"How's it going? You still in Tucson?"
"I am. I got a hotel, actually. Got a rodeo tomorrow days in Benson, but I'm here for now."
His heart leaped, starting up a nice, heavy beat. "Yeah? Where?"
"I'm at the Econolodge near your place. I was hoping you weren't out of town."
"You know me." Jake was the traveling man, not him. He just went and did his Saturday thing.
"Yeah, well, you coulda been off on one of those gay cruises."
"Oh, sure. Full of adventure and spontaneity. Look, why don't you come here? I have a much better bed."
"Oh, now. What if I got me a new man with me?"
The urge to throw up assaulted him suddenly. "Do you?"
"Hell, no. I came to see you. You're the only feller I got time for."
"Then come on. I'll order us some Chinese food." He was probably the only one who knew that Jake loved Chinese food. The man swore that it was against the Oklahoma cowboy code, or something, and that he couldn't eat it in front of his buddies.
Weirdo.
"I'll be there in a few, honey."
"I'll be waiting."
They hung up, and Ed went to dig out his Chinese food menus. Sweet and sour chicken, hot and sour soup and egg rolls.
Thank god some things never changed.
)
