by Tinnean
I bit back a laugh. “No, Mark. From what I gathered, he left on the spur of the moment. Did he manage to pack?”
“He just has a carry-on, and he left it by the stairs.”
“That’s good. How long does he plan to stay?”
“He didn’t say.”
“All right. If he didn’t pack enough clothes, we’ll see he gets more.”
“This is why you’d make such a good father and I wouldn’t. And don’t say I would. I didn’t even think of that.”
“Don’t beat yourself up.” I rubbed his arm. “I prepared the fawn bedroom at the front of the house for him.”
“Fawn.” He shook his head, and I bit my lip to keep from chuckling.
“It’s just another name for beige.”
“I knew that.” He ran a hand through his hair. “That’ll work.”
“What is it?” I could tell something was bothering him.
“I don’t like it. First off, Kit had no idea we were married.”
“But… If I recall correctly, Lilly said your cousins couldn’t come because of the inconvenient timing—they had work and school. Could your cousins have chosen not to come?”
“That possibility is what struck me at first, but after what Kit told me, I started to wonder if the cousins were told at all. Or if maybe he in particular wasn’t told.”
I remembered what Lilly had said at dinner, about not wanting Kit to consider choosing that lifestyle, even though it wasn’t a choice. “What else, Mark?” He’d as much as said there were multiple things that disturbed him.
Kit hadn’t rejoined us, so Mark continued. “The thing is, Kit’s oldest brother went into his room and snooped in his computer.”
“Was he looking for something he expected to find?”
“That’s how it came across to me.”
“So Lilly is against Kit being gay. How do you think your uncle will react? He wasn’t very chatty at the luncheon.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
I stared into his eyes. “It never fails to strike me how lucky I’ve been.”
“Yeah.” He cupped my chin and brushed his thumb over my cheekbone. “From what I learned of your father, I’m positive he’d be as accepting as Portia.”
“Yes, I think he would.” I didn’t ask what he’d learned of Father, although I was curious. I’d have to ask later.
Just then, Kit entered the kitchen. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.”
“Nope.” Mark picked up the platter of sandwiches, while I opened the fridge.
“I have soda. What would you like?”
“Coke, if you have it.”
“Of course.” I took out three cans.
“May I help?”
“Take this.” I handed him the soda. “Mark will show you where we’re eating.”
He paused in the doorway. “I’m sorry I missed your wedding. I… uh… I’d like to buy you a wedding gift while I’m down here.”
“That’s kind of you, but it isn’t necessary. As you can see, we have everything we need.”
“What’s your favorite charity? I’ll send them a donation.”
“That is kind of you. Thank you.”
“I didn’t know you were getting married.” He looked unhappy.
“It was in the middle of the week.”
“I’d have taken the day off.”
We arrived in the dining room, and I indicated the seat he should take. Mark and I took our usual seats. Later I’d talk to Mark about it, but if things because too tense at Kit’s home, perhaps his cousin could come stay with us until he decided what he wanted to do.
While Kit spoke of his seatmate on the flight from Logan—who he seemed certain would also prove to be his soul mate—Mark tried to prepare him for a possible letdown.
“Y’know, guys say they’ll call, but then they don’t.”
“He’ll call,” Kit said with confidence.
“Suppose you tell us what you know about him,” I suggested.
“He plays guitar, he’s in his first year of college, and his brother is gay and married. And… and…” His face took on a stubborn expression. “And I like him a lot, and he likes me.”
I cleared my throat. “Kit’s friend doesn’t sound like a predator, Mark.”
Mark scowled at me. “Don’t you start. Kit’s been gay about ten minutes. How can he be so sure?”
Kit gave him a sweet smile. “I’m sure, Mark. You’ll be too, once you meet him.”
“He has a point, babe,” I murmured as I offered Mark another sandwich. Besides, he would be there to take care of Kit.
I watched as Mark continued to interact with his cousin, and I smiled and helped myself to a sandwich. No matter what Mark might think, he would be a great father.
I could see it.
About the Author
Tinnean has been writing since the 3rd grade, where she was inspired to try her hand at epic poetry. Fortunately, that epic poem didn't survive the passage of time; however, her love of writing not only survived but thrived, and in high school she became a member of the magazine staff, where she contributed a number of stories.
It was with the advent of the family's second computer – the first intimidated everyone – that her writing took off, enhanced in part by fanfiction, but mostly by the wonder that is copy and paste.
While involved in fandom, she was nominated for both Rerun and Light My Fire Awards. Now she concentrates on her original characters and has been published by Nazca Plain, JMS Books, and Dreamspinner. Her novel, Two Lips, Indifferent Red received honorable mention in the 2013 Rainbow Awards.
A New Yorker at heart, she resides in SW Florida with her husband and two computers.
Ernest Hemingway's words reflect Tinnean's devotion to her craft: Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it.
She can be contacted at:
Email: [email protected]
Live Journal: http://tinnean.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @tinneantoo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tinnean
Amazon: Amazon Author Page:
Early Samples Can Be Found: http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/tinnssinns/Welcome1.html
A Note From The Author:
Thank you so much for picking up this story. If you enjoyed it, please take the time to review it at the site you picked it. It is one of the best ways to help an author get their name out.