Skyclad

by Max Ellendale

  "Ohhh." Mae grinned as she joined my chuckling, removing her hand and embracing me instead. "Sorry, kitten. I'll give you a break," she said and I kissed her quickly. She tucked my hair behind my ear and smiled. "You didn't seem too excited about seeing family later this week."

  "It's awkward sometimes."

  "Is your brother biological?" Mae asked, her gaze searching mine.

  "Not to me. We were adopted separately. We're the same age but they got him before me."

  "What's his name?"

  "Jedidiah," I said, sighing as I considered what dinner would be like. It's been almost a year since I'd seen everyone and I wasn't looking forward to awkward introductions to my brother's new beau.

  "How… biblical."

  "It doesn't stop there. My mother's name is Dinah and father's is Jacob."

  "Sheesh. Where did Ella come from then?" Mae kissed my forehead as we lay facing each other on the squishy cushion. Liz returned, reeking of smoke, and went back to fiddling with decorations.

  "I chose it."

  "What do you mean?"

  "When I was adopted, they asked if I wanted to keep my name since I was taking their surname. I liked the name Frost and I thought Ella matched."

  "What was your birth name?" Mae lifted a brow at me.

  "Maryruth."

  Mae gawked at me.

  "Stop that." A laugh escaped me. "It's terrible."

  "Maryruth? Really?"

  "Yeah. For twelve years I was Maryruth with no last name."

  "You're Ella Frost now. Professor and Doctor Frost."

  "I like it much better." I smiled when my name and titles rolled from her sweet lips.

  "I can't imagine shouting 'Maryruth' when you get me off. It sounds like a sin." Mae grinned, pinching my elbow and I swatted her arm.

  "Jerk, Meadow Breeze."

  "Touché. Our birth parents suck at name-giving."

  "Mae is lovely."

  "So is Ella."

  "You're both a pair of pussy-struck gits. Get off yer arses and do some work!" Liz threw about a dozen foam balls in our direction. Mae and I cracked up and resigned to finally helping her.

  ***

  "It's less than an hour. I'm more than halfway there," I answered Mae's question after she called me while driving. The hands-free thing on the dashboard beeped annoyingly. "I'll text you tonight before I leave."

  "All right, kitten. Drive safe," Mae's voice trailed off under the rumble of pavement.

  "Everything okay?"

  "Yeah," she said.

  "You're quiet."

  "So are you."

  "What are you thinking about?" I asked, turning the final stretch into the city of Boston.

  "That not seeing you yesterday or today has been strange. I'm used to you." I could hear the smile in her voice and chuckled.

  "I'm used to you, too. I'll text you before I leave and call you when I get home, okay?"

  "Of course it's okay." She paused for a moment. "I'm being clingy. This is new…"

  "I'm okay with it." My laughter continued. "See you later."

  It took me about ten minutes to arrive at my parents' home on the fringes of the city. I parked behind my father's car on the street and took a deep breath after removing the key. His battered green station wagon brought back memories of road trips, vacations, and college tours. I smiled remembering the weeklong trip we took to Wisconsin to visit the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where I finally settled on getting my doctorate. Both of my parents hoped I'd choose the school in New York, but the distance didn't matter as much to me as it did to them. After all, I'd already traveled from Idaho. What difference did Wisconsin make?

  Up the steps to the townhouse, I opened the door that I knew would be unlocked. The familiar house seemed to greet me with a warm, welcoming glow. I visited my parents maybe once a year, but last year they visited me instead. My boots thudded on the wood floor as I closed the door behind me.

  "Hello?" I called out, setting my bag down on the antique half-circle table in the hall. I glanced at myself in the mirror, suddenly noticing that my hair remained down. As Mae liked it. I quickly tossed it up in a messy bun before proceeding. "Mrs. F?"

  "Still with the nicknames, huh?" My father clunked his way into the foyer to greet me, lifting his cane-laden arm in the air. His hair, more silvery than I remembered it, was a stark contrast from his olive skin and hazel eyes.

  "Of course." I smiled and moved into his embrace. His vast form towered over me as we hugged. "Why are you using a cane?"

  "I couldn't find the cricket club." He patted my back, tossed the cane over his shoulder and waved me down the hall. "We're also cleaning the basement. It's leftover from my hip replacement."

  "Good thing then." His warm welcome coupled with him acting as though no time had passed at all, immediately set me at ease. He led me through the dining room, past the chunky heirloom table, to the carpeted floors of the sitting room. Sofas as old as me squared around an oval coffee table where my mother set out crystal dishes covered in savory snacks.

  "Dinah! The kids are here—" He stopped by the sofa. "Oh, sorry."

  "For heaven's sake, Jake." Mom brushed her hands on her neatly pressed slacks and stood. Her soft brown eyes bore into me as a satisfied smile curved her mouth. She held her arms out to me when I moved to greet her. "My Ella, how are you?"

  "I'm good, Mrs. F. The house looks great," I said, patting her back awkwardly.

  "It's as it always is, right?" She smiled, leaning me back with her hands on my shoulders. "You look well. Thinner, but well." Her dark hair, as always, tucked into a neat bob, bounced when she shook her head.

  "You always say that." I smirked, patting her arms affectionately.

  "Aw, leave the kid alone, Di." My father waved her off as he dropped down in the armchair by the fireplace, setting the cane across his lap.

  "Why are you carrying that thing around with you?" Mrs. F walked past him and made to snatch the cane from him but he held tight.

  "It's my transitional object!" He shouted, a tobacco pipe now hanging from his mouth as he gripped the heel of the cane. "Leg'go."

  "I'm not sure who's worse, you or Jed." Mrs. F threw her hands in the air and stalked off to the kitchen. I forgot how comical they were at times. Like a set of Bostonian sitcom parents. Dad tucked the pipe back into the pocket of his cargo shorts as I sat on the sofa across from him.

  "Do you need any help, Mrs. F?" I called after her as she turned the corner toward the kitchen.

  "Not yet," she shouted back.

  "Relax yourself, El. Tell me, how've you been?" Dad asked.

  "I'm good. Are you smoking or just holding onto the pipe as a transitional object as well?"

  "The latter. It makes me feel smart."

  "You are smart."

  "I know." He grinned, his eyebrows flicking upward as the front door opened.

  "Where's everyone?" Jed called out as he waltzed down the hall. His slender, sweater and corduroy-clad self emerged with a pretty blonde woman attached to his elbow. Mrs. F rushed in from the kitchen, beaming as she greeted him. Dad stood and followed suit.

  I watched and waited as everyone met Zoie. The perky, soft-spoken program analyst my software-designing brother brought home. Her blonde hair, small frame, and bright eyes painted the picture of nerdy perfection behind her thick-rimmed purple glasses. After a ton of fawning and congratulating, Jed released Zoie to hug me.

  "Ellabella, where you been all my life?" His bright, beaming grin expressed his happiness to see me. I had to admit, I enjoyed reuniting with him. It'd been awhile.

  "Here and there," I said, kissing his cheek after we hugged. "I'm happy for you, congratulations."

  "Thanks," he said through an endless smile. "This is Zoie." He introduced us when she rejoined his elbow.

  "Nice to meet you," I said, offering her a polite smile and handshake.

  "Everyone sit, get comfortable." Dad gestured to the sofas. We obliged, including Mrs. F, after p
ouring everyone tall glasses of iced tea.

  "Tell us about yourself, Zoie, how'd you two meet?" Mrs. F implored.

  "We met at work." Zoie smiled at my brother, a glowing, twinkly-eyed smile that he swallowed like sweet honey directly from the comb.

  We spent an hour, at least, learning every detail of their first date, last date, and engagement. Jed seemed just as thrilled to tell the tale as Zoie. The two of them, like two amazingly nerdy peas in a pod, seemed perfectly matched.

  "Papa J's the best pediatrician in Boston," Jed bragged as we gathered around the dining room table. I helped Mrs. F carry in endless platters of food. Two roasts, veggies, crunchy bread, and a hearty salad filled everyone's plates before we even settled.

  "Best retired pediatrician, thank you very much." Dad tapped his fork against a wine glass.

  "Those are crystal." Mrs. F nudged him and he scowled.

  Zoie seemed utterly entertained by my father's quirky nature. She ate her food, quietly, with perfect etiquette as if she'd practiced for this day.

  "How's the university, El?" Jed asked me when Mrs. F and Papa J entertained a heated discussion about the best latke in town.

  "Good. The summer was nice, only one class," I said, nudging a carrot around my plate.

  "Oh, you're a teacher?" Zoie's perky voice startled me some. I hadn't realized that she was listening.

  "I teach cultural anthropology at the college in Beverly."

  "Ella's been to Africa, Alaska, and Japan for her research," Jed told her.

  "Not recently," I added.

  "That's amazing. What was Japan like?" Zoie asked.

  "Crowded." I laughed a bit. "But I learned a lot."

  "That's awesome." Zoie's smile widened.

  "Thanks."

  "So what've you been up to lately, Ella?" Mrs. F asked as the furor over Jed and Zoie calmed. "Any word from Billy?"

  "Um." I sipped my tea, swallowing down the annoyance that rose in my torso over the question. She asked me about Billy nearly every visit since our breakup. "No, it's been six years. I don't expect I'll be hearing from him ever again."

  "Oh, well, don't fret." Mrs. F waved her hand in the air as if brushing the thought away. Papa J shot her an exasperated look at which she simply shrugged.

  "Are you seeing anyone?" Jed's seemingly innocent question shot through me like a stab in the shoulder. How had I not even considered that my life would come up in conversation? Part of me wanted to kick him for asking.

  "Um… yeah." I thought about it before answering. I didn't want to lie to them, and I certainly didn't want to deny Mae's existence either. That was just wrong.

  "Really?" Mrs. F perked up immediately. Years ago, when Billy and I were going strong, she fantasized about a luxurious wedding in the Berkshires. I didn't share the same view then. Or now. "Tell us, dear, what's he like?"

  He's a she. And I really like her. It's going really well and I can't imagine a tomorrow without her in my life.

  "Nice. Really nice. And kind." My palms grew sweaty as my heart pounded in my ears. With all eyes on me, I was the stupidest person in the room.

  "How long have you been dating?" Jed asked before taking a bite of bread.

  "A few months." I cleared my throat and looked to Zoie. "Have you thought about a date for the wedding yet?"

  "We're thinking about a winter wedding. Just before Christmas." Zoie took the bait and jumped right back in. "Jed loves the snow and it will be so pretty to have a winter theme."

  "I'm thinking of really making her frosty, just like the rest of us Frosts." Jed beamed at his own corny joke but everyone hooted.

  "Nice one, bro," I said as Mrs. F stood to begin gathering empty plates. I joined her and so did Zoie.

  Zoie spent the next half an hour telling us every single detail she wanted as part of the wedding. Honestly, my gratitude for her enthusiasm soared. It took the attention off me though by the end of dessert, the heavy hand of guilt bubbled up in my torso. Why hadn't I told them about Mae? Was I embarrassed of us? Of what I'd become?

  "You're quiet tonight." Jed nudged me as we loaded the dishwasher. I glanced at him. His eyes, a similar blue to mine, bore into me as his concern grew. My brother, the one who accepted me into our adopted family without question. Who shared an adoption story, became my best friend and sole confidant. The brother who was the same age as me, helped me in school, and kept me safe when no one else could. And I just lied to him. By omission.

  "Can we talk later?" I asked him under my breath.

  "Yeah, sure, Ellbell, whatever you want." He squeezed my shoulder. "I'm camping here for the night. Mrs. F will be happy. Zoie's taking the car to a bachelorette party tonight for a friend of hers."

  "Oh. You're staying?"

  "Yeah. You should, too." He patted my back as Mrs. F called him to the dining room. "Think about it."

  "I've got a lot to think about," I muttered while watching Jed and Zoie laugh with our parents. I took a deep breath, leaning back against the kitchen counter.

  I'll start with Jed, and see where it goes.

  Chapter Four

  Going to spend the night here. Work at eight. I texted Mae from the bathroom that connected my old bedroom to Jed's.

  Everything okay? She responded.

  My brother asked me to. All okay.

  Call me.

  I will before bed.

  Okay.

  Mrs. F kept my room exactly as it was when I left it at eighteen. Plush white carpets and soft pinks and blues accented the linens and curtains. White furniture, medals and trophies, and old school pictures littered the bookshelves. I dropped myself down on the bed and set a stuffed bunny on my stomach. I remembered the day Mrs. F took me shopping to pick out everything I could possibly want for my room. Her delighted smile, cheerful expressions, and affectionate squeezes told me that, for the first time in my life, somebody wanted me. The Frosts did. They wanted me and they wanted Jed. I chose their surname as mine because I wanted them, too.

  The bathroom door opened and Jed emerged, clad in a too-small-for-adults set of ninja turtle pajamas, he strut into the room.

  "How do I look?"

  "Like the awesomest dork I've ever met." I laughed softly as he plopped down on the bed beside me, folding his hands behind his head. The ankles of his pants gathered around his knees.

  "Think Zoie will still marry me?"

  "She'd be a fool not to." I nudged him with my elbow.

  "That's what I said when I proposed." A grin spread across his mouth, forcing dimples into his stubbly cheeks. "So, what's going on with you? I can tell something's bothering you."

  I shook my head, unable to answer at first, so I sat up, resting my chin on my knee. Jed watched as I toyed with the bowtie on the bunny.

  "Ella?"

  I glanced at him.

  "You've been my best friend since you were Maryruth. What's going on?" He turned to face me, his soft blue eyes bore into me like beacons of honesty, drawing me forth.

  "All right, okay." I took a deep breath. "Remember I said I was seeing someone for the past few months?"

  "Yeah, and he's ambiguously nice and kind." Jed lifted an eyebrow at me. Of course, he would've seen right through that. "And?"

  "He's… a she."

  "Like transgender?" he asked, his question genuine, delicate even.

  "No, I mean, I'm dating a woman. Her name is Mae and we met in April. She is nice and kind, among other things. And she's a woman," I blurted everything out in one rapid breath.

  "Cool. Does she live in Beverly, too?"

  "No, Salem. She owns a shop there." I glanced at him again. His mild response unnerved me some. "You're not surprised?"

  "Not really. Should I be?" He laughed a little. "So what if she's a girl. Wait… are you coming out to me? How long have you been gay?"

  "I'm not…" Well damn. "Well… damn. I didn't think of it like that." I shook my head. "I don't know. I don't know, Jed. But I really like Mae."

  "Then what's the
big deal?" He shrugged, grabbing my arm and yanking me back down to lay beside him.

  "The big deal is… I'm not sure."

  "Are you worried about what our parents will think?" He wrapped his arm around me and I placed my head on his shoulder.

  "Yeah. I guess. I don't know how to do this."

  "Then don't, or do, either way, you have to be happy, Ella. That's what matters," he said, kissing my forehead. "Sex with women is great, isn't it?" A playful grin met his lips and I punched him lightly in the side.

  "Stop that."

  "C'mon, it's true. Right?"

  "Jed—"

  "Right?" he pressed and I grinned.

  "Yes. Fine. It's great. Shut up."

  "Ha." He laughed along with me and squeezed my shoulders. We quieted for a few minutes, both of us staring thoughtfully out the night-darkened window. The last crickets of the season chirped quietly in the distance.

  "Do you love her?" His eyes darted in my direction.

  "Of course."

  "Are you in love with her?" His question bore into me like molten steel. My cheeks grew warm, spreading anxious tingles over my skin. In time, I nodded which made him smile. "Good. Be happy, Ella. It's all we have in life sometimes. Happiness and love."

  In that moment, Jed sounded just like Mae.

  ***

  "You're awfully quiet this morning, Ella," Mrs. F said as she set a plate of pancakes on the table. I followed her with a dish of sausage in one hand and eggs in the other.

  "Just thoughtful is all."

  "We're happy to have you here." She smiled at me, her usual warm, welcoming smile.

  "It's nice to visit."

  "You'll have to come for the holidays this year. Invite your boyfriend along. We'd love to meet him."

  "Yeah, about that—"

  "Who decided we should be eating breakfast at six in the morning on a Friday?" Papa J grumbled as he entered the kitchen, still in pajamas and a robe. "I'm going back to—oh, hey, coffee."

  "Retirement has spoiled you, old man," Jed said, as he hurried in to help Mrs. F carry pitchers of orange juice and milk to the table.

  "Thanks, sweet boy." She kissed his cheek.

  "Welcome. What are you two talking about in here?" Jed glanced between us.