longer than necessary to shield the flame from a non-existent wind. Tony studied him, not bad. Too bad he was a blond, Tony thought. Tony didn't like blonds. His "ex" was a blond--but then, well hell! It was a boring day and Tony didn't really want to go to the Museum. Screw the Asian sculpture exhibit!

"Nice day," Phil commented stretching his legs out in front of him. Tony noticed the strong muscles in Phil's thighs, Phil saw his eyes take in the obvious, but not too-too obvious bulge. "Yes," Tony said, "looks like its going to be a nice summer."

"Umm-humph," Phil nodded, drawing deep on his cigarette. He liked Tony, but-? What if he found out? It was getting so damned dangerous! Well, all or nothing at all, he held out his hand to Tony, "I'm Phil, you?"

"Tony."

"Live near here?"

"Not far."

Tony took a second look at Phil, just maybe he still liked blonds. He didn't look too bad-in fact he looked pretty good. Nice features, and strong square hands. Tony liked strong hands. But there was Tillie, Tony's landlady, if something should happen--Tillie knew everything!

Hell, why not? "I'm just going to my place. How about a drink?"

Phil mulled a moment, glanced at Tony and smiled. "It's early, but sure." When Phil stood up, Tony noticed how really tall he was, a sudden giddiness. akin to anticipation swept Tony. Tony never understood this feeling, what was it? The mutual consent that they were going to share a stolen hour for love? Or the clean vigorous lust of their bodies coming together for a ritual, timeless, ageless ritual of love?

Anyway the nervous excitement of someone he'd never known before made Tony hurry his steps. Together, but not too close they crossed the bridge, walked out of the park.

Tony looked at Phil, "It's all the way to Riverside Drive. Want to take a crosstown?" Phil shook his head, "Let's walk. I'm in no hurry, are you?"

Tony smiled. "Not me."

وو

2:00, the room was dark.

Lazily Tony stretched out beside Phil, he just fit in the curve of Phil's arm. It was always the same! Once and that's that--but it had been wonderful, Tony admitted. It was all he could ask for, but now it was over. He was just another trick in a series of tricks for Phil. Tony guessed that if you lined them all up, they'd stretch from L. A. to New York. He was on the end of the line.

"What's the matter?" Phil sat up on his elbow. "Didn't you enjoy yourself?" Tony nodded, "Nothing really-its just me. Will I see you again?" "Do you want to?" Phil asked, dead serious now.

Somehow Tony knew his answer couldn't be too quick. He looked up in Phil's eyes. Come to think of it, Tony was downright crazy about blonds!

so she

Tillie, Tony, and Phil's landlady liked the evening. She sat on the stoop and gossiped with her super from the next building. Tillie liked her boys, smiled and waved as Tony and Phil left for the movies. "That's a nice boy living with Tony," she commented.

The other super nodded, "Looks like a nice guy."

"Yes," Tillie beamed happy that one of her boys had found his fellow. He's a fine boy. Tony needed someone like him. You know he's a policeman on the new recreation force. Yes indeed, he's just right for Tony."

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