The City

Previously in the City, Martin and Tyler discovered Frederico on a date with Nina.  Jacob made some phone calls.  Todd was hired to housesit for Franz and Leon.  And Ivan felt a familiar burning sensation.

Previously in the City…

“Ronald?”  Tyler was stunned to hear his ex-boyfriend’s name.  Even more stunned to hear it said by Todd. “How on earth do you know anything about me and Ronald?”      Todd smirked and continued without explanation “Nasty little break up, wasn’t it?”    The two stood facing each other in Leon and Franz’s kitchen, their dog Nairobi energetically watching them when she wasn’t jumping up and trying to lap their faces.    Feeling like he’d been kicked in the gut first by discovering Todd was their dog walker and second by the fact that Todd had apparently been talking to his ex, Tyler tried to keep his feet firmly planted. “In fact, it was a nasty breakup.  But that has nothing to do with you.”     “Don’t get so flustered.  He checked into the center last week.  We got to talking and I put two and two together.”      Tyler caught his breath. “So, he’s finally getting help.  And you’re the idiot giving it to him?  Incredible.”     “Funny how things work out, isn’t it?” Todd grabbed Nairobi’s leash off its hook and grabbed her playfully by the ears.  “Care to join us for a walk?” 

“We can’t walk to Memphis!” Spaz said.  She was sitting between Franz and Leon in the cab of a tow-truck somewhere in Pennsylvania.  The flat tire was beyond repair and they had to call in AAA for help.  The tow truck driver had sweat stains under both arms and was chewing on the stump of a cigar.  It was a good look for him.  Fritz, upset that he hadn’t been given the chance to fix the tire himself was studying a map on his Crackberry.  He noticed Leon’s phone vibrating and nudged him. “You want to get that?”   Leon glanced down at the phone and saw that it was Tyler calling.  “It’s just Tyler, I’ll call him back once we know where we are and how long it will take.”

At 250 in Brooklyn, Frederico and Jacob tore apart the wiring in Jacob’s kitchen.  Jacob gave an overview of what he was planning to do with the space.  Expanded bathroom, remove the drop ceiling to reveal the original tin, possibly a sliding door on new pantry, window seat.  He had big plans.  “The landlord is letting you do all this?” Frederico asked.    Jacob nodded. “Yep. We have it all worked out.”     “It’s too bad Helmut isn’t here to help you,” Frederico teased.    “He might be an excellent architect, but I don’t think I’d want his help,” Jacob responded.  Then probing a little “when is he scheduled to get back from Germany?”      Frederico held a flashlight so Jacob could see behind a piece of dry-wall.  “Not sure. He thought it would only be a couple of months, but they found something wrong with his application and now he has to start over.  Last time I talked to him he said that his job here was ok with the delay and have actually been using him to do work from Hamburg.”

Up in Queens where Ivan was subletting Adam’s apartment, he bumped into the landlady as he said good-bye to another trick.  He smiled, she glared. “I don’t remember your friend entertaining so many gentlemen.”    Taken aback Ivan said nothing.   She continued “I don’t want trouble” and she wagged her finger in his face.

At the end of the day Tyler walked up the stairs to his apartment.   He had been unable to reach Leon to suggest that they reconsider Todd as their house-sitter/dog walker.  And he had been floored by the news that Todd had met Ronald, in fact wasn’t even sure he believed it.   Within minutes of sitting down a knock on his door jarred him out of his thoughts.  It was Martin.  “Need to borrow a cup of sugar?” Tyler teased.   “More like an ear,” Martin said.  “Frederico is dating someone and it has me torn up inside.  Do you have any idea who it is?”

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

Based on events and people that may be familiar to some, names and associations have been altered to protect the guilty.

The day of the UN gala arrived.  Leon was woken by the whining of Mr. Sulu, the cat Tyler was watching for Adam.  The cat was staring at Leon’s face and poking him with his clawless paws.  Confused at first, Leon remembered he’d spent the night on an air mattress in Brooklyn so he could be in the city and start the day running.  Which he did, vaulting from bed and into the shower. 

Tyler woke at his usual slow pace and started making coffee.  Mr. Sulu ran back under the bed.  Tyler offered Leon breakfast when he emerged from the bathroom.  “No time!” he shouted, pouring coffee into a thermos. “I’m meeting with the emergency back up caterer in 30 minutes.  Hopefully they’ll have samples.”  He sprinted out the door.

He bumped into Jacob on the sidewalk, literally.  Without dropping the coffee, Leon landed flat on his back and immediately jumped up, grabbed his bag, held out a hand to the dazed Jacob, handed him the envelope he knocked out of his hands, apologized, dusted his shoulders, and ran to the train.  Tyler watched it all from the window.  “He’s in a hurry,” he said to Jacob.  Jacob looked up, “Was he one of yours?”   “He stayed last night,” Tyler responded before realizing how that sounded. “I mean, he’s just a friend.”    “I’m sure he is,” Jacob said, saucily.  He looked around at the pavement to check for any lost items. ”I have an appointment in 30 minutes, you can tell me about it tonight at Frederico’s unveiling,” he said.  Realizing how that sounded, he added “I mean, the unveiling of Frederico’s mural.  At the UN.”

On the third floor, Martin was checking himself in the mirror.  He had a job interview today, for an office assistant position with a realty firm in Harlem.  He felt he was overqualified, but the unemployment was getting boring.  Checking his suit and teeth, he dropped a copy of his resume in his shoulder bag and headed out.  He knocked on Frederico’s door, but didn’t get an answer.  “Poor guy,” he muttered. “Must be exhausted from all the work he’s been doing.”  He checked his watch and headed out.

As he was heading into the shower, Tyler’s phone rang.  It was Franz checking to be sure Leon made it out on time.  “You just missed him,” Tyler said. “He was up first thing this morning, then nearly wiped out my new neighbor on his way to the train.”   “He’s been working too much on this project.  Luckily, tonight’s the night and I get him back to myself tomorrow,” Franz said.   “You mean until the next project starts,” Tyler joked, to awkward non-laughter from Franz.    “Anyway,” Franz said, “I’m surprising him all weekend with a room at the Hotel Walstoria.  We’ll be able to go directly from the gala to a luxury suite.”   “Excellent,” Tyler opined. “Who’s going to take care of Nairobi?”   “The new dog walker/cleaning guy I hired has volunteered to stay here all weekend,” Franz said.    After hanging up the phone, Franz took Nairobi for a long walk.

Later that morning, Jacob met with his banker.  He and his ex were supposed to divide their combined investments, but the ex was a no-show.   “He called shortly before we closed yesterday,” their financial advisor said. “He asked that everything be put in your name.  I’ve drawn up the papers, all you need to do is sign here, here, here, and initial here and here,” she said.    “He’s not coming?” Jacob was stunned, and confused by the sudden generosity.  Guilt was apparently a motivating factor in his favor.    “He said he didn’t want you to try to talk him out of it so he’d be in later to sign.  It’s a very generous offer Jacob, and I think you should agree to it.”    “And what exactly is everything?  It’s just a joint savings account, right?”  He flipped through the papers.     “Are you serious?” the banker asked. “You co-owned quite a few serious investments with him.”  She began describing each piece as Jacob’s ears burned and jaw dropped.

In an apartment in Astoria, where Ivan was subletting from Adam, a neighbor watched as another strange man left the apartment.  She tried not to be nosey, but it seemed that this summer tenant had a penchant for overnight guests.  And rarely the same one twice.

Working on the railroad, Greg avoided a phone call from his bartender/recent date.  ‘No way am I taking this call,’ he said to himself.  ‘When did casual become serious?’

And on the Union Square train platform, Frederico spotted Martin and ducked behind a pillar but was too slow. “Hey!” Martin called out.   “Oh, hi!” Frederico said.    “Where are you coming from?   And weren’t you wearing that yesterday?” Martin asked. ”If I didn’t know any better, I’d say somebody got lucky last night,” he teased.    “Oh, yeah, that’s me,” Frederico said nervoulsy, “traipsing about town all night.  Ha ha.”    “Did you work another all nighter?” Martin asked, sounding sad.     “Yep,” Frederico responed. “Perfectionist that I am.  Never happy until the paint’s dry.”    “Well, go home and get some rest.  Tonight’s the big night” Martin said, patted his ex on the shoulder and trotted off to catch his train uptown. 

Initially based on actual events and real people, the story has progressed to such a point as to render everyone and everything unrecognizable.  Nonetheless, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

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.

On Kimmie’s final night in town before heading back to Memphis, Franz and Leon took her to dinner.  Spaz came too, but she wasn’t allowed to choose anyone’s entrees.  After the meal, while Spaz and Leon pulled the car around, Franz asked Kimmie if she had been recruiting from his staff at Everyone’sOnLine.  She admitted that she may have interviewed a few of his employees.  He asked who, and she refused to say. 

On Monday Leon began his new job and met with the planning committee of the charity event he his planning, a large mural unveiling at the United Nations.

Later in the week, while visiting Frederico, Helmut told him that if he doesn’t find a job in the next week he’ll have to pack up and move back to Germany.  While the two drank their espresso Frederico got a phone call from the UN’s art committee.  His mural proposal was accepted and he begins work right away. 

On top of the feeling that his luck in love has flown the coop, Martin was downsized at the salon.  They gave him two week’s pay and showed him the door.  Alone and frustrated he found himself looking for someone online to occupy his mind.  When the trick showed up on his doorstep it was a familair face.  “Aren’t you Tyler’s friend?” Ivan asked. “I thought you looked familair.”

Meanwhile downstairs, a new neighbor moved in to the apartment next to Tyler.  Tyler rang his bell and offered a banana nut bread as a housewarming gift.  Jacob, the new neighbor, answered the door in a bath towel and a big smile.  “I’m your neighbor, Tyler,” he stammered and thrust the plate forward. 

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.

On the heels of Franz’s father’s visit, Kimmie popped back into town and stayed with the Jersey boys.  She was in town to conduct interviews for the new team she was building at YooHoo.com.  While in town she and Franz and Leon and Spaz took in a Broadway show and enjoyed dinner in a swanky new bohemian restaurant in Jersey City.  Spaz, ever the decision maker, selected everyone’s dinner entrees. 

At one of Leon’s jobs a position was created for an Event Producer.  He decided to submit his resume and apply for the job.

In Brooklyn, Frederico wrapped up his sketches of Nina and headed to the UN to drop off his proposal for the new mural project.  He was nervouse meeting with the committee of Upper East Side matrons.  Afterwards he phoned Tyler suggesting they meet for dinner.  They headed to a raw food restaurant in SoHo.  Tyler looked over the menu and ordered a watercress salad.  Later on the way home he grabbed a slice of pizza, a frozen yogurt, and a serving of moo-goo-gai-pan.

Ivan met a man online who wanted to use a variety of toys in their romp.  Coming off his latest experience with Mr. Fister he shrugged and played along.

In a coffee shop in Chelsea, Martin sat with Frita.  He discussed his latest run-in with Todd and his lingering feelings for Bad News Tommy.  Frita made the interesting analysis that Martin’s obsession with Tommy was actually a poorly masked longing for his past with Frederico.  Her theory is that due to the close living quarters with Frederico it wasn’t safe for Martin to show affection for his ex and therefore had subconsciously created the infatuation with Tommy.  She opined that Martin’s command to Todd that he stay away “from me and my boyfriend” could easily apply to Tommy and Frederico.  Martin’s head spun upon hearing this. 

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.

One week into the new pad in Brooklyn , Tyler has had his share of spackling and painting the raw apartment.  Grocery shopping was a particularly trying enterprise.  The bright spot is that although he’s no longer living under the protective umbrella of Leon and Franz’s support he does have Frederico and Martin living in the same building.  They have been good resources in settling into the new neighborhood.

They’ve also been entertaining.  Five months after their (most recent) breakup, the two have been testing the waters of dating again, while also testing the limits of what is acceptable to flaunt in front of the other.  Frederico was careful to invite a boy over only in the afternoon when he knew Martin would be at work.  Likewise, Martin was wary about going on a date on a weeknight when it would be more obvious.  They’ve managed to keep everything civil, but Tyler has observed some tensions brewing just under the surface.

Nina joined Tyler, Frederico, and Martin for cocktails on Friday.  After her recent divorce she moved into the upper unit in the Harlem brownstone she and her ex-husband own.  She was full of questions as to how they manage to stay friends yet live so close to each other.  Tyler was smug and quiet as he leaned back and listened to their insistence that they have no problems.

Helmut also joined them for drinks, but wasn’t in a good mood.  Although his employer has agreed to sponsor him for his work visa he needs to pay the attorney’s fees himself.  The process is becoming longer and more expensive than he anticipated.

Ivan resumed his internet hookups, tricking with a horned up musician in the Upper West Side .  All was going well until the trick pulled out a can of Crisco and asked for some fisting action.  Although he balked a little, Ivan shrugged and decided to try something new.

Kimmie called Franz midway through the week from Memphis .  She was very excited to tell him that she was offered the position at Yoohoo.com and that she accepted.  As he had coached her through the interview process he was very excited too.  The fact that Yoohoo.com and Franz’s employer Everyone’sOnLine are major competitors shouldn’t get in the way of their friendship.  So they think.

Leon cleaned out the guestroom that Tyler just vacated to make room for the impending visit of Franz’s father, who was recently diagnosed with a terminal heart condition. 

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.