ABSTRACT
When we first met, in 1982, at a party in Manhattan, we were both in other relationships: Fred was dating the party's host, Elliot, and among Elliot's other guests were John and his then-lover, Ray, who were living in New Jersey. In the ensuing months, the two of us encountered each other at least twice more—once on a theater date with Elliot and Ray, and again at a birthday party John threw for Ray.
