Aidan San Francisco — 1981 Coffee and Orchids

After Mark’s removal, Aidan has a private bathroom. No one moves next-door to Aidan, even when Marcus, against every instinct in his being, lowers the rent. He considers raising Aidan’s rent, but something in Aidan’s bottomless stare prevents him.

Aidan has arrived with nothing. He buys some suits, black and sleek. He purchases silk shirts, dark, and gleaming. He acquires vests of satin and velvet. On anyone else they would have looked ostentatious, but on Aidan they fit. Aidan likes vests with their slim embrace and secret pockets. They cover a multitude of flaws, stains, wrinkles, an empty pocketbook, a stolen key… or a hollow heart.