I wanted to ask him on my own. But he wasn’t taking many calls or even visits. But there were some persistent people, like our mutual friend, Gary.
Gary never took no for an answer, when it came to us. He called and called, his voicemails to Steve more demanding. He knocked on Steve’s door.
Steve told him to go away. “I need to be alone.”
But Gary was persistent and broke into the house. He found Steve in the tub, naked with a empty fifth of bourbon.
Oh Steve, Gary said, attempting to pull him out of the bed.
Oh Gary, Steve said, as he squirmed through Gary’s hands. “I just want to be left alone.”
“Absolutely not,” Gary said and that, as they say, is that.