Ray thanked him. They hugged. And he left.
He went home, hung up his damp hoodie, and began pulling things out of his pantry and refrigerator: ground beef, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, onion, garlic, bell pepper, basil, and oregano. A while later, when the sauce was simmering slowly, he called Jesse, who seemed to be in a mood to be reconciled. He agreed to come over as soon as he’d had a shower.
* * * *
When Jesse arrived, Ray hugged him before he got a chance to put down his offerings or take off his hoodie.
“Poor baby, you’re all wet.”
“Yeah, it’s really coming down out there.”
Still holding him tightly, Ray said, “I’m sorry I was a b***h to you when you called.”
“I think I was the bitch.”
Ray took the wine. Jesse set the box down beside the door and took off his hoodie. Ra
