"Oh my God!" I finally exclaimed as Mason just leaned back against the desk with a bemused expression etched across his features. Something told me he wasn't going to be much help when it came to making a decision.

"Going or not going? That is the question?" Mason asked sardonically in his best Shakespearean imitation. I couldn't help but laugh at him despite my quandary. I had grown attached to the guy online over the past couple of weeks. I could probably even tell you which brand underwear he wore if it came down to it, but to meet him face to face? Wouldn't that break the illusion—rid us of the need we seemed to have to just talk to someone not affiliated with us both. I sighed.

"I'm not going by myself." I finally stated simply while looking over at Mason with a raised, knowing brow. He shook his head vehemently as I let myself grin wickedly over at him.

"Don't make me beg, Mason. You know you want to go." I remarked with a shrug as he groaned. He just nodded in defeat as I poked my lower lip out at him. Begging always worked with him. He was a wimp and he knew it.

"Well, you might as well let him know." Mason said with a sigh as he moved away from the computer so I could sit down in front of it. I took a deep breath before typing.

Montana huh? I suddenly envision cowboys and long nights spent around a campfire eating melting marshmallows. I don't guess I could say no to that thought. But, I'm like you, I'm not so sure how I feel about it either. Would it be okay if I brought a friend? If you just give me the airport and the destination, I can let you know when I'll arrive there. And, don't argue price with me master, I'm perfectly capable of handling that myself. I could probably use the vacation. My thoughts have been haunting me lately more than usual. And my writer's block intrudes once again. So, I guess I'm saying yes. From the puppet to the master.

--puppetonastring

I typed with trepidation before glancing up at Mason who grinned at me cheekily.

"I smell romance in the air." Mason quipped as I threw him a scathing look before grabbing a pillow off the couch and throwing it at his head. He just laughed as my computer dinged at me. The guy was online which meant I could switch to Instant Messenger.

I'm glad to see you're going to come. I wasn't sure about asking at the time, but now that I've had time to think about it, it seems right. I see no problem with you bringing a friend. I'd do the same in your position. Sounds like work has been hard on you. I finally managed to finish the paperwork on my niece. She now legally belongs to her grandparents—my parents. It was a long drawn out process and I feel drained by it. I won't lie and say I didn't indulge a little in a bottle of Brandy a friend gave me last night. The burn felt good, and it brought back memories too of a time when that's all my life was—touring, women, drinking, carousing--when my reputation was based on what kind of bad boy I could be. Strange how most people view that as sexy. I find it lonely and sad.

--puppetmaster

I read over the words quickly while a strange feeling settled into my limbs. He just seemed so familiar to me—like the way I had always envisioned Tommy. I had always seen Tom's past as a picture in my head—entering hotel rooms with unknown women—leaving them the next morning for another tour destination. It had always seemed liked such a cold thing for him to do. Now, I saw it as a way to try to ease a loneliness that wouldn't go away. In my fantasies, I always tended to make one of those unknown women into myself. He hadn't slept with me. No, but he had taken my heart with him when he left, and I couldn't help but wonder what it was like to be with him that way. I just couldn't help it.

Do you remember any of the women you were with or were they just a way to get through the nights? It seems a strange question to ask, I know. It just…I can't help but wonder about it.

--puppetonastring

I stared at the computer for a long time thinking that he wouldn't answer—thinking that I had probably probed too deeply. But then the computer dinged and I edged closer to the Instant Messenger.

I won't lie and say I remember them all—hell most of them were just groupies trying to claim a little fame, but I also won't lie and say I didn't feel a sort of regret every morning for leaving them after what we shared together. I was the cold one by allowing it to happen. I truly look forward to meeting you puppet.

--puppetmaster

I perused the words curiously feeling almost saddened and comforted by them both. I guess I'd get the chance to meet the guy that had made me laugh and think so deeply over the past half month. Was I ready yet to shed the image I had become behind my pen name?

"Should we pack sunscreen or long sleeve shirts?" Mason asked from behind me as I turned to find him standing over two open suitcases. I just laughed. Mason could do that—make me feel great about a decision even when I was unsure about it. Taking him with me also got me past the 'you're seventeen' eagle eyes that belonged to Darius and my family despite the fact that Sadie was sneaking out on her own by the time she was sixteen. I could at least say that I was going somewhere with Mason for a short holiday. Having a gay friend deleted all other questions. Montana here we come.