They moved Chase out the following weekend. With great persuasion, Mike agreed to help. They passed each other some times exchanging silent looks, but neither spoke to the other. What was there to say? They had become virtual strangers, a wall of quiet indifference erected between them, but it was all an act. She pretended to be happy, and he pretended not to care, but both ached inside. It was painful to be so close and yet feel as though there was an ocean between them.
Chase moved into their apartment, and Mike made himself scares. He did what he could to assure he did not have to go home. He would stay late in the studio learning the trade or hit the bar scene after hours in the booth. He would find any woman and spend the night at her home, attempting to lose himself, to drown the t
