"The same thing straight guys do, only we don't pretend most of it isn't homoerotic." Kevin takes a drink of his own beer and moves his legs back and forth in the water of the pool. "What is it that married guys do?"

"Stay at home, watch the kids, watch sports, get bitched at by their wives." Tommy glances over at Kevin. "Which of you is the wife? I mean, Scotty does all the cooking, because your culinary skill extends maybe as far as reheating Mom's leftovers, but you can't tell me he doesn't boss you around."

"Mom bossed Dad around, did that make him the wife?"

"Yeah, well, Mom didn't know Dad was dicking around on her with two other women, so…no."

"Infidelity proves manliness? Is that why you did it?" Kevin dodges the bottle cap that Tommy flicks at him and kicks the water again. "Seriously, I mean, how do you tell?"

"Well, who's on top? No. Wait. Forget I ever asked that question and do not, in any way, shape or form, attempt to answer it. Ever. Is that understood, Kevin Walker?"

Kevin laughs and nods, taking another drink. "Yes, Thomas. Loud and clear."

They sit in companionable silence for a long time, staring at the sun reflecting off the pool, off the riot of colors that make up Nora's garden. "I guess it doesn't matter," Tommy says quietly. "Just as long as you work at it. I mean, really, that's all you can do, you know?"