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 party is awesome.  Leon did an amazing job producing this event.  Everything is flawless.”  Franz was talking into his cell phone.  On the other end, Todd the new dog walker was house sitting in Jersey.  With both Franz and Leon working full time they needed someone to watch their dog Nairobi during the day.  Not realizing the animosity between Todd and the rest of the world, Franz hired him.  “Thanks for agreeing to watch the house for us.  Leon ’s going to be so surprised when I take him to the Plaza Hotel tonight.”     “No problem,” Todd said.  He lifted a glass of wine to his lips and held a photograph of his former friends celebrating Martin’s birthday last spring.  Leon was front and center in the picture, one arm around Martin the other around Tyler . “I’m sure Leon will be pleased.”     “I can’t wait for you two to meet,” Franz cluelessly said.     

Across the room, Frederico’s sedative and champagne combination kicked in.  Draped between Nina and Leon, they dragged him outdoors.  His phone rang - Helmut calling from Germany to congratulate him.  Too drunk to take the call, Frederico handed the phone to Jacob.  Still thinking he was speaking to Frederico, Helmut told Jacob about his upcoming interview with the consulate in Hamburg . “I should be back in the US sooner than expected,” he said.    Without a word, Jacob slammed the phone shut.   “Who was that?” came a voice behind him.  It was the attaché Jacob had been canoodling behind a pillar most of the night.  “Just a friend of Frederico’s, calling from Hamburg ,” Jacob briefly explained to him.  “What a coincidence,” the attaché said. “I work at the US consulate in Hamburg .”    An idea forming across his smile, Jacob said, “Interesting.  Want to go dancing?”  

Spotting Tyler and Martin approaching them, Leon hissed “Get him out of here before the paparazzi get a shot of him.”  Martin whisked the barely standing Frederico into a taxi.  Leon ran back indoors, leaving Nina and Tyler alone on the steps.  “What’s their relationship like,” Nina asked him.   “Martin and Frederico?” he responded. “Platonic.  I think there’s the potential for more, but they both know they work better as friends.”     “I wonder if the living arrangement you all have will let the friendship develop.” she replied.

In the back of the cab Frederico passed out on Martin’s shoulder.  “I love you,” he said.  “I love you too,” responded the other.

Long after the party died down, and the cleaning crew arrived, Franz carried Leon across the threshold of their room in the Plaza Hotel.  Leon exhausted and weary eyed, Franz loving him more than he ever could.  They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

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

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.

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.

On Tyler ’s last night in New Jersey , Franz and Leon took him to one of the area’s numerous Italian restaurants.  It was four months ago that Tyler arrived on their doorstep, heartbroken and unemployed.  After two months of working in the city and commuting with them every morning he’s taking the big plunge and moving into his own pad in Brooklyn . Laughter and memories flowed before the check came and everyone stared at it. 

The next day, after Tyler walked Nairobi one last time, the boys packed up the SUV and drove Tyler into the City. 

Frederico began a new health food diet.  He stopped eating meat and cut out complex carbohydrates, all to get ready for swimsuit season.

Later in the week at their kick boxing class, Todd overheard Martin agree to find some pot for Leon .  He promptly went to the gym’s management and reported that Martin was dealing drugs in the locker room. 

Unbeknownst to him that Martin had been kicked out of the gym and his membership revoked, Leon went the gym every night looking for him.  Finally, on Friday Todd told him what happened to Martin, adding “you’re lucky I don’t turn you in too.”  Flummoxed, Leon called Spaz from his commuter train trip back to Jersey telling her to look elsewhere for her mother’s fix.

Disappointed that her mother’s retirement party would be a sober one, Spaz made a run to Target and bought some cute little loaf tins and baked a dozen zucchini breads.

Back in Chelsea , Helmut found a job with a small architectural firm.  The pay was low, but they did agree to sponsor his work visa. 

Tyler and Omar attended a birthday party for Nina at a bowling alley in Harlem .  Newly divorced and looking to have fun, Nina was a ball of energy in the lanes.  Omar on the other hand was too self conscious to let anyone see him lug a ball and Tyler was exhausted from his move.  But they managed to have a good time leaning against the wall critiquing everyone’s technique.

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.

The boys in New Jersey had a weekend visitor from Memphis - Kimmie.  She lamented her love life before making it out of town just before a snow storm hit.   Leon shoveled the driveway and sidewalks by himself, adding to a growing aggravation towards Tyler and Franz.  Their dog Nairobi was cleared of any major illnesses by the vet, but put on a new diet regimen. 

Midweek on the town, Greg bumped into Todd at G Bar in Chelsea.  Todd was drunk and overly flirtatious.  Greg wasn’t interested, and instead went home with his bartender buddy.  Todd consoled himself in another drink.

Ivan spent the night with an amazing trick in Union Square.  But a few days later when Ivan called for a second round the trick wasn’t interested.

Martin announced that he was officially over Bad News Tommy - a recovery that lasted longer than the actual imagined relationship.  He shaved his head as a symbol that he was ready to move on.
                                                                                
Frederico decided that he was officially NOT going to France for the summer.  The online affair with the one testicled Frenchman had run it’s course and he was going to focus on using the City as inspiration for his paintings.

Tyler looked at an apartment in Martin and Frederico’s Brooklyn building.  It needs a lot of work, but he’s excited by the low rent.  We’ll see how long the excitement lasts once he’s actually doing the painting and tiling. 

In domestic bliss up in Harlem, Omar and his boyfriend O’brien described for Tyler how they spend every Sunday morning together in the coffee shop of a popular bookstore studying for their upcoming licensing exams.   Their home is solid as bedrock, even though they disagree on the government’s approach to the war.

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.