Entertainment

I crouch on the branch, my feet curved over the wood.  Staring out into the sky, I can see the last few stars cling onto the night.  But they disappear as the light of dawn breaks.  I lean back against the tree trunk, staring out into the endless sky through the foliage.

I don't know how long I've been sitting here.  It was dark when I climbed up the wide trunk.  It wasn't my best idea, climbing up a tree to a branch 20 feet up with only the moon lighting my way.  But somehow I made it and now I've just been staring out.

I close my eyes and listen to the birds announce the new day.  The bird song is always the same, not a note different.  I like that.  This tree has always been my tree and I like it unchanging.  I sit in my tree enjoying the fresh sunlight on my face and smile.

I hear someone call out from below, so I look down.  Victor, the tall, broad mad waves his arms at me to get my attention.  "Hey Gerard!  You're wasting daylight, we have to rehearse," Victor says in his thick russian accent.

Instead of replying, I stand up on the branch, pushing off with my feet.  I flip in the air and land neatly on my feet.  Victor narrows his eyes at me. "Show off," he says jeeringly and walks toward the large tent.

I smile and follow him.  Victor is my best friend here at the circus.  We've been working together for ten years.  Victor, his wife Kaja and I make up the small acrobatics routine.  I head into the tent that houses an amphitheater of seats and our 3-ring stage.  We're rehearsing for an afternoon show, we don't need to, we all know the routine by heart.  We just need to make sure we're strong enough to do it.

I find Victor amongst the other acts rehearsing.  He's holding a set of juggling pins, waiting for me.  We don't do any juggling in the show, we just like to warm up with them.  When Victor sees me, he starts tossing me the pins and we start our juggling warm-up.

"There's been something I've been meaning to ask you since you came here," Victor always starts his questions like this, it's a tradition now.

"So there's something you've been meaning to ask me for 10 years?" I say half laughing.  Sometimes it's fun to give him a hard time.

He just gives me a derisive look and says, "Yes.  For ten years I've been wondering why you came here."

"I like it here," I know this doesn't really answer the question, but any other answer would be too long.

"What's not to like!" Victor laughs, he has a loud, throaty laugh.  More seriously he says, "You have a fancy college degree, you could make so much money, any kind of life you wanted."

"You can't actually do that much with a philosophy degree besides teach," I say trying to keep it light.

"Any kind of life," he stresses.

"I didn't want that kind of life.  All that moving around, everything changing, nothing constant.  There's no meaning to it," it's been a while since I've talked about this stuff, I don't know why it's always been hard, "It wasn't for me."

Victor senses I'm reluctant to really talk about it, so he just looks at me and shrugs.  After a pause, Victor furrows his brow and asks, "Can I ask a kind of personal question?"

"That last one wasn't?" I say, emphasizing the surprise in my voice.

Victor ignores this and continues, "You've been here for ten years and I've never seen you... with a girl or anyone, for that matter.  And you don't talk about anyone."

"What's your question," I wish he'd get to his point.

"Well, when was the last time you've been with someone?" Victor looks kind of guilty for asking and yet he's waiting for me to answer.

I sigh, Victor can make anything awkward.  "I don't need you to set me up with someone," I try to appease he curiosity.  But no such luck.

"Right, you have your tree," Victor mocks me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I'm getting frustrated now.

"You love that tree!  You always go on about it, go climb it," Victor laughs again, "You're addicted to its fresh air!"

"So, what, I can't like a tree?"

"You like that tree more than anyone here!  When's the last time you were laid?" he finally says flat out.  Victor tries to guess when I keep silent, "At all in the past year?"

I answer Victor's question by not saying anything and his eyes widen, "No?!  Have you since you've been here?"

"Yes," I say defiantly.

Victor laughs as he says, "When?"

"Well...," great, now I have to answer, "It was a year after I got here.  That was the last time if you must know."

Victor throws his head back and laughs so loudly he catches the attention of everyone else rehearsing.  He finally gains control again and says to me, "You, my friend, have a problem!  Too much fresh air and not enough fun."

Victor has truly embarrassed me.  I try to shrug it off because he doesn't mean any ill will.  But I can't help saying, "Thanks for the announcement."

He smiles and slightly shakes his head, "You'll live.  You've gone this long!"  We go on with rehearsal, switching from juggling to our actual routine.  Kaja joins us and we do a complete run through.  Before I know it, it's after noon and we're being ushered backstage to wait for the show.  It's always fun standing backstage mimicking the announcer.  It's hard not to, he says it so comically.

After we're all in costume and the audience has filled the seats, I hear him start the show with his signature opener, "Welcome one, welcome all, to our mirror, mirror on the wall.  Prepare for other worldly delights because through the looking glass you will see the souls of the circus!  I present to you Anima del Circo!"

That's the name of our circus, Anima del circo.  It literally means soul of the circus.  That's what we all are, souls of this legendary circus.  I remember the first time I heard that monologue, I was in the audience.  I remember being absolutely fascinated and being amazed by every act and stunt.  I didn't want it to be over, I didn't want to leave.  So essentially, I didn't.

Soon it's time for Kaja, Victor and I to go out and I hear the audience oooh at our appearance.  Victor and I are shirtless and dressed completely in black with black porcelain masques.  Kaja on the other hand is in solely white with a snow white masque.  We start the routine and the audience ooh and aahs at every flip and stunt.  Whenever Kaja is in the air before Victor or I catch her, the audience all seems to hold their breath.  And so the act continues and soon it's time for us to exit.  We go backstage and listen to the rest of the show.  The audiences are always so predictable.  They all seem to gasp, laugh and sigh at exactly the same times to exactly the same things.  It's interesting how that is.

When the show is over, I head out onto the stage.  We don't have a custodian to sweep up, so all the acts take turns and today it's mine.  As I'm sweeping the stage, I get the feeling I'm being watched.  I turn to see that there's still an audience member in the rows of seats.  He's sitting in the shadows so I can't make out much about him.  "Can I help you?" I call out to him.

He responds in a smooth voice, "I'm fine, don't mind me."

"You do know that the show's over?" What's with this guy.

The man stands up, "Oh yes, I know."  He makes his way to the aisle and towards the stage, "In fact I saw all of it.  You did a very good performance by the way."

Now that he's in the light, I can see that the man's not paticularly tall, in a suit and fedora that covers most of his face.  "Thanks," I say flatly.  After a pause, I say again, "Can I help you with something?"

"Allow me to introduce myself," the man takes off his fedora and I see that he has black hair, hazel eyes and, oddly enough, a nose ring.  I can see part of a tattoo on his neck and when he stretches out his hand, I see it's decorated in ink, crawling up his arm.  He smiles and says, "My name is Frank."

I shake his hand.  He looks at me expectantly, so I say, " I'm Gerard."  There's something interesting about Frank, I'm not sure what, but there's something....  After a kind of awkward pause, I ask, "Did you need something?"

"Ah yes," Frank smiles, kind of slyly at that, "I came here to see Mr Bartenelii, I have an appointment with him."

That's odd.  Mr Bartenelli, the owner of Anima del Circo, doesn't usually have visitors.  He's quite a reclusive man.  I look at Frank questioningly, "Mr Bartenelli?"

Frank smiles again, "Yes, I'm looking into the circus."

"We're under inspection?" I say, not fully understanding.

"Oh no, no," Frank looks around the stage, then back at me, "I'm thinking about buying it."

"But...," I stutter, "Bartenelli wouldn't sell this.  It's the only thing he's really close to."

"I thought he would've told his employees.  But don't worry, if I buy it, I'm not planning on changing it," Frank puts a hand on my shoulder.  I look at it and he quickly takes his hand away.  "Now, where can I find Mr Bartenelii?"

I don't say anything, I just  point to a door off stage.  Frank smiles and replaces the fedora on his head.  I watch him walk away, quite an odd person.  As I finish cleaning up, I can't help thinking about Mr Bartenelli.  How could he be selling us?  I thought he liked it here.  What will it be like with someone else running things?  If Frank buys it, he says he won't change it now....

I put the broom away and start walking.  I'm not really paying attention to where I'm going, my feet carry me while my mind is lost in this news.  I find myself at the foot of my tree.  Instinctively, I begin to climb.  When I reach my branch, I realize I could be making a mistake, that Mr Bartenelli really isn't selling the circus and Frank was just joking.  I have to hear this from Mr Bartenelli himself, so I climb down.  I cross the field to the tend and head to the door to Mr Bartenelli's office.

When I reach the door, I peer through the small window in it and see Frank sitting in a chair and across the desk, Mr Bartenelli.  They don't see me, so I stay to listen.  I can see that Frank's talking, but he's too quiet to be heard through the door.  Looking at Frank, I see that he's wearing earrings, small black studs.  another interesting oddity.  The more I look at Frank, the more I'm fascinated by him.

Now Mr Bartenelli's talking, quite loudly in fact, "I'm glad you've taken such an interest in the place.  Yes, I founded the place some 50 odd years ago."  Frank must've replied because Mr Bartenelli continues, "Yes, that means I've been here 50 years.  I'm not a young man anymore.  Quite honestly, I'm getting tired."

Frank probably brought up buying the place because Mr Bartenelli says, "I think it's time for a change of scenery for me, and I don't expect to be back, not in my lifetime.  I had hoped to pass it  on to someone in my family, but I don't have any, at least none that care about me!"  I hear Mr Bartenelli's laugh echo through the office.

After a pause, Mr Bartenelli speaks again, "Ah yes, the details, statistics, all that.  Well we've been here for 50 years, it's quite a popular show.  Oh and none of the actors or players if you will, are under contract.  I believe that they should be able to go or stay if they please.  I give them room, board and a small salary.  How's that?"

Mr Bartenelli pauses to let Frank talk, then says, "Oh it's been a good long while since I've really taken time to know all the employees.  I used to try, but it's become so much effort.  If you want to meet all the performers, you'd better talk to Victor.  He'll give you a good tour of the place.  He's been here almost as long as me!"  Mr Bartenelli laughs again.

I see Frank stand up, so I back away from the door.  That's it, we're being sold, Mr Bartenelli practically said so.  I dash out of the tend and run to my tree, partly because I don't want Mr Bartenelli or Frank to know I was spying, and more so because I need quiet time alone.  I scurry up the tree and look out through the foliage into the vast, void of answers sky.  The orange and pinks of sunset begin to show as the day slips away.  The day doesn't care about the events of today, it just keeps moving on.  Maybe I should move on too.  Let every day slip away with the sunset.  But I can't, I'd like to not care so much, but I can't bear any more change.

With the night crawling in, I can tell it's going to be a long and sleepless one.  I just stare so far beyond the trees, so far into the darkening sky.  Far past the realm of my thoughts, far away from everything.  I go there often, whenever I want to leave everything I know behind.  I can't escape myself, my thoughts, my feelings.  All the moving and running around before I came here was how I learned that no matter how far or fast I run, I can't outrun myself.


I open my eyes to see light streaming through the branches.  I don't know when, but apparently I fell asleep.  My limbs are stiff, so I start to move.  I decide to stop and just stay in my tree.  I don't need to be anywhere and Victor will come when I do.

After a while I hear someone call my name, but it's not Victor.  I look down to see Frank looking right at me.  I smile politely, "Can I help you with something?"

"Well Mr Bartenelli told me that Victor could give me a tour of the circus, but he didn't say what Victor looked like," Frank squints he's eyes as he looks into the morning sunlight streaming from behind me.

"He's the other male acrobat, remember him?" I smile and kind of laugh, "Tall, broad, bald."

"Ah," Frank smiles back, "That's Victor.  Do you know where I could find him?"

"Ah, well..." I pause.  I'm actually not sure where Victor goes.  "If you wait here, he usually comes by in the morning."

"Thanks, do you mind if I wait?" Frank seems so polite.  Is he really or am I just imagining it?

I jump out of the tree, my landing is fine, but certainly not my best.  I straighten up, "No, it's fine.  I needed to get out of the tree anyway."

"Thanks for helping," Frank comes over and leans against the tree trunk, "I'd like to get to know the performers a little bit before I buy the circus."

Interesting, I don't know ho I feel about that, but oh well, "What brings you to a place like this with thoughts of buying?"

"I like the life of the circus," Frank looks at me seriously, "And also because I want a little slice of the world that I can call my own."

"You want to have something real," I add.  I know what Frank wants, it's just what I've found here.

"Yes," Frank smiles, "Somewhere stable, away from all the people, something...."

"Constant," I finish for him.

"Yes," Frank looks surprised, "It's like you read my mind."

I laugh, "No, I'm not the magician here.  It's just what you want... is what I've found here."

"You really like it here don't you."

"I could never leave.  This is as real as life gets," I laugh pensively.  Quickly, I change the subject, "That's quite a collection of tattoos you have."

Frank looks at his arms, he sleeves are rolled up, exposing the expansive amount of ink.  Frank smiles, "Ah yes, they're my reminders."

I look at him quizzically, "Reminders of what?"

"Place I never want to die in," Frank says lightly.

"That's a lot of places," I laugh as I look at all of the tattoos.

Frank smiles slyly, "Oh I have a lot more."  He pulls his suit shirt off, over his head, exposing many more tattoos on his chest and back.

"Whoa Frank," I'm amazed by all of his tattoos, "Have you been to all of these places?"  Frank nods.

I hear footsteps behind me and I turn to see Victor.  Victor smiles, "Hey Gerard, I didn't know you had company."

"Victor, this is Frank," I gesture to Frank, "He was looking for you."  Frank stretches out his hand to shake Victor's.  I hear them start talking, saying something about the circus, but I'm entranced by Frank's tattoos.  I can't take my eyes off of him.

"So do you mind Gerard?" Victor looks at me.

"Sorry, what?" I ask, i totally wasn't listening.  I have no idea what they were talking about, let alone what Victor asked me.

"Do you mind not rehearsing today?" Victor says again, "I'm going to give Frank a tour."

"Oh yeah, that's fine," I smile, I pause before saying, "Have fun."

Victor smiles and shakes his head.  Frank looks at me, his head tilted to one side.  He keeps looking at me until Victor turns to leave, so Frank smiles and turns.  I don't know why, but I don't want Frank to leave.  I enjoyed talking with him.  There seems to be a lot more to Frank then a suit and tattoos.

I watch them walk away.  I don't know why, but it leaves me feeling a little empty.  The first person who truly understands and wants the same things I do is walking away.  I wand Frank to come back, I want to know why he needs this place, why he has so many places he never wants to die in.  All I can hope is that he meant it when he said he wanted to get to know the people who work here.

I climb back into my tree because now it seems pointless for me to have gotten out of it.  Maybe Victor was right, I spend too much time in this tree.  I always sit in this tree and think, maybe that's why I'm not that happy.  If I think too much, I'll just get lost in the labyrinth of my mind.  And that's a dark place.

Nonetheless, I stare out the horizon, thinking.  I sit still, doing absolutely nothing, just waiting for something to happen.  Nothing does, and that doesn't matter, because nothing ever happens.  I guess I'm waiting for an epiphany, something to sweep me off my feet and give the world meaning.  But nothing ever happens.  I hope for too much.

Before I know it, the sun has streaked across the sky and has almost completed its arc.  Time really does fly and that's unfortunate.  I feel like I should do something productive, but I can't.  All I can do is sit here staring at the now setting sun.  Frank keeps floating through my mind.  I find my thoughts keep going back to our conversation this morning.  I really want to talk to him, find out what else there is to know about him.

The sky begins to darken and I decide that I shouldn't sleep in the tree again.  So I climb back down the trunk and head out across the grass.  There's a smallish house on the grounds by the tent that serves as housing to everyone who works here.  I have a room in there, I just don't use it all that often.  Mostly, I sleep outside in the tree.  Sometimes I decide I should actually get a good sleep, so I come and use my room.  Tonight, I need a good sleep.

I wake up in the morning and actually feel rested.  I eat breakfast then head outside.  I just don't like being indoors all that much.  I walk to my tree, breathing the crisp air.  Instead of climbing up the tree, I decide to sit and lean against the trunk.  I twirl a leaf between my fingers and stare out to the horizon.  I keep seeing Frank's hazel eyes looking at me, I wonder what he thinks of when he looks at me.  I like thinking about Frank, he makes me believe that I'm not alone.

At some point, I find Victor and Kaja and we rehearse.  We don't have a show today, so we just practice and have fun.  When we're done for the day, I start to head ack to my tree.  Victor decides to walk with me.

"What do you think of that Frank buying the circus?" Victor starts.

"I guess I'm still surprised that Mr Bartenelli's selling it," I pause, "Frank doesn't seem too bad though."

"He's definitely interesting," Victor looks at m, "Kind of reminds me of you."

I laugh a little, "Oh yeah?  I didn't get to talk to him too much."

Now Victor laughs, he looks at me and smiles, "No, you just had him take off his shirt so you could stare at his chest."

My face gets warm as it starts to turn pink, "Frank did that on his own, I didn't ask him to."

"Maybe," Victor laughs loudly again, "But I saw the way you were staring at him yesterday!"

By now I'm hot pink, "I wasn't staring!"

"Don't deny it," Victor grins, "All I'm saying is that I don't need to set you up because now you've found someone."

I bring my hand to my forehead and drag it down my face.  "Victor!" I mutter.  This only makes Victor laugh.  By now we've reached the tree, so I lean against the trunk and slide down.  Victor just laughs harder.  When Victor stops laughing, I look up and right into Frank's hazel eyes.  "Uh, hi," I say awkwardly.

Victor starts laughing again.  He gets enough control of himself to say, "Well I should really get back to Kaja.  And Gerard, make it easier and don't deny it!"  He turns and walks away, still laughing.

All of a sudden I can't sit still.  I stand up and say, "Do you wanna go for a walk?"

Frank smiles, "Sure.  What was Victor laughing about?"

"Me," I laugh a little, "he just alway finds something to laugh about."  Frank and I start walking across the field.

Frank smiles.  "I was wondering," he pauses, "how long have you been here?"

"Ten years actually, I came here a year after I finished college."

"Why'd you leave and come here?"

"I couldn't fit into the type of life everyone had, I didn't want to."

"What do you mean?" Frank seems genuinely interested.

"Too much change, too much moving from one place to another.  It wasn't for me," I pause, "You know, in the ten years that I've been here, it's only been the circus that hasn't changed."

"Really?" Frank sounds surprised.

We reach the edge of the field and turn onto the sidewalk that leads into the small town.  "When I first came here, there were only five buildings on this street," I say as we walk through the town, "Later, people finally started building more.  But even so, those few buildings changed shops and owners many times."

"That's interesting," Frank looks at me, "I wouldn't have thought that about this place."

I snicker, "This town's had three different names in ten years, it's kind of ridiculous."

"Really, three?" I can hear disbelief in Frank's voice.

"Yeah," I laugh, "The reason Anima del Circo never has to move is because everyone in this town does every year.  They all leave, don't come back.  No one wants to stay."

"Is that why you stay at the circus?" Frank questions.

"Yeah," I pause before saying, "I got sick of moving around and acting so self-important."

"Is that what you see when you look at the world," Frank stops walking and looks at me.

I spread my arms out and smile, "All we are is entertainment, caught up in our own derangement."

Frank smiles, "It all is rather pointless isn't it?"

I can't help smiling, "Yes.  So tell me, what brings you here?  You've been everywhere, so why here?"

Frank starts walking back the way we came, "I guess I was one of those self-important people always moving, changing, leaving.  I'd be somewhere and I'd be satisfied, not happy.  After a while something would happen or I'd just no longer be satisfied, so I'd leave.  Find somewhere new and get a tattoo to remind me to never go back.  I was one of those self-important people just caught up in my own personal derangement.  I want to be happy here."

I look at Frank, "That's the only thing worthwhile, isn't it."

"Yes," Frank smiles but keeps looking forward.

"So how many tattoos do you have?"

"About a hundred," Frank laughs.

I laugh too, "Wow, that's a lot of places!"

"I'll have to stop moving around," Frank smiles at me, "I'm running out of room for more tattoos."

I look at Frank seriously, "I think you could be happy here."

He smiles and looks forward, "I certainly hope to be."

"What do you do?"

"I'm a businessman.  I'll start a business somewhere and then sell it when I want to leave."

"Is that what you'll do here?" I ask, kind of worried.

"No," Frank says definitively, "Somehow I knew all of those ventures were temporary.  I think it's different here."

"How long have you been moving around?"

"Since I was 20, about ten years."

"That's a lot of moving around, a lot of businesses."

"Well I was always hopeful that the next place would be better than the last."

"Was it?"

"Never.  But that's how it is, I was never truly satisfied."

We've walked back to the grounds of Anima del Circo and back onto the field.  "Are you now?" I ask Frank.

"I think so," Frank looks directly at me, "I really like it here."

"I'm glad," I say, feeling a little empty.  There are so many great sides to Frank.  I really enjoy talking to him, but I can't help feeling a twinge of envy.  For so long I've felt lost in this world, even at Anima del Circo.  Frank could really be happy, I wonder if I ever will be.

Frank just smiles, "I hope I'll be as happy here as you."

I snicker and sarcastically say, "Oh you couldn't be much happier."

Frank looks puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"I'm satisfied," I say bitterly, "happy is relative."

"I thought you liked it here."

"I do, but life is just so empty."

"It doesn't have to be," Frank reasons.

"No, we could all just be happy, move around and find places we never want to die in," I sneer.

"Gerard, what's wrong?" Frank looks concerned.

"Life is always the same, like clockwork, so why is it changing?" I yell, but I don't know why I'm yelling.  I get more annoyed when Frank just looks at me, "Forget it.  You don't have to understand.  So you can just leave and get another tattoo."

"Gerard, is... is that what you want?" Frank's smooth voice falters.

I take a deep breath and step back, "No, no.  I shouldn't have said that.  I crossed a line, I'm sorry."

I fumble with my hands because I suddenly don't know what to do with them.  I feel like I can't stand too close to Frank or I'll yell at him again or hurt him or... kiss him....  I shake my head slowly.  "I'm sorry," I say pathetically before turning and walking away across the field.  I can feel his eyes bore into my back.  What have I done?

I need to get away from here.  I head to my tree and climb into its branches.  I stare out into the distance.  I feel water build up in my eyes.  I took the one chance I had at happiness and ruined it, I hurt the only person who understands me.  I don't want to live the rest of my life alone.  But I'm afraid that I will, especially now.  I sit closer to the trunk, my tears falling down cheeks.  I didn't realize how much I cared, now it's too late.  Victor was right, I shouldn't have denied it because now I'll live and die alone.  Live and die alone.

The next morning I sit at the base of my tree staring out across the field.  At some point, Victor comes by.  He looks cheery, "Hey Gerard, want to rehearse?"

I just shake my head and stare solemnly out.  Victor sits across from me, blocking my view.  "What happened?" he tries to help, "Something with Frank?"

I nod.  After a minute, I say, "I yelled at  him and made fun of him.  Acted like a real asshole."

"So why are you here?" Victor tries to get me to act.  I just stare at him.  Victor points at me and says sternly, "Make this right."  Victor stands up and looks at me seriously before turning and walking away.  I don't know what to do, so I continue to sit and stare out.

Sometime later, I see someone approach me.  I see that it's Frank, but I can't bring myself to look at him.  I continue to stare out as he sits down next to me.

"Gerard," Frank says softly.  I close my eyes and slowly open them in response.  He continues, "I wanted you to know that I'm not going to get the circus.  I don't want to buy it, then disappoint you by leaving.  I didn't realize how much this place meant to you.  I can't take that away.  I could never take away something that you care about."

He pauses and Victor's words float through my mind.  I will make this right.  I lean over, taking Frank's face in my hand, and press my lips to his.  After a minute, I pull back, leaning my hand against the tree trunk behind him.  "Then please don't leave," I whisper to him softly.

Frank looks at me for a moment and I can't help but think I've made him uncomfortable.  Then he rests his hands on the back of my head and neck, pulling me closer and pressing his lips to mine.  His lips part to let my tongue explore his mouth.  I bring my other hand to rest on Frank's back.

Frank pushes closer to me and I hold him tighter in my arms.  I turn back to be leaning against the tree trunk, bringing Frank with me.  He straddles me, with his knees on either side of my legs.  My hands caress his back and I kiss his neck and shoulders, then come back to his lips.  I feel happy to have Frank in my arms.

I feel Frank's hand move to touch my chest.  His hand moves down my chest to my abs, down to rest between my legs.  Frank kisses my neck and I let out a low moan.  He takes away his and and I can feel his lips next to my ear as he whispers, "Let's go someplace where we can have privacy."

I smile widely.  I like the way he thinks.  "I'll follow you anywhere," I whisper back.  He leans his forehead against mine and lightly kisses me before standing up.  I get up and follow him across the field to the town and to the hotel he's staying at.

We walk up the stairs to his room on the second floor.  As he opens the door, I pick him up, kissing his neck and he pushes the door closed behind us.  I bring him over to the bed and lay him down gently.  I lay over him, my knees on either side of his.  I take Frank's face in my hands and press my lips to his, kissing him hard.  He presses back into me, his hands moving down my back to grasp the hem of my shirt.  He pulls it up and I break from the kiss to get the shirt off over my head.  I press my lips right back to Frank's, as my hands undo the buttons on his suit shirt.  Once I get his shirt off, I kiss his neck and chest, working my way down his abdomen.  I slide his pants off and put him in my mouth.  Frank's hands grasp my back as he moans with pleasure.  After her comes, I kiss his abdomen and work my way up to kiss his cheek.  He smiles at me then slides down the bed and takes off my pants.  I gasp as e envelops me in his mouth.  I dig my fingers into the sheets.  "Oh Frank," I moan as I come in his mouth.

Frank slides back up, smiling at me.  I smile back and kiss him hard.  Every inch of our bodies are touching.  We roll over so now I'm lying on my back with Frank on top of me.  Frank's hand traces my back and rests on my ass.  I interlock my legs around his waist and I feel him slip inside me.  He presses his lips to mine as he makes steady, rhythmic thrusts with his pelvis.  I press my head back against the bed as he thrusts deeper.  We both moan as we come.

Frank rolls over to lay next to me.  I look at him, my hand caressing his cheek.  He smiles and I kiss his nose.  I feel myself getting excited again.  I turn to lay on my side and lightly bring my fingers down his neck and chest to rest between his legs.  I can feel him get excited.  I smile and roll him over, my hand still on his penis.  I kiss is back and lay directly over him.  He moans as I gently slide inside him.  I slowly move back and forth inside him, each time pressing a little bit deeper.  I start pressing faster and Frank pushes his head against my shoulder, gasping with pleasure.  I kiss his neck and press forward once more, holding it longer.  I feel him come in my hand.  I moan as I come, pulling back and out of Frank.

I lay next to Frank, holding him in my arms.  For a while we just lay there in each other's arms, but I see Frank start to shiver, so I pull the sheets up around us.  He smiles, pushing my hair back out of my face.  I smile and gently kiss him.  Frank snuggles up closer to me and I hold him tighter.  I don't want to let him go, I want to hold onto this moment forever.  We fall asleep in each other's arms.

I wake up and see the morning light seeping through the windows.  I see Frank still asleep with my arm over him.  I don't want to get up, but Victor will look for me, we still have to rehearse.  I kiss Frank lightly on the cheek and gently take my arm away.  I find my clothes scattered across the ground and start to get dressed.  I hear movement behind me and turn to see that Frank's woken up and laying in the bed, propped up on one elbow.  He looks at me with his brilliant hazel eyes, "Leaving so soon?"

I smile, "Victor'll be looking for me, I still have to rehearse."

Frank smiles mischievously, "Can't you skip one day?"

"I already skipped yesterday," I say while pulling my shirt over my head.

"Such a bad boy," Frank jokes and I can't help but laugh, "Promise to come back?"

I lean across the bed to where Frank's still lying and press my lips to his, kissing him hard and long.  I pull back but remain close to Frank.  I smile and whisper, "I promise."

Though I don't want to, I leave and head back to the circus.  When I reach the field, I see Victor heading to my tree.  "Hey Victor!" I call out.

He turns, looking surprised.  "Not in your tree?" Victor questions, "Weren't you wearing that yesterday?"

I turn bright red.  "I'd still be wearing the same thing after sleeping in the tree," I try to point out.

Victor just smiles widely, "You had fun last night didn't you!"  I don't say anything and Victor laughs, "I guess you apologized to Frank then!"

"You know what, yeah.  Oh yeah," I say confidently.

Victor comes up to me and  pats me on the back.  "I'm happy for you, you finally got laid," he smiles, "We still have to rehearse you know."

"If I didn't remember that, I wouldn't be here right now," I smile back.

Victor laughs loudly.  "Just no far-off looks," he manages to say.

We meet up with Kaja and rehearse for a good long while.  Despite what Victor said, my mind keeps going back to last night with Frank.  When Victor sees that I'm too distracted, we stop for the day.  I walk out of the tent where we were rehearsing and I see Frank walking towards my tree.  I jog to catch up to him.  "Hey," I smile and kiss his nose.

Frank smiles widely at me.  "Guess what Gee, it's official," he says excitedly, "I'm the new owner of Anima del Circo!"

"I'm so glad," and I mean that.  I kiss him and pull back smiling.

"I'm so happy to be staying here with you," Frank says tenderly.  He throws his arms around me.  I hug him back, relishing the moment.  I see that the sun is starting to get low in the sky, bathing us in the orange light.

I look at my Frank, my hand resting on his cheek.  "Ever seen the sunset from a tree?" I whisper.

"Is it as beautiful as you?" he says, pressing into my hand.

I smile, utterly happy, "Even better with you there."  We walk to the tree and I climb up.  I turn to help Frank, who's halfway up the trunk.  He climbs onto the branch and sits in front of me.  I wrap my arms around him and he leans back against my chest.  I lean my head against his, feeling his soft hair against my cheek.

"Gee, it's amazing," Frank breaths as the sun begins to set.

"It's wonderful Frankie," I say, but I'm not looking at the sun set, I'm looking at the beautiful man in my arms.