Charles hesitated. “I don't know." he said. "To tell you the truth,” he grinned, "I'm not much of a fan."

"You're not?" Roger meant to say it to himself, but it came out loud. "Does everyone have to like spaghetti?" Charles said, looking annoyed. "I'm with you there. I don't care a damn for baseball or-spaghetti." "That makes two of us," Charles said as he started to move on. "I have to get today's schedule. See you."

"Sure," Roger answered quietly and heard Charles' footsteps turn left and go down the corridor.

Roger could no longer deny truth. After two years, it was happening or had happened again.

He had been hypothetically engaged to Karen when he met Bill. It was Bill who quietly insisted that they go places together. Roger was a little shocked to find he enjoyed being with Bill more than with Karen. His dates with her were almost like fulfilling an obligation. One night in Bill's apartment, they were in a playful mood and began to wrestle. With his body next to Bill's, Roger was suddenly aware of his true feelings. He was afraid to look at Bill until the arms around him tightened. He later viewed himself with a sense of exaltation and contemptuousness.

Karen sensed the change in him and hinted for an explanation. His mind told him it was not Karen that he held in his arms but Bill. His parents began voicing their opinions.

"Stop acting like some high school kid. You're old enough to settle down," his father said.

His mother said, "You've kept Karen waiting long enough. She'll make you a good wife."

Roger decided to tell Bill that he had definite plans to marry Karen. He tried to tell him, but couldn't. Instead, he wrote a letter. Bill died the day he received it. The police called it an accident. "Driving while intoxicated." they said. Roger knew Bill seldom took more than one beer.

After the funeral, Roger stayed in the cemetery and as the workmen began filling in the grave, he knew that now he could never marry Karen.

Since then he had told himself it couldn't happen again. He wouldn't allow it. Now it was Charles. Every morning Charles descended the open steps from Personnel and passed through Safety Division. Charles was aloof, withdrawn and noncommittive. Roger made a mental evaluation of himself as a fool to even have hopes.

A hand was on his shoulder. Roger turned his face and found Charles bent over, near to him. He noticed the furrowed brow and the skin around the eyes as it crinkled like crepe paper.

"Say Roger," Charles said. "I want to tell you. There's an opening in Personnel. I think you'd like the job and it means more money. Why don't you ask for it?" Roger felt the deep freeze within him begin to defrost. "Thanks for the tip. I'll think about it," he answered. Then impulsively, "Are you meeting anyone for lunch?""

"No I usually lunch alone."

"So do I. What do you say that we have lunch together?"

"Fine."

25

"I'll meet you downstairs at twelve."

one

20