by Pandora Pine
“Damn,” Remington sighed, pounding his fist on the table, making his bottle of water jump. “And here I thought the worst thing that would happen here was me having to give you the friendly principal chat about getting too close to one of your students.”
“You almost had to, Rem. Bronson said he wanted me to raise Tucker with him…” Nash trailed off. He’d been sitting on top of the world when Bronson asked him to co-parent Tucker.
“Get to the part about Rainier. I need to know all of the details before I beat him bloody.”
“Come on, don’t be like that. Rainier’s only doing his job. He said that since the heart of Alicia’s case against Bronson is his sexual orientation getting in the way of his ability to parent, Rainier thought it best if Bronson were single. That way Alicia would have no solid proof that her bigoted claims were fact rather than a fiction of her diseased imagination.”
Remington nodded thoughtfully as he chewed. “At least you’ll be able to text and talk on the phone. That should make the separation easier on you both.”
Nash shook his head. “Rainier said no contact at all. Alicia’s lawyers will order phone and email records and then she’ll have evidence.”
“Evidence that two men love each other and want to build a life together!” Rem’s eyes blazed with anger.
“I know. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. We only have to stay apart as long as this whole thing lasts, then we can get back together.”
“How long is it supposed to last?”
“Anywhere from months to years, depending on how Alicia’s lawyers want to play it. She wants to marry her rich fiancé and move to his house in Connecticut. So I would assume she’d want this to be over sooner rather than later.”
“Right,” Remington agreed. “The sooner that frigid bitch gets married, the sooner she gets that poor bastard’s money.”
“She just wants Tucker to hurt Bronson.” Nash shook his head, unable to believe that a mother could act that way. Tucker wasn’t his blood, but he’d die to protect that boy.
“You know,” Remington shoved a forkful of vegetables into his mouth, “in all the years we’ve been working at Little Wonders, I’ve never met a mother like her before. It’s obvious in her body language that she hates being a mother and if she hates being a mother…”
“Then she hates her son,” Nash finished for him.
Rem nodded. “So what are you going to do?”
Nash snorted. He had been so focused on the pain, that he hadn’t given any thought to what came next. “I take a page out of the AA handbook and take things one day at a time.”
“How long are you going to wait for Bronson?”
“Until the sun stops shining and the birds stop singing.” Nash shrugged at the surprised look on Remington’s face and forked up a mouthful of noodles. Now that he had a plan, he was starving.
15
Monday was field trip day for the kindergarten classes at Little Wonders. Bronson had signed up to chaperone the trip over the summer when the school schedule was released. There was no way on God’s green earth that he was going to miss this trip with Tucker.
“Daddy! Is it time to go yet?” Tucker shouted as he ran down the hall toward Bronson’s bedroom, his bare feet slapping loudly on the hardwood floor.
It was the 500th time Tucker had asked since he’d woken up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 5:00am, three hours before the bus for Boston was scheduled to leave the school. “Almost buddy!” Bronson was hauling his T-Rex shirt over his head. The one he was wearing was identical to the shirt Tucker did everything but sleep in.
Hauling himself up onto Bronson’s perfectly made bed, Tucker grinned at his father. “Hurry up your butt.” Tucker giggled.
Bronson had gotten an email over the summer from the school with a list of classroom parties and field trips. Little Wonders liked all parents to participate in at least one event during the school year. After quickly scanning the list, he’d known exactly which trip he wanted to volunteer for: The Museum of Science.
Bronson had gone on several field trips to the museum while he’d been in school. His favorite exhibit had always been the full-sized replica of a snarling Tyrannosaurus Rex. He knew Tucker would lose his mind over this exhibit. Kids could stand at the giant lizard’s feet and stare up at him or they could take the stairs to a viewing balcony and get eye-to-eye with the hulking apex predator.
He’d told Tucker about the T-Rex and had shown him the pictures posted online, but what he hadn’t shared with Tucker was the news about the newest exhibit in the dinosaur wing of the museum. He’d save that surprise for when they saw it in person.
“Are you ready to go?” Bronson smiled at Tucker.
“Yes!” Tucker yelled, hopping down from the bed and running out of the room.
“Shoes and socks or we can’t go!” Bronson called from the bedroom, grabbing his own socks out of the drawer. He laughed when he heard Tucker’s pained groan. That kid would go barefoot in a blizzard with his little Hobbit feet if Bronson let him.
As he and Tucker drove the ten minutes it took to get to the school, Bronson tried to figure out what he’d say to Nash when they saw each other. He supposed the more important thing was to get through the morning without letting his mask slip. He didn’t want Nash to see how badly he was hurting.
When Bronson got Tucker out of the SUV, they headed toward the front of the school. It was organized chaos as the teachers and chaperones checked off names and loaded the bus for the trip into Boston. “Christ, herding cats would be easier than this,” Bronson said out loud to no one in particular.
Nash held up a hand in front of his mouth and started to laugh. “Language, Bronson.” He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“Yes, Mr. Spencer.” Bronson snapped off a salute and tried to hide his surprise at seeing Nash. All he wanted to do was pull the teacher into his arms and hug him until the bus driver honked his horn. He stumbled away from his former lover and went up to Miss Patty who was holding the clipboard. He gave her his and Tucker’s names before they climbed into the bus. He’d have to remember to tell Nash later just how sexy that commanding teacher tone was when they were finally able to be together again.
He took the seat in front of Tucker who was sitting with Gabby. The two of them were talking animatedly about their favorite Toy Story characters. For Tucker it was Woody and for Gabby it was Rex, who was, of course, Tucker’s second favorite.
If Bronson had thought the scene outside the bus was chaotic, that was nothing compared to what was happening on the bus. Kids were shouting that they wanted to sit with so-and-so. Someone had to go to the bathroom, which raised a chorus of other kids who needed to go too.
“It is like herding cats.” Nash sighed as he got a look at what was going on. “Okay everyone!” he bellowed. “We’re all gonna stay in the seat we have and we’ll have a bathroom break when we get to the museum and we’re all gonna sit down and use our best manners, right?”
“Right!” All the little voices chorused and then settled down again.
“Awesome!” Nash grinned, sliding into the seat across from Bronson, a quarter of the way down the aisle.
“How did you do that?” Bronson was stunned that Nash had been able to tame a bus full of whining five year olds. He also jolted when he remembered he wasn’t supposed to talk to Nash.
“Years of schooling and practice in the backyard.” Nash smiled sadly and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket.
Bronson recognized it as the itinerary Nash had emailed to all of the chaperones last night.
“We only have seven hours to see the T-Rex, eat lunch, shop for souvenirs and meet Cliff. Plus it’s gonna be a one hour plus commute each way, maybe longer depending on traffic.” Nash shook his head and ran his finger down the itinerary again.
Resisting the urge to slide out of his seat and into Nash’s, Bronson settled instead for what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “We’ll see it all, do
n’t worry. And besides, we’re dealing with five year olds here, their attention span is what? Five minutes tops?”
“You’re right. We’ll have time to do it all. It’s just that I get nervous being responsible for all of these kids.” Nash shrugged and shoved the crumpled paper back in his pocket.
There were the eleven kids from Nash’s class plus the twelve kids from Miss Patty’s kindergarten class. Each room had one teacher and two chaperones assigned. It was a twenty-three to six ratio.
Bronson understood why Nash was so nervous. In a small town like Newburyport, it wasn’t such a worry, but Boston was eight times the size. They were all going to need to keep their eyes on every one of the kids. “It will be okay, Nash.”
“Will it? It doesn’t feel that way to me.”
Bronson knew Nash was talking about their relationship rather than getting through the museum itinerary in time. He nodded and rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. It was the only thing he could do to show the man he loved how he felt. His heart leapt when Nash returned the gesture.
XX
The butterflies in Nash’s stomach were staging a full out riot. He wasn’t nervous about keeping watch over the kids or running out of time before everyone could buy souvenirs in the gift shop. Nope, Nash was anxious because he was about to introduce his kids to Cliff.
For the longest time, the Museum of Science only had a few fossilized bones and of course the full scale T-Rex in the atrium. Visiting exhibits displaying complete dinosaur skeletons had come and gone during the last twenty years, but Cliff had changed all of that.
“Is everyone ready to meet Cliff?” Nash was all smiles. He was happy to realize his smile was mostly genuine. Spending the morning with Bronson had taxed his strength something awful. There were so many times he’d wanted to whisper something to Bronson or just brush his hand, but couldn’t do it.
“Who’s Cliff?” Max looked at Tucker who shrugged. “Is he someone’s Daddy?”
Nash laughed, motioning for all of the kids to come closer. “Cliff was actually someone’s grandfather. That’s how he got his name.”
“Who’s grandfather was he?” Audrey asked curiously.
“No one knows the answer to that question.” Nash looked around the circle of kids in his group.
“Oh, it’s a mystery!” Colby beamed. “I love mysteries!”
“Let’s go meet Cliff and I’ll explain the mystery.”
“I’m ready, Mr. Spencer.” Tucker took Nash’s hand, looking up at him with adoration in his eyes. His heart clenched in his chest, feeling like an icy fist was squeezing the life out of his battered organ. All of the love in his heart for Tucker swelled up within him. He was about to show the little boy something that would make his eyeballs pop out of his head, but he was only able to do it as Tucker’s teacher, nothing more.
Nash sighed, leading the group around the smaller exhibits to the huge skeleton. “This is Cliff.” He held his arms out dramatically like Vanna White would do with a brand new car.
“Holy macaroni!” Tucker yelled. “It’s a Triceratops!” He looked back and forth between his father and Nash. “Daddy did you know Cliff was a Triceratops?”
Bronson burst out laughing. “I did, buddy. I wanted to see the look of surprise on your face when you met Cliff.”
Tucker rolled his eyes dramatically and let out a groan before he collapsed to the floor. A second later, he popped back up, his million watt smile in full effect. “That’s how surprised I was, Daddy!”
Bronson burst out laughing and hauled his son back to his feet. “Let’s listen to Mr. Spencer tell us all about Cliff.”
“Thank you, Mr. McKinnon.” Nash turned back to the class, wanting more than anything to keep his eyes on the blinding smile Bronson was wearing. “Cliff was discovered by dinosaur hunters in 2004 in the Dakotas.”
“Wow! That’s waaaaay before I was born, huh?” Tucker giggled, holding onto his belly as he laughed.
“Yeah, buddy that was way before you were born.” Bronson shook his head. “It took months and months to dig him up, right, Mr. Spencer?” Bronson was rubbing the back of his head again.
“’Cause he’s huge, right Daddy?” Tucker held his arms out wide while his eyes danced with joy.
“He is huge!” Bronson stared up at the skeleton. “He’s thirty feet tall, which is taller than our living room ceiling and he weighed as much as three of our SUVs when he was alive.”
“Woooow!” The class chorused, gathering more closely around Bronson.
“Can anyone tell me what Triceratops ate?” Nash couldn’t help smiling at Bronson. He loved the way Bronson had studied up on Cliff so he’d be able to teach Tucker and the other kids all about him.
Tucker’s hand shot in the air. He was waving his hand frantically. “Ooh, ooh, Mr. Spencer! Mr. Spencer!” Tucker waved his hand harder. “Pick me!”
Nash burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. Tucker’s enthusiasm was contagious. “I know you know the answer, Tucker, but let’s see if anyone else knows.”
Tucker nodded, losing none of his passion.
“Ella what do you think Cliff ate when he was alive?” Nash looked up at the hulking skeleton before turning back to the little girl.
“Cheeseburgers!” Ella clapped at her answer.
Max and Gabby laughed along with her, while Tucker vehemently shook his head no.
“Harry, what do you think Cliff ate?”
“Jelly beans!”
“No, not jelly beans.” Nash could see Tucker shaking his head again. Nash was afraid if he kept it up much longer, the little boy would give himself a concussion. “Okay, Tucker, tell us what Cliff ate.”
“Cliff ate plants. He’s a herby-ore!” Tucker crossed his arms over his chest and nodded with a proud look in his eyes.
“That’s right! Cliff was a herb-a-vore. That means he only ate plants. Why don’t you all take a few minutes to take a look at him and introduce yourselves?” Nash turned to Bronson who had his iPhone out and was snapping pictures of the kids as they bent backward to stare up at the long-dead plant-eater. “How are you getting by?” he whispered.
Bronson offered up a small smile. “It’s hell not being able to talk to you or touch you, especially here where Tucker is having the time of his life.” Bronson pointed to Tucker who was standing at Cliff’s head and staring up at the dinosaur’s massive head. “I’m still struggling with some of the things Rainier said about the case that had nothing to do with us.”
“What kind of things?” Nash knew their time together was going to end soon, but wanted to spend as much time close to Bronson as he could.
“He told me that custody could not be decided based on my sexual orientation. I mean, I kind of thought that was the case, but in this day and age, you never know…” Bronson trailed off, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Being gay can only hurt me if Alicia can prove I’m putting Tucker in danger with my lifestyle.”
Nash rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. Bronson was the best father he knew. There was no way his lifestyle was putting Tucker in any kind of risk. “There are a lot of liberal judges here in Massachusetts, but it’s always possible you’ll pull one of the more conservative ones who don’t think gay men should be parents.”
“Right.” Bronson sighed. “After Tucker went to bed last night, I spent the rest of the evening writing out the list Rainier asked for and trying not to miss you. It didn’t work. All I could do was miss you, especially when I went to bed and could smell your aftershave on my sheets.
Nash nodded, remembering what it had felt like spending the day in Bronson’s arms, trading slow kisses while memorizing every inch of his lover’s skin. “Remington brought over Thai to cheer me up. It didn’t work. All I could do was thing about being with you and Tucker.”
“Daddy! Mr. Spencer! Come meet Cliff! He’s awesome!” Tucker was waving his arms frantically.
Both men laughed, but kept staring at each other. “We’ll ge
t through this, Nash. I promise.” Bronson rubbed the back of his neck and stared into Nash’s eyes.
“We will.” Nash knew in his heart of hearts they were meant to be together forever. He returned Bronson’s gesture.
“I want to go snap some pics of the kids with Cliff before they get to meet the T-Rex. Tucker’s gonna lose his mind! Come get in the picture. It’s the one opportunity we’ll get to take some together.”
Nash watched with a smile on his face as Bronson whipped out a selfie stick from his backpack and started taking pictures of himself and his students. He shoved his hands in his pockets and followed after his lover, content just to have this time with him.
16
The next two weeks dragged by at a snail’s pace. Bronson only got to see Nash on the mornings when he dropped Tucker off at school. His parents picked Tucker up in the afternoon with the exception of when it was Alicia’s time with Tucker.
Now that the custody battle was in full-swing, she was picking Tucker up when she was scheduled to see him. It wasn’t like before when she’d call twenty minutes before the school day ended asking Bronson to keep Tucker for the night.
He missed that extra time with his son, especially now that it was possible he was going to lose all contact with the boy. Last night around midnight, Bronson had come up with an idea that would allow him to see Tucker and possibly end the custody fight once and for all. If he moved to Connecticut, he’d be able to see Tucker all the time. Plus he’d be calling Alicia’s bluff in the process.
With a little online research he found out there were twelve public libraries in the Greenwich, Connecticut area. He should have no trouble finding a job at one of them and even if he didn’t, he’d get a job flipping burgers at McDonald’s.
He’d kept the idea turning in his head all day at work. Pulling into his parents’ driveway, he stared at the house he’d grown up in. The small Cape-Cod style house had been painted navy blue since his parents had bought the house in early 1980’s.