Mark is a man on the horns of a dilemma. He's in the midst of a five-year affair with a married man and he wants out ... but isn’t sure he can give up his lover.<br><br>Austin, who lives in the apartment building across the street from Mark, has his own problems. Two years earlier, the man he loved died in a horrible auto accident. Austin is still trying to come to terms with seeing it happen, and dealing with the aftermath.<br><br>After watching Mark from his balcony, making up stories about what he sees, Austin decides to meet him. Will the meeting help the two come to grips with their problems? And if it does, can they move on to something more than possible friendship?

The Man on the Balcony

“Broke up with the bastard?” Norma asked.


“No. Booked my trip to the moon,” he retorted. “Yes. I broke up with him.”


“Okay. I’ll admit it was a stupid question.” She hugged him, then took a step back, looking at him. “Are you okay with it?”


He nodded. “I think so. I dreamed about him last night, but, yeah, I am.”


“He wasn’t happy. Especially when Austin showed up.”


“The guy I told you about who lives in the building across the street,” Mark replied.


“Yes.” Mark trailed behind them as they went to the back of the shop to get rid of their coats.


“Why did he? Show up, I mean,” Norma asked.


“Mark. I swear.” Norma swatted his arm. “You are the least inquisitive man I’ve ever met.”


He shrugged. “Habit, I guess. What I don’t know can’t hurt me.”


“Yeah, right. Like not knowing the son-of-a-bitch was married until it was too late.”


Chapter 14