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On Monday Neal went back to the doctor to have his broken nose unstuffed. He was amazed that so much cotton could be stuffed into such small cavities. The skin was still kind of greenish-yellow from the bruising. Wednesday he had the stitches removed around his eye. He thought it definitely looked like he was going to have scars. The doctor gave him a special salve to rub into the scars, promising they would eventually almost disappear. When he sat down to dinner with the family with no bandages on his face they all had to comment. Dori thought the scars made him look debonair. "Yeah, like Scarface," Tim giggled. "Tim, mind your manners," his father admonished. Neal winked at Tim and then looked at Buzz. "What do you think, Buzz?" He asked, then blushed at his audacity. Buzz studied his face a moment. "Well, I can't say you're pretty anymore." Neal turned a deeper shade of red. He'd always resented people thinking of him as pretty rather than handsome, and was almost grateful for scars on his face if they made him not so. "Ay, but you will always be so guapo, Nilo (NEE lo)." Maria chimed in. "Yes, that is very true," Buzz agreed. "Actually, you're now more handsome than before." Neal ducked his head and played with his food, wishing he could stop blushing. "Especially with that green and yellow complexion," Tim added innocently. Buzz frowned at his youngest and said, "I didn't mean to embarrass you, Neal. I was only being truthful." Neal glanced up at him and quickly ducked his head again. He smiled to himself. Buzz thought him handsome. Tim opened his mouth to add his own comment, but his dad pointed a finger at him. Tim grinned impishly and tried to look innocent. Billy had a constant frown of disapproval on his face as he quietly ate. He made no comments. Dori, too, quietly ate her dinner while she surreptitiously watched her dad and Neal. Neal was so handsome, even when he'd had the bandage over his eye. She could see that her dad really liked Neal and that he was concerned about what had happened to him. * * * The next day at school, she told her best friend Francine Carlton-Jones about Neal, how handsome he was, and that her dad had hired him to be a live-in tutor for her and her brothers. Buzz had been studying the reports from his Phoenix and Albuquerque plants for nearly two hours when he was interrupted by his intercom beeping. He welcomed the break. "Yes, Martha?" "Buzz, Mr. Simmons from the University Chancellor's office is on line one." She screened all his calls and took care of all but the ones that were personal or had to have an executive decision. "I'll take it. Thanks, Martha." He picked up the hand piece and punched the button for line one. "Good Morning, Uncle Jake, how are you?" "I'm doing well, Buzz. Listen, I need to speak with you." It surprised Buzz that Jake was so curt. Usually he liked to visit a bit before getting down to business. "I'm listening." "No no, face to face. Can you meet me for lunch today? Country Club Café? "Just name the time?" "It's eleven twenty now. How's one sharp?" "Fine, I'll see you there, Sir." "Buzz, I want you to know, I'm on your side." The line went dead. Buzz looked at the receiver and wondered what that had been about. He called Martha and told her he'd be leaving for lunch at twelve forty-five and that he had no idea how soon he'd be back. At five minutes to one Buzz drove his big black Lincoln Town Car into the country club with its green lawns bordering the only golf course in town. He pulled up in front of the restaurant, got out leaving the door open for the valet, and walked into the café. He was greeted by the Maitre'd. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ogden. We're happy that you and Mr. Simmons are having lunch with us. If you would follow me, please." "Thank you, Jaime." He knew or recognized nearly everyone in the dining room. He nodded and smiled as he was led to a table in a small nook separated from the main room where conversations could be carried on without worrying about a neighboring table overhearing. 'This must be something serious.' Buzz thought to himself. A waiter was immediately at the table. "May I get you a drink from the bar, Mr. Ogden?" "Yes. Red Label on the rocks, Bobby. And a glass of ice water, too, please. " "Certainly, Sir." Buzz looked around. From the vantage point of the nook, he could see most of the room. He paid no attention to the furtive glances from a couple of the tables. His drink arrived. He poured about half the water into the glass of scotch, and stirred it with his forefinger. As he savored his first sip, he saw Jake Simmons enter the dining room and walk towards him. He stopped at a couple of tables to greet people and shake hands. When Jake reached the alcove, Buzz stood to greet him. Jake gave him a friendly pat on the back as they shook hands before sitting. "Thanks for joining me, Buzz. How're Billy, Tim and Dori?" "They're doing just great now. I've hired a tutor. He's really more of a companion for them. It's amazing how he's already helped them." Jake smiled. "Someone else is looking a lot more chipper since I last saw him." Buzz blushed slightly, but didn't respond. Jake hesitated. "It's this tutor you've hired that we need to discuss." "What about him?" "There's some gossip going around town that we need to deal with." The waiter appeared at the table. "May I get you a drink, Mr. Simmons?" "Ah--Yes, Bobby, a dry Bombay Gin martini, two olives, please." Both men frequently had lunch at the café and knew the waiters by name. "Right away, Sir." Buzz waited until the waiter had left. "Gossip, Jake?" "Yes, good ol' Christian gossip. It was brought to my attention by Emilia Carlton-Jones, that busy body Baptist do-gooder that tries to be the chairman of every charity in town. Coming from her, I would suspect that the story may have started with her youngest daughter." "You mean Dori's little friend, Francine?" "I think that is the girl's name." "So.... you're thinking that Dori may have said something to her?" "That's the way it looks, Buzz." Buzz sat thinking about Francine's mother; the woman was always helping the needy, but she loved gossip. It was well-known that if you wanted the town to know something faster than the newspaper - just tell Emilia and ask her to keep it secret. He raised his head and looked Jake in the eye. "As you know, Jake, I've a large house with several empty bedrooms. I hired a companion for my children. The kid is working his way through school. I've given him a place to live. He's with my children until their bedtime every night of the week. You know I travel a lot so I can't be with my young ones all the time, and Maria is getting on in age. Hell, she's almost your age. She can't keep up with them." Jake laughed. "You must think I'm old as Methuselah. I was almost thirty when your mother brought the young fifteen year old Maria into her household. Maria's only in her early fifties." Buzz grinned, but before he could reply the waiter interrupted them as he set Jake's drink on the table and inquired if they were ready to order. Jake looked at Buzz, who nodded, and said. "Yes, I'll have a BLT, light mayo, fruit salad, no fries, and an iced tea." "And I'll have a hot roast beef sandwich au jus, no potatoes, a green salad with vinaigrette and an iced tea, also... with plenty of lemon," Jake added. "Thank you, Gentlemen. I'll have your lunch here shortly. Would you like fresh drinks?" Buzz nodded. They sat silently for a few moments. Buzz cleared his throat. "Jake, I've known you all my life. You were my father and mother's best friend. I was named after you and Dad. All my life you've been around for me. When dad died you were there to comfort Mom and me. When Mom died you were there to comfort me again. You nominated me as a trustee. And now you're trying to protect me from this vicious gossip. I want to ask you a question." Buzz paused, head down, deep in thought. Finally, he looked up. "Jake, would it matter to you if the rumor was true?" Jake looked at him, smiled, and with no hesitation said "Not in the least. If something like this makes you happy, I'm all for it. But this is a small town and the gossip has to be squashed." "Whoa, are you just assuming it is true?" Jake waited for the waiter to set their fresh drinks on the table and leave with the empty ones before responding. "Before I answer that question, I suppose I should preface it with my own story." He paused to gather his thoughts. "As you know, Buzz, I've never married. Everyone's always assumed it was because your mother jilted me for your dad. Not true. Flo and I were always best friends - grew up together - went to school together, and everyone just assumed that we'd one day get married. But then your dad came to town right after the war." He picked up his drink, took a sip, bit an olive in half, chewed it and swallowed before continuing. His eyes got a faraway look. "God, what a striking man your dad was. Flo fell madly in love with him. And Tim worshiped the ground she walked on. I tried to fade out of the picture. Flo would have nothing of it. I was her dearest friend and she wasn't going to let me go. What she didn't seem to realize at the time was that I was in love with your father, too. But I made no move on Tim. I loved and respected both of them too much to do such a thing." The waiter appeared with their food and conversation stopped until after he left. Jake cut a bite of his au jus roast beef sandwich and started to take a bite just as Buzz whispered, "Hold on. Are you telling me you are gay?" Jake paused with the forkful half way to his mouth, then let the question hang in the air while he put the bite in his mouth, chewed it and swallowed before answering, "That's the word coming into use today, in my day the word was queer." Speechless, Buzz stared a moment before collecting his wits, picked up a sandwich half, and said, "And that's why you never married?" "Yes… well… part of the reason. If it hadn't been for Tim… and Flo, I would've married some poor unsuspecting girl and tried to lead a normal life." "What did Dad do to keep you from marrying?" Buzz asked taking a bite of his BLT. Jake paused, then busying himself slicing off another bite, dipping the bite in the beef broth and then as he held it before his mouth, he said, "He seduced me." He popped the bite in his mouth, and looked Buzz in the eyes while Buzz just stared at him. The three words hung in the air as Buzz swallowed. He laid his sandwich down and took a swallow of his scotch. "Why are you telling me this? I could've gone the rest of my life without knowing this." "Yes, you could. But in your situation, I think it is something you need to know. This, as I said, is a small town we live in." "Isn't it, though - a real Peyton Place." Buzz couldn't help but let a little bitterness and sarcasm into his voice. He couldn't decide whether it was directed at Jake or the gossip mongers. Most likely it was a bit of both. "Let me continue my narrative, Buzz. Your father was a very perceptive man. I'm certain that he could see that I idolized him, and I think he rather basked in that knowledge. I don't believe that he set out to do it... circumstances set him up. Your mother was pregnant with you, and was ignoring his needs." Jake motioned to Buzz's untouched food. "Aren't you going to eat?" Buzz picked up his fork and speared a grape, stuck it in his mouth, chewed and swallowed it, then laid his fork back on his plate and looking everywhere except at Jake, waited for him to tell him things he didn't want to hear. Jake took no notice; he was staring into his memories. "We went horseback riding one day. We did that often in our early years. Flo was always with us until her pregnancy put a stop to it. We rode down to the ocean that day. It was a hot August morning, so we stripped and went swimming. I was feeling like we were a couple of teenagers being playful, splashing and dunking each other. Then Tim sneaked up behind me, grabbed me around my chest, pinning my arms to my sides as he gnawed playfully on my neck. I could feel his whole body against my back and became very excited. Embarrassed, I broke away and swam out into deep water. Tim knew what had happened. He was immediately apologetic and pleaded with me to come back, promising not to do it again. "I can't. I'm embarrassed," I told him. He again begged me, "Ahhh, come on, Jake, there nothing to be embarrassed about. We've both had boners before. Come on back.". "No," I told him. I told him to get away from me, that I could swim on my own. But between the chilly water, fighting the strong current and battling Tim, I was exhausted and started floundering in the strong drag of the ebbing tide. Tim grabbed me under my chin and got me to the beach. We lay there on the wet sand, coughing and catching our breath. He raised his head and looked me, "Are you all right?" "Yeah," I replied, staring at the sky trying to ignore the fact that I was on my back with Tim lying against me on his side, his arm over my chest, his leg over my tumescence. I was so mortified I could have died "Again he apologized and promised he wouldn't hurt me for any reason. He laid his head on my chest and hugged me and we lay like that for several minutes. I was scared witless... wanting him so badly, but I wouldn't do anything about it. Eventually, Tim raised his head and looked at me... his face just inches from mine. I turned my face away. I could feel him against my thigh and I knew he could feel me under his leg. "Jake," he said. "Yeah?" I answered, refusing looking at him, knowing if I turned my head we'd be nose to nose. "I need you to hug me," he said. "No, I won't," I told him. "I know you love me, Jake." "Yes, that's true, I do love you." I told him. I've always been honest and straightforward when faced with a fact and with Tim I wasn't about to lie. "We lay there with him holding me, and me refusing to respond. But then he said, "I love you, too, Jake. Please hold me." "When he said that, I turned to look at him. His mouth was immediately on mine. I gave in and kissed him back. I don't know how long… but it was a long time." Jake paused, he hadn't noticed that Buzz had been squirming uncomfortably and had to discreetly adjust himself. "After a while Tim got up and pulled me to my feet. We went back into the water to wash the sand from our bodies, then we climbed the hill - you know the one, the shale slope, sheer cliff on the ocean side. There's a grassy spot on the edge of the cliff. That's where he led me. It was there that your father and I spent the afternoon discovering each other." Jake's eyes were distant as he relived the moment. Buzz was disturbed that he was aroused by the tale while memories of his tall muscular virile father strode through his mind. It irritated him more to have to change his image of his father. But as he considered it he realized that it didn't really change anything. It just added a new dimension to the image. He cleared his throat. "Okay... Dad seduced you. I don't see how that would have stopped you from going ahead with a normal life." Jake laid his fork and knife on his plate and looked at Buzz. "Well, it wasn't so much the seduction that changed my life. It was the event that occurred when we returned to the ranch house. It was late afternoon, nearly sunset. Flo met us at the corral when we rode up. She could see immediately that something had changed between Tim and me. She sat on the edge of the watering trough with her hands tucked under her big pregnant belly watching us while we unsaddled the horses and brushed them down. I'm sure we were both looking guilty as hell. I know I was feeling that way. "After we fed the horses, she walked over to us and put her arm around Tim's waist. Looking up at him, she smiled and said, "Tim, my dear husband, thank you for giving my dearest friend what he needs. I love you so much." We both stood there gape-mouthed. Your mother then turned to me and said, "Jake, all my life I have loved you. I know your needs. I know that I could never fill them... until now." She studied Tim and then me before saying, "I have enough love in my heart to share you both." She then stepped back with her hands on her hips, making us feel like we were two young boys about to be scolded. "No one is to ever know about this. I think you should become partners in business so you will have legitimate reasons to see each other. So… for now, dinner is ready. Come, my two sweet men, our food is waiting." " That little woman took us two big men by our hands and led us to the house. She never said another word about it. Your dad and I were lovers until the day he died. I was a frequent guest in your parent's home until the day your mother died." Jake sat there with his thoughts turned inward. Stunned, Buzz sat with his hands in his lap, his food forgotten. Several seconds passed before Jake shook himself and picked up his utensils and continued eating. Buzz managed to pull himself together and followed suit. When Jake finished his meal, he wiped is mouth and took a drink of water, then said, "I probably shouldn't share this with you." Apprehensive, Buzz looked at him, waiting. Jake smiled to himself, then said, "Your mother once told me that when Tim would get home after being with me, he would be more amorous, loving and caring than other times. She actually thanked me for sharing Tim." Buzz smiled and ducked his head to hide his emotions. "Flo was an absolutely marvelous, amazing person. And so was your dad." Jake cleared his throat. "So… Buzz, since you are your father's son, to answer your question, yes, I suspect the gossip to be true. I've looked into the situation, talked discreetly to a couple of people, and now I need only your confirmation." For several seconds Buzz did nothing but stare at Jake. Jake smiled back. Finally Buzz said, "It is true." "Do you want to tell me about him?" Jake asked. Buzz grinned, feeling like a fourteen year old dealing with his first crush. "Yeah, Uncle Jake, I would love to tell you about Neal." He stopped and thought for a moment. "I have a feeling you're going to tell me I'm crazy, but from the first time I opened Neal's dossier after he applied for employment with O.E. I have been obsessed with him. The day he came out to the house for an interview for the tutor position he was so warm and open. I was sure he was feeling for me like I felt about him. Then the next day and every time I've been around him since, he's been cold and closed towards me. When he's with my young ones he's like he was that first day, but when I walk in he closes down. Yet... I've caught him several times looking wistfully at me. I don't think I'm projecting my desires on that." Buzz stared into his drink for a long moment then said, "I want nothing more than to love and be loved by Neal." Jake smiled. "You know your father told me the same thing about loving me." Buzz's smile was tenuous as he glanced up. In the end, Jake and Buzz decided to ignore the gossip and let it die of its own volition. Buzz found the twattle (his mother's word for gossip) bothersome, but he wasn't really worried about it. He had no intentions of flaunting his relationship with Neal - if he was ever successful in developing one with him, but he did need to speak to his daughter when he got home. * * * After his lunch with Jake, Buzz went back to the office where he sat at his desk and rehashed Jake's story. Deciding that he wasn't going to get any work done, he told Martha he had things that needed his attention at home, and left. When he walked into the house, Maria met him at the door, giving her a hug and a kiss on her cheek. "Hi, Maria, how is my sweetheart." "Oh, Buzzy you make an old woman blush." Maria and Buzz had played this little flirting game ever since he'd returned home from college. She smoothed her apron and said, "Buzzy, for many months I don't see Señor Jake. This morning he came to see me. He asked many questions about Neal and about you. Buzzy, I didn't want to lie to him. He is a great man. And he was a very close friend to your mother and your father. I told him the truth. I didn't know what else to do." "Mamacita, you did just fine. I had lunch with Uncle Jake and I told him the truth, too. Jake has only my best interest at heart, so don't worry. Have you seen Dori? I need to have a talk with her." "Dori? She and Timmy just got home so she's probably in her room doing her home work." "Has Neal come home?" "No, Buzzy, he should not be home for a couple of hours. "Thanks, Maria." Buzz went to Dori's room and tapped on the door, "Dori, its Dad. May I come in?" "Sure, Dad. What's up?" Buzz sat down on the edge of the bed. Dori twisted to sit sideways on her chair, resting her chin on her arm on the chair back. Dori adored her father. "Dori, this is very important. I want you to think about this question before you answer." "Sure, Dad." "How would you feel if someone went around telling people things about you that could hurt you?" "I would be hurt and angry, I think." "Do you think I should be hurt and angry about you telling your friend that I have a boyfriend?" "I didn't tell her that! Honest, Dad! I only told her that you'd hired a live-in tutor for us." "Francie has been out here several times. I'm sure she's aware that Neal's bedroom shares the bath with mine. She apparently told her mother about the house and about Neal…" "I didn't think it was a big deal. And I certainly didn't think that she would repeat it to someone else - especially not to her mother." "Well, it appears that Francie did tell her mother and now the whole town is talking about my new boyfriend." "Oh." Dori's hand flew to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. "You agree I should be upset?" "Yes, Daddy, you should be very upset. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just so happy that Neal has joined our family." "You should think twice before telling Francie anything in the future." "Yes, Daddy, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." Dori broke down in tears. Buzz pulled his daughter in his arms. "It's going to be OK. We'll just have to deal with it. And not talk out of turn. I love you, Baby. Something like this could end up hurting you, too. I don't want that to happen." "I promise, Daddy, I won't tell Francine anything again.' She threw her arms around his neck. "I love you, Daddy." He hugged her."I know you do and I love you, too, Sweetheart. Now finish your homework and let's take a swim before dinner." "I'm almost through, Daddy. I'll be out in a while." * * * When Neal got out of class he stopped in the café to see Betsy. "Hey, Bets." "Neal, I miss you so much. You used to hang around here all the time. Since you moved out to the Ogden ranch I ever hardly see you." She threw her arms around his neck and smooched him on the lips then said, "Oops. I shouldn't do that anymore. Huh?" "Why not? Nothing's changed." "You've really decided that you're not … ah?" "I can't be. I won't be. So leave it alone." "I'm sorry. I won't say anything more. Forgive me?" Neal grimaced at her. "Of course I do." "Neal, come sit down. I need to tell you something." "Sounds serious." "Well, it may be. You know who Jacob Simmons is?" "Yeah, he's from the University Chancellor's office". "He's a nice old man. He stopped in this morning for a cup of coffee. He seemed to know who I am, and he asked me to sit down and talk with him. He asked lots of questions about you. For one, he wanted to know how you met Mr. Ogden. I told him since I didn't think you had anything to hide, but I thought you should know. I was planning on calling you later to tell you." "Hmm. You know, Mr. Ogden's the president of the Board of Trustees for UCSP, too. I wonder what's up." "I don't know. Mr. Simmons gave me no hints. I hope it's nothing serious." "Well, I think I'd better get out to the ranch and let Mr. Ogden know about this." "I think you should. See you soon, Neal." When Neal pulled up to the house, Buzz's car was parked in the driveway. He parked his pickup and ran into the house, calling for Buzz. Maria stepped into the living room and told him that Buzz and the twins were in the pool. Neal rushed through the kitchen and out the door again yelling for Buzz. Buzz swam to the steps. "Neal! What on earth is wrong?" Neal ran to him out of breath, panting. "Jacob Simmons. You know him, right?" He gulped air. "Yes, among other things he's my godfather. He was my parent's closest friend. Has he spoken to you?" "No, to Betsy. He asked her lots of questions about me," he gulped, "and you." Dori climbed out of the pool and discreetly fled to her room. Tim continued floating in the deep end of the pool listening. Buzz forgot all about his presence. "Well, calm down. He is only trying to protect us from idle tongues." "What do you mean?" "It's just twattle." "What's twattle? Jeezus! What are they saying?" "I'm sorry, Neal, there's a rumor making the round that I brought you into my home as my… as my boyfriend." "Boyfriend? You're not even… Who started this? Not Betsy. She wouldn't. But who else knows I moved out here. I can't believe this. How am I going to face going to classes? Maybe I can get my old apartment back." "Neal, calm down. You are over reacting. You're my employee, living in my home, helping my children. Period. Nothing more, nothing less." Neal closed his eyes a moment then started to relax. "You're right, I'm sorry." "Neal, you know how small town women… well, the men, too, love to gossip. That's all it is... just a bit of unfounded gossip." Dori stood at her window listening. When she heard how upset Neal was, she broke down in tears. Neal went into the kitchen and retrieved a Coke from the fridge, while Buzz headed into the master bath. Tim continued to quietly float until everyone had gone, then got out of the pool, grabbed a towel and padded over to his twin's room and knocked on her door. When Dori answered, Tim stepped in and closed the door. "I take it that you started this… what did Dad call it? Oh yeah, twattle." "I just told Francie about Neal moving in with us." "You saw the picture in our history book of the World War II poster?" "What poster?" "The one showing a sinking battle ship. Across the bottom it said 'Loose lips sink ships.' That one." "You're being mean, Tim. I already told Dad that I'm sorry." "You should be. I warned you about Francie, and you didn't believe me. She really is as bad as her mother in making up and spreading gossip." "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you." Tim hugged his sister as she continued to weep. "It'll blow over just like Dad said. I don't think any harm was really done." Buzz stood under the stinging shower spray thinking, 'Neal started to say that I'm not even gay. He didn't protest that he isn't, so maybe there really is a chance for us.' Meanwhile, Neal stood staring out the kitchen window sipping a bottle of Coke. 'Buzz apparently doesn't suspect me. But still I'll have to continue watching myself around him.' * * * George Bentley, the County Sheriff, lay back in his creaky old office chair and stretched making the old chair creak more than usual. 'Damn, this ol' thing's going to collapse with me, one of these days.' Ignoring the thought, he straightened his long legs and muscular body so he was supported only at his butt on the edge of the seat and shoulders resting on the top of the chair back, and stretched again. The chair groaned threateningly before he sat up straight. At thirty-eight, George was still in great physical shape. It took work, lots of work, to stay that way at his more or less sedentary job as county sheriff. He had been working for three straight hours and needed to get away from his desk for a while. He mulled over the conversation he'd had that morning with that silly old preacher from the little Assembly of God church. He'd just stepped out his front door, and headed for his car when the man had come hobbling along with his cane. George nodded to him as he opened his patrol car door. "Sheriff, you're just the one I want to talk to," the minister wheezed. "That Ogden man may own most of this town, but he has no business flaunting his lack of morals in the faces of good upstanding Christians." He'd raised his cane and shook it at the sheriff. George ignored the cane and asked, "What are you talking about, Mr. Monahan?" He was not about to show the old coot any recognition by calling him Reverend. "You haven't heard? The man's taken himself a young boy as his lover... him, with three young children. He should be looking for a wife and mother them." The old man's voice quavered with righteous indignation. "He should be run out of town. He'll definitely burn in hell for his sinful ways." George got a kick watching him, and wondered if he actually believed that God really cared about one man loving another. "Let God take care of it, Monahan, He's quite capable, you know." George drawled as he got into his car and started the engine before the old man could reply. He waved as he drove away. Just before he turned the corner, George glanced at his rearview mirror; he could see the old man still shaking his cane at him. He chuckled to himself. 'Young boy, indeed.' He had heard the gossip before, but this was the most vicious. He couldn't believe that it came from a religious leader. Buzz had never in his life flaunted anything. Even back in high school when he'd nearly singlehandedly won the regional football tournament he'd credited the win to his team's efforts, taking no credit himself. Buzz had told him that the young man was in his employ, so he knew it wasn't a boy living with Buzz' family, but a young fellow, twenty-two years of age. He also knew his name and almost as much about him as Buzz' security force had gleaned. George was one of very few people that knew that Buzz'd had an affair with Jorge Lobos his freshman year here at the university, so he figured there must be something to the rumors and gossip. He decided he'd drop in on Buzz and find out for himself just what the facts were. |