Run for It All

by Carolyn LeVine Topol

  Rob nodded. “First finish your final exams, and then on to your summer internship.”

  The group raised their glasses and drank to David’s birthday. David, in that moment, wasn’t wishing for anything more than he had. He was luckier than he ever envisioned he would be and looked forward to a great summer with a new job, friends, and family.

  It sure had been an incredible few days. Accolades for the track team, preparation for final exams, homework, and team meetings filled the remainder of the week. The end of the school year and the wedding were both within reach. David hoped it would be a year that reflected one of successful uphill battles culminating with the best outcomes in all avenues.

  Chapter 35

  “I CAN’T get these fucking things on! Who the hell ever thought cuff links would make a good accessory? They’re making me crazy!” David covered a snicker with his hand as he watched his father struggling to finish getting dressed.

  “You do know Steve is probably having the same issues. It’s not that big a deal.” David walked over to his father, gently took the cuff link out of his hand, and fastened it in place for him without missing a beat. “Now, what I want to know is, who the hell ever thought of final exams right around the time the weather is getting so nice no one wants to stay inside and study?”

  Rob’s eyes widened and then he started to smile. “Smartass. When did you get so wise and philosophical?”

  “I’ve always been philosophical and wise; just ask my moms.” David fastened the second cuff link in place and lowered his dad’s hand. “What I never knew was that I could be an athlete and have a boyfriend despite being a geek.”

  Grinning, David’s dad wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Geeks are a lot more powerful these days. We can do anything and aren’t afraid to show it anymore. It’s considered trendy to be a geek.”

  Nodding, David smiled. “Dad, I’m really glad my moms made me come here. I’m even happier I get to stay, and you and Pop want me here just as much.” David shrugged. “It’s pretty good having two fathers in my life. I didn’t realize how much I was missing before.”

  “Neither did I.” Rob lowered his head, glancing toward the floor. “I regret—”

  “No regrets,” David said. “Only good stuff from now on.”

  “You sound like Steve. Even when he’s writing a challenging, hard news article, he always tries to hold on to a positive attitude.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Good, that’s how it was meant.”

  “I guess we should be heading over to your station. I’m sure Steve, and the others, will be there soon.” David thought it was cool that Steve spent the night before the wedding with a couple of his closest friends.

  “It was nice of them to let us use the studio for the wedding.”

  “Then they get to film one of their own having a gay wedding. My guess is it’ll be one of those win-win situations. Everyone in the state will tune in, even if it’s just out of curiosity.”

  “You’re right, but it’s still a generous offer.”

  David shrugged, thinking his father was giving too much credit to his employer, but he decided not to argue. Rob was edgy enough without David adding fuel to his simmering fire.

  There were several familiar cars already parked in the TV station’s lot when David and his dad arrived. Seeing how shaky his father was, David wished he had already gotten his learner’s permit. Despite his inexperience behind the wheel, he guessed he probably would have had a steadier hand.

  Excited about the event to come, David led his dad inside as they walked into the studio. The news anchor desk and several podiums used to deliver the weather and traffic reports had been cleared out for the ceremony, to fit the small group who would be joining the grooms on their special day.

  As soon as they entered the space, arranged for the ceremony by the studio employees, David saw Kevin standing next to Coach Wilkins and his pop. He had taken less than two steps in their direction, when a surprising voice left him frozen.

  “We arranged to come home just in time for this special occasion. We couldn’t miss it, and we couldn’t wait to see you again and hug you. It’s been far too long.”

  David spun around to see both of his mothers standing off to the side. He ran over to them, equally thrilled to be able to give them a hug in person. Before he could get a word out, while still in a three-way embrace, his mom whispered in his ear. “We have some changes in our plans going forward. We’ve been apart from you longer than we wanted and have reconsidered some of our decisions about our future.”

  Untangling himself from their arms, David stepped back and looked from his mom to his mama and back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. David’s life had finally fallen into place and he was happy in every way a sixteen-year-old could possibly be, and now they were about to destroy it all. He held his breath and waited for them to drop the proverbial bomb.

  “David, you look sick. Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” David didn’t want to be curt or rude, but his mom was about to decimate all his plans and hopes for the coming year. How could she think he wouldn’t look sick, especially on a day that was supposed to be all about celebrating? How could she do this to him, to his dads?

  “You don’t look fine. You look like someone just told you your best friend moved to China.”

  “Well, it’s suddenly feeling like I’m about to lose my best friend, not to mention my boyfriend, and my dads.”

  “Dads?” Of course Mama would pick up on the inclusion of Steve in the parental equation rather than the real cause for his distress.

  “Yes, Dads. Steve has been as much a father to me as Rob. In fact, without Steve, I don’t think Dad would have been able to become the father I’ve come to love, and never realized I wanted in my life.” There, he had said it to them in person. He didn’t want to hurt them, but his moms needed to hear the truth without the filter of seeing their faces on a computer screen.

  “I’m so happy you feel you have two more parents in your life. It was more than Mama and I could have dreamed of when we left for Europe.”

  Without missing a beat, David blurted out, “So why are you going to take me away from the new life I’ve created and fallen in love with?” He tried to keep the volume of his voice down, but clearly, David had spoken louder than he intended. Scanning the large room, he noticed everyone else had silenced and turned in his direction.

  “David, is everything okay? I hope you like your moms’ surprise. Your dad and I knew they were coming, and we all decided to surprise you, except it doesn’t look like it was such a great idea after all.” Pop came up alongside David and placed a hand at the small of his back.

  “Did you and Dad know they wanted to change the plan for next year?” Had all his parents betrayed him?

  “Yes, they shared the new plan. We thought you’d be happy.” Steve’s brow furrowed.

  “Happy? I thought you wanted me to stay with you, to stay in West Hartford?” David didn’t try to hide the pain in his voice and leaned against Kevin, who had come over to stand next to David on the side opposite his Pop.

  “What are you talking about, buddy? You’re not leaving. Hell, we’re not letting you go anywhere.”

  David’s eyes widened. “I don’t get it. So what’s the change of plans?” David turned back toward his moms.

  “We’re thinking about using central Connecticut as our new home base, honey.” David looked at his mom, his eyes widened, and when the words finally worked their way into his brain a broad smile crossed his entire face.

  “Holy shit!” David’s mama covered her mouth quickly as her face turned bright red. “Sorry.” She looked from his mom to pop, and then his dad as he approached. “You thought we were taking you back to New York after agreeing you could stay with your dads?”

  David nodded, unable to speak. He continued to lean heavily against Kevin and was comforted when he felt Kevin give him a slight sq
ueeze around the waist. “I’m an idiot.”

  “You sure are, son, at least where this is concerned.” David’s dad grinned. “As soon as we all committed to our new family structure, your moms, Steve, and I tried to make it a positive move for all of us. Now you’ll have four parents on your case all the time.” Rob elbowed David playfully. “Careful what you wish for, kiddo.”

  “I can totally live with this. I know I can!” David tried to keep his happiness in check and welcomed a small peck on the cheek from Kevin to indicate all was well. David looked at his pop and then his dad. “I think we have a wedding that needs to get started. Are you two ready? I’ve gotta make sure today stays on track. After all, I wouldn’t want to be remiss in my best-man duties.”

  Chuckling, everyone took their places around the two grooms, with the local probate judge for the town of West Hartford standing before them as the officiant.

  As David listened to the words of commitment his two fathers made to each other, he glanced at his moms, holding hands in the small group of well-wishers. David felt his gaze drifting toward Kevin, to find that Kevin was looking his way, their eyes meeting as they shared a smile.

  It had all started with his pop asking him to try running. Not only had it helped exorcise David’s pain and anguish, but it led him to find direction in his life. The world of track and competitive racing encouraged David to run toward his future willingly and enthusiastically. It was a future he hoped would include Kevin for as long as he could foresee. David knew they were only teens, but he and Kevin had survived so many obstacles on their road, there couldn’t be any stopping them now.

  Watching Pop place the ring on Dad’s finger, David flashed back to the moment Steve picked him up at the train station on the day he arrived in Connecticut. They passed so many small homes; everything seemed too quaint and quiet. Even the multistory buildings paled in comparison to the exquisite skyscrapers David had left behind in his beloved New York City. It felt like he had arrived in a foreign country—one he did not want to visit, let alone live in. David smiled as his father placed the ring on Steve’s finger and then continued to hold his hand. Now, his dads, Kevin, Jesse, and even Craig all made this new place home.

  Born in Brooklyn, CAROLYN LEVINE TOPOL grew up just outside New York City. Three passions dominated her life: reading, writing, and theater. Having always dreamed of writing her own version of The Great American Novel, it took her many years to discover her most heartfelt stories took their form in the creation of M/M romances. Sharing her writing with a small circle of online friends, Carolyn received advice, encouragement and joy from their feedback. Spending her days working as an executive assistant in a synagogue, Carolyn relishes the quiet wee hours of the morning to lose herself in writing of the loves, passions, and adventures driving her characters. With the backing of a supportive husband and two young adult children, Carolyn continues to explore the fabulous world of gay romance with the philosophy “Every person deserves their happy ending.” Visit Carolyn’ s website at www.carolynlevinetopol.com and her blog at http://carolyntopoltalk.com/. You can contact her at cstopol@gmail.com.

  By Carolyn LeVine Topol

  Run for It All

  Published by HARMONY INK PRESS

  www.harmonyinkpress.com

  Published by

  HARMONY INK PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  publisher@harmonyinkpress.com • harmonyinkpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Run for It All

  © 2016 Carolyn LeVine Topol.

  Cover Art

  © 2016 Alexandria Corza.

  http://www.ajcorza.com

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Harmony Ink Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or publisher@harmonyinkpress.com.

  ISBN: 978-1-63477-065-1

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-63477-066-8

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2016903153

  Published September 2016

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America