by Mathew Ortiz
She arched a brow and I huffed out a sigh. I had to see the boss eventually, so I’d do that first and get it over with. I padded down the hall to a chorus of ‘hello’ and ‘glad you’re back’ on the way to my office. When I opened the door, I was hit by the musty odor of books and the ozone of electronics—heaven. I set my bag down and noted my pitcher plant was still alive. Only Cordelia would have remembered to water my predatory plant. A cloying, rotted, sweetness wafted up from one of the largest bells. I had to remember to get a banana peel to feed it. The large bells resembled the Victreebel from Pokémon. Yep, I play Pokémon Go and am a proud Red team member. Stop putzing, butthead! Go see her!
I sucked in a breath, left the safety of my office and headed down the hall. As I passed the breakroom, I noted a cluster of people standing around, watching the television. I paused and asked Vincent what was going on.
“Oh, hey Cotton. Glad your back. We’re watching the latest on the Robert Davenport IV scandal!”
“Sorry, I haven’t followed it, but I didn’t get to see much TV over the last few weeks,” I replied, but Vincent didn’t comment.
“Well, it would appear that Davenport is accused of drugging and raping several men and they’ve all come forward. He’s going to trial in a few weeks and, so far, there are three witnesses, maybe more. He’s a total scumbag. He thinks, because he’s old money, he can’t be touched and crap.” The disgust on Vincent’s face mirrored quite a few other faces in the room. I had never met Davenport, but his parties were infamous in Atlanta. Not that I was ever invited. Mr. Tall, Dark and Stupid preferred blonds and the younger the better. Can’t say I was surprised this had happened, at least from the stories I’d heard. I patted Vincent on the back and resumed my walk to June’s office. I stopped at her door and read her name plate: June Lim, Senior Editor. Dawdling, I’m dawdling. Marshalling my inner strength, I rapped smartly on the polished wood. At the muffled ‘come in’ I opened the door and entered the lioness’ den.
June’s black, razor sharp gaze, raked me from head to toe. Scrupulously fair, June Lim brooked no trouble, so the problem with me and my former coworker, Albert Costings had been dealt with quickly and severely. Shape up or ship out. I shaped up and from the empty office across from mine, Costings had not. June tilted her head and her chin length curls bounced as she motioned for me to sit down; which I did, immediately.
“Welcome back, Cotton.” Her clear, concise, measured voice belayed no emotion. I recognized her tone. It was the same one she used when she sized up a situation.
“Thank you, Mrs. Lim—”
“Cut the formalities, Cotton.”
“Sorry, June. I’m glad to be back,” I admitted.
“Let me be frank,” she said and I nodded. “You’re only here because of me. The senior partners wanted to let you go, but I pushed back, sticking my neck out for you. I turned a blind eye to your drinking in the past, because you’re a damn fine editor, nothing gets by you—nothing. But I couldn’t dismiss the fight between you and Costings. Don’t make me regret my decision, Cotton.”
“You won’t, June. I love my job here and I will not let you down,” I reassured her, tugging nervously at my beard.
“Good. Now get back to work,” she snapped and turned back to her computer. I had been dismissed but, as I left the office, she added, “I missed you, Cotton.”
“Missed you too, June.” I headed back to my office and prepped myself for a long day. I had weeks of work to do.
*
I pulled up, killed the engine, jumped off my hog and trooped in the back door of The Whisper’s Green, the restaurant where Avery worked. He loved working for Valentino DaCosta’s newest place and I loved getting a free meal when I visited. I walked past Mica, David and Sylvia, all chefs under my brother, getting ‘hellos’ from them. I shoved open the door into the dining room and did a quick scan for Avery. My brother was on the phone arguing with someone, so I crossed my arms and waited until he’d finished. It was very entertaining. Avery was always so calm and cool, that seeing him angry was hilarious. The Iceman melts! His man bun came loose as he shook his head and long tendrils of his dark hair fell onto his shoulders. I don’t like long hair on me, but it looked good on him. Ironic when we have the same face. Well, mostly the same. My nose had been broken once in high school and, after it was fixed, it healed narrower and with a slight bump.
I envied Avery, at times, deep down and it made me ashamed. Avery deserved to be happy after losing his wife, Daisy. He and Peg had pulled together after her death. They made a great team that had only gotten better, when Avery met the irascible and quirky Martin Gaither. Martin was the perfect yin to Avery’s yang. He kept my brother smiling and for that I would be forever grateful.
He cut off the call with one last barking tirade that turned the air blue and turned around. When he saw me, his frown vanished and he closed the distance between us, hugging me hard.
“Hey, bro. Come for a free meal, or to see me?” His gaze twinkled and I shoved him playfully.
“Both.”
“Have a seat in a booth. The lunch rush is over, so I can finally eat. I’ll get us a couple of steak sandwiches and some greens.” I nodded and he disappeared into the back. I found a booth behind a pair of women having lunch and settled in. I was about to make a call, when I heard a familiar voice.
“I do like him, Annie.”
Shit fire! It was Caleb! I stilled and listened intently. Yeah, yeah, I’m eavesdropping—sue me.
“Then what’s the glitch? He makes you all googly-eyed and you said his kiss almost made your clothes fall off,” a woman, obviously Annie, replied.
“I like him, that’s the glitch. I like him… a lot. But he doesn’t know my history. Of-of—”
“Don’t say his name. It’s bad luck. Like calling for Bloody Mary or the Candyman.” Another female voice joined the conversation.
“Dramatic much, Cheska?” Caleb said. “It’s not just that. It’s the trial. I’ve-I’ve been asked to testify.” The dread in his voice was palpable and my chest tightened. He sounded so afraid.
“Are you going to?” Annie again.
“I don’t know if I can,” he said. “If I do, all of Atlanta will know my shame… that he beat me and-and forced himself on me… and that I let him!” The shrill in Caleb’s voice and his words chilled me to the core. Beat! Forced? Did he mean the guy raped him? What the fuck!
“And if you don’t?” Cheska this time.
“He could get off, scot free.” Misery dripped from his voice. “His lawyers are already trying to discredit the three victims as drugged out party boys.”
“You’re nothing like that. You’re a good guy with a good job—”
“Who let a man beat and repeatedly assault him for almost six months. God, I’m so stupid and such a victim. It’s—it’s embarrassing. No humiliating. I never told anyone in my family, save for Mikey. My mother would be appalled.”
“What’s appalling is that he got away with it for so long! You know there has to be more than the four of you.” Annie once again.
“I’m sure of that. He screwed around on me the entire time we were together. I just don’t know if I can face him in a courtroom. And what if Cotton finds out how damaged I really am? God, he’s so going to dump me.” A sniffle reached my ears and I wanted to get out of my booth, hug him hard and assure him that I didn’t care. That I’m damaged goods, too. Instead, I continued to listen.
“Are you going to tell him?” Cheska asked gently. I held my breath.
“I think so. Oh, I don’t know. We’re going out Friday night. I’m not ready to tell him yet. I’ll know when the time is right and then it’ll be up to him to decide if he still wants me.”
I spied movement to my far right and realized Avery was headed my way with our food. Slipping out of the booth, I ran over and grabbed my brother by the arm, steering him to the back. The confused look on his face didn’t last long after I had him in the kitchen and explained what I�
�d heard.
*
My next few dates with Caleb were pleasant. I’d even say chaste. We met one morning at the local indoor farmer’s market where they sold mostly seasonal or hothouse grown vegetables. He loved the spice aisles and I enjoyed catching the Pokémon that spawned around the area. Afterwards, we ended up at the Organic Monkey having coffee and pastries for lunch.
Another week had passed and I hadn’t seen him. He’d had a long run of work days, flying in and out of Atlanta to Orlando, Mobile, Raleigh, Jacksonville and Memphis. His days were so long and he was so tired, but I understood. We texted, for sure, but I missed his touch and his kiss. Oh, yes, Caleb’s kiss made me plum crazy. But I never pushed for sex even though, lord knows, I wanted it. I came home from our dates, rock hard and I think I was just about out of lube and cum rags. I made sure to do my own laundry so Momma and Mawmaw didn’t notice. Hell, growing up with three teenage boys of the same age, our Momma declared when we were fourteen that we had to do our own laundry. I think she’d had one too many crusty socks, towels or sheets to deal with.
Can’t blame her though. I think, at that age, I was jerking off four or more times a day. Add to that Avery and Boone’s contributions and there wasn’t a moment that the main bathroom wasn’t in use or we weren’t in the shower. Mawmaw moved her stuff into Momma’s bathroom around the same time. What can I say? Horny teenage boys will be horny teenage boys, and we were a nasty trio. Besides yanking our cranks, we stank of testosterone. We had the whole shebang. Oily skin, pimples, smelly pits and asses. We were just plain gross, like all boys. Momma and Mawmaw finally sat us down and told us in no uncertain terms that the shower wasn’t only a jerkoff zone but also a place to clean our stinky asses. We were mortified, so sure no one had known what we were up to. It only hit home when classmates, mainly girls, made comments, so away went the stank.
I had intended on bringing Caleb to meet my family after we’d been dating a little longer, but Momma’s birthday was coming up and I’d mentioned that my brothers and I were going to do something special for her this year. We’d organized a party for her and everyone was going to be there. It was quite a big ask, so you can imagine my surprise when I invited him and he said he’d love to. Caleb didn’t know what he was in for, but I did, so here I was, wringing my hands, waiting for him to arrive.
The party was in full swing already. Poppy and Peg, Martin and Avery’s kids, ran around the kitchen nattering and asking questions of Bruce. I hadn’t wanted to like him, not one bit. But he didn’t seem fazed by my coolness and was pleasant and funny, and, damn it, he made my momma smile and laugh. A few pointed looks from Mawmaw and I’d given up and treated him nicer. Wasn’t easy, no one was good enough for Momma. Not in my book. I didn’t want to disturb them so headed into the living room.
Martin and Avery had perched on the couch and were chatting with Robbie, Boone’s new beau. I had to admit I was surprised at Boone’s choice. Robbie Gaither had given off such a snobby, douche vibe when he first came over, but the longer he sat with the family, the more at ease he became and the more fun he turned out to be. When he saw me, he blushed dark red and I winked at him. Boone caught the look and razzed him for it.
“Can you tell us apart now, Golden Rod?” Boone snorted and Robbie scowled at him.
“I. Made. A. Mistake.” Each word bitten off from Robbie’s lips only made Boone’s smile widen. “Give me a break, he had a hat on!”
Boone sidled up to Robbie, who stood near the fireplace, and bumped him with his shoulder. “I’m only teasin’. ‘Sides you have good taste. Myer men are bonified hotties.”
“Preach it, sister!” Martin crowed. Everyone laughed and Avery tugged Martin close, kissing him deeply.
“You’d know me from my brothers, right?” Avery asked when he came up for air. Ohhh… loaded question.
Martin smirked and tugged Avery’s thick beard. “Without a doubt. You have better taste in shoes.” Avery’s mouth dropped open, then he started to chuckle. Fidgeting, I checked my phone. Big mistake.
“I can’t wait to meet Caleb,” Avery said innocently and Martin nodded.
“Be nice guys.” I growled my warning. Not that that would make a difference. Beg or threaten, my brothers were going to do as they pleased.
“We will be… to him. You on the other hand are open game,” Avery deadpanned and I dropped my head in resignation.
Yep, my ass was toast.
The clang of a car door made me jump and I raced down the hall—only to have Boone beat me to it. I tried to push him away, but he shoved me back, sending me spiraling. By the time I’d righted myself the doorbell rang and Boone yanked it open to reveal Caleb on the doorstep.
“Hello, handsome,” Boone cooed and gestured for him to come in. “I’m Boone, the hot Myer brother.”
Caleb smirked and gave Boone the up/down before he said, “Oh? I thought you were the ‘my clothes are painted on me’ Myer. What size are you wearing? Junior miss?” Caleb’s lips twitched and so did Boone’s. He turned around and gave me the thumbs-up.
“I like him already, bro.” I shoved Boone out of the way and took Caleb’s hand, leading him into the living room.
“Glad you could come. You’ve met Boone and how could you forget meetin’ Robbie?” Caleb snickered and waved at a mortified Robbie. “This is my other brother, Avery and his fiancé, Martin.” Both men rose to shake Caleb’s hand.
Martin cocked his head and said, “British?”
Quicker than shit, Caleb parried back, “No, Azerbaijani.”
Avery rolled his eyes and sighed. “Wonderful, another smart ass.”
“That makes three of you. You, Boone and now Caleb,” Robbie offered.
“Sorry, don’t mind me, Martin,” Caleb apologized. “UK born and bred. I’ve been in Atlanta more than a decade.”
“Not a problem,” Martin waved me off. “I’m tired and stressed and wondering if the kids are too old to sell.”
“More fun times?” I asked. Both he and Avery sagged.
“We’ve starting keepin’ a list on our phones of the bull those two are pullin’.” Avery jerked his chin in the direction of their kids. “Worse than we were as kids. Peg eggs Poppy on and then her temper snaps and she goes after him to beat his ass, and he runs screaming to one of us. Neither one is innocent, both are devils. Last weekend they were both grounded to their rooms for being shits.”
“Damn, that was a long weekend,” Martin groused and Avery patted his leg.
“Ah, the joys of havin’ kids.” Boone looked over at Robbie. “How many are we havin’?”
Robbie’s head snapped up, panic on his face. “What? Kids? How many?”
“You are so easy!” Boone cackled and Robbie got up, took Boone in his arms and whispered into his ear. Boone’s eyes widened, his smile lascivious. “With the crop?”
“TMI. Let me introduce you to the rest of the family.” I rolled my eyes and tugged Caleb behind me into the kitchen. Momma looked incredible. Her brown hair, highlighted with blonde was twisted in a messy bun and she wore a burgundy turtle neck, brown suede skirt and brown knee boots. Her smile radiated and she giggled as Bruce said something to her. Damn, he made her that happy just by talking to her? They did make a cute couple. Bruce stood close to her decked out in an indigo blue sweater, dark jeans and brown boots. He towered over my mother and had eyes only for her.
A large white and pale yellow cake sat on the kitchen table. The two tiered, sugar laced, confection with yellow and white daisies sat on the center of the table. Boone’s creation obliviously and he’d remembered to put on the Happy Birthday and wisely left off Momma’s age. Smart move, Boonie boy. I ahemed and Poppy and Peg raced over and danced around us.
“Uncle Cotton! I lost a toof.” Peg’s gapped tooth smile made him even cuter.
“Move over, pig!” Poppy elbowed her way into my line of sight, shoving a whining Peg out of her way. “I’ve finished the French Café, Uncle Cotton. The outside is super but the inside
is sucky. Can you help me fix it?” Poppy’s loved her Lego sets, but tended to be critical of the interiors. I normally came over once a week and we redesigned the furniture in it.
“Don’t call me pig!” Peg screeched and before anyone could say anything, Avery’s voice boomed from the living room.
“Hey! Knock it off!” Both kids jumped guiltily and I smothered a smile. Avery and Martin’s patience had reached a limit.
“Another day, Pops. Today is about Grandma.” My lips twisted into a grin at my mother’s scowl. “Hey Momma, happy birthday.” I let go of Caleb and enveloped her into a huge hug.
“Thank you, Cotton.” She squeezed back and I buried my face in her hair. I was so lucky to have such a wonderful woman as my mother. I let her go, reached out and shook Bruce’s hand.
“Hey, Bruce. Everyone, this is Caleb.” I walked to stand beside him and nudged him forward. As usual, Mawmaw bustled to the front. Her blond hair stood out in spikes, her latest do, and she wore a flowery printed blouse, pink hot pants and bedazzled fuchsia flip-flops. She took Caleb’s hand and gave him the once over.
“Whooeee, pretty as a picture,” Mawmaw cackled and Caleb blushed.
“A picture! A picture?” Caleb sighed next to me for my ears only. “Wonderful to meet you…”
“Gladys Winston. You can call me Mawmaw.” She gave him one more look, whistled and retreated to her smoking spot in the laundry room, lighting up. Momma and Bruce introduced themselves to Caleb.
“Lynda Myer, call me Lynnie and this is Bruce.” Caleb shook both their hands and I breathed a sigh of relief. So far so good… until. “Mawmaw is right. You are… beautiful. My boys have great taste.”
Caleb snorted and asked, “Is that a prerequisite?”
“We don’t want no ugly people,” Mawmaw shouted, cigarette hanging from her lip.
Momma pinched the bridge of her nose. “Don’t mind my mother. She’s crazy.”
“No, I’m not, just colorful!” Came the rebuttal.
“Shady Pines, Ma! Shady Pines!” And Caleb lost it, laughing until tears fell from his eyes.