"Bullshit," Treston said. "You'll be perfect. And you're not too old for anything. I can't imagine any other actor playing the part better than you."
As Chad started talking about the difficulties he was having with the part, Treston held the sunflower closer to his heart and listened without speaking. When they reached the top step and Chad led him down the hall to the last door on the right, Treston had a feeling this time it would be different. He wasn't sure why; he couldn't have explained this feeling if anyone had asked. It was certainly nothing he'd expected. He'd never felt this way before with any of the other men he'd thought he'd loved, not even Cooper Booe. This time it felt real and nothing had to be forced. He didn't have to pretend to be something he wasn't with Chad; his past didn't matter. And in the same respect, Chad didn't have to pretend with him either.
When Chad opened the bedroom door and gave him a gentle push, Treston lifted his right hand, touched one small siiver streak on Chad's beard, and smiled. And that was because whenever Treston had a man of his own, he felt special in a way that gave him both hope for the future and peace of mind about his sordid past.
THE END