he said. “I saw your friend Sheldon leaving just now.”
“It’s Sherman, not Sheldon,” Jase said. “And it’s none of your business what he was doing here.”
Luis smiled and pressed his index finger to his lips. “You’re right,” he said. “It’s none of my business what you and Shelby do. Please don’t get mad. I’m an obtuse fool sometimes.”
When Luis emphasized the word obtuse, Jase laughed. Jase assumed this was another one of Luis’s favorite new words. “That’s right,” he said. “It’s none of your business.” Jase knew it was pointless to correct Sherman’s name again. He knew Luis would refuse to pronounce it correctly no matter how many times he did.
“I need your help,” Luis said. He wasn’t wearing the expensive outfit anymore. He’d changed into a pair of faded jeans, a gray T-shirt, and an old navy blue blazer with threadbare elbows.
“I don’t understand,” Jase said. For a moment, he had trouble looking Luis in the eye and he wasn’t sure why. He felt as if he’d just cheated on him with Sherman. Even though they were not in a relationship and he’d only been with Luis one time, he still felt an enormous sense of unwarranted guilt.
“Ken wants me to go back with him today,” Luis said. “I’m not going. I want you to drive us to the airport and help me out. I don’t want to go back with him.”
Jase frowned. “There’s nothing I can do,” he said. “He’s your life partner, and it’s none of my business. I’m just a friend.”
“He’s not my partner,” Luis said. There was a desperate tone in his voice, almost pleading. “I made that clear when I left him the note. I gave him back the keys to the car, I left all the clothes he bought me, and I left his house with nothing. I came to New York with nothing but the clothes on my back.”
“I don’t know,” Jase said. “This is between you and the good doctor.”
Luis went down on one knee and reached for Jase’s arm with both hands. “Please, please help me. If you’re there it will be easier.”
“I have to get dressed,” Jase said.
Luis stood up and smiled. “I’ll meet you downstairs on the sidewalk in fifteen minutes.”
* * * *
When Jase had agreed to drive them to the airport, he thought he was going to Newark or LaGuardia. He had no idea they’d be driving to Teterboro airport in New Jersey, where Dr.
Barton’s small private plane was waiting and ready to head back to Tennessee. On the way, he learned Dr. Barton had his own plane and his own license to fly. This part of New Jersey, however, was totally unfamiliar territory to Jase. And though he tried to be extra careful, he couldn’t help hitting a few cones in a construction zone and riding up the median once when he changed lanes.
By the time they arrived at the airport, Dr. Barton’s face was the color of dishwater. The poor guy crawled out of Jase’s backseat and wobbled all the way to the main building. Jase offered to carry his bags, but Dr. Barton insisted on doing it alone. The first place he went was the restroom. When he came out, his face was damp and red and his hairline was soaking wet.
“Everything okay?” Jase asked. He pictured him in the restroom splashing water on his face.
“I’m good,” Dr. Barton said. He was far too polite to mention Jase’s awful driving skills.
“I’m just going to check to make sure Freddie and I are ready to take off. I’m on stand-by. I called and arranged everything from Freddie’s apartment before we left. And the airport isn’t busy right now.”
Luis gave Jase a look. Then he shoved his hands into his pockets and stared down at his shoes as Dr. Barton walked over to a long desk with a Formica countertop.
When it was time for them to leave, Dr. Barton waved at them from the entrance. Luis tugged on Jase’s arm and said, “Please come with me. When I tell him I’m not going back with him, I don’t know how he’s going to react. He thinks I’ve lost my mind. I hate confrontation.”
“Ah well,” Jase said. “This is none of my business.” He didn’t feel comfortable getting in the middle of someone else’s relationship. He wouldn’t have been smiling if a total stranger had tried to wedge their way into his personal life this way.
“Please come,” Luis said.
Jase saw the frightened expression on Luis’s face and he couldn’t say no. Luis’s lips were trembling and his green eyes were wide and clear. Jase didn’t say anything. He just nodded and followed Luis over to where Dr. Barton was waiting.
“I’ll get the bags, Freddie,” Dr. Barton said. “We’re all set to take off.”
Luis reached out and grabbed Dr. Barton’s arm. “Ken, I’m not going with you,” he said.
“I can’t go with you. I’m not Freddie Bowles anymore. I’m not the same person I was when you first met me. I’m not afraid anymore. I’m stronger now.”
When Jase saw the dejected look on Dr. Barton’s face, his stomach turned. “I’m going to wait over there,” he said. “I’m intruding now.”
“No,” Dr. Barton said. “You don’t have to leave. There’s nothing I can’t say to Freddie that you can’t hear.” Then he reached out and held both of Luis’s arms. “I love you, Freddie.
Come home where you belong and forget about all this nonsense. I need you.”
“I’m sorry,” Luis said. “I wish you didn’t love me. You’re a wonderful man, and you’ve been wonderful to me. I’ll always be grateful. If I went with you, it wouldn’t be fair to you. I’m not the type to settle down with anyone and we’d both wind up unhappy. I’m so sorry, Ken.
Tennessee isn’t home anymore. Maybe my life is nonsense. But it’s what I chose, not what someone else chose for me.”
Dr. Barton’s entire face tightened. His bottom lip began to quiver and he seemed to have trouble speaking. When he regained his composure, he spoke fast. “I didn’t mention anything about your uncle, Freddie.”
Luis’s eyes opened wider. “What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with him?”
“His T-cell count has been coming back low,” Dr. Barton said. “He’s due for new HIV
meds and if you don’t come back with me I’m not sure I can get them for him.”