Creative piece: In the sauna with Jimmy Kimmel

Male relationships are about sharing, but always within limits—testing them, defending them. I remember the time I was in the sauna with Jimmy Kimmel. Steam heat. Each of us with a towel at the waist. Strangers, though of course I knew who he was. We glanced at each other. I said, “You’re Jimmy Kimmel, aren’t you? I’m ——.” He said, “Good to meet you.” Polite, boilerplate. He asked what I did. “Nothing. I’m a bum.” A wry smile. We talked: politics, Trump seeping into everything; where we grew up; family; education. We didn’t touch women—where would that lead? General philosophy, life’s drift. We sweated, sighed, palms rubbing against the towels. Then the talk ebbed into silence, a comment here and there. When he rose to leave, he said, “Good to meet you.” I said, “Sure.” Steam hung between us. Not bonding—just sharing, and holding the line.