GWM - 18. Chapter 18 of 18

Kurt

When the whistling began, Harry could barely believe what he heard. It was almost midnight. He was still packing. Everything would be moved the next day.
After ten, he’d stopped using the stairs and had stayed in the apartment. He didn’t want to wake anyone. Now he had to go outside.
As he opened the door, Kurt appeared. Harry recognized him immediately. Kurt wasn’t as fast.
“Does Harry still live here?”
“Hi,” Harry said. “How’ve you been?”
“I thought it was you.” Kurt grinned.
“Come in.”
Kurt came into the living room.
“You’re moving,” was the next thing he said.
“Yeah, well, I couldn’t wait forever.”
Kurt missed the joke, though it must have seemed odd.
“Where to?” he asked.
“Not far,” Harry said. “Amherst.”
“Far.”
Harry laughed. “You could walk there in an evening.”
Kurt smiled at that.
“How’ve you been?” Harry asked again.
“Good.”
“I thought I might see you... In town... I never did.”
“I never saw you, either.”
“You live close by?”
“Around the corner. But I’ve stayed out of the park.”
“I know. I looked.”
Kurt grinned again.
“How’s Judy?” Harry asked, after a moment.
Kurt seemed surprised. “Fine.”
“And Chris?”
“Did I tell you about him?”
Harry nodded.
“I’m amazed you remember.”
“I’m not about to forget.” He couldn’t stop smiling, just looking at Kurt. “I’m really happy to see you.”
They hugged, maybe for too long. But neither seemed willing to break.
“What’s your name?” Harry finally said.
“Kurt.”
“No. I know that. Your last name. You never told me.”
Kurt hesitated. “Jones.”
“You’re kidding?” Harry couldn’t stop laughing. He finally reminded himself of his neighbors.
“Why’s that funny?” Kurt asked.
Harry couldn’t explain, at least not immediately. “There was a time,” he finally managed, “that I would have given a great deal of money for that information.”
Kurt grinned. “You wanted to see me again?”
“Then. Yes.”
Kurt laughed. “I wasn’t sure.”
They were still both standing. There was no comfortable place to sit. The apartment looked completely unlike Harry.
“I’ve thought about you,” Kurt admitted. “Thought about coming here.”
“At least, you knew where I lived.”
“You wouldn’t have bothered me? If you’d known?”
“No, I knew you were married. I know how much that means.”
Kurt laughed, nervously.
“I thought that. I never would have come here tonight... like I did... if I didn’t think I could trust you.”
Harry just smiled again. Kurt looked pretty much as he remembered, with no surprises. Besides the sudden pleasure of seeing him again.
“You’re doing okay?” Harry asked. “You’re well?”
Kurt grinned, understanding. “Oh, yeah. That never came back. I passed the five-year mark. And we adopted a little girl. Lisa.”
“You got what you wanted.”
“Yeah. She looks so much like Chris, no one believes she’s not ours.”
“She is now.”
“I know.”
They stood, smiling at each other.
“I better go,” Kurt finally said. “Glad I didn’t miss you. Good luck and all.”
Harry had to kiss him. Mike would have to understand. He leaned Kurt against the wall. They kissed as though it were again that morning.
“Wow,” Kurt said, finally. “Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t think I missed you. Not that much.”
“I knew I had.”
Kurt leaned in for another kiss. Harry hesitated. “You haven’t asked why I’m moving.”
Kurt shrugged. “You wanted to build a house. I remember that.”
“That can wait. I met someone.”
“A guy?”
“Yeah.”
Kurt grinned.
“I wish we’d had more time,” Harry said. “Before.”
Kurt grinned again. “That was something. Something you want to tell people. But can’t.” He hesitated. “I haven’t touched another guy since you.”
“I wish I could say the same.”
Kurt smiled, innocently. “A lot?”
“More than one hand.” Harry flashed ten fingers, then stopped, unwilling to count.
Kurt whistled. “This guy...” Kurt started after a moment.
Harry nodded.
“...he’s really lucky.”
Harry kissed Kurt again, still leaning against the wall. They were both hard. It was a warm night, and they were only wearing jeans and light shirts. For a time, it seemed they might never stop. “Kurt Jones,” Harry finally said again. “Jones!” He laughed, too loudly.
“What’s your name?” Kurt asked.
“Sussman. Harry Sussman.” And they walked downstairs.
In the park, as they were saying ‘goodbye,’ surprisingly, Kurt grabbed Harry again and held him tightly, though several cars approached and passed. This man never feared police, Harry remembered.
“If you’d let me tonight, “ Kurt said, slowly, “I’d promised you’d be the last.”
It seemed very important.
“If I’d let you tonight,” Harry said, as slowly, “I’m afraid you wouldn’t be the last.”
Kurt nodded. “I understand.”
Harry smiled. “Still... I’m glad I saw you.”
“Yeah.”
They both were smiling. Finally, Kurt let go.
“Good luck,” he said.
“Thanks.”
“Be good.”
Harry grinned. “You, too.”
They promised.