Chapter 3

“The diggings aren’t for the old,” returns Chet, and all agree. For a minute, I’ve no doubt we’re all thinking back on Bill Sims.

I’m liking Dieter a lot. When we first met not quite a month ago, I found him striking as he’s taller than me, maybe six foot, lean, and somewhat handsome. As I’ve been noticing men since boyhood, I allowed myself to indulge in impure thoughts toward him, though he never caught on. Might be good if he did. I’m not new to indulging with men. as I took that up once I left the farm and worked on a local ranch. There I discovered not only a love of horses, but of men, finding the latter as eager upon me as I was upon them. I’ve not indulged since coming here because I’m too tired most of the time. Survival has a way of shoving aside manly needs, but in quiet moments like now, I sit back and look at Dieter, who catches my eye and smiles. There seems to be promise between us.