His unconscious steps led Tommy toward his home. Only two blocks from his home, on a street he had not previously been on, he spotted a sign, 'Mike's Gym.' It was so familiar. Was that the name that Thor had mentioned? Tommy hesitated to trust any memory from that awful day. The doorway under the sign led immediately to a long upward stair. Tommy hesitated on the threshold.
He thought of Thor, of the many hours they had spent together, Tommy working out at Thor's direction. They had had many conversations during those nine months, about Billy, about working out, about Tommy's early life, about finding love. Thor had been more of a friend than Tommy realized. He knew he had to see if this was the place Thor mentioned.
Tommy climbed the stairs, anticipation growing with each step. At the top of the stairs was a counter behind which sat an older man. His face showed all the lines and creases of life and yet the arms and torso revealed by the tight tank top were that of a young, vigorous man.
"Can I help you?" the man asked in a manner somewhere between friendly and gruff.
"Uh, does Thor work out here?"
The man smiled from ear to ear. He leaned back on the stool upon which he sat and bellowed through an open doorway, "Thor, somebody's here to see you. You better come quick or I'm taking him, myself."
There was a thunderous clang as iron weights dropped to the floor. A breathless Thor appeared in the doorway, his face all curiosity. "Tommy," he yelled and swept Tommy into a huge hug. Thor's face was beaming.
"Uh, hi, Thor." Tommy uttered from within the bear hug. He had not expected such a greeting.
"Oh my god, I've gotten sweat all over you. I'm so sorry. It's just, it's just, hell, I don't know." Thor stammered and blushed.
"Hey Thor, where's your manners," the older man barked. "I'm Mike. This is my dump of a gym, well more Thor's lately, he really runs things. And you are?"
"I'm Tommy. I knew Thor in a former life."
Mike's eyebrows arched past his forehead. "Tommy? The Tommy, Thor?"
Thor was crimson with embarrassment. "Yeah. I guess I mentioned that I trained you."
Mike teased, "That's not all he 'mentioned'."
Thor froze Mike with a glance. "You're welcome here, Tommy. Five bucks a visit, or forty for a month, since you're a special friend of Thor. I look forward to seeing more of you," Mike said archly.
Thor wrapped his arm around Tommy's shoulder, again forgetting that he was wet with sweat. He showed Tommy around the facility, showing his pride in the establishment, pointing out things he had done to improve it. Men working out greeted Tommy and made comments to Thor, sometimes asking questions on lifting technique. Thor explained that he had left the health club where he had met Tommy and now existed by working at Mike's gym sometimes supplementing his income by giving private training sessions.
Thor talked and talked, far more open than Tommy remembered him. Tommy's hearing faded when he caught a glimpse of Thor in one of the many mirrors. Held so tightly to his side, Tommy had to look in the mirror to see Thor. His first impression was that Thor was more muscular and tighter than before. Of course, he was wearing a string tank top and tight shorts that emphasized his musculature and the sheen of sweat set off his physique even further. There was no question, Thor was a beautiful man.
Tommy's reverie was interrupted by a question from Thor, "So you want to work out with me? I think it would be really cool. If we work out together, I don't have to charge you and we can push each other and help each other." Thor spoke with a young boy's enthusiasm.
Tommy demurred that he had not pursued working out since he had last seen Thor and feared he was no longer in shape. Thor, squeezing Tommy's arm appreciatively, said, "Nonsense. Anyway, in a few weeks, you'll be right back on top."
There was no way that Tommy could resist the joyous bulldozer that was Thor. He promised to come back the next day at 8 AM to get "down to work." Thor walked with him to the entrance. Somehow he couldn't let go and tussled with Tommy down the stairs. Out on the street, he kept hold of Tommy's hand, talking to keep Tommy from leaving.
At last, Tommy managed to back away. He turned toward his house. In a darkened shop window he saw his face reflected. He was smiling, smiling for all he was worth and he couldn't imagine why.
***
Tommy was faithful to his promise. He arrived at the gym, carrying his workout shoes. Thor was already there. He helped Tommy choose some workout clothes and followed him into the locker room.
"Yeah, you've lost some of the finish," Thor observed, seated on a bench next to Tommy, "but you still look mighty good. Let's hit the gym." Thor led Tommy through a warm up and then gave him a workout logbook, already filled out with a routine for the next eight weeks. Thor guided Tommy through the workout, adding tips on how to help as a workout partner. This was a different interaction, one of equals, not of an employer to employee. Though they had to decrease the weight for Tommy, they worked out as a close team.
At the end of the work out, following some concluding stretching, they were both covered in sweat. Tommy inhaled deeply. "Thor, smell that, it's wonderful. I had forgotten." Thor also breathed deeply, his eyes closed, his face the image of happiness. Suddenly he came to, and blushing, said he had to go do some 'stuff', 'see you tomorrow, ok?'
Tommy sat on a bench, wondering what had gotten into Thor. He showered and returned to his home, eager to go back to the gym the next day.
Classes had started for Tommy. Most were in the afternoon, leaving his mornings open for working out and other errands. He enjoyed his meals more than he remembered doing. Enjoyed the reading his classes required. Enjoyed assisting the professor with seminars and preparing for classes. He just felt good.
Two weeks passed. All during that time, at the end of each workout, Thor disappeared in a rush.
As Tommy passed the front counter, Mike said gruffly, "Hey you, Tommy, wait a minute." He leaned back on the stool, as he had done the first time Tommy had been to the gym, and bellowed, "Thor, did you ask him yet?"
"Ask me what?"
"Thor, get your ass out here. I've had enough of you moping around for two weeks." Thor appeared, sheepishly in the doorway. "Ask him, dammit."
"Thor, what's all this about."
Thor looked at his shoes. He hemmed and hawed. This incredible figure of a man looked for all the world like a young boy who was about to be in trouble. Thor stammered, "Tommy, would you, you know, like to go have some coffee or something?"
"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Mike showed no mercy.
Tommy could not help but smile. "Thor, I'd love to. But let's make it dinner. Can I pick you up around seven?"
Thor tried to be calm, but was dancing inside. He threw his arms around Tommy as he had on the first day, then ran back into the gym. Thinking he was out of earshot, he shouted to the roof, 'Yahoo."