Chapter 6

There was no way to edge around the landlady without knocking her down. ::Next time carry her up with the groceries,::Matt told his lover. ::This can take all day.::

Vic’s eyes twinkled with suppressed laughter. ::You can’t rush an old lady.::

Finally Matt reached the landing. As Mrs. K shuffled to her door, jingling her keys to find the right one, Matt stepped up to Vic and foisted the cat off onto his lover. Vic tried to back away and couldn’t—the railing creaked beneath his weight. The cat clawed at the front of his shirt as he grappled with it. “Matty, what…”

“Your turn.” Matt waited until Mrs. K ducked into her apartment before he planted a quick kiss on Vic’s cheek. “Ask her if we can have pets.”

“What?” Vic juggled the cat in his arms, trying unsuccessfully to hold onto it. After a few wiggly moments, it leapt out of Vic’s embrace and bolted for the open door. Brushing off the cat hair left behind, Vic said, “I’m not asking her that. We don’t needa pet.”