Ira and Michael were finally ready for their big move to Los Angeles after six months of preparation. In addition to arranging employment and closing up their apartment, they attended nearly 35 memorial services for friends that had died from AIDS between Autumn of '82 and Spring of '83.
May 1st came with ambivalence. Once the car was packed (just enough room for clothes and other essentials), Ira and Michael met Rebecca for breakfast at Desiree in Downtown Skokie. Letting go of her boys was the tough for her, but they needed to move on with their lives. All they had in Chicago was family drama and disapproval.
"As soon as we get settled, we'll fly you out for an extended holiday." while Ira was hugging his Mom so tightly she could barely breath. Michael took his turn and kissed her on the cheek softly, "we'll call you at our rest stops along the way." Rebecca just stared as they got in their car and left, unable to cry anymore tears.
Ira called his Mom when he and Michael stopped in Des Moines, Denver, Las Vegas and finally arriving in Los Angeles. They were pretty tired by the end of their trip. The car was coughing as they pulled into a West Hollywood gas station as if to say, "I'm done!" Even the map mangled and torn beyond usability. So they did what other Gay couples did on Sunday morning, the went to the French Quarter restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Over breakfast they looked at "Apartments for Rent" in Frontiers Magazine (a local Gay rag), and noticed a furnished guest house for sublet only a few blocks away on Romaine Street. "I'll call," Michael announced and within 2 hours they were signing a three month lease. Although very small with few amenities, the guest house was clean and in a safe area which made Rebecca Stone relieved.
The boys would have a few months to get settled and familiarize themselves with the city. Michael was reporting to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center the next day and Ira had was starting at Leo Burnett, USA. The 4 day vacation was over.
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