At any hint of a couple trying to get in, they’d call Pablo, a sophomore buddy from the track team. He was a thrower… about 6’3′, 310 lbs. Nob...dy wanted to mess with him! If he told you to leave, he wasn’t asking. Of course, most people didn’t know that Pablo was as gentle as a lamb. Even fewer knew that he was gay, something he confided in me early into our friendship on the track team. I guess he sensed that I’m a liberal guy, I don’t care if you’re gay, straight, bi, trans, etc. As long as. .. -Bine... Si bineinteles ca dupa mi-am facut dus m-am dus(indreptat)spre bucatarie stiind ca mama ma asteapta cu cafeaua sa o bem ajungand si deschizand usa imi spune: -Gata... -Da mama... -Bine... Asa ca m-am pus la masa si am inceput sa beau din cafea si sa fumez o tigara cand mama imi spune: -Fiule... -Da mama... -Azi vreau sa fac curat... -Da... -Da... -Si unde anume vrei sa faci curat mama... -Pai in camera ta... -Da... -Pai da fiule ca nu am mai facut de mult curat si am zis sa fac. Barriers between friendships are not good." Yes, I think you can be my friend." Good, then we need to sit down and have a cup of tea. Maybe even find a dry hankie."She chuckled. "Some do get quite wet."I peeked and found the classroom empty. We came out supporting each other. The blackboard had been hastily cleaned. I found more material and made two impromptu handkerchiefs. Gail traded for one. When we got to the hall I found it empty. I had thought it a good chance that the students would. When things were quiet, when it was just us, alone and peaceful, she could sense my mood."I've called down for breakfast, but there's already coffee service on the table." Thank you, you think of everything." Walang anuman, mahalko." (You're welcome, my love) "Are you here for a time or will you be leaving sooner?" She spoke with a typical Filipino accent – every word painstakingly enunciated, whether it was the right word or not.I may have been on the down slope of my high, but I hadn't lost.