She held her heart like she was having an attack. “Lord, deliver me. Cast out this obligation to go to Galveston so I can be here to thoroughly grill my suddenly changed bestie. Why didn’t you lead with that breaking news?”
Just then her phone chimed. It was her “mom” ringtone. “Yeah?… Okay, Mom, I’ll be there soon. I’m almost finished packing.” She put the phone on the table by the door. “So I’ll be on pins and needles the whole weekend with this latest headline. And Mom will kill me if I spend any time whatsoever away from my cousins on the phone with you. So we’re gonna catch up as soon as I return. You can bet on that.”
I smiled inside, sadistically glad that now she would be in a bit of misery, waiting to hear my story. “Great. Can I see you tomorrow night?” I asked.
She frowned. “Bad news. The thing ends tomorrow. But some of the out-of-towners can’t fly out until Monday. Mom insists that I stick around and play Harriet Hostess.”
“Crap. Tuesday? All day? I’ll have my license. Maybe Mom will let me have the car. We can drive to Kemah. Hang out. Get some shrimp.”
“I’m all yours. I’ve already informed my mother that she has no claims on me after Monday. But after a weekend in Galveston, I may be shrimped out.”
“Fine. We’ll think of something else to do,” I said, just happy that I would be distracted by something and not have to think about Dad. Of course I would probably have to drive the conversation to steer her away from that topic.
“Now, shoo.” She pulled me up. “I’m not gonna get outta here until you do. Time to head home.”
As she opened the front door, she asked, “What happened on the Titanic front during this trip? I know Brian couldn’t stay away from that obsession for long.”
“Went to a museum, saw some graves, found out I’m named after a victim.” I tossed all that off quickly.
“Rinse and repeat! Named after a victim?”
And now I had at least a portion of what we could talk about on Tuesday. Thank you, Jacob Elias Hardy, the perished. And of course, the “Mom’s okay with my being gay” thing.
“You’ve got things to do, and I have a bus to catch. See ya.” Looking at my watch, I rushed across her lawn without giving her time to say anything more. It was two minutes until the hour, and I knew the city bus stopped at the corner on the hour.
As I ran to the bus stop, I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Mingus eyeing me as she played at watering hanging plants on her porch.
Don’t you wish you had been a fly on Mal’s living room wall, old lady? No hanky-panky to report, but what an earful you’d have gotten. Your ears would have bled with all the gay talk, woman. Gay son, gay daddy, gay fiancé.
The bus lumbered up the street as I stood on the corner. Fiancé. Mal said it. I guess that’s what Paul would be called. And for him, that’s what Dad would be called.
So he could have said upon my arrival in Philly, “Jake-O, I’m gay, and I’m getting married to a wonderful guy named Paul.” Would I have bought that, hook, line, and sinker, if he had? Who knows? I just know he didn’t say that. Instead, he waited until each little lie unraveled. And I knew I couldn’t forgive him for that.
I reached into my pocket for bus fare. I felt the tiny package I’d put there earlier. Mal’s earrings I bought her in Portland. I forgot to give them to her.
Oh well. I could give ’em to her on Tuesday. Something else to fill up the void of not talking about Dad.
Chapter 20
MOM ON her errands and me alone in the apartment—just what I needed—nothing but reruns. Total distraction. And they didn’t help. I flashed on the look on Mal’s face when I told her I was considering a run on Finn. It was priceless. I thought about Mom’s revelation and how good it made me feel. But the one thing I refused to think about more was Dad and Paul and their wedding and Mal’s preposterous theory of why I was mad at my father. I blocked it—her notions, my thoughts in response. Nothing that happened all those years ago to little-kid me had anything to do with the present.
I did think about Mal and how much I loved her. Before I met her, I didn’t have any friends. I was a loner, roaming the hotel like that little girl Eloise in the stories. But Mal, as young as she was, was wise. She took one look at me and knew I needed a friend. And she’s stuck by me. I sometimes wonder why. My angst can certainly be hard to deal with, and I almost never take her advice initially—although, I have to admit she’s right. If I think about it long enough, I usually come around. I think I love her because she sticks like glue. And there’s something to be said about that.
We still needed to talk about what Mom told me. But that talk would also include the rally and Mom’s group. If I couldn’t make her see Dad’s deceit, I didn’t have a chance of making Mal see that Mom’s cause was a good thing for Houston maybe. Of course, as I’d already decided, I was going to the rally with Mom just to support her, not her cause. Mal would surely be happy I was sticking up for Mom.
And, yeah, if Mom was right, defeating HERO would save lots of little girls, and some grown women, from being accosted in public restrooms. And who wouldn’t want that?
No, I had to march with Mom to thank her for supporting me, and in the off chance she was right about all this bathroom stuff.
Mal would get over it. I’d explain why I was marching, because of Mom, and she’d buy it. I would leave out the stuff about the cause maybe being right. That would just cloud her perceptions. After she heard about what Mom told me, she’d be glad I was supporting my mother. Mal’s a good person, and she’d be very happy I was on board to help my mother. I hoped.
If she got pissed over this, she might drop me like a hot potato. She had a stubborn streak as big as the one she kept pointing out in me. If I was going through with this march, I had to prepare myself that it might cost me a friend.
I had no intention of that happening. I needed her. A guy needs at least one friend. Finn might prove to be a good one too, and that would give me two people on my side—and Mal, despite her attitudes, is on my side mostly—but I just met Finn. How did I know whether Finn and I would stay friends, that we would or could get as close as Mal and I were? No, I couldn’t risk alienating Mal, even if it meant disappointing my mom. I was more confused than ever.
Amazingly, for a nanosecond, I thought, I should get Dad’s advice. But before I could get my head around that notion, the total crap of my life came back, and I shut it all down.
I pounded my head, trying to beat all these thoughts out of me. I needed distraction. Mind-numbing distraction. And reruns weren’t going to cut it.
I decided it was time I finally tackled the summer reading assignment. So I cracked open my spanking new copy of The Chosen, my yellow highlighter in hand. I looked at the cover with its picture of two guys, one dressed very strangely. I read the blurb. The book was about two Jewish boys who meet and become friends. One is, even though he’s Jewish, not much different than all the guys I know; the other is very different indeed, a member of a very strict Jewish group. The blurb said they helped each other through life. Like Mal and me.
The blurb got me thinking. Mal was back in my life again, but she was not entirely happy with me at the moment. Maybe this book I was about to start wouldn’t apply. I at last had a guy friend. Maybe the universe brought this book to me because it would help me understand Finn. He was certainly different, as was I. So who was the normal one and who was the abnormal one? The blurb also said that the book dealt with fathers. The last thing I wanted was for this book to address my father issues. Please, just please, make it a simple story to distract me.
I plowed into it, trying to lose myself. It took the whole afternoon, but I made it to page 176, thanks to the fact that I’m a fast reader. I made a huge dent in that book. And I gathered intel, storing it away in my brain for the inevitable class discussion, without applying one bit of it to me, my friends, my parents, or my situation. To me, it was just an assignment, not a life lesson.
I glanced up from the page
to see it was five thirty. Mom still hadn’t returned. I whipped out my phone and punched her speed dial number.
“I know, Jakie. I got behind today.”
“Where are you?”
“Still at the church. We’ve called an emergency meeting at six. I was just going to call you. You still at Mal’s? You could hop the bus right now. You’d be here by the time we start.”
Emergency meeting. That’s all I needed. All that shouting and hands punching the sky.
“Can’t, Mom. Finn and I are going to Chuy’s and a movie.”
“Baby, it’s not healthy to eat that much Mexican food in one week. And we need you here. We’re going to be talking strategy for the march. Later, we’ll make signs.”
“Sorry.”
“Is this about HERO? The fact that it’s antigay? Like I said, I have no quarrels with your being gay. It’s the bathroom thing that disturbs me.”
“I know, I know.” I still wasn’t sure if she was misguided on this or not, but one thing I was certain of—my mom had a good heart.
“We really don’t need an ordinance to protect gay people. Houston is a loving, accepting city. And we have federal laws to protect everyone. No, it’s just the thought of men going into women’s restrooms that fires me up.”
It was neither the time nor place to lecture her on gay rights. And it would require my quoting Dad, and that was something I didn’t want to do. All I wanted was to get off the phone and get on with the distraction of Chuy’s and a movie. And Finn. “Mom, I’m sorry I can’t make it to your meeting. Love you. Bye.”
But she jumped right in with another plea. “Won’t you reconsider? We could really use your help.”
She was nothing if not persistent. “Please. I really can’t. I already promised Finn I’d go with him.”
“Well, okay. But choose something healthier on the menu. Maybe a salad.”
Like that was going to happen. “I love you, Mom.” And I clicked End.
And then, with only an hour left to Chuy time, I had to put away my homework and get in the shower. I wanted to feel nice and fresh for Finn.
Finn was all duded out in his new clothes when I caught up with him at his car. God, he was a looker. I’d never even considered being into the cowboy thing, but Finn standing there in his Wranglers and boots turned me on big-time.
But I decided to keep myself in check. Play it cool.
“Been shopping?” I called across the ’Stang.
“Sure have. A friend helped me with the selection.”
A beautiful young girl walked up. I’d never seen her before, but she was striking. If I’d seen her around the complex, I would’ve remembered her. She was as tall as I was, slender and statuesque. That’s a word I heard in a movie once. Golden blonde hair cascaded down past her shoulders. She was wearing an outfit that I’d seen on the cover of one of Mal’s fashion magazines. If it was a knockoff, it was a good one, because that dress looked like it was fitted to her body personally. Around her neck was an amethyst pendant, huge, that complimented the purples in her dress. As she got closer, I saw that the pendant also matched her eyes. Soft, violet, and mesmerizing. She was gorgeous. A totally hot babe is what my team members would’ve called her. I was almost stunned by her. Finn must have seen my reaction and wondered, for he turned around.
“Alex. Ready?”
This creature with the pouty violet-painted lips said, “Always, Finny.” She looked at me. “I’m Alex. And you must be Jake.”
Then I remembered where I’d heard the name. This goddess before me was Finn’s cousin. The one who wasn’t supposed to be here until next week. The one I’d just assumed was a guy.
“Oh yeah. Alex, Jake; Jake, Alex. Sorry I’m so socially inept.”
I stared at this vision. She looked a lot like Finn, only as a girl. “I heard about you from Grandma. But she said you weren’t coming until next week.”
Before she could speak, Finn said, “Hopped a plane early this morning.”
That explained why she was here. But it didn’t explain why she came ahead of schedule.
We piled into the car. I relinquished shotgun to Alex and took the back seat, folding my long legs into the cramped space of the convertible.
“So how did you spend your Saturday?” Finn asked.
“My friend Mal came back from swim camp. We met up. Then I read about half of The Chosen.”
“The Jewish boys, right?”
I was surprised he was so well read. “You’re really up on your lit, aren’t you?”
“I get fed it intravenously. College professor parents. Fed me that shit since I could eat solid food.” Alex leaned over and slapped his arm. “Shit, Al,” he said. She whopped him again. They laughed.
“Alex doesn’t like me using the S word.” He turned toward her and stuck out his tongue in typical Finn fashion. “Anyway, I like that book. Lots of good advice. The super-Jew kid—what’s his name?”
“Danny.” Alex and I both answered at the same time. And then Alex added, “Don’t call him super-Jew. He’s not a comic book hero, Finny. And besides, that term super-Jew sounds awful, like there’s something wrong with him.”
“Yes, Mama Alex,” Finn said, comically derisive. Then he turned to me. “Yeah, Danny. I liked the way he thought his dad hated him, and then he learned his dad loved him so much he was willing to let him come to his own conclusions about life.” He paused a second. “Uh-oh, was that a spoiler? How far did you read?”
“Pretty far, but thanks for nothing, guy. I hadn’t gotten that far.” I took the palm of my hand and bopped him on the head. His hair was soft. His head was warm.
“That’s Finny for you. Foot in his mouth all the way. It’s a good thing he has a big mouth,” Alex said, laughing at her cousin. In her laughter I heard a lot of love. Then she turned to face me. “Who was that friend you mentioned? Mal?”
“Mal? Short for Malcolm?” Finn asked, a tiny trace of something in his tone. Was it disappointment? Surely he wasn’t hurt that I had a friend besides him. We’d only met.
“No, Mallory. Female.”
“Good. Thought you’d cheated on me with another guy.” What a strange thing to say for a straight guy. But I was getting used to Finn’s strange sense of humor. So I just laughed at him as I explained that Mal and I had been best friends since we were little.
To that, Alex said, “I had a best friend.” Then she said nothing else. After that, the air in the car hung heavy.
Chuy’s was packed on a Saturday evening. That had come up in yesterday’s conversation, so that’s why, I suppose, he’d said to meet at six thirty. We had plenty of time to wait for a table, eat, and make a 9:45 picture time.
The waiter brought the chips and salsa, and things lightened up. We chomped and talked.
“You know, Jake, I don’t think I’ve ever made a friend as fast.”
“Ah-ah-ah, quit your babblin’.” It dawned on me that was the first time he’d ever called me by my name.
Alex chimed in, “No, Jake. I’ve known this guy my whole life, and he doesn’t make friends easily. Believe it or not, he can be a shy Suzy.”
“Finn? Not a chance.”
“I’m telling you. This lunk can clam up around strangers. You must have magic in your veins to bring him out of his shell so fast,” she said.
“She’s right, Pod. Those guys in Salt Lake? They were just too uptight, too ‘in your face, follow the Bible, I don’t like anyone who’s different from me.’”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. Oh, it was okay when I was younger. They tolerated me. But something happens as they get older. The whole Mormon church thing is secret, you know, so I have no idea what they’re taught. But whatever it is, it has to include not being friendly to anyone who is the least little bit original.”
I scooped some of that patented Chuy’s pico. “Well, you’re certainly original, that’s for sure.” I grinned at him, salsa dripping from my mouth.
“So you like me, h
uh?” If he hadn’t asked that with an open mouth of mushed-up chips colored by tomatoey salsa, I might have thought it was a strange question. But everything about Finn Sawyer was strange. He was a unique character.
I laughed. “Close your mouth. Yuck.”
“Yeah, swallow, Finny. You’re grossing us out.”
“So, do you think there’ll be more guys like me at Lamar?” he asked.
“Like you?”
“Originals?” He winked.
“I’ll be there,” Alex said. “So that’s two originals.”
Alex was trying to show solidarity, with her comment. She would fit right in at Lamar. Finn, however, might be a little fish out of water there. But Finn Sawyer was the most outrageous, most insane, most fun guy I’d ever met. I couldn’t even begin to decipher his quirks. I just knew I was glad he’d come along when he did. I had to throw him a bone.
“Finn, they could search the world and never find another guy like you.” He smiled as if to say, I like what I’m hearing. “And yes, I think you’ll fit in just fine at Lamar High School, River Oaks, Houston, Texas, 77098.”
He reached over and touched my hand. Only a few days before, I would have jerked my hand away. But I let it linger for a second before I quickly grabbed a chip and dipped it. What I’d just said to him was the gayest thing I’d ever said to a guy, and I expected him to take offense. But he touched me instead. What was happening?
“Thanks, for giving me courage.” He suddenly burst into the song “If I Were King of the Forest.”
“The courage has been inside you all along, Cowardly Lion,” I said, glad the potential tension was erased.
“And, you, Tin Man, have always had a heart.” He turned to Alex. “And Dorothy, you’ve always been able to find home. Just click your heels three times.”
I wasn’t sure he was quoting Glinda the Good Witch accurately, but he got the gist, in a perfectly high-pitched squealy voice too.
I expected Alex to laugh, but when I looked at her, a cloud crossed her eyes. She quickly pasted a smile on her face and said, “I don’t want to go home. I want me some Panchos. Where is that waiter?”
Titanic Summer Page 18