Leland was sitting at his desk still preoccupied with the past while a stack of semester exams languished in the present.

After their last lovemaking session for the weekend in the small bedroom of Leland’s cottage, Cliff had dressed haphazardly with his tie slightly askew and his shirt somehow caught in the zipper of his leather jacket. He was working it back and forth with little success when Leland came up and pulled him into a tight embrace. “Wish you didn’t have to leave.”

“So about next weekend,” Cliff said, his hand reaching down toward his jacket giving the zipper a few ceremonial tugs.

“Yes.” Leland’s lips brushed Cliff’s. He took his lover’s hand and stopped him momentarily from fiddling with the thing.

They broke apart slightly, but Leland’s arm stayed comfortably wrapped around Cliff’s waist. “There’s a fair at college. Parent’s weekend. They have lots of --”

Cliff kissed him. “Yes, I’m sure they have lots of whatever they have.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes, still embracing.

“Oh, you know,” Leland said,” handcrafty things like crocheted coasters and homemade potholders. That sort of --”

“Yes, we could do with some of those.” Cliff kissed Leland on the forehead. Smiled.

Leland looked up at him. “They ... have events, as well.”

Cliff played with Leland’s ear. “Hmm. We like those, don’t we? Always up for an event.”

“Yes. With you I’m always up.”

They kissed lightly. Then broke apart again, their eyes still locked on each other.

“I suppose,” Cliff began, “We could miss some of them though. Don’t want to make the whole weekend --”

“Fly by.”

“No.” Cliff started to move out of the bedroom.

“Isn’t it to soon to ... go?” Leland rested his head on Cliff’s shoulder as they passed into the living room with an arm around each other’s waist.

“A little but the weather’s not good.” Cliff moved again and Leland pressed his hand down on his shoulder. “Too early even with bad --”

“Weather. Yes.” Cliff sighed. He pulled Leland closer and kissed the tip of his nose. “But I need to go. You’ve got prep. An early class.”

“Yes. Early.” He blew into Cliff’s right ear, something he knew drove him wild.

They headed for the front door but stopped midway. Cliff took Leland’s hand in his and pressed it against his chest. “To stay like this forever.”

“Forever. I like the sound of that word.”

“Forever. Me, too.”

They kissed again, lightly, still connected by each other’s arms, taking time getting to the door.

“I’ll be here early. Friday night,” Cliff said. He pulled Leland into another embrace.

“Make it early as you like.” Leland covered Cliff’s mouth with his. “The key’s --”

“I know where it is.”

Cliff opened the door, not wide but just enough for him to step out onto the porch, and lean back in for a final kiss. He backed away as Leland slowly closed the door and pressed his face up against it.