by Lee Quail
“Sure, no problem.”
Shane walked away and answered the call. “Hey! What you up to?”
Angie’s voice shouted from the other side of the pit. “Gregory, sing us a song. Lots of songs. We need to hear your music.”
“That’s my cue,” Gregory said, lifting his guitar and hugging it to his chest.
Raw seconded. “Hear, hear! Come on Gregory.”
He strummed the guitar and tuned the strings then broke into a song by Haevn called The Other Side of the Sea. A song about dreaming of a better life. Comforting, like a warm blanket, satisfying like a swim in the sea on a hot day. Fascinating metaphors for the things we cannot fathom. While being close to the sea, you can feel your brain clear up, yet at the same time it’s so massive and forceful that it’s almost incomprehensible. Liberating and intimidating.
His next song, a lively rendition of Thunder, got Edward grabbing Raw’s hand to dance.
Gregory sang and noticed Shane still talking on his phone.
Another song, Fire to the Rain, by Adele, showed off Gregory’s voice, there, inside the strength of his music lived a gruff hoarseness that echoed into the night air.
He played a last song by Beyoncé called Halo. His voice carried across the air and everyone, including Uncle Stephen clapped to the rhythm of the song as he sang. Afterwards he placed his guitar on the empty seat to the right of him. Looking around he couldn’t see Shane anywhere so he moved around the fire-pit and took a seat beside Edward.
“I see Shane’s busy on the phone. Must be his asshole fiancé,” Edward said.
Gregory frowned. Perplexed, he said, “Why is he an asshole?”
“Shane can’t see it because he thinks he’s in love with him, but I see it. He treats Shane like shit. He’s domineering and really has no manners at all.”
“That’s quite profound coming from you. You’ve met this Joe?”
“Only once. At their engagement party last year. Can’t stand him.”
“I’m surprised. Shane seems happy enough.”
“Shane’s got it all wrong, dad. I don’t know what Shane sees in him, but both Raw and I feel there’s something not quite right about him. He’s hiding something. I mean he goes on all these trips; local and overseas and not once has he ever invited Shane to go with him.”
Shane approached after being absent for half an hour at the most and greeted them cheerfully.
“You feeling better now?” Raw said. “How’s Joe doing?”
Shane didn’t answer.
“Problems in heaven?”
“If there are problems they’re not insurmountable,” Shane said.
“You can talk to me, you know that. Can I get you a Scotch or something?” Gregory offered.
“Actually, I’m headed back to my bungalow. It’s been a great party, Ed. Goodnight folks.”
Gregory couldn’t fathom Shane out. He had come to Canton’s Cottage for a party. Travelled hundreds of miles to be here, only to retire to his bungalow and sleep?
“I’ll walk with you,” Gregory said, getting up.
On their way to the bungalow, Gregory said, “Are you alright, detective?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just that before the call you were happy and ready for a party. I mean that’s why you came isn’t it?”
“I’m fine. Just fine.”
“You sure? You didn’t have words with Joe, did you?”
“I said I’m fine. Leave it at that. Stop pushing. I don’t need your help, okay.”
“Fine. I understand. I’m just concerned.”
Shane walked ahead of him without saying goodnight and it felt as if he’d been slapped across the face.
Shane had been fine until the call. Something changed. Gregory watched as the lights in Shane’s bungalow went off.
***
Back at the party, Edward beckoned Gregory to the well-lit patio where all of them had congregated. Gregory approached them and Edward wrapped his arms around him.
“Where’s Shane?” Raw asked, handing him a glass of champagne.
“Went back to his bungalow.”
“Don’t tell me you two are at each other again?” Edward said.
“After that call from his fiancé suddenly his mood changed.”
“I’ll go get him,” Raw said, heading for the steps.
“It’s okay, Raw. He’s in a world of his own,” Gregory said. “Besides, looks like you guys want to make a toast.”
“Exactly the reason we need him here.” Edward said.
Raw went down the steps and headed to the bungalow and a few minutes later returned with Shane close behind. He stood against the railing far away from Gregory and didn’t look his way once.
“So, now that we’re all here, I’d like to make a toast, or two. One toasting never seems to be enough lately,” Edward said, smiling broadly. Raw reached for Edward from behind and hugged him tightly.
“Eighteen months ago I met a guy who swept me off my feet. A guy who stole my heart from the moment I saw him lying helpless in a hospital bed, thanks to Angie who never gave up on us and continually pushed us together because we gave each other such a hard time, and I don’t mean hard in the way you guys think. We had it rough, I very nearly lost him, but we were determined to stay the course and I’m glad we did. My life without Rawson would never have been the same, and so I’d like to make a toast to Raw. My love, it’s been one year of married bliss, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that I love you more now than ever before. Here’s to us, and a lifetime of anniversaries to come. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being mine.”
“Hear! Hear!” Angie said, raising her Champaign. “Don’t cry now, Raw.”
Raw waved Angie away and stood next to Edward. “This has been a beautiful journey, my love. You mean the world to me. When I was lying in that hospital on the day we met, I knew then you were the one for me. I mean, look at you, Edward Canton-Curisco. You’re still the most beautiful man I have ever met, in the way you think, to the way you move, to the love you shower on me every fucking day. I am so grateful for you.”
Gregory smiled and nodded his approval.
“To each of you, thank you all for travelling so far to be with us on this special day. It means a lot to us, folks. Julia has served us a late supper in the house. Please eat, be merry and enjoy your stay. Oh, and don’t think there’s nothing to do here. We’re all up early tomorrow morning for a hike up the Cathkin Peak trail.”
Everyone went inside except Gregory. Shane brushed past him. “You coming?”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Gregory said. He’d noticed the abhorrent glare coming from Stephen as Edward and Raw made their announcements and felt it best to stay well away from him.
But Stephen also stayed behind, glaring at him with nothing less than hate.
“Say what you have to say, Stephen,” Gregory said.
“I should have put you in hospital years ago for what you did to my sister. I trusted you as a friend and you betrayed me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Friends don’t fuck their friend’s sisters. That’s all you wanted, to have sex with her.”
“We were best friends once, Stephen. I can understand that you feel you couldn’t protect her from having sex with me, but we did.”
“You pretended to be gay to get out of the marriage. You think I don’t know. It’s so easy to use the “I’m gay” excuse because you didn’t want to marry her.”
“That’s not true. I was gay then and I’m gay now. I only came out to Sue eleven years later. No one knew about me. Anyway, I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
Stephen grabbed him by the nape of his shirt and pushed him up against the wall. “You listen to me, you miserable fuck! How come, even after all these years, you’re still in the closet. If you were gay you’d be out by now.”
“Enough!” Shane stood behind them and pushed Stephen away from Gregory. “You stop
this right now. I don’t know what the fuck is happening here but you had best get your act together and quickly, or fucking leave, okay.”
“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do. This isn’t your house.”
Edward intervened. “You’re right Uncle Stephen, it’s not Shane’s house, it’s mine and I agree with him.”
“He should be the one to leave,” Stephen pointed at Gregory.
Edward glared at him. “I heard every word you said, and just for the record, my dad has always been gay and it’s his choice to come out or not. It’s none of your goddamned business. Secondly, did you come out as straight?”
“What? What kind of question is that? Straight people don’t come out. You know I don’t have a problem with gay people. But he lied to your mother about his sexuality.”
“Then why should gay people come out? Uncle Stephen, you are so ignorant it makes me want to puke.”
“Believe what you want, Stephen,” Gregory said. “It’s all in the past. You should have moved on by now. Jesus, what happened to you?”
Stephen rushed forward and punched Gregory in the face, at the same time connecting his knee into his groin. Gregory immediately fell to the patio, gripping his manhood in pain.
Shane moved in to protect Gregory, so did Angie. Raw and Edward grabbed Stephen and pushed him against the wall.
“Enough! Both of you,” Edward said. “This is not the time or place for violence. Uncle Stephen, go. Go to your bungalow!”
Stephen backed away from them. “It’s not the end of this, Basye Sander. It’s not the end,” he said, heading towards his bungalow.
Shane dropped to his knees and helped Gregory to his feet.
“Are you okay?”
Gregory didn’t answer, he cupped his jaw in one hand.
“Come inside, Dad.” Edward said, guiding him into the living room. “I’m sorry, dad. We should never have invited him.”
“It’s okay, Ed. I’m okay. I should be the one to apologise. This is all my fault.”
“No, dad,” Edward embraced him. “Uncle Stephen has been a pain in the ass since he arrived. “
Shane helped him onto the orange sofa. Angie offered him a glass of water but he waved it away.
“It’s sugar water. You need it,” she said, putting the glass to his lips. It hurt, but he sipped slowly.
“You’re staying on the couch tonight, Dad. You’ll be fine in the morning.”
***
After Raw and Edward retired for the night, Gregory lay on the couch, eyes wide open.
All he wanted was to prove he could shag a woman. All she wanted was to lose her virginity. But Stephen’s words wouldn’t wash away. He wished he had never met Stephen.
Shane whispered from the chair opposite him. “Hey! Where are you?”
Gregory tried to smile but it hurt. “You still here? Sorry for being a party pooper.”
“Shit, that wasn’t pooping the party, that was the best entertainment of the evening.”
Gregory lamented. “I should never have come.”
“Bullshit. Maybe all of this has been in your stars all the time. Unfinished business from your past.”
“It finished for me years ago. Stephen’s never forgiven me. Where’s my guitar? Have you seen it?”
“I have your guitar.” Shane leaned forward and took Gregory’s hand in his.
“I’ll get it in the morning. Thanks. You should go to bed, we’re off horse-riding in the morning.”
Gregory stared at Shane with a smile in his eyes as Shane drew his fingers lightly along the side of his face.
“How did you ever get involved with Stephen?” Shane asked.
“Long story. At school we were best friends and all that.”
“How come you never told him you were gay?”
“Call it naivety, maybe just me being a dumbass, I don’t know. He should have seen it. I mean I never looked at girls, they just didn’t interest me. He told me to invite his sister as my date to our matric farewell. Of course she said yes, the rest is history.”
Shane smiled. “And what a history. Look at the fabulous son you produced.”
Gregory took Shane’s hand and kissed it. “Thank you. He is amazing, isn’t he?”
“He’s a fine man, Gregory. Takes after his dad.”
“His dad’s an asshole. What about you? Your parents.”
Shane sighed deeply. “Don’t be so negative, Colonel. You’re too harsh on yourself. As for my parents, they live in the Eastern Cape. Their farm is tucked up against the Kaggaberg in a tiny town called Bedford. I was fourteen when mom told me I was different and that she’d always love me. The day I came out to them was the day of the annual Bedford gardening festival. Needless to say, we celebrated well into the night and they constantly played matchmaker after that. She once came to me and said that Tannie* Doreen’s son wanted a date. Tannie Doreen was the local clothing boutique owner. Of course I knew her son was gay, in a small town like Bedford everything is everyone’s business. So we dated for a while and when I left for police college the relationship ended. So yes, my parents are fantastic people. Although they didn’t want me to become a cop. They regard it as a dangerous, unglorified job. Often thankless. Little pay. They worried but supported me in everything. I owe them so much love and gratitude.”
“Hmmm,” Gregory groaned. His eyes had closed and he had dozed off.
Shane touched his face. “Sleep, my Colonel. I’ll be here if you need me.”
*Tannie = Afrikaans; meaning Aunt.
8
Sunday
They gathered on the front patio of Canton’s Cottage bright and early, all dressed casually in shorts and loose fitting shirts.
Raw called them closer. “Where’s Uncle Stephen?”
Stephen came running up the steps. “Here I am. I’m here. Late, but here.”
“Dad,” Edward called out. “Are you okay for this?”
“Fine. I’m fine,” Gregory said with a bruised and swollen cheek.
“Are you sure? We can do this some other time.”
“Let’s do this, Ed.”
“Cool. Okay, listen up everyone. The trail we’re going to follow starts beyond those Pine trees and meets up with the Rainbow Gorge Trail. The beauty of this area is unrivalled, and those that have visited it almost always fall in love,” Edward said, hitching his backpack across his shoulder. “It’s one of the most beautiful trails on Champagne Castle. It’s an easy hike, about five kilometres long and should take us roughly two hours. Don’t be put off by the steepness of some of the hills. We’ll be hiking along the foot of Tryme Hill and through the yellowwood forest to the Ndumeni River Gorge. As the trail begins to ascend, the gorge narrows and a spectacular display of rainbows awaits. So have your cell phones ready for spectacular images. We’ll stop for lunch and then make our way back again.”
Shane helped Gregory with his backpack.
“Thanks. Here, let me help you.” Gregory lifted Shane’s backpack and hoisted it across his shoulders.
“Thanks for staying with me last night,” Gregory whispered.
Shane trembled with goosebumps.
“My pleasure. You needed someone around.”
“Joe is really a lucky guy.”
“Let’s not talk Joe, okay. Last night I watched you sleeping and I thought how lucky Ed is to have you as a dad. I also thought about what you said that I travelled hundreds of kilometres to be here, for what, to have the man I’m engaged to, spoil it? No way. I’m here for me. I intend to enjoy every minute of it.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Just forget about life for a while.”
Shane slapped Gregory’s butt. “You have an amazing ass, by the way.”
“You’re asking for it.”
“Maybe. But I‘m engaged, remember.”
“You won’t let me forget.”
The trail wound along the edge of the escarpment and dropped sharply; any misplaced step could mean instant death. Vast savannahs lay
below, and a group of antelope grazed on the edge of the pass above them. Several Falcons had caught an updraft and swirled in circles. Small black and white Rockjumpers caught their attention as they traversed the edge until Champaign Castle came into view.
Storm clouds gathered and they stopped to take in the wonder of it. God had worked miracles here. It seemed the perfect place to find and be in love, and as they took a breather, Shane wrapped an arm across Gregory’s shoulders.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Just like you,” Gregory whispered.
Shane turned to face him and stared for a long moment.
On the way back, Stephen slowly crept up on Shane and Gregory and eventually he walked alongside them. The tension was unbearable until Stephen spoke.
“Will you accept an apology?”
Gregory walked on without turning to answer him.
“I’m sorry about last night, Greg. Really sorry. It’s just that for years now I’ve bottled all this up and I had to explode.”
“You have no idea how I’ve battled with my sexuality all these years, Stephen. Your reaction last night was so blatantly one-sided. Heterosexually one-sided. Typical. I expected nothing less. Why didn’t you talk to me? You could easily have found me.”
“I didn’t want to know the truth about that night. I was in total denial.”
“But what happened is not yours to deny. The events of that night belong to me and Edward’s mother.”
“I know. I realise that now. All I ask is that you forgive me for all those years and last night. I’m an idiot. If you don’t accept my apology, I deserve it.”
“You think us gays aren’t human, or less than human?”
“They’re fantastic.”
“Then why put a label to us like we’re bottled pickles on a supermarket shelf?”
“It’s been like that for hundreds of years.”
“Here’s my challenge. I’ll accept your apology on condition that you stop labelling us.”
“I think I can live with that.”
“Then we’re all good.”
***
Later, in his bungalow, Gregory lay naked with his hands under his head and stared at the ceiling. The day had come and gone in the blink of an eye. The Berg, God’s gift to mankind, was beautiful, and for the first time since meeting Shane, Gregory felt comfortable with him. Today, on their hiking trail, Shane entered his heart and held it in a vice grip.