by Brad Graber
“Well, that would be pretty bad,” Barney agreed. “I think that’s the worst thing that could happen.”
“Or,” and Rikki paused before she spoke, “he hugs me and says he’s heard all about me and is so grateful I came to visit.”
Barney coughed. “Very unlikely.”
“Perhaps,” Rikki said, reconsidering. “But really, anything is possible. Anything. It’s like an adventure. You never know what someone’s going to say or do.”
“Sounds more like a nightmare to me.”
“That’s because you don’t have faith in people.”
Barney conceded. “I don’t. After the experience with my parents and two foster families, I’d say faith is something I’m sorely lacking.”
“Well, don’t you worry,” she said as the cab hit a bump, sending her practically bouncing off the seat. “I have enough faith for both of us.”
◆
When the bell rang, Harry was all set. Beetle was firmly in his arms so that the terrier, torn ACL and all, wouldn’t make a mad dash for the front door. As Beetle squirmed, Harry held on tight. “Now, take it easy,” he told Beetle as he got to the door. “No getting yourself excited.” And though he tried to get Beetle to remain calm, the second time the bell sounded, Beetle nearly leapt out of Harry’s arms, requiring Harry to put the dog down as he opened the door.
Beetle held his rear left leg high as he barked fiercely.
Lil stood in the open doorway. “Oh, Beetle, look at you,” she called out in such a high-pitched voice that Beetle attempted to jump up but failed.
“Please,” was all Harry could muster at the sight of the blonde. “Keep your voice calm. We’re trying to keep Beetle quiet.”
Lil stepped inside and immediately knelt to the floor. “Oh, Beetle,” she cried out. “Are you still not feeling well?”
“Lil, it’s an ACL tear,” Harry reminded her, completely irritated.
Beetle again attempted to leap at Lil.
“Poor darling,” Lil cooed as Harry reached down and lifted Beetle off the ground.
“Christ, Lil, don’t you ever listen?”
Lil blinked hard. “What do you mean?”
“Here I am trying to tell you to quiet down, and all you can do is keep revving Beetle up. You know it’s not good for the leg.”
Lil crossed her arms and locked eyes with him. “Harry Aldon, you’re a bully. I mean it. A real bully. I wasn’t trying to get Beetle all excited. It’s just my way. I have that effect on animals, and even on some men I’ve known.”
“Undoubtedly,” Harry answered, wishing she’d make herself scarce. “Well, I’ve got to get back to work,” he said dismissively.
Lil uncrossed her arms. “But Harry, I just got here and there’s something I want to discuss.”
“Not this morning, Lil. You can come over and ring the bell—but that doesn’t mean you’re coming in. I have things to do and I have to get back to them. You know I work in the morning.”
“But Harry,” Lil called out as Harry backed her up in the doorway and started to push the door closed.
“Sorry,” replied Harry, though there was no note in his voice of genuine regret.
“Oh, Harry,” Lil blurted out as she turned to go. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a real asshole?”
“Sounds familiar,” Harry said as he slammed the door and locked it.
◆
When Harry Aldon’s bell rang less than ten minutes later, he went off like a firecracker.
“Goddamn that woman,” he bristled as Beetle escaped his grasp and rushed down the hallway, left paw held high as he hopped along, yapping wildly. It was all too much for Harry as he turned the corner and reached the front door. Two interruptions in one morning. Lil, I swear. I’m going to kill you!
Reaching down, he lifted Beetle up with the sweep of an arm before pulling the door open and locking eyes with two strangers. “Yes?” he said, brows arched, certain they were at the wrong door. “Can I help you?”
The young girl wore a blue Old Navy sweatshirt. Her thick brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She had an oval face with a good, strong nose. Instead of being just pretty, she looked intelligent with a sharp gleam in her eyes. She gave Harry the once-over. Perhaps she expected to see someone else? The young man next to her looked just as smart. Taller than the girl, he practically stood at the same height as Harry. His hair, parted in the middle, fell carelessly over one eye, almost hiding a remarkable shade of blue.
“Wrong address?” Harry asked as Beetle calmed down. He placed the dog on the ground.
“I don’t think so,” the young girl said holding up a piece of paper. “You are Harry Aldon?”
Harry sighed. What could this be? Was his name on a fundraising list? Were these two kids from the Mormon Church? Did they even let boys and girls do mission together? He took a breath. Patience, he thought.
“What can I do for you? If this is a political thing, I’m not interested. I hate the GOP as much as the Democrats. And I’m not buying raffle tickets to help you with a school project. And I don’t eat Girl Scout cookies. Too many calories.”
“Oh,” the girl said, seemingly surprised by his answer.
“So, I’m not interested in anything you’re selling.” And just as he was about to shut the door, Beetle charged past him and rushed up to the girl, who knelt down to pet him.
Harry rolled his eyes. Leave it to Beetle to check out the ladies.
“We’re not selling anything,” the young man said. “We’re here to meet Harry Aldon.”
Oh, shit, Harry thought as he checked out their serious expressions. Fans. Coming to my front door. Geez. How do I get out of this? “Are you sure you want Harry Aldon?” His voice signaled that he was somewhat resigned to the interruption.
“Most definitely,” the young man answered. His presence seemed to grow stronger by the minute.
And then a thought popped into Harry’s head. Is this one of those “You’re my Dad!” interventions? His mind raced. He’d had unprotected sex in his youth. Even an affair or two with women that had lasted two or three months. Could one of these two kids be the result? It could be possible. Could he be someone’s dad?
“I’m sorry,” Harry tried to beg off. “But I don’t have time for visitors. Not today,” he said as he began to close the door.
“But you have to see us.” The boy pushed back on the door as it was closing. “We came all the way from Michigan to see you.”
Harry pulled the door open again. “Michigan?”
“And we have no place to stay,” the girl added.
I don’t have time for this, Harry thought as he reluctantly welcomed the two into his home. We’ll just make it quick.
◆
“Okay, for starters, how old are you?” Harry asked, looking at the boy and then the girl as the two youngsters sank down in one of the overstuffed sofas in Harry’s family room. Beetle rested calmly between their feet. Harry took a seat across from them on the matching sofa.
“Fifteen,” the girl answered, one hand reaching down to stroke the top of Beetle’s head. “I’m Rikki,” she said introducing herself, “and this is Barney.”
“Sixteen next month,” Barney replied.
So young, Harry thought as he eyed the two fresh faces. “How did you get here?”
Rikki was the first to respond. “Evelyn. She bought us two plane tickets.”
Harry searched his memory. “Evelyn? I don’t remember an Evelyn.”
Rikki giggled. “Why would you?”
Harry jerked his head sharply to the left. “Wait a minute. How did you get my name?”
“Uncle Bill,” Rikki naively stated. “He remembered that you were a writer. We Googled you.”
Harry nodded with some pride. He, too, had Googled his own name from time to time and was reassured to see a list of his novels.
“But I don’t know a Bill in Michigan. And how did you get my address?”
“No,” Rikki corr
ected him. “He’s from New York City. My mom used to work with him. He found an address in an old file—and guessed it might be yours—but we couldn’t get your phone number.”
“That’s because I’m not listed,” Harry quickly answered. “‘Mom’? Who is your mom?”
This time Barney answered. “Elle Goldenbaum.”
Harry’s heart practically stopped. “Richard,” he said, suddenly aware of the connection. “You’re Richard’s niece?”
“Why, yes,” Rikki repeated. “My name is Rikki Goldenbaum and this is my friend Barney. That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you.”
“Oh, my God,” Harry said, a hand covering his mouth.
Beetle sat up and looked about.
“This is unbelievable. How did you get here?” Harry asked again, more a comment than an actual question.
“He’s doesn’t listen very well,” Barney said to Rikki. “Didn’t you just tell him?”
◆
As Rikki and Barney filled Harry in on their journey, Harry’s mind drifted back to the day he’d met Richard. He remembered arriving at a cocktail party alone. It was a fundraiser held in a private home where he found himself immersed in a roomful of strangers, wine glass in hand. Amid a general murmur of background chatter, he had skated past the crowd in a desperate attempt to find a safe corner, to gain his bearings.
What was the charity? He struggled to remember. How did I know about the event? It was his first time in a room of self-identified gay men. Someone must have told me about it. Or did I read about it?
It was an odd time in his life. After being with women, he’d decided to explore the other side of his sexuality. The side he’d kept clandestine. And this, because his relationships with women had not worked out. The sexual attraction seemed transitory. The emotional connection, uncomfortable. He’d repressed his attraction to other men for years, acting out in those dark, hidden places where gay men of a certain generation congregated. He’d heard the term latent homosexual and wondered if that applied to him. It seemed a derisive term. An unpleasant label. Something he was unwilling to embrace.
Barney’s voice jolted him back to the present. “And then, this guy Sammy drove us all the way to Birmingham, Michigan.”
“He emigrated from Bangladesh,” Rikki explained. “He’s only in his twenties and he owns a taxi cab and a restaurant.”
Harry was impressed. “Wow.”
“And he’s kind,” Rikki added, looking over at Barney. “He really looked out for us.”
“Sounds like you were lucky to meet him.”
Both teenagers nodded as Harry realized the two might be hungry. “Have you had anything to eat?”
Beetle squirmed with excitement and whimpered. Harry laughed. “Chill out,” he said, trying to soothe the dog. “Eat is his favorite word.”
“He’s adorable,” Rikki offered.
Harry reached between them and lifted Beetle off the ground. “I’m afraid he’s an old boy,” and with that, Beetle let out a long deep cough as Harry gently lowered him back down to the floor. “Congestive heart disease,” Harry explained as Beetle continued to cough. “It’s nothing to worry about,” Harry assured them. “He’ll be fine in another moment.” And sure enough, Beetle eventually looked up, the hacking stopped, and his tail wagged at the three concerned faces.
Harry lifted Beetle again in his arms and sat back down, cradling the animal. “There you go,” he said as he stroked the terrier’s face, starting from the brow and running his palm over Beetle’s head and down the length of his body. “You’re okay.”
Rikki came about the coffee table and sat next to Harry, intently watching Beetle. Harry spotted a familiar expression. A certain curl in her lips, a gentle rise in her cheek. It was one of Richard’s expressions, unnerving as it was instantly recognizable. Harry studied her face. She looked up, offering a sweetly disarming glance; the sparkle in her brown eyes hinted at an inner vitality touched by kindness, a warmth that eradicated any resistance he might have normally felt to strangers. It was a moment that seemed familiar. As if it was part of his destiny to have met her, though for what purpose he didn’t yet quite understand.
“Food,” Harry said, remembering his offer. “And I guess you two need a place to stay. Am I right?”
They both nodded.
“Okay. Well, you’re staying with me. But,” Harry said with his firm adult voice, “separate rooms.”
Rikki blushed deep red. “Of course,” she answered, not looking at Barney.
Barney smiled. “Absolutely,” he confirmed, as Harry stood, content to leave Beetle in Rikki’s care as he headed off to the kitchen.
◆
Evelyn grabbed the phone on the second ring.
“He’s so nice,” Rikki gushed. “Thank you so much for doing this.”
Evelyn exhaled a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God.” Rikki’s words were music to her ears. “Well, it’s Bill you should be thanking. He’s the one who made the connection.”
“But I would have never found Bill without you.”
Evelyn knew it was true, and still, she felt no pride in having helped Rikki. She’d worried terribly about the wisdom of two teenagers traveling across the country and showing up at a stranger’s door. As soon as she had pulled away from the curb at the airport, she’d instantly regretted the decision. I wish I knew what that man is going to tell her, Evelyn thought. What if he tells her something hurtful? Something about her mother?
Rikki’s voice interrupted. “Evelyn, are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m right here,” she reassured Rikki. Hearing the excitement in Rikki’s voice, she now regretted the call to Rita. She’d helped Rikki and Barney get to Phoenix, but she hadn’t trusted her heart. She’d been afraid for them. “Has he told you anything about your mother or Richard?”
“We haven’t talked about all that yet. We really just got here.”
“Oh,” Evelyn answered, surprisingly relieved.
“He ordered lunch. Pizza. He doesn’t cook.”
“Oh, my,” Evelyn said. “I hope he knows he has two hungry teenagers under his roof.”
Rikki chuckled. “We’re going to the supermarket this afternoon. I can make dinner,” she boldly added.
Evelyn had not seen any sign of that skill. “He must have been surprised that you were able to find him.”
“He seemed more surprised when I mentioned Uncle Richard’s name.”
“I bet,” Evelyn answered, suddenly nervous about what Rikki might discover. “Have you told him why you wanted to meet him?” Even as she asked the question, she realized it was all too complicated.
“Not really,” Rikki answered.
“Well, I hope he gives you the answers you’re looking for,” she said, concerned by what Rikki was bound to discover.
“He will. I’m certain,” Rikki said. “I bet you’d really like him too.”
Evelyn had no doubt.
◆
Gathered about an open box of Domino’s Pizza at the kitchen table, half the pie gone, Rikki wondered how to begin the conversation and whether Harry would be forthcoming. Beetle, curled into a crescent on a nearby dog bed, gently snored as Harry offered each teen a refill on their colas. Barney wiped his mouth with a napkin and Rikki picked at the cheese on what remained of her second slice as she thought about what to say. When she looked at Harry, he seemed to intuitively understand.
“So, you want to know all about your uncle. Is that it?” Harry asked, clearing his throat as if he were preparing to go into a long speech.
Rikki hesitated answering, hoping to clarify. “Not just about Uncle Richard, but about my family. My mother, Rita . . . anything that might help me understand what happened.”
“‘Happened?’” Harry asked, a surprised look on his face. “Didn’t your mother tell you?”
“I’m having trouble remembering my mother,” Rikki admitted. “You see, she died a few years ago.” Rikki folded her hands in front of her, uncertain how to e
xplain. “I was hospitalized. I don’t know all the details,” she admitted. “Rita won’t tell me anything about what happened.” Tears escaped her eyes as she brushed them away with the back of her hand. “And so, I’m not sure what actually happened. And then I discovered that I once had an uncle, too.”
Harry offered Rikki a napkin. “You mean to tell me Rita never talked about Richard?”
Barney took another slice of pizza, taking a bite as Harry continued to speak.
“. . . and your grandmother . . .” Harry exhaled, not finishing the sentence. “Well, I don’t know what to say about her.”
“She’s tough,” Rikki offered, thinking that was what Harry was referring to.
“You mean difficult?” Harry answered, his tone revealing that there was more to his feelings.
Rikki sipped her cola as Harry seemed to search for the right words.
“Look, kid, I don’t want to say anything unkind about your grandmother. I don’t know your relationship with her. And I have no interest in telling you things that might reflect badly on her.”
Barney jumped in. “Oh, man, you have to.”
Harry shifted his focus. “No . . . I don’t think so,” he said rather emphatically.
“Oh, yes,” Barney insisted, now referring to Rikki. “Her grandmother won’t tell her anything. Nothing. Nada. Zippo. You’ve got to help her out.”
Harry relaxed back into his chair. “I’m probably the wrong person to talk to.”
“Why?” Rikki asked as she pressed her palms flat on the table and raised herself up, slipping one leg beneath her as she sat back down, looking taller, more mature, and capable of hearing anything Harry might offer.
“Well,” Harry started, “to begin with . . . your grandmother’s a total bitch. There,” he waved a hand in the air, “I said it. A real bitch. She made your uncle’s life unbearable.”
Rikki sat captivated. Barney continued eating.
“She forced him out of the family as soon as she learned he was gay.”
“Gay?” It was the first time Rikki had heard her uncle was gay.
Barney jerked his head. “Her uncle was a homo?”
“Hey.” Harry pointed a finger of warning at Barney.