were together, Jesse said,not sounding worried at all. I didnt want to be a pest.Well,Im calling you now. I was thinking we could do something.Dosomething?Seeeach other. Or something. Henry felt his cheeks growing hot.Thatwould be great, Henry. Id like that. Say, Im meeting Eli forlunch on Saturdaywhy dont you come, too?Eliwouldnt mind?Imsure he wouldnt, Jesse said blithely. Eli likes you, too.Allright, then. Where are we meeting?Itsthis place Reggie took me, Jesse explained. Its called theThird Eye Cafe. Do you know it?Henrylaughed. He took me there, too. Did you have couscous?Idid! Russ really liked it. I ended up drinking half of Reggieswine and my father was furious with him for letting me get drunk.Henryfelt jealoushe had not even been given the opportunity to drinkwine. He made the effort to not exhibit this jealousy, however.Should I meet you there?Eliand I are meeting at the Garibaldi statue in Washington Square ateleven. Why dont you meet us there instead?Allright, I will. Saturday at eleven.Yep!Oh, Russ wants me to say hello to Martin for him.Oh.Okay. Ill let him know.Thanksfor calling, Henry. Im glad Ill get to see you again so soon.Theysaid their goodbyes and Henry hung up the telephone and turned toMartin. Russ says hello.Oh!That was nice of him, dont you think, Sir?Hefilled Martin in on their Saturday plans and Martin seemed wellpleased.TheWiltons are such nice people and like you so well, Sir, Martinremarked. Since your father is willing to let you have them, youshould definitely take advantage.Asof Friday morning, everyone knew about Toms affliction. The newshad passed among the neighborhoods slaves and from there up totheir masters. Boys were furious with Freddie for not telling them,worried that they might have somehow contracted the clap from Tomspretty mouth.Ifhe didnt fuckyou in the ass,then youre fine, Freddie snarled to the group at large. Hecouldnt have given it to anyone by sucking a cock. I didnt tellyou because you didnt need to know.Butyou told Henry, Robert said.BecauseTom was fucking Henrys slaves!Freddies frustration was making him loud and sharp.Robertturned to Henry. So Martinhas it, too?No!Henry said emphatically. Tom was having sex with some of ourstable slaves. Hes neverhad sex with Martin.Hewants to, though, some small voice said knowingly, and boyssnickered in agreement as Henry felt an angry blush color his cheeks.So even his friends saw it, then.Theslaves had split up into several smaller groups instead of theirusual undelineated massing. Tom, seeming full up with shame, stoodapart with Martin, Julian, and the rest of the Orpheus slaves, Simon,Miles and Allen. Miles had his arm around Tom and whispered in hisear.Robertstepped out of the huddle of boys and called out, Dick, comehere.Dickdid as he was told and Robert took him aside, although within hearingof everyone. Listen, I want you to keep clear of Tom for the timebeing, he said. Just a precaution, all right?Dick,seeming somewhat bemused, said, Of course, Sir. Whatever youwant.Severalother boys immediately followed Roberts example, and all the whileFreddie shouted over them.Hecant give it to anyone by talking!Freddie yelled angrily. No ones going to catch anything inschool,for chrissakes!Atthe bell, they went reluctantly to class. Henry felt bad for Freddieand Tom