Relative-ly Speaking

by Karen D. Badger

  He and Laurel had several confrontations about her involvement in Billie's life. If I had my way, Jim thought, she wouldn't associate with her at all. But knowing the kind of woman Laurel is, and how wonderful a mother she is to Dylan, he knew he couldn't ask her to do that. He would have been fine with the whole thing if Laurel hadn't insisted he attend this reunion with her, and to make an effort to get to know Billie and her gay parents. Jim had serious doubts as to whether or not he could handle this. His palms were sweaty again just thinking about it!

  He had been prepared to be totally turned off by Billie when he met her. He truly thought he would feel nothing but disgust and contempt, but the minute he laid eyes on her, he knew those feelings were impossible. She looked exactly like Laurel had when he met her thirty years earlier. He loved his wife dearly, and couldn't bring himself to feel contempt for someone who looked so much like the woman who owned his heart.

  For several moments, he had even forgotten about her lifestyle...that is, of course, until he was introduced to Cat. At that moment, all his fears came rushing back, especially when Billie held her in her arms, and introduced her to him as her wife. His body immediately turned traitorous, sweat pouring from every crevice.

  Jesus, Mary and Joseph, he thought. I almost lost my lunch when I saw them together. Instinctively offering his hand to the smaller woman, he shook it and then immediately wiped the sweat from his palm onto his pant leg, before it literally dripped to the floor. He was very nervous in their presence and had to get out of there as fast as possible.

  Thank goodness for my son and the luggage, he thought as that convenient excuse presented itself to him. His thoughts ran along those lines during the entire ride to SpireClyffe.

  Laurel sat there, holding Billie's hand as the car sped toward SpireClyffe. She shared furtive glances with Billie throughout the ride, silently apologizing for Jim's behavior.

  Jim, please tell me you didn't mean to insult Cat, she pleaded silently to herself. If you did, I'll never forgive you for intentionally hurting her.

  Laurel and Jim had argued vehemently over the past week about her family's choice of sexuality, as Jim put it. Laurel tried in vain to explain to Jim that homosexuality was not about choices, but about biology. At this point, Jim had actually accused her of being gay herself, claiming that if it was all about biology, then why had it skipped a generation? She found herself at a disadvantage, not having an answer to his question. Whether homosexuality was inherited was something Laurel was not able to explain. She only knew that in her case, it indeed had skipped a generation.

  When Laurel came home from her stay with Billie and Cat during Sky's illness, she felt as if she was under a microscope. She knew that Jim was looking for signs that her daughter had somehow convinced her to join them in their choice of lifestyles. If it weren't so irritating, she would have laughed. After a few weeks of normal behavior, she assumed Jim was convinced that she hadn't turned gay, as the scrutiny abruptly ended.

  Things appeared to be back to normal in the Stafford household, that is, until Billie called her about the reunion. All hell broke loose when she informed Jim that all of them were attending...all three of them. He vehemently refused to go at first, but eventually gave in when he saw how much it meant to her. Now here they were, in the car heading toward a meeting with her gay parents.

  Jim's first encounter with Billie went surprisingly well, but when introduced to Cat, all hell broke loose. Laurel could only wonder what would happen when he met Alexandra and Josephine.

  Holy Shit! she thought, mimicking Jo. Jim, Mom is going to have a grand old time with you, she mused, smiling slightly, sneaking a side way glance at Billie.

  Laurel raised Billie's hand to her lips and kissed the knuckles. Billie looked at her mother and smiled. Laurel smiled back.

  This is going to be a rough week, Laurel thought. Somehow we have to make Jim see that sexual orientation is a minor part of the whole person. Jim has preached racial and religious tolerance and acceptance to Dylan since he was born. Why can't he practice what he preaches when it comes to homosexuality? Laurel thought.

  Laurel's thoughts returned to Alex and Jo, causing her to smile once more. If Jim spent the whole week with his homophobic attitude on his sleeve, Jo would make mincemeat of him.

  Maybe he needs that, she thought. Somehow, he needs to see these women as normal people, instead of messengers of the devil, as he had called them during one of their arguments over the previous weeks.

  As stressful as this week promised to be, Laurel was looking forward to spending time with her daughters and grandchildren. The few months she had spent with them while Skylar was ill were wonderful, despite the emotional upheaval their strained relationship had caused at the beginning of the visit. She was also glad that she was able to help with the children while Cat and Billie concentrated on making Skylar well again. If she did nothing else significant in her life, she would die happy knowing she was there for her daughters and grandchildren when they needed her.

  Geesh, Dad, you really blew it at the airport, Dylan thought as he glanced at his very nervous father. Poor Cat. I hope she wasn't too hurt by the gesture. Dylan had seen his father wipe his hand on his pant leg immediately after shaking hands with Cat. If you had done that to me, I would have decked you!

  Looking into the back seat, he watched Cat as she stared absently out the window. Billie had thrown her left arm around Cat's shoulder for support. Cat had subconsciously reached up and laced the fingers of her left hand with Billie's as it hovered over the area in front of her left breast. Dylan watched as Cat brought Billie's hand to her lips and kissed the back of it absently. The vacant stare out the window was definitely a sign that Cat was preoccupied. Dylan noticed the periodic clenching of Cat's jaw muscles as the car sped toward SpireClyffe.

  Cat, I don't blame you if you're angry with him, he thought. He certainly deserves your anger. If it helps at all, I'm glad you're part of my family. I think you're a wonderful woman, and I couldn't be happier to call you sister.

  Dylan recalled his first meeting with Cat and Billie. He had found them hovering over his mother, who was unconscious at their feet. He thought at first that they had harmed her. When he demanded they back away, Cat very curtly informed him that she was a doctor, and then ordered him to carry Laurel into the house where she could examine her. Even at that first meeting, her spunk struck a tender chord in his heart.

  When he first looked at Billie...actually looked at her, he was awestruck at how much she resembled his mother. There was no denying that she was Laurel's daughter. He was overwhelmed by the very presence this woman radiated, learning at their first meeting that she meant business.

  When he finally realized that Cat and Billie were a couple, he fully expected to be repulsed. He had grown up hearing his father preach about the evils of such hedonistic joining. Instead, he found them endearing, charming, and very much in love.

  During the time he'd spent with them the last time they visited SpireClyffe Acres, Dylan took advantage of the opportunity of getting to know his sister, and he soon realized that he loved her and Cat dearly, as though they had been raised together. He was really looking forward to spending time with them again, and getting to know his nieces and nephew. It felt cool to be an uncle.

  Allowing his gaze to move to his sister, Dylan once again marveled at how much she looked like his mother. A surge of brotherly love passed through him as she caught his eyes and smiled. He smiled back and made some lame comment about looking forward to the visit. He could see the hurt in her eyes for Cat. With his eyes, he silently vowed to her that his father's beliefs did not extend to him. Billie seemed to understand the message his eyes were sending as she mouthed the words, thank you. Dylan smiled and turned his face back to the road, wiping a tear of sensitivity from the corner of his eye.

  You don't need his approval, Cat. Get over it! she told herself repeatedly as she watched the scenery fly by. For Billie's sake, you've got to put it aside
and pretend it didn't happen. Billie still loves you. She is all you need. And besides, he is just one out of how many who would be there this week? Like she had told Billie earlier, his opinion of them didn't matter. Then why does it hurt so much?

  Cat could feel Dylan's eyes on her as he turned in his seat to address Billie. Not wanting him to see the hurt on her face, she remained stoic, concentrating her efforts on staring out the window. She didn't want, nor did she need his pity.

  Why did you suggest the genealogy search to Billie in the first place, Cat? It has caused nothing but harm, she seethed angrily at herself. We were happy with each other and our children. We really didn't need anything more than that. No, you just couldn't leave it alone, could you? she scolded herself.

  Taking a deep breath, Cat remembered how crushed Billie was to realize she was adopted, and how angry she was at Laurel for selling her for drug money. Cat sat there and stewed at herself.

  Finally, other thoughts came to mind. Well, maybe it didn't turn out all that bad, she thought. Billie did find her mother…and they finally made up. And she did find out she had a brother. Billie had always been envious of Cat's relationship with her sisters. Being an only child meant she'd missed out on all that. And, Cat thought, we discovered that Grams is really her biological grandmother. Cat smiled in spite of herself. Well, I guess a lot of good has come out of it.

  Cat spared a glance at her wife, who sat stoically on the seat between her and Laurel. God, Billie must feel terrible for what her stepfather did. If Daddy had done that to her, I would have died right there on the spot, Cat thought, raising Billie's hand to her mouth and kissing the back of it in a silent message of love. Billie's hand squeezed Cat's lightly.

  God, I love this woman. Well, Jim, you had just better get used to it, because I am not going to change the way I act around Billie just because you are here, she thought angrily, clenching her jaw repeatedly. In fact, my dear sweet grandmother is going to have a field day with you, she thought as images of what Jo would do to Jim crossed her mind. She had all she could do to keep a grin off her face. Revenge is so sweet, she thought.

  What a mess this is, Billie thought. This was supposed to be an enjoyable family reunion, not some gay rights demonstration.

  Billie looked straight ahead, watching the road through the windshield. A sudden thought made her smile. Jen would be having a field day with this guy right now. Billie fought to keep from chuckling as she remembered Jen's attack on the jogger who had made an off-colored remark about her and Cat while they were camping at Happy Trails Campground. If I remember right, Fred had to help the guy back to his feet, she thought, smiling once more.

  Billie thought about what Cat had told her while they waited at the airport. She said that Jim's opinion of them didn't matter, that they had each other and their children, and their love. Cat was right, Billie thought. We don't need his approval.

  Billie's thoughts turned to Laurel.

  God, Mom must be so embarrassed by Jim's treatment of Cat. I'll need to talk to Cat...see if she's willing to sit down with Laurel and really talk about how she feels.

  Billie held Cat's hand, aware that Cat was hurting inside by Jim's actions despite the lecture the smaller woman had given her at the airport. It's so easy to philosophize when you are not the victim, Cat, and so hard to stay detached when you are, she thought. I know you're hurting right now, my love. I promise to make it up to you, she silently promised, stealing a glance at her wife.

  Just then, Cat raised Billie's hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. She can feel me thinking about her. Billie squeezed Cat's hand lightly.

  Dylan telling her that he was looking forward to the visit suddenly drew Billie’s attention to the front seat. She just smiled her agreement. Before he looked away, she saw something in his eyes. What is it? she thought. Sympathy? Acceptance? Yeah, that's it, acceptance. He wants me to know that he doesn't share Jim's attitude.

  She found herself looking at her brother closely and hoping that she'd have a chance to get to know him better. They had missed sharing their childhood with one another. Seth is going to love you, Dyl, she thought. He's been looking forward to having a guy around. Don't be surprised if he becomes your shadow over the next week, she thought, smiling again at the love filling her heart for this young man.

  Billie spared one more glance up at the rear view mirror and caught Jim's eyes. Jim looked away quickly, a look of disgust on his face.

  Well, Jim, you had just better get used to it, because I am not going to change the way I act around Cat just because you are here, she thought, smiling evilly. In fact, if you keep this behavior up, dear sweet Grandma Jo is going to have lots of fun with you, she thought as she imagined just how Jo would react to Jim's homophobia. She had all she could do to keep a grin off her face. Revenge is so sweet, she thought.

  ***

  Silence filled the car for the remainder of the drive to SpireClyffe, each occupant deep in thought, each one with a plan to survive the upcoming week. A collective sigh of relief was heard as Jim drove between the pillars at the end of the drive leading to SpireClyffe.

  CHAPTER 6

  Alex and Jo were waiting for them when the car pulled up to the front door of the mansion. Dylan was out of the car almost before it stopped, scooping Alex into his arms and twirling her around in a circle before putting her back down again and planting a wet kiss on her cheek.

  "Grams, I missed you so much!" he exclaimed, grinning ear to ear.

  "Land sakes, child," Alexandra croaked. "You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet!" she added, pinching Dylan's cheek playfully. After planting one more kiss on Alex's cheek, he turned his attention to Jo.

  "Don't you dare, if you know what's good for you," Jo said, placing a hand on the whip she wore at her side. Josephine had decided to start this week out proper-like by sending the message loud and clear to Jim that she wasn't about to tolerate any lecturing about the evils of living in sin.

  "Ah, Grandma Jo, you're such a softie!" Dylan said scooping her up anyway and treating her to the same dizzy spell and sloppy kiss he left Alex with.

  "So much for first impressions," she mumbled as she struggled to keep her balance.

  Just then, Laurel, Jim, Billie and Cat approached the elderly women. Laurel made the introductions as Cat and Billie went to stand behind Alex and Josephine.

  "Mom, Nona, this is my husband, Jim. Jim, my mothers, Alexandra Spirakis and Josephine Wycliffe," Laurel said.

  Jim was soaked. His shirt was wet under the arms, and he could feel rivulets of sweat run down his back. This time, thinking ahead, he wiped his hand off on his trousers before shaking hands with Alex and Jo. Billie raised an eyebrow at him behind the elder ladies' backs. Looking up, he caught her eye as she stood just beyond Alex's shoulder. Once again, the resemblance struck him dumb, especially when Laurel turned to faced him and all three of them were aligned, one behind the other, with Laurel in front of him, then Alexandra, then Billie standing in the rear.

  "My lord," he said, "the resemblance is uncanny!"

  "Well, sonny, your lord isn't going to help you here, considering he doesn't like our kind,." Josephine said, placing her hand once more on the coil of whip hanging on her waistband of her safari pants. Reaching up, she pushed her fedora back on her head then reached into her shirt pocket to retrieve a cigar. Biting the end of it off, she spat it on the ground then clamped the stogie between her teeth. All of this was done without breaking eye contact with Jim. "I need a light," she demanded to no one in particular.

  Jim gulped audibly.

  Billie grinned.

  Alexandra died of embarrassment.

  Dylan tried desperately to keep a straight face.

  Laurel bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  Cat smiled broadly as she approached Josephine and put her arm around her waist. "You know you gave up smoking years ago," Cat said, grinning ear to ear at Jim's uneasiness.

  Still maintaining eye contact with Jim, she
said, "Yeah, you're right, I did. Guess I'll have to settle for a drink then," she said. Taking two steps forward, she stopped directly in front of Jim, within inches of his nose. Hands on her hips, she looked directly into his face, cigar still clenched in her teeth. "You man enough to have a drink with your mother-in-law?" she asked.

  "Ah...ah...I...I... sure," he said

  Billie quickly excused herself, beating a hasty exit before she burst out laughing. Dylan quickly followed as the siblings fell into each other's arms inside the atrium of the house, laughing their fool heads off.

  ***

  "Billie?" Ida asked. "Honey, are you okay?" she said, noticing that her daughter-in-law was leaning heavily against a young man with the curly blonde hair.

  "Mom!" Billie exclaimed, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Mom," she said again, "This is Dylan, your nephew." Billie took a deep breath to compose herself as she introduced her brother to Cat's mother. "Dylan, Cat's Mom, Ida."

  Ida's eyes grew wide as she hugged the young man. "Dylan," she said. "It's so good to finally meet you. My, you're a handsome one," she added, holding him by the shoulders, an arm's length away. Then, looking at Billie, she added. "That means your mother is here. Where is she?"