“You meant that, right?” Jerry squeezed gently, letting David know that he should consider his answer seriously.
“Of course,” David said, seeming somewhat indignant. “Do I seem like the person who would make fun of someone else just for a laugh? The next thing you’ll accuse me of doing is tipping someone over in yoga class and calling them road kill.”
Jerry increased the pressure of the claw around David’s knee, but let go when David yelped and tried to jump up. He and David might not be back, Jerry knew, but Lenore came here quite regularly with the twins for family night, so he didn’t want to embarrass her. Although, having known Lenore for seven years now, Jerry was more and more convinced all the time that it would be next to impossible to embarrass the woman. And besides, David and Lenore always ganged up on him if he mistreated one of them.
“Hey,” Jerry called over to Lenore. “Mother Superior, you’re up.” David slapped Jerry for calling Lenore that. Honestly, how could you not? This woman, who had a mouth like an interstate trucker, had been a nun! She’d given it all up and renounced her vows when she met Harvard, the twins’ father, and fell in love. But she’d actually been a nun. Jerry still found it hard to believe. “What?” Jerry whined, rubbing his bicep. “I always say it with great reverence.”
“Watch and learn,” Lenore said as she passed by to pick up her ball. “And then maybe you’ll be able to knock down four pins your next turn.”
Jerry turned to look at David when he heard his husband snicker. “Don’t encourage her,” he admonished, even though he knew it was pointless. They were going to tease him for all they were worth tonight. It had been weeks since their last outing together with Lenore and the twins; they had some catching up to do, and Jerry knew he was the usual target.
“Don’t worry,” Sasha whispered to Jerry. “I’ll take care of it.”
Jerry winked at him and leaned, watching Lenore get a strike. “Foul!” Jerry pointed to Lenore’s shoes. “You crossed the foul line.”
“Whiner,” Lenore muttered as she took her seat.
“Did she foul?” Sasha looked over to Jerry, wide-eyed.
“No,” Jerry said, laughing at Lenore’s reaction. “I’m just teasing her.”
David got up to take his turn, and Jerry knew this would be good. Everything David did was with stern concentration and one hundred percent commitment to do it all properly. And the fact that Jerry had a legitimate reason to be staring at his ass and long legs in public made it even more fun.
He watched as David picked up the heavy ball and placed it in front of his face, concentrating, until he took a step, swung his arm back and then took—what looked to Jerry like—two and a half steps, brought his arm forward, and released the ball. David stayed in his crouched position, his arm still hovering where it had landed after the follow-through, and watched as the ball knocked down all but one pin.
“Crap,” David muttered when he sat back down beside his husband.
“Don’t worry,” Jerry soothed. “You’ll get ’em next time, tiger.”
Jerry laughed even harder when David stuck his tongue out and went to sit with Lenore, leaving Jerry to keep score for Sasha while he took his turn. Jerry overheard Lenore and David talking about school and David’s doctoral thesis, but turned his head when he heard Alexei calling his name.
“Hey,” Jerry said when he saw the little box of French fries in his hands. “Where’d you get those?”
“Concession,” Alexei said, holding the cardboard box out to Jerry. Jerry shook his head. He was still watching his calories, trying to make sure he didn’t end up gaining weight again as he had twice before. But it was hard, living with David who made such incredible meals and desserts. Jerry hadn’t had that in a long time before meeting David. He’d survived on take-out and dinners out at restaurants with friends. But then these same friends had all partnered up, leaving Jerry to spend more and more time eating meals out of cans or driving into the city to stock up on takeout fare, warming it up in the microwave whenever he got hungry.
“You’re up next, chief,” Jerry said to Alexei when Sasha came back to take his seat at the scorekeepers table. “Make your momma proud.”
“I’m already proud of my boys,” Lenore said as she came and sat beside Jerry.
“What’d I do now?” Jerry looked up to see that David had already gotten up to head to the concession.
“Nothing,” Lenore said, resting her arm on Jerry’s forearm. “Don’t be so paranoid.” She leaned in a little closer. “I’ve come to tell you that the fat lady can sing.” Lenore got up again, without saying anything more, and moved to take her original seat on the other side of the table.
Jerry nodded and gave her a thumbs-up. Lenore had been charged with the mission of finding out if the program that the symphony would be playing next week—the symphony that Jerry wanted to surprise David with—was something he’d enjoy. The program was called A Night in Vienna and would feature romantic waltzes by Strauss and Beethoven’s Second Symphony. When Jerry had first read about it, he’d thought it the perfect night out for David.
When they’d spent their six months in Italy, one of their weekend trips had been to Vienna to see where David’s maternal ancestors had come from. They’d been a farming family, so they hadn’t come from Vienna, but from one of the many small farms that dotted the countryside outside of Vienna. The second—and last—evening there before they had to head back to Florence, Jerry had surprised David with a trip to an outdoor concert that featured Strauss and Beethoven, and a few other composers Jerry couldn’t remember. It wasn’t a black-tie affair, but they’d taken the opportunity to go out to dinner first and then make a romantic night of it, while Cory looked after William, the two boys playing games and surfing the net in a five-star hotel not too far from the concert grounds. Jerry had tried to get them to come with, but neither of the boys was particularly fond of classical music. Truthfully, neither was Jerry, but he was awfully fond of David, so the decision had been an easy one to make.
Jerry made a mental note to head to Harry Rosen to get a new suit for the occasion, and maybe a new pair of shoes as well. He’d thought briefly of making a reservation at a hotel and turning it into a romantic weekend, but knew that David would spend too much of the time worrying about William. But Jerry made a mental note to discuss it with William anyway, to see if his son would be able to cope with being alone for one night.
And as he thought of William, Jerry wondered how the surprise was shaping up. He glanced down at his watch. “Movie’s already started,” Jerry said to David as his husband came back with some fries and two cups of soda.
“What movie?” Lenore asked, her eyes darting between the two of them.
Jerry popped a fry into his mouth, just the one he told himself, and smiled as he watched David explain the plan that he and Jerry had hatched with Cory and Tara. Lenore threw her head back and laughed in that infectious way she had as Jerry leaned forward to explain the plan to the twins.
Chapter 14
WILLIAM followed Cory and Tara, who were arm-in-arm and whispering, into the lobby of the theater. The familiar smell of popcorn and sugar assaulted his nostrils, and he immediately realized he’d rather be home. Maybe Anne had found some way to call me or to send me an e-mail. He shrugged his shoulders at the thought and realized it would still be there tomorrow. He knew Cory had been right; there was no sense in William doing nothing day after day, waiting for things to change. If they did, William would be the happiest guy in the world. And if they didn’t, he still had his other hopes and dreams.
Tara informed both Cory and William that she was going to the bathroom and that she just wanted a small Coke from the concession. William stood behind his brother in line and waited for their turn to order.
“When do you have to leave?” William tried not to sound too needy, but he wanted Cory to stay longer. In another week or so, both brothers would be back to their regular lives, and then it would be months before William
got to see Cory again.
“Tara has to get back to school, and I’ve got some meetings lined up the week after next, so we’ll be heading out next Tuesday.” Cory stood close to him and whispered, “Only one more year, though, buddy, and then you’ll be living with us in Guelph.”
“I know,” William said, that thought making him smile. “I feel kind of bad for David and Dad, though.”
“You’ll be back to visit,” Cory soothed. “And they’ll come out and visit, just like they did at Christmas. Remember last Christmas when you three came out to visit me and Tara.”
William nodded. “Was it hard? Living away from them for the first time.” He knew that Cory had only been living on the ranch for two years before he moved away, but he wanted to hear that it wasn’t as bad as William was imagining.
“Won’t lie to you, Billiam,” Cory said as they advanced closer to the concession stand. “It wasn’t easy, and I really missed David’s cooking, but you learn to adapt.” Cory moved a little closer to his brother again, whispering, “But when I do see them or hear their voices, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world. Knowing that someone out there is thinking about you and missing you. Nothing better. I hadn’t had that since my mother died.”
“Yeah,” William said, smiling, thinking of Cory’s life before he’d found a home on the ranch, and thinking of Anne. He wondered if she was missing him right now, or if she’d already learned how to adapt without him. “Did David tell you that he took me to see his mother in the hospital? She got out today.”
“No,” Cory said, his eyes widening. “Is she… does she… what’s happening with that? Does Jerry know?”
William noticed Cory roll his eyes, as if he knew right away that Jerry would certainly know that David was back in touch with his mother. “Yes, he knows. I guess when the accident happened,” William began to explain, and realized that that had only been a week ago. It seemed like a lifetime. “David went to the hospital to be with his mom, whether she liked it or not, and, I guess, she’d mellowed a little. Asked David to come back, if he wanted, but then was giving him mixed signals.” William touched Cory’s arm when it was their turn to buy their treats for the movie. “Just a Coke for me, please… large, please.” William waited until Cory had given his and Tara’s orders and then continued. “Anyway, I guess David was ready to give up when she’d seemed to relapse into her old ways. But he visited her one last time, and she told him to bring me by, if I still wanted to bring her flowers and a card.”
“Cool,” Cory said as he handed some of the items to William. “I bet David is over the moon psyched about that, hey?”
“Yeah,” William said, smiling at the memory of meeting Opa Niels’s wife and David’s mother. He’d always thought he’d be scared to meet her, but she’d actually turned out to be not as bad as he’d imagined. She was a little aloof and didn’t say much, at first, but she seemed interested in William’s life and even told him about knowing some of Jerry’s parents’ friends. William had his own, and Tara’s Coke, in his hands as he and Cory walked to the theater doors, and suddenly William realized that Tara hadn’t returned from the bathroom. “Shouldn’t we wait for Tara? Will she know we’ve gone in already?”
“No worries, Billiam,” Cory said as he nodded down the wide corridor of the multiplex. “She’s already waiting for us… down there.”
William looked down the long hallway to see Tara, gesturing and laughing with some girl, and kept walking. It wasn’t until he was a few feet from Tara that he could see over her shoulder, see the girl who Tara had been talking to.
“Anne?” William’s voice was whisper-quiet and frail. “What are you doing here? Did you run away again? Did your dad hurt you?”
“William,” Cory said, coming up to stand alongside his brother. “Her mom brought her. We had this idea and talked it over with Jerry and David, and David called Mrs. Hill to see if she would be okay with it. Mrs. Hill said yes, but that she’ll be here as soon as the movie ends to pick Anne up.” Cory smiled at William’s nervous expression. “You’re not in any trouble, Billiam. Relax. Have a nice visit, okay? Tara and I are going to sit within view, but you two go and find your seats. Go,” Cory repeated when William didn’t move right away.
“I didn’t get anything at the concession for….” William looked behind him, at the concession, but there were too many people and the movie would be starting soon. He handed Anne his soda and shrugged. “I know you like Pepsi better, but….”
William was relieved when she took it, and felt the butterflies in his stomach when she put her other hand in his and smiled up at him. “It’s okay. This is fine,” she said as she led William into the theater. He turned around to mouth Thank you to Cory and Tara, noticing that Tara looked like she was about to cry.
He felt like he would too. He would get to spend almost three hours with Anne. He’d never been so glad to have commercials at the beginning of theater movies. Of course, he knew already he would have no idea what the movie was about. He’d be spending all of his time looking at Anne.
DAVID was still smiling as they pulled up to the house. Jerry had had the lowest score of the game, so he’d had to buy pizza for everyone. David and the twins had had beer and Jerry and Lenore had had pizza. And they’d all had a lot of fun, David and Jerry finding it very relaxing and stress-free. He’d even been surprised when Jerry had asked Lenore and her twins if they could all do it again next week. Of course, Lenore had insisted and even asked them to bring William, who hadn’t seen much of the twins lately.
David unlocked the door to their house, hearing Billie’s single bark, and wondered how William was enjoying his surprise. He couldn’t wait for the three of them to get home so he could see the look on his son’s face, hear about the unexpected reunion with Anne. David hadn’t been too sure that his phone call to Mrs. Hill would be met with the positive reaction it had, considering that Mrs. Hill still had to live with Mr. Hill, but he was unable to see William so sad and dejected.
“We have the whole house to ourselves,” Jerry said, coming up from behind him and snuggling against his back.
“I just want to check the messages,” David said, walking over—Jerry still attached to his back—and hitting the play button, Billie frolicking a little at their feet. “I’m hoping one of them is about your ultrasound results.”
David leaned back against Jerry, his fingers interlaced with his husband’s, as they listened to the first message. It was from David’s mother, who’d been released from the hospital earlier that day.
Hello, David. Your father and I were hoping we could come over for a visit sometime this weekend, to see William and meet Jerry and Cory and Tara before they have to head back to Ontario. We’re in for the rest of the evening, so you can reach us at home.
There was no goodbye or any other kind of end to the message other than the beep that signaled the end of one message and the beginning of the next. David quickly turned his head and looked up at Jerry.
“Oh my God,” David whispered. “I never told her most of that information. She must have asked Dad about names and where Cory and Tara were studying.”
The next message began, and David felt himself relax at the sound of Dr. Wulfhaart’s voice.
Hello, Jerry and David, this is Dr. Wolfy.
Jerry squeezed David and whispered, “Told you it would catch on.” David laughed and then told Jerry to shush.
Normally, I’d ask you to call me back, but I figured Jerry wouldn’t mind me leaving a message. Everything is fine and it isn’t anything to worry about. Call me tomorrow at the office, and I’ll explain in more detail. Enjoy the good news.
“Told you,” Jerry said as he turned David around and kissed him, thoroughly.
“Thank God,” David said as their foreheads rested against each other. “Thank God.”
“That takes some pressure off, now, huh?” Jerry spread his legs to be at eye level with his husband. “Especially if you’re going to have your parents ov
er on the weekend.”
David looked up at him, smiling. “You’re okay with that?”
“Sure,” Jerry shrugged, “why wouldn’t I be?” Jerry brought a hand up and smoothed it over David’s hair. “William said she was great, so why not?” Jerry kissed his husband and then stood up straight and moved to the fridge. “Beer?” Jerry stooped and took two beers out of the fridge, walking to the table while twisting off the caps. “And I can’t wait to see your mother, since you don’t really look like your dad.”
“I don’t really look like either,” David said as he joined his husband at the table. “But William did say I looked more like my mother than my father.” David reached down to scratch at Billie’s ears.
“I wonder how he’s doing,” Jerry mused as he took a swig of his beer. David knew he was referring to William and not to Niels.
“If it goes really well and there are no problems, I was wondering what you would think of inviting Mrs. Hill and Anne over for a barbecue tomorrow night.” David saw Jerry open his mouth, but he continued anyway. “I mean, today is Friday, so we can have them over tomorrow night, and then we can have my parents over for an early dinner on Sunday.”
“That’s a lot of barbecue,” Jerry said before taking another swig of his beer.
“We don’t need to barbecue for my parents. Mom doesn’t really enjoy the outdoors,” David said as he took a few, long pulls on his own beer. He bent down and nuzzled Billie’s neck. “No, she doesn’t, and she probably won’t like you either, so you can stay beside me the whole night. Yes, you can, you beautiful girl.”
“I thought she was raised on a farm in Saskatchewan,” Jerry said, obviously a little confused.
“She was,” David confirmed. “And I think that’s probably why she doesn’t like the outdoors.”
“You sure you’re even their kid?” Jerry laughed and stretched his back in the chair.
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