”“So what happened to Rose?”“She was very ill for several years. Did I tell you she was a nurse? No? Well she was and I became a student nurse...just as she became terminally ill and I nursed her as well as studied. She died, I graduated and came here looking for you.”“And then we missed each other.”“Yes. Firstly, I applied for and got a job at the district hospital and shared a room with t’hree other nurses. I found out where I could find a garage called Bird & Son, so I checked it out. As soon. ”“Thank you,” I stammered, and finished climbing the stairs, standing at the edge of the table. I finally realized that there were four others at the table -- the redhead next to Riley, the brother across from her, and the parents at the far end of the table.Jim finally noticed me standing there, and came around behind his son to shake my head. “Mark -- so glad you could join us. You clean up pretty well when you don’t have a snorkel in your face!”I laughed weakly, and tried to compose myself. Shemotioned him to sit and cut into the pie and handed him the plate. Themagnificent aroma made him aware that he had not eaten that day and hewolfed the first few mouthfuls before he remembered his manners andgathered himself to thank her. His obvious gratitude pleased her andhe thought perhaps he had been too hasty in judging her after all shewas probably in a worse position than him. They had a pleasantconversation and seemed they had shared interests in music, books andart amongst other. You said you went to bed gay. Did you kiss him?" Oh." My head spins for a minute absorbing that thought and tryin' to figure if the stuff in the bathtub counts."You ain't gay if you can't tongue kiss a guy." Faroud says tossin' me one more ball for the bag.We did not tongue kiss, I think with relief. "No. No, I didn't. We ... he, I mean, it was all..." It was all him beatin' my ass, I think, but I am not gonna say that, "uh..." You don't have to tell me," He leers at me, "much as I would love.