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

“My first friend in way too long,” Austin said with a wry smile.


Mark didn’t blink an eye, saying, “I’m what you deserve as a friend, for window peeping on me.”


“It was not peeping,” Austin protested before he got that Mark was teasing. Then he laughed. “I could have done worse.”


“No kidding.” Austin got up to refill their cups, which made Mark wonder if he was trying to distance himself from what had suddenly become as somewhat personal conversation. He figured he was right when Austin turned on the TV before sitting down again. The news was just over, which was fine with both of them. After Austin surfed the channels, they ended up watching a reality talent show, placing bets on who would or wouldn’t make it to the next round.


“Score one for me!” Mark exclaimed when the show finished. “And before you find something else I won’t be able to resist watching, I’d better head home.”


“Today was fun,” Austin said as Mark put on his coat and gloves.


Chapter 22