Aaron asks what I see in Eric. I ask what he means. He says something about rock stars and how they were never meant to wear cardigan sweaters and I ask what the hell cardigan sweaters have to do with anything and he says nothing, an old joke he got from an ex-girlfriend and why is he bringing up old girlfriends tonight?

I say that one, I like the music, and two, Eric's a friend of mine and it makes me feel like I'm doing a good thing by supporting their shows. And he sighs and I say what and he says maybe the best thing a friend can do is admit honestly to someone when their work sucks and I say but I don't think it sucks, I think it's good and he says well of course you'd say that and I say what is fucking wrong with you and he says never mind, forget it.

So we sit in silence for awhile. Listen to the music. I ask if he wants another gin and tonic, he says sure, I go up to the bar and get some drinks, come back to the couch, where we sit in silence again for awhile.