake released him slightly.
Blake whispered, "It's taken me a long time to say it, but I'm sorry, Gay … Can you forgive me. I was a jealous fool over nothing. I know you didn't lie … I knew it all the time."
All Gaylord could think of was how warm Blake was, how precious the skin under his touch, the fragrant odor of his oily hair … Oh, Bob … Bob … he cried silently, but all he could do was look into the dark face. He could see no features, but he didn't need to see. He already knew, had known for so long, every shape, color, line of that handsome countenance.
They stayed in a death-like grip … feeling each tensely drawn body … patting … grinning … both sobbing …
"Do you forgive me … do you like me a little bit?"
"Oh, Bob, I've loved you all my life … Don't ever leave me … I don't want to live if you do. Please, don't ever leave me."
"I won't," Blake whispered … "I'll never leave you."
They filled their lungs full of the warm night air. The trees stood silent and friendly; seemed to understand as they had probably understood many times before.
Gaylord shivered and Blake asked, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine …"
"What are you shaking about?"
"I was wondering if that poor little animal got away."
"Animal … what animal?"
"The one a dog was chasing. It barked again just before you touched me … scared me for a second." It was good to see the
