Chapter 21
“I did become bitter. I didn’t trust anyone. Didn’t want to let down my guard and risk being hurt the way Leo had hurt me. Then I got lonely for company and I began leasing the room out. I rented it to a girl first of all. I thought a girl would be safe. A girl wouldn’t treat me badly. And she was wonderful. Only stayed six months, though. I think I drove her away with my moods. I got another girl in after her. She stayed for a year. Then an elderly guy, but he ended up finding the stairs too much, and after he moved out, I left the room unoccupied for six months. I was getting sick of people moving in and out.” He took another large mouthful of beer. “Then you answered the advertisement and when I found out you were gay, like me, I was nervous, but I figured at least we had something in common. Perhaps we could become friends. Because I needed a friend.”