Chapter 25

They ate lunch at a sidewalk bistro.

“Do you have any ideas?” Tonio inquired hopefully.

Taking a deep breath, Karl smiled and said, “Well, I’ve been thinking ever since this morning when we returned to the city.”

“And…” Tonio urged.

“Well,” Karl began. “First, we know you can’t leave.”

The young man nodded.

“So I could stay here.”

Tonio brightened.

Karl continued, “The brochure on our tour said there was The International School of Florence. I could call to see if there is a chance of my getting on the faculty.”

“You would do that for me?”

Reaching across the table and taking his lover’s hands in his, he replied, “I’ve waited all my life for you. I would do anything not to lose you now.”

Having voiced a plan that could keep them together, the men strolled the streets of Florence arm in arm. Karl was happier than he had ever been in his life. He was with a man of his dreams and openly proclaiming his love for him.