“Do you have a car?” Jasper asked.
“No, but I’m sure we could rent one.”
“There’s lots to see downtown. I mean, we could just head out the front door, see Water Tower Place and then stroll down Michigan Avenue, see sights like the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, stuff like that. We’d avert our eyes as we passed the Trump Tower, of course.” Jasper laughed and eyed Rob with a little questioning look in his eyes.
“What?” Rob asked. “Are you wondering if I’m a Republican?”
Jasper cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “If you are, I’ll just be on my way. It’s what I call cutting my losses.”
“What do you think? I’m not one of those Log Cabin nutjobs, for heaven’s sakes. No, if I leaned any further left, I’d fall over.” Rob swallowed back another laugh. “So what are you thinking?”
“As I was saying, wecouldjust walk down Michigan Avenue. Lots to see. Lots of restaurants and stores you’d only find on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. At least I think so.”
“You didn’t stay in California long enough to—”
Jasper cut him off before, Rob supposed, he could say anything embarrassing or chiding. “And, of course, there’s Millennium Park and the Bean and so on and so forth. Navy Pier. The Ferris wheel.”
“All the touristy stuff,” Rob said.
“Yeah. And there’s nothing wrong with that. They can all be fun and interesting.” Jasper moved away from the window and sat down on the love seat nearby. He seemed to be relaxing a bit. “But, if we had a car, I’m thinking I could show you some of my favorite places. You know, the kind of stuff that’s off the beaten path. We can do the touristy stuff maybe later, time permitting.”
Rob came and sat down beside Jasper, close enough that their bodies barely touched, but that touch was electric, like something charged against his skin, sparking. “Now you’re speaking my language. I want to see the Chicago you know, the one that tourists don’t see.”
Jasper laid his head on Rob’s shoulder for a moment. “Then let’s do it. I have a few places in mind.”
Rob didn’t want to move, didn’t want to disturb that comfortable weight of Jasper’s head on his shoulder. It feltright. But Jasper ended the sensation for him, so Rob stood. “I’ll call downstairs, see if maybe the concierge can set up a car for that.” He headed for the phone on the desk.
“Wait. Forget the car. Let’s travel like the people do.” Jasper grinned when Rob turned to look at him.
THE SUBWAYcar was crowded. Rob felt like an old man, truly this time, because Jasper had insisted he take the only available seat in the car when they boarded at Chicago Avenue. But hell, Rob was old enough to be Jasper’s dad, so why kid himself? Besides, it put his eyes level with Jasper’s crotch, and that was nosmallconsolation. After stopping at Clark and Division, the train car was truly in line with the old expression “packed in like sardines.”
Jasper leaned down to whisper, “It’s not usually this crowded so late in the morning. Must have been a long gap between trains.”
Rob wondered if his white privilege and wealth were showing. Was he wrinkling his nose at the smells, which seemed to be predominantly sweat, motor oil, and fried chicken? Was he leaning away too obviously from the hipster next to him—dressed in Nirvana flannels, ripped jeans, and nodding off every few minutes to lay his head on Rob’s shoulder? Was he too wide-eyed at the assortment of people on the train? There was everything from Loyola and Northwestern college students to business types in suits to one guy in running shorts and nothing else, to a bicyclist all in spandex, to a couple of pregnant women. Nearly every age and ethnicity were represented.
Rob realized how sheltered he’d been most of his life. He’d grown up privileged on Long Island, the son of a highly successful hedge-fund manager, and becoming rich and famous in his own right had always seemed like his due, nothing special in his neck of the woods.
He didn’t want to admit to Jasper that this train ride was his first on public transportation. Why, even during his many trips to Manhattan to meet with agents, publicists, and editors, he always traveled by private car with a driver, which was why he couldn’t help but wonder if he stood out now as someone who didn’t quite fit in.
What are you thinking? That’s elitist! The truth is you don’t look any different from anyone else. Some of these folks are dressed worse than you and some better. Rob looked down at his jeans and Grace Jones caricature black T-shirt, his black Cons. He had Jasper to thank for the fashion sense. He’d had on an Izod and pressed khakis before Jasper had eyed him up and down, saying, “Dude. Seriously?”
It was impossible to talk to Jasper, and that was kind of a relief because Rob fell into writer mode, wanting to take it all in. The crush of people. The diversity. And once they passed out of the North and Clybourn station, they rose up into the light as they emerged from the subway to stop at Fullerton Avenue.
The difference seemed as metaphorical as it was real.
The sunlight cleansed the car somehow, making its interior less close, less crowded. It also helped that now they were north of the downtown, fewer people were getting on than were getting off.
Finally, Jasper could sit down beside him. He leaned into Rob a little, nudging him with his shoulder.
“How many stops to your place?” Rob asked.
Jasper eyed him. “Stop it. We’re not going there. A dozen or so. I don’t count them.” He grinned, and Rob could see the little boy beneath the stubble and the killer model looks. “Well, actually, I do. I ride these damn trains so much Idoknow. It’s a dozen, an even dozen. Next is Addison, then Sheridan, then Wilson, then Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Thorndale, Granville, Loyola, Morse, and then Jarvis, my stop. Rogers Park.
“We’ll be getting off at Bryn Mawr.” Jasper raised his eyebrows. “And then it’s a good thing it’s a nice day because we’ll have a bit of a hike ahead of us.” He paused. “Unless you wanna grab a cab, which I’m sure we can.”
Rob laughed. “What? You think I’m too old and feeble to handle a city walk?” He shook his head. “Jesus. I’ll have you know that this guy—” He tapped his chest with his thumb. “—this guy has hiked several of the more challenging trails at Joshua Tree and lived to tell about it. I’ve done the Spitler Peak trail in the San Jacintos. Just to name a few. Next time you come out to Palm Springs, we’ll get you out on one of the desert hiking trails and see how you do.”
“No need to take offense. I was just asking.” Jasper stood as the train pulled into Bryn Mawr station.
