The Handyman's Summer

by Nick Poff

  At lunch Rex abruptly told them they were having company around one o’clock as he slipped out the back door with his cigarettes. Rick rubbed his chin. “Hmm. I think I’ve figured out where this is going.”

  Ed nodded. “I caught him in the study earlier. I gave him Dave Kopay’s book to read. Maybe our subversive library has stirred something in him.”

  “Well, if the company turns out to be who I think it is, for God’s sake lock the study door. If anyone outside the family ever saw our ‘subversive’ library, we’d be branded as heretics and burned at the stake on the courthouse square.”

  The doorbell rang shortly before one. Rex ran to open the door. As Ed and Rick caught up to him, Rex was ushering his parents and a younger woman who turned out to be his sister into the front parlor, apparently his way of intimating to all involved the formality of the occasion.

  Rex introduced his mother to Ed and Rick. Mrs. Kennedy was a woman who looked much like Teresa Busby’s description; small, prematurely gray, and hunched inside herself. He introduced his sister as “Rita, the most kickass hairdresser in Fort Wayne”. She giggled and muttered fondly, “Yeah, right!”

  Scooter Kennedy said nothing. He took a place on the sofa next to his wife and daughter, staring in open disgust at Ed and Rick. Ed glanced upward at Mrs. Penfield’s photo portrait and fervently wished she was present for this confrontation. Rick caught his eye and smiled confidently. We can handle this, his look told Ed.

  “Well,” Rex said nervously. He stood in front of the fireplace. Mrs. Penfield’s warm eyes seemed to be watching over him. “I know this is uncomfortable for everyone, so I’ll get right to it.” He glanced at his Dad. “We didn’t really settle anything when you dropped by before.”

  Scooter Kennedy looked away.

  “Here’s the thing: I know how you feel about homos and queers and all that, but the truth is I am a homosexual. I always have been. I didn’t want to admit it, but I’ve known for a long, long time. It’s not going to change, because it’s something that can’t be changed. You may not believe that, but it’s something I know deep in my soul, and nothing Father Bryson or even the Pope can say will ever change that.”

  “Oh, Rex,” Mrs. Kennedy whispered.

  “I didn’t want you to know, hell, I didn’t want anyone to know, but it didn’t work out that way. I’m glad now, because I got to meet the two best men I’ve ever known.” He nodded to Ed and Rick.

  “They’ve given me a home. They’ve given me a job. When no one else wanted anything to do with me, they took me in and told me I could have a life. Thing is,” Rex looked at the floor. “The thing is… when I was in the hospital, I was planning how to kill myself.”

  Mrs. Kennedy moaned. Rita watched him with steady compassionate eyes. Scooter folded his arms across his chest.

  “Then Ed showed up and brought me home. He and Rick didn’t tell me I didn’t have to kill myself; they showed me I didn’t have to kill myself. They didn’t abuse me, Dad, like I know you think. Father Bryson is the only one who ever did that.”

  “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Rita muttered.

  Mrs. Kennedy’s eyes flew open. She shot an accusing glance at Scooter, who shifted uncomfortably.

  “They helped me,” Rex said simply. “They helped me when no one else would.”

  Rita shot a furious glance at her parents.

  “Ed’s offered me a job as his assistant, and he and Rick told me I could have my own place above the carriage house out back. I’ve told them that’s what I want, and it is, ‘cause…” His voice wavered, “I don’t know if I still have a family with you, but I know I have a family full of love and support here.”

  Rita jumped to her feet. She enveloped Rex in a hug and rocked him back and forth. “I didn’t know, little brother. I didn’t know until you called me yesterday. They didn’t tell me anything.”

  She sneered at their parents. “They were too busy feeling sorry for themselves to think about what you needed, or how I would feel.”

  “Thanks,” Rex whispered into her hair.

  “Anytime you need me, anytime, you call. I’m your sister, and I’m proud of you. I’m still family.” She let go of Rex and turned to Ed and Rick. “Gentlemen,” she said formally, “thank you. Thank you so much for saving my brother. I didn’t know what was going on with him, but I knew there was something. Thank God he found you before…”

  “Don’t think about it, Sis,” Rex said gently.

  Rita reached out to shake hands with Ed and Rick. “The same goes for you. If you need me for anything, you call. I’m just up the road in Fort Wayne. Feel free to think of me as your sister, too.”

  Rick smiled. “We’ll do that. Thanks. Anytime you’re in Porterfield, you stop by, okay?”

  “I will.” She beamed at the two of them. “I want to see the rest of this house sometime!” She turned to her parents. “Mom? Dad? I don’t suppose you have anything you want to say to Rex or these guys who apparently care more about your son than you do.”

  Mrs. Kennedy stared at her lap as she twisted her purse strap. Scooter grunted. Ed looked hard at him. He had a feeling there was a good deal more going on in Scooter’s mind than he was willing to reveal. Ed thought, maybe someday…

  “C’mon, Rhonda,” Scooter said as he stood up.

  Mrs. Kennedy rose, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

  “Well, let’s go then,” Rita said roughly. “I’ve still got three appointments this afternoon. I need to get back.”

  As Rita ushered her parents out the front door, she turned around and gave Ed, Rick and Rex a thumbs up. “Don’t worry,” she whispered before the door closed behind them.

  Rex appeared to be weak with relief. “I’m sorry, guys, but I had to do that.”

  Rick put an arm around his shoulders. “We know. It’s cool.”

  Ed pulled Rex in for a hug. “Welcome home, son. We love you…we love you very much.”

  Tears began to fall from Rex’s eyes. He pulled Rick into the hug. “I love you, too, Dads.”

  Rex pulled back to wipe his eyes. He caught his reflection in the hall mirror and suddenly smiled. “You know what? I think I’m gonna grow a mustache.”

  ###

  Effie Maude rarely made the trip in to town to work on Sundays, but she did that Labor Day weekend. Any sort of travel was a very big deal to her, and she wasn’t about to let her boys go off without a proper breakfast. Effie Maude had never been on an airplane, but she’d heard about airplane food. “The grub those airplane people serve could kill a person,” she grimly noted.

  Ed, Rick, and Rex sat down at the dining room table as she brought in platters of pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs. She also added a big bowl of fresh peaches. “Now, be sure and eat some of that fruit,” she demanded. “I don’t want you gettin’ irregular while you’re gone. You’ll just come back cranky.”

  Rex’s eyes widened as he watched Effie Maude push through the swinging door. Rick saw his reaction and chuckled. “Drink your juice, Rex,” he said.

  Once he’d take the edge off his hunger, Ed went into full-on Dad mode. “Now, remember,” he said. “I want you to keep an eye on the Cooley Street house, and if anyone calls with a job you can’t handle, you’re to call me at the hotel, okay? And no joyriding in the Camaro either.”

  “Daaad,” Rex protested.

  “I mean it,” Ed said with a severe look. “That Saturday at the I.G.A. was strictly a one shot deal. We don’t have the insurance to cover you in that car. Be patient. Maybe next spring you can drive it in the car parade at Porterfield Days.”

  Rex looked sulky. Rick shook his head at him. “Take it, kid. He means business.”

  “What instructions do you have for me?” He asked sarcastically.

  Rick arranged his face into a look that out-daded Ed’s. “Do you really want me to start in on your smoking? Wouldn’t you rather have a few happy, nicotine-filled days before I climb all over your ass about that?”

  “I’ll be good,
” Rex said quickly.

  “I thought so.” Rick smothered a smile and returned to his pancakes.

  After breakfast, Rex stowed their luggage in the trunk of Rick’s car while Ed checked his pocket for their plane tickets and Rick did a check on his wallet’s contents. Once they were in the car, Ed leaned out. “Keep an eye on everything,” he told Rex. “Oh, and don’t forget to feed the cats.”

  “I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry.” Rex smiled at both of them with an eagerness to please that brought an answering smile to Ed’s face.

  Effie Maude threw an arm around Rex. “Don’t worry ‘bout nothin’. I’ll keep an eye on him. And be careful! Don’t get mixed up with those mafia people I’ve heard tell of in New Jersey.”

  “We won’t go near any place with ‘Vinnie’ in its name,” Rick assured her as he put the car in gear.

  Rick backed out of the driveway and onto Race Street. They waved at Rex and Effie Maude, who waved back. Rick hit the gas, and Ed leaned back in his seat with a sigh. “Talk about stupid. I feel homesick already.”

  Rick threw him a quick grin. “I hear you, baby.”

  ###

  Once they were airborne, Ed undid his seat belt and attempted to stretch. He had discovered years ago that airplane seats were simply not designed for people of his height. Rick, two inches taller, practically had his knees up to his chin. It didn’t bother him as much, though. Rick had the ability to sleep in cars, on planes, and pretty much anywhere else. It irritated the hell out of Ed. Rick’s head had already rolled to one side. His eyes were closed, and his breathing regular. And he wanted the window seat, Ed thought in disgust.

  Well, it gave him time to think, which wasn’t so bad considering how hectic the past few days had been. The past few days, he thought. Hell, the whole damn summer! He accepted a Diet Pepsi from the flight attendant and closed his own eyes for some silent meditation.

  The garden, as sad and withered as it had been after Harriet Drinkwater’s nefarious deed, was recovering nicely thanks to Josh’s care. “Dr. Josh and his patients,” Ed remarked to Effie Maude one day, watching him tenderly plant new bleeding hearts. Josh had stopped by the day before to show them pictures of the tulips he planned to plant in the Cooley Street yard. “The people who buy that house are going to be blown away next spring!”

  “Is this the last time you’re gonna spend money this year?” Ed thought about the unopened nursery bill on his desk.

  “Oh, sure,” Josh said easily. “But wait ‘til next year! I’ve got some really radical ideas for this place next summer.” Ed rolled his eyes. “And just think; I’ll have my driver’s license then. I’m gonna ask Matt if he’ll help me buy an old truck so I can haul all my stuff in it.” He then added, like any normal almost-sixteen year old boy, “And I can go places with Tess without having someone to drive us.”

  Three letters from Neal had arrived in the mail that week, one for Effie Maude, one for Rex, and one for Ed and Rick. The last one read:

  Dear cool guys,

  Okay, I’m going to say it so you don’t have to. I TOLD YOU SO!!!!! You happy now? Judy and I are having a blast. There’s about three different guys following her around, and I’ve got my eye on a cute theatre major that looks like one of the guys on All My Children. You were right, Rick. This place is a lot different than Porterfield. The only problem is this thing they call classes. It seems we’re supposed to show up and actually learn things. Novel concept, huh?

  Ed smiled, picturing Neal as a rocket they had successfully launched. He was on his way to a bright future, and Ed was proud he and Rick had played a small part in what he was sure would be great success someday.

  They had received a card from Doug after his return to New Mexico. Hey guys, it read. Thanks for the hospitality and everything else. Envelope tucked into safe place in case I ever need it. You’re both awesome, the best, and oh, shit! I have to get to work. Hugs, Doug.

  Ed hoped that money would remain hidden for at least another twenty-six years. He wanted to see Doug again, but only if it was the same energetic, dry-witted mortician they’d always known. He sighed. He truly hoped for the best, but knew he had to mentally prepare himself for the worst.

  It was funny about that money, though. Ernie had given it to Daniel in order to run away from home. Ed had passed it on to Doug as a way to come home. Had times changed? In some respects things were better, but thanks to AIDS gay men were fighting on two fronts now. Ed didn’t want to be pessimistic, but he sensed both fights were a long way from over.

  Muriel had been busy writing her column but had managed a quick call before they left. She was, she told him, considering other journalistic pursuits with The Porterfield Courier. “Who knows where it could lead?” She announced gaily.

  “If you’re not careful it could lead straight to Rupert Fry’s bed.”

  “Edward Stephens! How could you?” Then she giggled hysterically, making Ed think he probably wasn’t too far off base.

  Her column for Saturday’s edition all but scorched the newsprint. Ed grinned as he recalled its beginning:

  I’m sure a lot of you remember Helen Reddy’s big hit back in 1973, Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress). You were singing along to it on the radio, loving the story of an old defeated woman who’d been so burned by a sweet-talkin’ playboy that she’d become the town crazy lady, who just wanted to be left alone. Yeah, it was a good story. A funny story. I’ve got another story for you. This story, though, is sad and shameful. And if, after you’ve finished reading it, you are not sad and ashamed, you need to take some time off and take a serious look at your lack of compassion for your fellow humans.

  Yep, Ed thought. People back in Porterfield were probably talking about it after church today, and would be again tomorrow at those Labor Day picnics.

  Ed and Rick would be missing their own family’s Labor Day celebration. Norma had called the day before to tell them Clyde was throwing steaks and hamburgers on the grill, and everyone was invited. She’d been put out when Ed told her they’d be out of town.

  “New Jersey?” She barked. “For Pete’s sake, why are you going to New Jersey? Just what are you two scheming up now?”

  “It’s a long story, Mom, and I promise I’ll tell you all about it when we get home.”

  “Oh, all right,” she grumbled. “You be sure and tell Rex to walk over here tomorrow afternoon, though. It’s about time he got acquainted with the rest of the family.”

  Rex. Ed shook his head against the slick material of the airline seat. How did Rex happen? Ed thought he’d probably go to his grave not understanding how a young man he’d first seen in the worst possible way had somehow managed to squirm his way into Ed’s heart, and in less than two months had completely conquered it.

  He knew Rick felt the same way. They’d discussed it the night before. “Parenting,” Ed had stated, “must be the most enormous responsibility in the world. I’m glad ours is already grown.”

  “Well, grown physically,” Rick replied. “Emotionally I think he’s still about twelve.” He sighed. “He reminds me so much of me at that age.”

  “He reminds me of me at that age.”

  “I guess that’s why we took this enormous responsibility,” Rick said with a chuckle. “I hope to hell we don’t fuck it up, ‘cause that kid has really grown on me.”

  Rex was still rather an enigma to them, a collision of opposites; bold and bashful; strong and weak; innocent and cynical; literate but not necessarily educated. Ed suspected life with Rex the next several years would be an adventure, and hopefully one even less bumpy than this flight had been.

  Ed was startled by the “ding” of the Fasten Seat Belts light. He looked over Rick and could see miles of urban sprawl and even the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. The flight had been even shorter than expected. He nudged Rick.

  “Uh? What?” Rick jerked awake. He looked confused, and then suddenly turned to the window. “Oh! Shit, baby, we’re not even ready to land. Why’d you wa
ke me up?”

  I wanted you to be awake to hold my hand when we do land.”

  “Since when do landings spook you?”

  “They don’t if I can hold my Dream Man’s hand.”

  Rick smiled. “Oh, well, that’s okay.” He gently grasped Ed’s hand. “My hand,” he said softly, “is always available for the cutest handyman in Porterfield, Indiana.”

  “I heard there’s another handyman in Porterfield now.”

  “Yeah, I heard that. He’s a good-looking kid, but he’ll never, ever be as cute as the one who said he’d marry me.”

  “You’re pretty special yourself, mister mailman.”

  “I haven’t been a mailman in a long time.”

  “True, but I’ll always remember the first time I saw you in that blue uniform. To me, you were the most handsome man in the whole world.”

  “Am I? Still?”

  “No.”

  “What?”

  Ed squeezed his hand. “You’re the most handsome man in the whole universe.”

  Rick nodded solemnly. “That’s better.”

  The loudspeaker crackled to life. “Passengers, we will now be making our descent…”

  “Well, baby, you ready for Jersey?”

  “I don’t know, darlin’. Is Jersey ready for us?”

  ###

  That evening they stood at their hotel room window looking across the Hudson River at the lights of Manhattan. The view was dramatic, beautiful, and so unconnected to their hectic summer in Porterfield it seemed almost unreal to Ed. “Toto, we sure the hell aren’t in Indiana anymore. How did we get here?”

  “I don’t know, Dorothy. Maybe we’ll wake up in black and white and find it’s all been a dream.”

  “I don’t think I’d feel so full if this was a dream.” Ed let go a burp that felt and sounded loud enough to be heard across the river on the Westside Highway.

  “Told you not to have that second slice of pizza.”