Chapter 6
Not having heard from Bud by Wednesday, David began to grow concerned. Thursday saw him starting to worry. Friday had this escalate to panic when Bud failed to arrive. Though by Sunday, his birthday, he’d slumped into depression. An empty, cold acceptance that Bud hadn’t shown. There was no Bud, no surprise weekend in Palm Springs.
Two weeks earlier, David had—as usual—bid his man a fond and passionate farewell. As usual he’d asked Bud when he’d next see him. And again, as usual, Bud hadn’t been able to give him any precise details. David hadn’t worried because he knew of the secret plans Bud had made for them to spend his birthday weekend together. So David had just asked his man to drive carefully back to the base, and told him to promise to stay safe. Bud gave him his custom
