The City

Home from taking Helmut to the airport, Frederico knocked on Jacob’s door.  Jacob answered the door wearing a pair of overalls, rubber gloves, and a face mask.  He was in the process of knocking out the shower walls with a sledge hammer.  Explaining that he was running out to the UN to work on the fresco, Frederico stated that he couldn’t help but notice the tension between Jacob and Helmut.  “What’s the story?” he asked.  Jacob responded that there was no short answer and if Frederico was really in a hurry there wasn’t time to explain.  Frustrated that his curiosity wasn’t sated, Frederico changed into his work clothes and ran off.

As the UN event drew nearer, Leon’s long hours at the office became even longer.  Feeling pulled in a million directions by the committee members and half-wit minions, he forced himself to take a 10 minute coffee break with Tyler one afternoon.  “When was the last time you slept?” Tyler asked him.  Before he had  a chance to answer, Leon’s phone rang.  It was Franz asking if he’d be home for dinner.  He also pressed for Leon to give him some input on summer vacation plans.  “I’m too busy to even think about that,” Leon snapped.  “Let’s get this event behind me and then maybe we can discuss a trip.”  Tyler sat wide eyed and sipped his latte.  He’d never seen Leon and Franz argue.  Leon slammed his cup down and said “I am so stressed by this damn job!”   ”It’s your first project, it’ll get better,” Tyler tried to be soothing.   “The company has gone through 3 project managers since the start of the year.  I’m #4!”   ’Wow,’ Tyler mouthed. 

Halfway through the week, Greg and his bartender went to see a movie.  Greg squirmed uncomfortably through the film, a chyck-flick starring Drew Barrymore, Ashley Judd, Hilary Duff, and Ashton Kutcher.  He wasn’t sure how, but the purely physical relationship with the bartender had turned into date night. 

Adam, on his way to Memphis, dropped his cat - Mr. Sulu - off in Brooklyn for Tyler to watch over the summer.  Mr. Sulu promptly hid under the bed and wouldn’t come out.  Earlier in the week Adam had agreed to sublet his apartment to Ivan, whose roommates had kindly asked him to leave on the grounds that he was entertaining way too often.  Ivan was looking forward to having his own apartment for the summer.  He rearranged the bedroom furniture and changed the pictures on the walls.

During another day of unemployment, Martin went up to the roof to sunbathe.  Jacob was up there taking a break from his work on the apartment.  The two introduced themselves.  “What’s the deal with Tyler?” Jacob asked. ”He seems to embarrass easily.”     “Don’t let the blushing white boy act fool you,” Martin said. “He knows how to play the game, he’s just out of practice.”    “Oh?” Jacob asked.    “Bad break up last winter,” Martin explained. “Three year relationship.  He needs to get over it and come out of his shell.”    “Hmm, good to know,” Jacob said. ”And you and Frederico?”     Martin rubbed sunscreen on his shoulders and looked off towards the Manhattan skyline. “That ship has sailed,” he said.

At the end of the week, Frederico came home from the project site for a long shower and a raw meal of celery, carrots, apples, nuts, berries, and greens in lemon juice.  He invited Jacob up to his apartment and told him “I’ve got a couple hours of free time.  What’s the story with Helmut?”  He poured two glasses of chilled wine.    “Well,” Jacob started, then took a long drink. “It’s probably not as dramatic as you might think, but the main reason I moved in downstairs is because I’ve been struggling to pay the rent in Soho since my boyfriend moved out last year.”    Frederico said nothing, indicating with a head nod and warm eyes that Jacob should continue.     “You said Helmut has been here for 3 months?”     “Yes,” Frederico said, “he came on a tourist visa, decided he wanted to stay, found a job, and is on his way back to Germany to work out the visa.”    “Well,” Jacob said, taking another long drink and offering his empty goblet  for a refill. ”He was also here a year ago and made a move on my boyfriend.  More than a move actually, they had some ridiculous two week long affair while I was in California for my mother’s funeral.”    Frederico’s head tilted and his mouth opened.  Helmut had told him he’d never been to the City before. ”He told me he’d never been to the City before,” he said. “No wonder you didn’t warm up to him last week.”    Jacob smirked, “Chalk it up as another lie.  He comes every summer.”  and he lifted his glass, this time to offer a toast. “To new friendships and old nemeses.”  Their glasses clinked.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

While Jacob used his sledgehammer to tear down the walls of his bathroom and kitchen, upstairs Frederico and Helmut toasted their new projects.  They headed downstairs to see what the noise was.  Frederico introduced Helmut to the new tenant.  Jacob greeted him coldly.  Apparently there was some history between the two.  Intrigued, but too polite to pry, Frederico steared the conversation towards the changes Jacob intended to make in the apartment.  

Before the champagne was finished Helmut headed home to pack his bags.  He had to head back to Germany to handle his visa paperwork and would return to the City to begin his new job when everything was in order.  Frederico turned to Jacob and asked “What was that about?”  Jacob shook his head and simply stated “Not much. Not much.”

Deciding to make some changes of his own, Martin deleted Bad News Tommy’s phone number and email address.  If he was going to forget about the man he had to start by making it harder to contact him.  He enrolled in an extra kick-boxing class and revised his resume.  Something new was going to come along and it was up to him to make it happen.

Meanwhile busy planning the UN event Leon met with florists and caterers and entertainers.  His work days spilled into evenings and he got home later and later as the event date came closer.  Always the proud hubby, Franz had his own worries as another member of his staff turned in a resignation letter to take a new job with YooHoo.com.

Frederico began putting in long hours at the project site.  Occassionally a member or two of the Arts Committee would stop by to offer “advice”.  He took this in stride with a smiles and eye rolls.   

Adam received good news from his agent.  He’d been cast in a production of The Sound of Music at the Memphis Summer Workshop Theatre Group’s Waterworks Project Main Stage.  He had one week to find a cat sitter, sublet his apartment, pack up and get to Memphis for rehearsals.

The departures continued as one day while waiting for a train in SoHo, Tyler saw Todd approaching.  He instinctively turned away, but it was too late.  “Tyler!” Todd shouted.  Awkwardly Tyler greeted the alcoholic ex-friend.  “I’m glad I bumped into you,” Todd said.  “Oh?” Tyler asked, not sure what to make of Todd’s sober mood.  “I’m leaving the City and heading home to San Diego next week,” Todd said.  “Oh?” Tyler asked, perking up.  “My dad’s sick and Mom needs me home to help out,” Todd explained.  “Oh,” Tyler said, feeling bad for ever thinking ill of him.  Todd shrugged.  “So,” he said, “be sure to tell the guys that they don’t have to worry about bumping into me any more.  I’m through with them and the City.”   “Oh!” Tyler said, again reminded of Todd’s overly dramatic nature.  Todd turned and walked off.  Tyler watched him, just to be sure he was going.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

Running home to Brooklyn from his conversation with Frita, Martin walked into Frederico’s apartment.  He let his ex know that he’s coming to grips with the realization that he is still harboring feelings for him.  Frederico stood at the sink cleaning his brushes listening to everything Martin had to say.  Then he turned to him and flatly informed his younger ex that their relationship is in the past and any lingering feelings will have to be left to fizzle out.  “I’m happier being your friend, acting somewhat as an older brother even, but I remember too well how tumultuous our relationship was.”  Disappointed but not surprised, Martin went back to his apartment and pretended not to cry.

Downstairs in Tyler’s apartment, Omar was over helping build a desk.  Omar asked Tyler when he was planning to date again.  Tyler reminded Omar of his New Year resolution that he not date at all in 2007.  “This is my year to take care of myself.  New job, new apartment, new me.  Next year I’ll dedicate to finding someone.”  Knowing Tyler’s long history of serial monogamy, Omar quietly applied the drill to a few screws and rolled his eyes.

In Astoria, Adam took his cat Mr. Sulu to be neutered and declawed.  Later in the week he auditioned for a few roles in a variety of summer stock theaters. 

One day during his lunch trip to the gym, Franz came upon Kimmie having lunch with one of his star employees.  Stunned, he flustered a little before deciding not to interupt.  He was aware that he business trip was designed to build her team, but he didn’t think she’d do it by stealing members of his.

Down in Soho Leon was awarded a promotion to Event Producer.  His first assignment is a charity event in the Upper East Side.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

Tyler and Adam attended a play in Hell’s Kitchen that wasn’t entirely bad.  Following the show they went to a party in Chelsea where they bumped into Frederico and Helmut. Helmut had quit his job after an unwelcome sexual advance by his boss.  He was giving himself one more month to find employment before heading back to Germany .  Refraining from alcohol as part of his fitness regimen, Frederico was bored by the crowd.

At the same party, Ivan and Greg compared dating habits.  It was noted that while Ivan preferred the ease of using the internet for anonymous hookups, Greg was more comfortable in an old fashioned bar setting.  They both went home alone.

Martin tried to take advantage of Frederico’s absence from the building to invite Bad News Tommy over for a nightcap.  But Tommy wasn’t answering his calls.  Instead Martin went into Chelsea for a solitary cup of coffee.  There he bumped into Todd and a font of anger erupted, using words like “pathetic”, “loser”, and “whore”.  Todd returned the favor with expressions such as “pot head”, “asshole”, and “D-lister”.  Finally in an impassioned outrage Martin said “Stay away from me and my boyfriend!” and stalked away.  But he wasn’t sure which man he was referring to.

Franz and Leon hosted a dinner party in honor of Spaz’s mother who retired this week.  Over dessert they joked about the request she’d made about smoking weed to make up for a well mannered youth. Dick, Franz’s terminally ill father, piped up that he had stash of medical marijuana he was more than willing to share.  The room burst into laughter, followed by Franz drawing the shades.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

Franz’s father Dick arrived for a two week visit.   Over the course of the week, the father and son danced around the multiple issues that existed between them.  Perhaps greatest among them was the fact that Dick had less than a year to live.  Leon tried to create a tense free atmosphere, but with the two alpha males that was near impossible.  The same day as Dick’s arrival, the Jersey boys got a call from their banker.  Their property assessment wasn’t as high as they’d hoped and they couldn’t secure a more favorable loan. 

In Harlem, Omar and Tyler helped Nina move the last of her belongings out of her ex-husband’s half of the four story brownstone they co-own. The stairs were killer.

And in Brooklyn, Frederico’s diet continued, as he tried to flush out his system by only eating raw foods.  He maintained that he felt great, but it was frequently necessary to air out his apartment. 

Having been kicked out of his gym after Todd told the management that he was dealing drugs from the lockerroom, Martin looked for a new one.  Miffed at Todd, he couldn’t get out of his mind the image of Todd and Bad News Tommy dancing together at the Black Party. 

Greg returned from Hawaii and Mexico tanned and refreshed.  He met up with Tyler and Adam for a cocktail on Thursday and told them about his recent adventures.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

Franz and Leon made finishing touches to their bathroom remodeling project while Tyler solidified plans to move into his own place in the Brooklyn tenement Frederico and Martin call home. 

Kimmie called from Memphis to discuss with Franz a job offer she received from a competitor of his employer. 

Spaz pulled Leon aside to explain that the weed she was looking for was for her mother.  Nearing retirement the older woman wanted to imbibe in a few of the things that she poo-pooed in her youth.  Leon was relieved to know that Spaz wasn’t turning to the drug.  He was also a bit humored at the thought of her mother trying it.  He assured her he’d ask around.

Frederico bumped into Todd in Union Square.  Hurt by the abrupt end to what he saw as a building friendship, Todd asked Frederico directly what it was that caused him to be cut from their lives and not invited to Martin’s birthday party.  Frederico bought Todd a cup of coffee and recounted to him the night over a month ago when Todd showed up drunk to Frederico’s gallery opening.                                   

In Queens Adam re-signed his lease.  A heartbreaking decision, as he internalized the fact that he no longer lives in the heart of Manhattan’s theater district  Self doubt became solvent by the document he signed.  Are the best performances of his career behind him, or will the Queens lease be a new beginning?

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

This week in New Jersey, Franz’s inner butch and inner queen fought it out to see who was going to come out on top in the bathroom remodeling.  After contemplating for hours which toilet design went best in a century home he then corraled Leon and Tyler’s help in installing it.  The entire household was happy to once again join the developed world with indoor plumbing. 

At the end of the week, Leon and Franz went to a party in Chelsea hosted by one of Leon’s two employers.  His other boss was also a guest and was confused to see him there.  Moonlighting might become more difficult next week. 

Martin spent Valentine’s Day alone in Brooklyn, waiting for the phone to ring, but Bad News Tommy continued to be a disappointment.  Aggravated and feeling overworked, Martin took two days off from his job at a frou-frou salon in the Upper West Side by telling them his dad in San Francisco was having a pace maker installed. 

His ex, Frederico returned from France refreshed, but the details of his trip have been slow to slip out.  No word yet on whether the French Connection went off without a hitch or not.

Tyler met Adam for sushi, but nothing else.  Adam, off of two auditions that went nowhere, was disappointed to learn that Tyler only wanted to be friends.  Meanwhile, one of Tyler’s employment agency reps, the overly friendly Stan, continued to call with innuendo filled career suggestions.  Hopefully Tyler’s current gig will turn permanent and he won’t have to put up with Stan.

Feeling promiscuous, Ivan went online looking for something.  He found a charming man visiting from LA.  But when they met in person, it became evident that Mr. LA used someone else’s picture.  Ivan got a free dinner out of it and then took off for home.

What does the City have in store for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.