He wasn't just a man, he was an addiction. How could you have gotten lucky with a man like that in an era when it was normal to judge anyone who was even slightly different? But was he yours? You thought so. The former Marine had never been very open about his life or gentle in his relationships. But he had given you gifts (which looked like handouts for an annoying dog, when Coyle would silently snort and throw the "gift" on your bed) and sometimes he would even take you with him to sit at the bar. But something seemed to have gone wrong. Why were you seeing him less often? Maybe Leland was too free-spirited. You never discussed this relationship and he would just yell at you if you even dared to bring up the fact that he wasn't straight. It was almost funny how he ignored the elephant in the room. You were waiting for him again. You waited and waited and waited. It was almost sick. Even if you pretend he's yours, that word "wife" will come between you. And Leland just laughed through his teeth when you said the word "lover."