Crayton Robey and Tom Ciano

TC recalls the first time visiting Fire Island Pines and felt like an outsider initially. His partner Tom Morgan (TM) would serve as his guide there.

Tom was diagnosed with AIDS TC started feeling the impact of the epidemic, it was in the mid 80s and still considered a death sentence.

TM’s diagnosis made him realize how short life is and worked hard to make the most of that time. He was a part of the GMHC board, had a Nieman fellowship at Harvard, and was an officer of the National Association of Black Journalist running for president as an openly gay black man suffering from HIV.

Their first summer on Fire Island in 1995 TC thought TM as going to die. He remembers the emotional turmoil during that time. The "cocktail" or anti-retroviral medicines had been produced which slightly changed TM's medical conditions.

TC acknowledges the support he received from his sister and friends. TM's family were prejudice against TM and TC's partnership and did little to help.

TC recalls the various social events he partook in with TM. When TM passed a friend of theirs had party's thrown in TM's name to honor his legacy.

TM died on Christmas Eve, TC would wait a number of months before going back to Fire Island.

TC would eventually sell their beach home, one of the last things in his life that connected him to TM. He recalls the pain he felt seeing TM's garden when he returned but with time it would be something to bond them after his passing.

TC shares what Fire Island meant to TM. In 1996 TM went on medical disability and had to stop working in journalism. The change had him struggle what his identity outside of his career, Fire Island was his escape to relax and tend to his garden.

TM and TC sat watching the sunset on Fire Island before TM passed. They spoke about how their time together was ending, what they hoped for, how much they meant to each other...ect. It was a moment TC is thankful to have had.