I waited. Still no response. “Dad?”
Still no response.
“Dad? You still there?” Stupid question. I knew he was.
When he finally spoke, there wasn’t the anger I’d expected. Nor the reprimand. Not even the judgment. I heard the tears in the crack of his voice. The heartbreak and the fear and the tremble of his words. “You have fought this for years, Spencer. For a long time. Please, don’t give up now. Keep fighting. Keep praying.”
I would’ve given anything to have heard the anger or the judgment. Either would’ve said his concern was more about him and his role as preacher of the lost. Instead, I heard the fear of a father. The same fear I would have if one of my children were in danger. “No, Dad. This is who I am. This is how God made me.” I wasn’t sure if I believed that or not, but it was the only argument I could use with my father. Not that I expected it to do any good. “The decision is made. It’s final. I just didn’t want to surprise you. I don’t want to cause you pain or stress or worry. I wanted you to know that Donovan and I are together. I hope….” How to finish that? Hope that he would be happy for me? Hope that he would support our relationship? Hope that he would count Donovan as family? I might as well ask him to reject his entire belief system and his lifework. I swallowed and tried again. “I wanted you to know. I wanted to be honest with you. I don’t want there to be secrets or deceptions. I don’t intend to be anything other than the man I am when you two come to visit.”
The silence was longer this time but periodically interrupted. I could hear my mother in the background asking what was wrong several times, I could picture him ignoring her, refusing to answer as he stared at the wall or closed his eyes in prayer. Finally it was just silence again. And I continued to wait.
This time, when he spoke the tremble, quaver, and hurt in his voice were gone. In their place was a cold, strong, and unyielding determination. “Your mother and I will pray. The elders of the church will pray. We will visit when you no longer live in sin.”
The silence as the line went dead was almost a relief. I held the cell down and stared at it. I could almost see my father’s face over it.
The silence of the room surrounded me.
I waited for grief, for tears, for a sense of rejection.
They didn’t come. At least no more than what had already been there. Maybe that was why I’d needed to make the phone call. I hadn’t had any real hope it would go differently. I just needed the confirmation. Confirmation of what I’d already known, what I had always known.
Twisting, I ran my hand over the bedspread. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could’ve sworn it was still a little warm from where our bodies had been not so long ago, the couple of damp spots from the lube, a vision of our joining superimposing over my present.
That was my acceptance, that was my peace, my joy, my comfort. That was the man I was, or at least one aspect of me, finally realized.
I honestly didn’t know if my father would change his mind; given enough time, maybe. I knew grandchildren went a long way, even if my parents didn’t make much time for them. Either way, my life was here. The man I loved was waiting for me on the swing. My children were asleep at their mother’s house a few blocks away. My family was in Lavender Shores, my life was here, and I was finally choosing every aspect of it.
I stood. Placed the cell phone on the bedside table, and left the bedroom. I padded through the house, opened the front door, and stepped on the veranda.
Donovan waited on the swing, holding two glasses of champagne, handsome as ever in the flickering light. “How’d it go?”
I almost told him that we could talk about it later. Maybe we would, I was sure we would. “I’ll give you details some other time, but….” As I walked toward him, the simple truth of it came to me. “My father was the man he was, and I am finally the man I am. I’m glad to know.”
He handed me a champagne flute. “Well, I wish your father could be someone different, but I’m glad you are you, the you that’s here.”
“Me too.” I sat down beside him. “I’ve changed; maybe he will as well.” I closed the short distance between us and kissed Donovan. Lips pressed for a moment, savoring the life I’d chosen, the man I had chosen. Then I pulled away. “So, where were we?”
Donovan looked confused.
“Last I remember, I’d just been told we were going to see some show about a woods but also getting to have a spectacular dinner while watching the world’s best musical Cats. I know I distracted you by needing that big throbbing cock of yours inside my ass.” I took a sip of champagne and waggled my eyebrows at him, eliciting a bemused grin. “Which, don’t get me wrong, was out of this world amazing, although I want to see if we can outdo ourselves tomorrow. But in the meantime, I believe you have one more promise to follow through on.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Oh really?”
I nodded seriously. “Yeah. You promised to sing your own special version of ‘Memory.’ One that would put Grizabella to shame.”
Donovan had just taken a drink of champagne, and he choked, sputtering a little. “You don’t say? I don’t recall ever promising such a thing.”
I winced in exaggeration. “Oh, I’m sorry. I probably should’ve mentioned there was some fine print associated with you pillaging my ass.”
That time he truly choked. “Pillaging?”
I shrugged. “Storming the fortress, taming the dragon, you know, something manly and rough.”
“And medieval apparently.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure what that part is about.” I chuckled, feeling oddly loopy, and a little bit euphoric. Maybe finally having the man of your dreams and finally being the man you were always supposed to be did strange things to a guy. Whatever it was, I was going with it. “Anyway, quit trying to sidetrack. You broke into the castle and stole the treasure. Time for your reward.”
“My reward for breaking into your castle is to sing a show tune? And I use the term show tune loosely. I think your analogy is breaking down somewhere.” Despite his serious tone, his lips twitched in humor.
“You know, I think you’re right.” I grinned and gave him a light, flirtatious shove. “You should sing the damn song because you love me, not as a reward.”
He sighed. He was the world’s most put-upon martyr. “Obviously you’ve never heard me sing. This isn’t going to be pretty.”
Careful not to spill the champagne, I rubbed my hands together gleefully like I had before. “I’m counting on that. It’ll make it all the better when I demand repeat performances on our anniversaries, many of which I hope will be in public, like our relationship, for all Lavender Shores to see. And hear.”
“I had no idea you were so evil, Mr. Epstein.”
“Oh, I am.” I leaned back against the opposite arm of the swing, unable to keep the laughter out of my voice. “Now, as you’re singing, I want you to remember, you’re a cat. I need to feel the feline emotions, the longing for your… nine lives, or something. And if you can hack up a hairball in the middle of the second verse, I’ll blow you right here on the porch.”
Donovan nearly spewed champagne over both of us. “You do realize it’s late and with my yowling I’ll wake up the neighbors, so your blowjob will be part of the show.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Twenty-One
Donovan
I took stock of all the guests at Robert and Debbra Kelly’s house. When I’d gotten a call from Robert demanding that Spencer and I attend the party, I’d assumed it would be another event like the Fourth of July. Some new reason concocted to get the town together once more, even though it had barely been over a month. But that wasn’t the case. This wasn’t a Lavender Shores party. This was a gathering of the Bryant and Kelly families. They were the tightest knit of the founding families, so close, they acted as one, except on parade days, because heaven forbid there be four founding family floats instead of five.
It seemed Spencer was having a similar reaction. He g
lanced at me, looking nervous. “What’s going on?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Definitely not what I thought I was saying yes to.” I spotted Lamont walking toward the kitchen. “Stay here. I’ll go ask Lamont and see if I can get the story.”
“Nice try, but I’m coming with you. For some reason, I have a feeling that someone’s set a trap.”
I had a similar feeling, though I was certain there was no ill-intent. I could see Debbra Kelly and Patrick Bryant throwing a party for the nearly exiled members of the Epstein and Carlisle families. If for no other reason than to rub it in the other founding families’ faces that they were nicer than everyone else. Lord, I hoped not. I slipped my hand into Spencer’s, and we walked to the kitchen.
Lamont was retrieving a bottle of beer from the fridge, and closed the door as we rounded the corner. “Oh, hey.” He blushed.
Bingo. I knew he’d be the weak link. If I let on to Gilbert I was uncomfortable, he would probably just take the opportunity to make the situation even more awkward.
“Okay, Lamont, spill the beans. What’s going on?”
His blush brightened. “I can’t tell you, as I’m not entirely sure, but I will admit it’s my fault that you’re here.”
Spencer’s voice was wary. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it’s okay, it really doesn’t have anything to do with you. Or at least this get-together has nothing to do with you. I swear nothing embarrassing is going to happen.”
“Not to be insulting, Lamont, but you have met your father, right?”
At that moment, Robert Kelly walked through the back door of the house. His eyes lit up as he saw us. “Gentlemen!” He shifted the plastic bags from his hands to the nearest kitchen counter. “Sorry I wasn’t here to greet you. I’d forgotten your love of piña coladas, Donovan. I just ran to the store to get some pineapple juice. Let me throw some ice in the blender and whip one up for you.”
That didn’t make me feel any better. “Thanks, Robert, but that’s not necessary. We’d like to know what’s going on, however.”
He was already removing items from the bags, but he paused to shake his head. “Nope, there’s no one here that knows, except for me. Well, and one other person, but I’m not letting you know which one. I don’t want you to harass her.” His eyes grew wide, and he covered his mouth for a second, then shook his head. “Pretend you didn’t hear that last part, I didn’t mean to give away that it’s a woman who knows. Just relax, it should all be revealed in the next ten or fifteen minutes. Whenever they show up.”
“Oh, so this is about Andrew and Joel?” Spencer sounded relieved. I looked at him puzzled, but didn’t have the chance to inquire.
“Andrew and Joel?” Robert squeaked. “I never said anything about Andrew and Joel.”
“Well, you just said it’ll be revealed when they show up. So unless you invited the rest of the town, the only ones who aren’t here are Andrew and Joel.”
How had I missed that?
Robert shook a bottle of piña colada mix toward Spencer. “I’ve heard you’re a kickass lawyer; I can see why. You might as well be a detective to boot.”
That still made no sense, Andrew and Joel were great guys, and we were friendly acquaintances, but not much more than that. The only one I could actually claim friendship with was Lamont, and sometimes Gilbert during our lapses in professional boundaries. I cast an accusatory glance toward Lamont.
He was redder than ever. “I’m sorry. I happened to mention to Dad that you and Spencer were together, and that you had told the families a couple days ago, and that you were officially out. I might’ve also said that you were looking for ways to make yourselves known among town without there being a lot of drama. Sorry.”
“Sorry?” Robert glowered at Lamont. “Why the hell should you be sorry? A party is the perfect time to announce true love.” He smiled over at us. “I know it’s just our families here tonight, but I wanted us to be your social debut. And I wanted to make certain that you knew that we support your relationship.” His smile wavered, but just for a heartbeat. “I am sorry, Donovan, to lose the chance of ever calling you son. You and Lamont truly would’ve made a handsome couple—”
“Dad!” I don’t think I’d ever seen another human being as red as Lamont in that moment.
Robert was oblivious. “What? The two of you would’ve made beautiful babies together, or at least had fun trying.” His eyes went wide once more. “Oh shit, I shouldn’t have said that.” He shook his open hands in our direction. “Please forget you heard that. I said I wouldn’t give you any more clues.”
All three of us stared at Robert.
Spencer chuckled. “Should I be worried, Mr. Kelly, that your hint was something to do with Lamont and my boyfriend having sex?”
“That isn’t what I meant, but don’t be jealous. We’re all friends here. Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it. They’re two beautiful men.”
“Oh my God, Dad! Please be quiet and just make the piña colada.” Lamont slapped a hand over his father’s mouth. He cast a beseeching stare in my direction. “You’re a therapist. Fix him.”
Robert mumbled something loudly behind Lamont’s hand, but we never found out what it was. Regina Bryant came rushing into the kitchen at that moment. “They’re pulling up. They’re here! Get your asses in the living room and hide behind the sofa. Pretend to be a lamp, something!” She hurried away.
Robert shook free of Lamont’s hold and scurried across the kitchen after Regina, casting a glance in my direction. “Sorry about the piña colada. If I forget after the announcement, just remind me. I’ll make it extra strong for you.” He winked, and then he was gone.
Lamont looked at us, chagrined. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know I was getting you into something like this. Whatever this is.”
“Maybe Spencer and I should sneak out the back door while everyone is distracted.”
Spencer grabbed my arm. “Are you kidding? As long as it’s not actually you putting on a sexual show with Lamont—” He considered for a second. “—or, or Lamont’s father, I have to know what the news is. Now that I’m certain it’s not about us. And sorry about the father comment, Lamont.”
Lamont shrugged. “It’s fair game honestly. Who knows what my father would do for a party.”
“I still think—”
“You three get in here and hide!” Robert’s shriek from the living room was so loud, that he couldn’t imagine that the surprise party for Andrew and Joel was a surprise any longer, unless they were a mile away.
We did as instructed, all of us hurrying into the living room and gathering with nearly a dozen or more other people behind the couch.
Someone giggled. Then someone else.
Spencer looked over at me. “This is kind of fun.”
Regina shushed him.
There was a rattle of the doorknob and the sound of feet coming in, followed by the door shutting once more.
“Oh crap.” Joel’s voice cut through the darkness. “Andrew, your dad’s done something again.”
Robert popped up from his hiding place. “Surprise!”
Everyone else popped up as well letting out staggering cries of surprise and wolf whistles, and I was fairly certain someone yelled happy birthday. It seemed everyone was confused.
“Dad, I thought we were just having a dinner.” Andrew grimaced and then gave a self-conscious wave to all of us.
“Not with news like this. Not on your life.” Robert hugged Andrew and then smacked Joel on the shoulder. “Don’t think I didn’t notice your tone about me doing something again.” Robert turned around clapping and addressed the crowd behind the couch. “Hayley? Where are you?” He squinted, his eyes searching.
One of Hayley’s sons, I couldn’t remember his name, piped up from where he’d taken command of a recliner. “She took Olive to the bathroom.”
“What!” Robert’s face fell like the entire night had been ruined. He let out a long-suffering si
gh, his shoulders slumping. “Well, I guess we’ll do this part later.” He pointed at me. “Follow me. I’ll finish your piña colada. I might make one for myself.” He considered. “Or maybe just a rum slushy.”
As he walked toward us, Hayley and her little girl rounded the corner of the living room.
Robert threw up his hands, his excitement back. “Hayley! Wonderful!” He ushered her over to stand beside Andrew and Joel, who had been trying to move away. “All right Andrew, are you going to make the announcement, or am I?”
Andrew chuckled and glanced at Joel, who simply shrugged. He looked at Hayley who gave a similar response. “Go ahead, Dad. Heaven forbid I steal your joy of dramatics.”
Robert seemed nonplussed by the comment and cleared his throat, before lifting his voice as if he was the ringmaster at Barnum & Bailey’s. “I am pleased to announce that I am going to be a grandfather!”
The room was silent for a heartbeat, then Debbra spoke, her tone nervous. How she could still be nervous after so many years of marriage to Robert, I didn’t understand. At this point, I would’ve thought it was just another day in the Kelly household. “Excuse me?”
“Dad!” Andrew gaped at his father. “You didn’t even tell Mom?”
He ignored both of them. Clearing his throat again, he gave a little shake of his shoulders. “Like I said, I’m going to be a grandfather, thanks to the glorious Hayley Bryant, as she is going to be Joel and Andrew’s surrogate.”
Again, the room was silent, though more out of confusion than anything else.
Joel spoke up, sounding both a little scared and somewhat flustered. “Andrew and I are going to start a family, and Hayley kindly offered to be our surrogate, so—”
He didn’t get to finish Debbra screamed at the top of her lungs and ran at Andrew, crashing into him so hard that he had to take several steps back to keep from falling. “You’re going to have a baby! You’re going to have a baby!”
The Veranda (Lavender Shores Book 3) Page 21