EMAIL Sent: Friday, July 05, 2002 8:33 PM

Spencer, here is the copy I intended to send you, (next PP) with some insight into what is going on. Just got off the phone with our boi, and the Mayor, and he is happily awaiting your arrival! I am so relieved to know that my fellow Arch-Angel is watching over him, tonight. So thankful for YOU! And, The Mayor SAVES the day, once again! Spencer Saves my conscience from worrying. I can lay this weary head on my pillow, knowing our boi will be safe from the Dark One, for one more night! My soul leaps for joi! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! HUGS, KISSES and MICROSOFT DREAMS, my ANGEL!

. . . . . . . . . . . .Letter to Karol:

"Hello My Dearest Karol, Am back at work, today, so am forced to be in front of a PC. It has been a whirlwind of a week, to reiterate.This delicate head has not been where it is accustomed to being, the past week, and an explanation to my whereabouts, was not an easy task for me, and I needed time to compose and collect. This is my first attempt to do that, and I present it here, below, in a nutshell, beginnig last Monday, when I errantly, and most unexcusably, missed your call. . . Other than oversleeping, the day began, just as planned, but would turn OUT to be a day, unlike ANY other

. . . . It was a busy business day for most. It was my Saturday, It was also the Mayor's Homecoming Day. My friend, Richard, "the mayor" , being newly retired from office, had just returned from his 17-day whirlwind tour, - visiting every major point of interest in London. Saw the Queen wave dolefully, and alone, from a single carriage, at the Birthday Coronation, saw her again, at Royal Ascot.

He enjoyed his very first High Tea at Harod's, saw Sampras lose at Wimbledon, (lusting the entire match after his body, he later confided,) went to 2 operas, saw 2 of the best Shakespeare plays, he had EVER seen - one at Stratford on Avon, and the other at Shakespear's Daughter's house, saw the Madonna concert, and also the new Andrew Lloyd Weber Musical! I imagine it was one of the funnest vacations, a person could ever spend.

Continuing . . . We were to meet for lunch at my favorite place, (Panera, which is near the health club, the salon, health food store, and other major points of interest, on my daily schedule - situated conveniently and on this day, luckily, on Clark and Diversey.)

Some very good sight seeing, there! And, I know a lot of the regulars, there; Michael, the owner of a local Hair Salon, and there's Jerry, a Sculpture Artist, and of course, Ray, an old friend of Michael Laridon's and myself, now working at yet another hair salon, just up the street, etc. I look forward to the quaint, and familiar faces, each day, saying "hi", "how have you been", and filling each other in on our week's events, overhearing conversations about one another, sharing cigarettes, (or in my case, cigars,) or just offering a friendly handshake, now and then, as we chance-meet together, at the same time, and place, almost every day.

Except for the brief handshakes, and pleasantries I exchange with the locals, I usually dine alone. Alone in the crowd. Or alone, and alone. So, needless to say, I really look forward to my weekly lunch dates with the mayor, and he, with me, especially, looked forward to last Monday, to revel in his brave tales from abroad, (and a bonus treat - to open the surprises he toted back for me, YAY - English Breakfast Tea from Buckingham Palace!) Afterward, I planned to stick around and finish up a sketch, for my Spencer's book, and double-treat-of-treats - happily looked forward to yet aNOTHER meal, accompanied by my Twin and Fellow Arch-Angel, (as opposed to arch-enemy???) (Spencer) at Grillers, (the cafe, in the building where he works!) Well, continuing - the mayoral homecoming at Panera

. . . It was a gloriously hot Chicago day, the kind of day you lust for, some nine brutal months out of the bitter and windy chicago year. I knew I would have a hard time focusing on my project, and I also knew the mayor would be feeling "frisky", two things which were sure to distract me, I had work to do, and had been putting it off for weeks.

The deadline I had set, set again, and RE-SET had been postponed for the LAST time. And, I was determined to press on - to completion! Sometimes, we go back to the mayoral penthouse for some afternoon delight! Sometimes we have sleepovers, and go out to dinner, or the Symphony, or just play some piano, and spend a quiet evening together. But, Monday, we both had other and separate dinner plans, but, had a couple of hours to kill, just "hangin'" out, hearing each other's tales from the past couple of weeks. There had been MUCH to catch up on, tooI really like the mayor. (Not as a "lover", per se. Just as a close friend, and sometime playmate.) We both find this is a very comfortable relationship, and there is no possessiveness, no responsibility, no expectation, other than our one day a week get-togethers. We are very comfortable together, or apart.

Either way! We've known each other for seven months, now - having met at a rather risque New Year's Eve party, and have easily managed to stay in touch, ever since. Just as a side note, to explain how much we have in common; He was the Director of the Fine Arts something-or-other in Kalamazoo, MI, for several years, where they host the Van Cliborn Piano Competition, et.al., and is an expert in most areas of classical music. And as a sidenote, he is even moving his piano to Chicago (just got divorced,) as soon as he gets his new carpet in. So, anyway, the Mayor showed up, on time, at the designated time, and we sat down in the outdoor cafe, under a 90-degree sun, to open presents, and have our wonderful lunch.

As we were well into our lunch, watching all the people go back and forth, (many of which are going to and from the health club, next-door, providing VERY nice eye candy,) an exceptionally, rare, young 20-something, dirty-blonde cub came swaggering up and set up court, at the opposite end of the cafe from us. - It imMEDiately caught our eye! Both. All four! HAH! Young cub sat down, immediately stripping off his shirt, giving us all a show, - great, classic Italian chest, pecs, trimmed, or "clipped" hair, as they call it, maybe 5'9, 155 lbs. lightly muscular - kind of like a kickboxer's body - and getting "hit" on by virtually every person that came up and sat down all around his table.

He was laughing, telling everyone stories, walking back and forth thru the restaurant with a new person, each time, getting refills on soda, etc. As the mayor and I continued our pleasant "homecoming" reunion, I noticed, the young pup kept looking back, over his shoulder, (had his back to us, by then,) catching my glances. Oh - at least 10 times! Hah! I wished to GOD we had sat next to him, I swore to myself, as I was SURE we would have been wildly embraced, by now! This one was MINE! Save for a cruel twist of fate, to be encumbered with mayoral paraphernalia, and situated at the worst possible table, in proximity to HIS! DRAT!

The afternoon wore on, and the mayor and I remained at our table, and I remained steadfast to my task of skethching, as I wanted to be able to have a finished product for Spencer, later that afternoon. (I am illustrating the second edition of one of his books, which I may have mentioned, a few hundred times, "The Romeo and Juliet Chronicles, Part VI - Romeo and Juliet have a Son.")

Romeo, remained planted, and had me so dam distracted, I was chancing a pop out, mid day in front of all the customers, in my smallest of small workout shorts, which I had mistakenly managed to wear that day! Oh, Karol, the twinkle in this cub's eye, his friendly personality, quite a rarity for these parts, his mirth, and his apparent "ease" with everyone, around him. It was all I could do to keep shifting positions, to keep myself from being exposed to the rest of the restaurant!

. . . At last! Finally my turn to go back inside to get our refills, (the mayor had enthusiastically made the last trip!) My route was well-planned. I would line-drive a course, directly past his table to get see if what I was really seeing was not just some mirage! I was able to distract our shining cub, for one brief second, while he was talking to this other guy, next to him, and was able to make eye contact!

WOW! Scored! A nod from me,and an automatic reflex I have never been able to control - that arching left eyebrow - somehow managed to catch his twinkling eye, and a handsome smile -which although only for a brief moment, seemed to last for an eternity! I regrettably pressed on, to the pop machine, pumped the lever for ice, and just as I was about to make my return voyage, wonder of wonders! Who just happened to be standing behind me, when I turned around???

My mouth became like putty, moving, but the tongue not cooperating. I slowly formed the words, "Are you going to be here awhile? And, "would he care to join us at our table?" How did I manage to get those words out??? A mystery, I don't care to analyze, looking back.

My shining cub was equally, tongue-tied - wasn't exactly sure what he said, back to me, other than something about noticing my cute butt, walking by, and how I had my bare leg (set to the maximum daytime exposure in my small work-out trunks, btw,) up on the chair, outside, providing him with an equally distracting show! Well, as we were trying to walk back outside, with our freshly-filled drinks, tottering, precariosly in nervous hands, on our journey together, all the while, beaming like old school chums, and trying to talk with leaded tongues, the both of us.

All I remember thinking was - THIS has GOT to be a DREAM! And WHAT am I going to do with the MAYOR, if he DOES take me up on my spur-of-the moment OFFER! As we sauntered back outside, to my utter surprise and delight - he grabbed up his things, and said goodbye to the guy at the neighboring table, and, indeed, joined the mayor and I, at our table, for an afternoon of the most wonderful calibre - and a shared journey through his past 2 days, of the most bizarre events, you could EVER imagine. . . . . . . To be continued!

Our time has been spent side-by-side, almost exclusively, since that afternoon, and had it not been for having to come back to work, this morning, I would happily be on another, amazingly wonderful afternoon adventure, with him, right now! Well, that is my story, and I'm STICKIN' TO it! Thanks for the wonderful card, and hope you are busily packing, for the MOVE BACK HOME!!!!! YAY! - Love Forever and Ever, AMEN! - Steely Steve!

God Bless Our Beloved Dodie, who is now in peace, looking down on us, from back in God's Garden! P.S. I had lunch by my special memorial site, and her face is still looking up at me, untouched, since the day I shed so many tears, fashioning it with the heart-shaped stone and all. Her spirit has never left Chicago, I am happy to report. Luvs and Huggs, my Precious! "

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EMAIL:
From: "gspencer"
To: "Mac Stryper"
Subject: Top of the Morning to You . . .
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 12:04:46 -0500

. . .top of the morning to the top of the nights.
Hey MySteveMan! Good morning, what is left of it. A flying SteveMan, damn I loved watching your face yesterday, it felt so good all over my soul to see the look in your eyes. Wow! I'm teary eyed just thinking of it.

I don't know where this is going. It is closed to me right now. I know I love you very much, I know that grows everytime I am with you and I know that washes over to Joe; as it would wash over to anyone who makes you look the way you did yesterday.

I told you yesterday about my conversation with Nathan, TeaseBoi knows I have the hots for him. I told him that I was sure I would be sitting outside at our picnic smoldering with jealousy and hoping I could have him there to hold. Slap my face will you, MySteveMan. Slap it hard; we know he's not for me.

Oh, yes, I was writing an email back to Killer and told him, or somebody, that Louis and Ray did not show up for the picnic. I did not catch that until last night when I was typing out the names: "Louis" and "Ray" Luis Rey, Luisito! His professional name: Luisito Rey! Yikes, talk about something that probably should never happen! Perhaps something that has to happen? Reality check that will you MySteveMan?

Now, tell me what I am to do? No, maybe there is no telling me what to do. We don't do that with each other, we just light our torches for the other to see the paths in front of him. You are Michael to me, as ever the First Friend who shows up for the final battle to prepare, to fight at each other's side.

How much don't I say?

By this time you are preparing for BTN for lunch. Have you been preoccupied this morning? I know I would be; very much so. I hope the day goes well in all aspects. It is noon, I best get myself cleaned up for the day. I had a decent night's sleep but for at 4AM when all those fireworks were going off!
I thought someone was trying to break through the roof! It only lasted a short while. I never experienced that before, its my third 4th here in this place (how uncanny, again, the third fourth). Did you see it or hear it?

Talk soon, please, I know you have little time - now, no time really. Muchos Abrazos
Muchos Besos Muchos Cariños Muchos Amores :Spencer
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Date: Fri, 05 Jul 2002 14:22:21 -0400
From: SixthRomeo@aol.com
To: cubstryper@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Pussycat Master II - Bombs Bursting in AIR!

:-) Pictures that are each worth thousands of words and heart beats. What can I say? Cute as a bug's ear! (love the midwesterner lingo) Thank you for reminding me that I do use this account sometimes and I should watch for replies to it. Spencer, Spencer, Spencer, you need help. Love :Spencer

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