#3

Spent last night again at that place because it was Janek’s shift   We were both in a silly funk. A rut. Sleeping in late all week to avoid dreary cold mornings. His wife was out of town, so he was alone with the dogs. We talked about you; he thought you were sweet. For once I didn’t dispute an assessment of you because you really are sweet though I never have admitted it. Janek is one of those people who makes everyone happy. I cherish him but I’ll never tell him so.  But I think he knows it already. Some words don’t have to be said to not know what is… 

Later Nick swaggered in with all his jokes, one I especially liked about why so many black men died in Vietnam…because when the enemy said "get down" they all got up to dance.  I couldn’t stop laughing.  So Janek told one about an owl that wasn’t as funny, but I liked the “who” and the “who dat” part of it.   

When Nick and I were finally alone and Janek was tending to customers Nick asked had you returned to California and I said yes and we said no more until I mentioned our adventure in the country at the cabin and Nick jokingly suggested we go to the cabin together and I laughed, he laughed, the both of us laughing and silently remembering his overbearing jealous wife who would never let that happen.   
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Nick's beard is growing back. I like him so much better with a beard than clean shaven. Then Mickey walked in and Janek came back and poured us more #3 and we made another toast. 

I was happy Mickey interrupted an awkward moment between me and Nick.  I sipped and tried not to think...  
 
As always Mickey is the busiest man in the universe.  He does not ask me anything about you.  His night is a catastrophe. He is trying to finish laundry he has not done for two months. I almost suggested I could help. Instead, I had another sip of #3 and thought not as that might tie us closer together when I thought of folding his underwear…