Book 1. Finding A Way.

A disturbing absence

The following Friday, 21h35.

Jim was delighted to be finally arrived to Munich to found Freddie; this story of taxes exile may be allowed him to travel but in the long term he knew that he would eventually tire so he planned to take advantage of this weekend to tell him about it. Once the plane landed and his bag in hand, he crossed the airport in search of Freddie but curiously he founded no one.

-Where are they?

-Jim! I'm here, called someone.

The Irishman turned his head and Joe coming towards him. They greeted each other quickly then Jim asked him the classic question: where's my boyfriend?

-I've no idea.

-What? What does that mean, he wondered.

-I don't have a clue, insisted Joe shooking his head.

"Wonderful" thinking the Irishman ironically, especialy since he had learned that when the singer didn't give details on his night trip it was because he woudn't come home in the evening.

-I imagine it's useless that I insist, he sighed.

-Sorry Jim...all he told me was to go to the New York New York bar and he will meet there later.

-Later or surely not at all, mumbled Jim in his mustache.

With that the two men take a taxi to drive them to Freddie's flat so that the Irishman can drop off his things. As soon as he entered the house something was wrong. The air smelled strongly of alcohol, apparently vodka, there were cigarettes lying on the floor and empty bottles on the furniture. But he wasn't at the end of his surprises when he entered the bedroom: the sheets were completely wrinkled, the pillow thrown in the four corners off the room, there was even liquid on the floor.

-My god! What the hell happened here, he said in a low voice although completely dumbfounded.

Jim was now worried that something had happened to his boyfriend but unfortunately he didn't know where he was so what he could do? He put down his travel bag and then returned to the taxi, trying to hide his concern from Joe.

-Are you alright? You suddently seem tense, noticed the young man.

-Surely the frustration that Freddie wasn't at the airport, it was curious but Joe didn't seem to know what had happened.

-Are you sure?

-Yes, I'm perfetly fine, Jim tried to say with a smile.

Joe remainded silent but he knew very well his friend was lying and already suspected their reunion with Freddie wasn't going to be easy, he hoped at least a little good moment between men would ease the tensions.

New York New York.

-Wow! Is that supposed to be a bar?

-It's wonderful isn't it? With the family we love to come here it reminds a bit the Heaven, answered Joe glad that Jim appreciates.

-It's even bigger I would say, replied Jim still amazed. I had no idea they were so outgoing in Germany.

-Freddie has reserved a quiet corner for us, let's go!

So they went to settle in the corner then the Irishman went to the bar to get some beers; since he didn't know how long they would wait he preferred to take it easy with the drinks.

-Freddie told you what time he was going to join us, he demanded to Joe.

-Not really, just that he would come quite later, said the young man taking a long sip.