From the passenger seat, the blur of skyline, steel bridges, and endless interchanges reminded Evan of The Sopranos opening credits. Still on hold with Amex, he silently hoped that they would find him something for a room; even a hot sheet motel would be good. They still had those, right? Evan wasn’t sure. As a ranger for the National Park Service in Redwood, he’d spent more time among the ancient behemoths and ravens than actively pursuing a love life. The few guys he’d hooked-up with couldn’t deal with the long hours or wanted more than just a fuck buddy. Maybe he’d get lucky and find a pickup for the night. Everyone knew conventioneers liked to indulge, right? Off come the rings and out into the crowd they’d go. If any city could serve their desires, it was the one just over the river there.

“Again, we’re sorry Mr. Ackerman, there’s nothing available. Is there anything else we ca--” Evan closed the phone and sighed, “They couldn’t find anything either. Maybe up by where you are there’s something? You live what? An hour and a half away?”

Tom had assumed as much, “There probably is. Maybe a B&B. It’s getting late though. You probably should have thought of this earlier.” Tom halted. That hadn’t sounded right.

“I didn’t know I was coming until two days ago and even then I couldn’t get anything on the internet,” said Evan, clearly exasperated and certainly tired.

Tom paused. He was tired too; of driving, playing chauffeur, and he had the room. It would be practical and easier the next morning when they left for the service. ‘What the Hell, why not?’.

He spoke quickly and with finality, “You’ll stay at my place then. I’ve got a spare room. I’m tired of driving in this rain. Too many damn idiots on the road and it’ll make things easier for me in the morning.” A long exhale left Tom as he pushed himself back in the seat, obviously relieved.

Evan kept his eyes straight ahead, “I don’t think that’s the best idea. Neither of us would be comfortable and I’m sure Eve wouldn’t appreciate the extra--”

“Eve and I split two years ago.” He braced himself for the retort. Evan could gloat now, crow his triumph all over the Turnpike, announcing to the world he had been right all along. Once again Tom would be wrong, Tom had fucked-up not only his life but that of an innocent woman who thought she had married the real deal. ‘Come on Evan. Think up a good one. I’m free to be hurt.’ Tom found himself holding his breath again.

“Oh.” replied Evan, “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.” His voice seemed wondering and even sympathetic to Tom.

“There were a lot of things wrong. Time, the kid situation, money, and other things.” Tom’s voice rose becoming quick and agitated, “The point is, she’s happy now. I gave her what she asked for, including the house and now she’s free. No strings.”

“I see,”

“’I see’ what? What do YOU see? I’d really like to know.” Tom’s voice grew in volume and anger, “Because I’m ready for whatever you have to say.”

Evan ran his hands over his knees in tension, “See, this is why I shouldn’t stay at your place. You’re angry at --”

“Hell yes I’m angry! I’m angry my job sucks, I’m angry I fucked over my wife, I’m angry I fucked over my family, I’m angry I’m living in a converted summer cabin and can’t afford to live closer to my job, I’m angry at my WHOLE. FUCKING. LIFE!”

Tom breathed heavily and went back to concentrating on the Turnpike traffic as Evan turned his head away, looking out the side window, “And you’re angry at me too,” Evan said quietly.

“No I’m.. yeah I am.” Tom sounded beaten, “I am angry at you.”

There was no reply from Evan’s side.

An hour later Tom turned into the unpaved private drive that led to his cabin in the Hudson highlands. “Hang on, this gets bumpy.”

Evan couldn’t help but smile, “Should I fasten my seat belt Margot?”

“What? Who is Margot? What is that sup--”

“Nothing!” said Evan overly innocently,”It’s a movie. Just a line from a movie.”

Down the end of the lane and between the trees, Evan saw the cabin ahead and as they pulled-up to the patch of bare grass that served as a parking area Tom turned to Evan, “Oh. The Way We Were?”

Evan steadily looked at Tom, “The way we were back in school? I don’t get... Oh!,” Realization came upon Evan and he felt sheepish, “No, no. Sorry. I thought... It’s a line from All About Eve.”

Tom got out and opened the back to get Evan’s duffle bag. His joints felt a little stiff and as he looked around he thought of what Evan would think of the place. A small clapboard summer cabin, Tom had spent most of the summer trying to insulate and refinish it for the coming winter. It was very small, but enough for him and its remoteness was a small luxury for the ex-Gothamite. He had come to love the trees and the sounds of the woods at night. It wasn’t fancy, but he was working on it and surely he could be forgiven for not measuring-up to expectations after the divorce. Still, Tom felt a twinge of embarrassment the he hadn’t proved to be as rich or important as he set out to be. He wanted Evan to be a bit envious, to be impressed with his home and his success and now that just wasn’t going to happen. “You can see the river from up here in winter when there are no leaves.” Tom waved his free arm, “Those mountains back that way? Those are on the other side of the river. It’s a great view. In a few years I can sell it for four times what I put into it. The market around here is very hot”

Evan just stood outside of the car looking around. Was back east always this green? He hadn’t remembered it being this lush. He check the species of tree: Acer, Quercus, Cornus, Prunus, damned Ailanthus, very obviously a forest in early third stage growth. It was so green though. Not the dark mossy green of his woods, but a brighter green of leafy deciduous woods. The cabin was small but looked sturdy enough. He noticed a screen room on the end with a bed in it. “Wow! Very remote. It’s beautiful up here. That a sleeping porch?”

Tom hauled the duffle bag onto his shoulder and as he did so he consciously inhaled, wanting to see if it smelled like Evan at all. It didn’t. “Not really. I renovated the porch first and moved the bed in while I was redoing the bedroom. Liked it so much I left it out there. Not something I could have in the city. We better get in before we get soaked.” Tom moved quickly up the steps passing Evan who recovered himself enough to offer to carry his own luggage but the offer sounded perfunctory and Tom didn’t reply.

Surveying the small living room, Tom mentally checked, yeah he had cleaned enough. He may look poor but he wasn’t going to be dirty about it. He dropped the duffle, “Here on the left is your room. It was a mess but I’ve redone it with a new door and windows. There’s an inflatable bed in the closet. It’s comfortable enough. Comforter there,” he pointed to the wardrobe, “and pillows up on the shelf. If you get cold there’s an electric space heater but we’ve been lucky so far. It’s stayed warm.”

From behind Tom, Evan looked at the spare room. It was enough. His eyes looked around for something nice to say, “That fireplace work? Is that real fieldstone?”

Tom didn’t want to turn around. He could sense Evan standing very close behind him. He could hear his breathing and smell him. ‘Finally, he’s close. Don’t move. Don’t move an inch.’

“It’s original and yes it works. Had to have it relined, but it works.”

Evan hadn’t moved and then, quietly asked, “Are you sure you want me to stay? I might still find someplace. I can sleep in the car. It’s not a hassle.” Standing close to Tom he noticed the first few gray hairs at the very sides of his head. The nape of his neck was still smooth and the suit flannel made his shoulders look broad. Evan felt his penis lengthen a little then turned and walked back into the living area, hoping it would stop. The kitchen was just a recessed area with little counter space. The new appliances were built-in making the space feel larger than it was. He still wanted Tom. Evan had almost forgotten the question.

Tom turned around, ran his hand through his hair, squeezing his neck and propping his other arm against the door frame. “Yeah. You can stay. I’m sorry about earlier. It’s been a long day and Corey’s funeral tomorrow, I’m just...,” he sighed, “lot of stress.” He pulled off his tie, opened his collar and took off his jacket, throwing it on the couch. The brilliant white shirt setoff Tom’s dark features and Evan felt his groin stir again in his jeans as Tom continued, “Dinner’s going to be frozen pizza. The bathroom is over there. Want a drink?”