“I didn’t say I was a Republican,” Bill replied, soothingly. “All I said was that I voted for Reagan. Are we really going to fight about ketchup?” He rounded the curve at the top of Portola where the city spread out beneath them in the glittering, autumn sunlight. “Look at the city, like Norma Desmond ready for her closeup.”

Nick guffawed. “Did you just make a campy reference to Sunset Boulevard?”

“I guess all those years of rooming with Waldo rubbed off on me.” He reached over and clasped Nick’s hand. “No more talking about politics, okay?”

Nick returned the pressure of his hand but said, “Oh, we will talk about it again, but not now.”

He fiddled with the radio dial, restlessly switching one station after another.

“Wait, stop,” Bill said. “I like this song.”

A group called Ambrosia sang:

“Need your lovin’ here beside me

(Shine the light) Need it close enough to guide me

(All my life) I’ve been hopin’ you would find me

You’re the biggest part of me…”

“It’s corny,” Nick said.

“I don’t care. Whenever I hear it, I think of you.”

They listened to the song in silence until it ended.

Nick said, “Uh, when I think of the biggest part of you, I think of this.” He ran his finger lightly back and forth above Bill’s crotch.

Bill’s cock jumped to attention. “Hey, stop that. I’m driving.”

He began to unzip Bill’s trousers. “I could give you a blowjob.”

Bill flicked his hand away. “And get us both killed.”

“You’d die with a smile on your face.”

“You’re being a bad boy. I’m going to have to spank you tonight.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah, now keep your hands to yourself. What are you doing at school today?”

Nick babbled happily about his classes until they arrived at the school and Bill dropped him off with a quick kiss. He idled the car, watching his lover melt into a mob of other students.

Bill had not expected his affair with Nick to be much more than casual fun given Nick’s age. Bill had imagined that once the first blush of lust had passed, they would settle into an unequal friendship in which he would guide eighteen-year-old Nick as he had been guided by Waldo through the byways and backwaters of the gay world. He had imagined that eventually Nick would find someone his own age and their friendship would devolve into occasional meals and phone calls whenever Nick needed his advice.