The train ride was smooth, the carriage seeming to glide along almost soundlessly. "This is a smooth ride," he said, "Like going up in a hot air balloon. Have you done that?" he asked.
Matt grunted, glancing up from his laptop's screen, hand's poised, flickering fingers momentarily stilled before he looked back.
Outside the train window the grey day and dusky green and brown of the bush flowed past , seemingly endless.
"So?" he asked.
"Umm," was the only answer, and a hand briefly touching his knee. Reassuring physical contact.
They passed a shallow lagoon where clumps of thin grass like reeds were standing erect in the water, reminding him of islands. Some congregated into large masses, others alone, small outposts in the still grey water.
"So what did you think?" he persisted.
Matt looked up, a touch annoyed at being dragged away from his work.
"It's small. Nice location, but hardly room to turn around. You know I like space and comfort."
Matt returned to his work and his lover looked out of the window again. Something catching in his throat for a moment and swallowed. He liked cool days, days like today, not hot, not cold, cool. Everything. It was the first and last time Matt went to his house.
At first he'd thought that Matt was playing with him, had little need of him. He'd suggested things they could do together and Matt would say they were on his list, but never seemed to get around to that part of his list.
