"Fuck that," he laughed. "I gotta come up with something really good or I'll never hear the end of it..." The sun was moving higher now but neither man moved to leave. If anything, they moved closer to each other.

"This week, Jim... I want you to know, being here like this- the cabin, the solitude, that- that trip up the mountain on the bike," a blush beginning in his face, "um, that night with the others, then last night at the bar, you know... This morning was just the last of a week of experiences I don't even know how to describe, except to say thank you. It's been more than I ever thought I'd have with anyone again, after... well, you know," he added quietly.