Twilight Love
 by: Hankster

© 2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 8

We had a wonderful visit with my son and Bob.  I should say ‘my two sons.’  It was a whirlwind of Broadway theater, opera, and just plain hanging out with my boys, and that includes Andy.  It was the final night of our stay.  Jaden, Andy and I were getting ready to go out to dinner and then on to the opera.  Bob had left us about 5 PM.

We decided to go back to Mario’s for our final dinner in New York.  This time I was able to eat about half of what I ate last time.  All week long we had been dining at fancy restaurants for dinner and never missing a breakfast or a lunch.  It occurred to me that I had less than a month to lose the extra pounds before we would be flying off to San Diego.  I hate to admit it, but as much as I was looking forward to our visit to California, I was looking forward more to our return home.  We had just experienced non stop entertainment and I wanted to rest for a long time, not just the short interval between trips.

Andy and I also agreed that when we came home from San Diego we would start looking at condos, rentals and houses for our future move together.  The prospect of setting up a household with Andy truly excited me.  I didn’t realize how much I wanted it to happen until we began to discuss it more and more as a viable future reality.

We found our seats in the opera house, but had no time to chat as the lights began to dim, and I got that wonderful feeling of expectancy that I get every time that happens.  The house lights may dim, but that feeling never will.

In Carmen, the tenor role is always in the background to the fiery Carmen, until the last act.  The final act is one long duet between Don Jose and Carmen. The soldier, Don Jose, has become an outlaw for Carmen’s sake, but she has forsaken him for the toreador.  Don Jose confronts her outside the bull ring while Escamillo, the toreador, is thrilling the crowd inside.  He begs her to return to him but she only laughs.  Bob’s character must show frustration coupled with despair at his situation.  Bob was magnificent in his singing of course, but his acting was breath taking.  He ran all over the stage and all around Carmen as she tried to get away from him.  Every time he came near the concrete walls of the bull ring, he made two fists which he pounded against the wall.  The thumping could be heard throughout the theater.  I can’t explain it, but that action translated into the thumping of the audience’s hearts.  I found myself trying to catch my breath.  Bob had managed to convey his despair and frustration over to me and everyone else in the audience.  It was a magical theatrical moment, one I will never forget.  What a magnificent actor he is and what stage presence he has.  I wanted to yell ‘Bravo’ before the opera was over but of course, I had to restrain myself.  I started to cry for this poor soul whose life had spiraled as low as it could possibly go without any hope of redemption, and finally, as if he hadn’t sunk low enough, he murders Carmen and will now have to face the gallows. 

What gifts that man has. He has the ability to convey to his audience exactly what his character is feeling and it is an uncanny feat.  He told me once, years later, that he couldn’t do it without the music.  The music moved and inspired him.  He doubted that he could act on a legitimate stage. He said that he needed music to set the mood for him.

When the curtain fell and the audience cheered for the cast, Bob could not smile.  He was sobbing.  The audience thought it was gratitude for their adoration, but I knew that he was still Don Jose.  In fact when we went back stage to bring him home, he was sitting in a corner, still in costume, and sobbing like a baby.

Jaden went over to him and put his arms around him and began to soothe him.  Finally he said, “I’ll be all right, love.  I’ll be ready in a minute.”  He ran to his dressing room to remove his make-up and his costume.  I was so proud of him.  My Bob was a true artist.

When he finally rejoined us, Bob was back and Don Jose had gone to rest until next time.  He embraced us all and said the most amazing thing.  “Dads, this is your last night for this visit so let’s not go right home.  I won’t be singing again for almost two weeks and I’m not tired.  Let’s go somewhere and have some ice cream or coffee or whatever.”

Andy and I looked at each other.  Bob had called us both ‘Dad.’  I wondered what his relationship was with his own family and vowed to find out.  When I got home I asked Jaden in an E Mail.  Jaden told me that the day after Bob was signed with the new York City Opera his parents were killed in a car accident.  They had heard him sing many times, but never on a professional opera stage.  My heart went out to that talented son of mine.  In my mind, I had officially adopted him.

Bob knew of a couple of coffee shops that stayed open until 1 or 2 AM to accommodate the after theater crowd, and for those who just stayed up and played all night.  The place he chose was actually walking distance to their apartment so we took a cab there and walked the extra calories off afterwards.

I had coffee with apple pie ala mode.  Andy had an ice cream soda, and Jaden and Bob both had banana splits.  We felt like four kids at the malt shop near the high school.  Where were Richie Cunningham and the Fonz?  A perfect end to a perfect visit!

The next morning both Bob and Jaden drove us to the airport.  They wanted to park the car and sit with us in the waiting room, but we insisted that they drop us at curbside check in.  They objected but we were very adamant.

After we checked in and went through security, we sat down together in the waiting room.  “Would you like something?” Andy asked me.  “I’m going to get a soda or something cold to drink.”

“In that case get me a coke.” I said.  He came back with cokes and donuts, as if we hadn’t eaten enough. 

“I’m considering this our last hurrah,” he explained.  I laughed and happily gobbled up my donut.

“It was a wonderful trip.  Wasn’t it?” Andy asked me.  Without waiting for an answer, he continued.  “I was never married and never had kids like you have.  I never knew how wonderful it could be.  And when both boys began to call me Dad, I knew that I was adopted into the family.  I,..I…”  He couldn’t say more and started to cry.

I knew I had better lighten the mood so I said to him.  “Don’t celebrate so fast.  It was easy with a gay couple, but next time it’s with a straight couple and two teen age grand children.  That will be a real test.”

“I’m not worried about Colin and Cindy.  We’ve become buddies on the telephone, but I’ll have to win over the kids.”

“I have no doubt, you will.”

It was good to be home.  We resumed our routines: golf, tennis, the gym, Wednesday dinner with our friends, karaoke night, bridge games at The Carriage House, etc.  It seemed like we had never been away.

Before flying to San Diego, we did accomplish one thing toward our goal of moving in together.  Andy went to the administrative office one day.  He told the executive director that he had two friends, both male, who have been room mates for many years.  He inquired as to what the cost would be if they rented a two bedroom apartment together.  At least we now had a benchmark for monthly costs to go by when we investigated buying or renting our own place outside of The Carriage House.

My son Colin, as you know already, is a doctor.  He’s not a medical doctor, but he has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology.  He has a busy and active practice, has written many books and often lectures throughout the United States and Canada.  He cleared his busy schedule so that he would be home the week of our trip, or more accurately, the five days of our visit.  Our plane arrived just before noon on a Thursday, thanks to a three hour difference in time zones, and we were scheduled to leave very late Monday evening on a red eye.

My grandson, Tyler, is a senior in high school, and my granddaughter, Anne, is a sophomore at UCLA.  She was going to drive home after classes on Friday to spend the weekend with her old grandpa.  Colin had informed me in E Mails that both my grandchildren had been made aware of my relationship with Andy and both were fine with it, and both of them were looking forward to meeting him.  To quote Tyler, Colin said, “If grandpa is happy, that’s all that matters.  It’s really kind of cool.  I can’t wait to tell my friends.”

I certainly never expected that kind of reaction, even though Jaden, and Bob had both predicted it.

Cindy met us at the airport.  Driving home she told us that Colin’s last appointment was at noon, and he would be coming straight home when it was done. 

“We’ll have lunch when Colin gets home,” Cindy said.

Tyler had swimming practice after school, but would come home as soon as he could afterwards.  Of course, as we already knew, Anne would be driving home from Los Angeles on Friday after her last class of the day.  She was expected to arrive before dinner.

This time as we walked through the terminal toward the security gates, the air was just right.  It was warm, but lacked the Florida humidity.  I spotted Cindy on the other side of the security station and ran to her, with Andy close behind.  I gave her a big hug and a kiss and introduced her to Andy.  They gave each other a peck on the cheek.

“Dad was absolutely correct,” she said to Andy.  “You are a very handsome man indeed.”  I wish I could describe how red Andy blushed. 

It didn’t take us very long at all to reach Colin’s home.  Cindy showed us to the guest bedroom, and left us to unpack and freshen up.  Much to our delight, the guest bedroom had a private bathroom, so we showered and put on much needed fresh clothing after our long flight. 

When we got back downstairs, we could see Cindy out on the patio.  She spotted us and waved for us to join her. 

“I made some fresh lemonade and put out some cookies.  Come join me.  Colin should be home any second.” 

There were six outdoor patio chairs placed in a circle around a large round table.  Andy and I each sat down in a chair.  Cindy poured us each a glass of lemonade, and handed the glass to us.  I took a sip and it was very tart, so I helped myself to a chocolate chip cookie.

Cindy smiled at us.  Her grin was wide and genuine.  “I can’t tell you how happy we are that you are here visiting with us.  And you, Dad,” she exclaimed directing her attention to me, “the last time I saw you, at Mom’s funeral, I was genuinely concerned that you might be willing yourself to die as well.  You looked so old and tired.  Now you look twenty years younger.  Your face is absolutely glowing and I have never seen you happier.  You actually look younger than when Colin and I got married.”

I began to blush.  I knew I was blushing because I could feel the blood rushing to my face and because Andy said, “Why Harry, you’re blushing.”

I was rescued by my son, Colin.  At that moment, a car pulled into the driveway.  We couldn’t see or hear it from the back patio, but Colin honked his horn to greet us.  Andy and I stood up as Colin ran out to the patio.  He embraced me kissing me full on the lips. Then he turned to Andy.

“No introductions are necessary,” he said.  “Andy you are even better looking than my dad described you, and the picture you sent does not do you justice.”

“Let me return the compliment,” Andy said. “Your brother Jaden is one good looking man, but he pales next to you.  I can see your father in your face; a quarter of a century ago of course.”

Colin laughed and turned toward me.  “And you Dad,” he said, “You look radiant.  I can see joy and happiness written all over your face.”  Then he did an unexpected thing.  He embraced Andy and said, “Thank you for that, Andy.  Thanks for making my dad so happy.”

Finally he turned to Cindy.  “You look like a million bucks also, darling,” and he gave her a warm kiss on the lips.

“I was wondering if you would ever notice me,” She said laughing.  Colin gave her another kiss, sat down on another chair and helped himself to a glass of lemonade and a cookie.

After a little while, Cindy went into the kitchen.  When she returned she was carrying a tray of ham and cheese sandwiches. “That’s it for now,” she said.  “We are having a big dinner out tonight.”

Just then, a young man burst through the patio doors.  He was an inch taller than either Colin or me.  It was Tyler.  My God, when did he sprout up like that?  I realized that it had been three years since I had seen him because he was unable to come to my wife’s funeral.  I stood up and we grabbed each other.  He hugged me as I kissed him on the cheek.  When he finally released me, I introduced him to Andy.  They shook hands politely, and then Tyler pulled Andy to him and hugged him also.  “Welcome to the family!” he said to Andy.

I could see that Andy was going to cry, but he held back the tears valiantly and turned to Colin.  “I take back everything I said about how good looking you and Harry are.  Tyler here makes you both look like gargoyles.”  That got everyone laughing and Tyler blushing.  At that point, I think the compliments were finally over.

Tyler took a seat and also helped himself to lemonade and cookies, and I do mean cookies, a fistful.

“What happened to swimming practice?” Cindy asked Tyler. 

“I dished it,” he answered.  “Grandpa is more important.”  I smiled at him and gave him a salute.

The conversation centered on Andy and me.  They kept asking all kinds of questions so we told them how we met, and how by the time Andy came out to me, I already knew.  The one thing I could not explain was falling in love with him.  You’ll just have to accept it just as I did.  I told them about our lives together, our friends, the dinners together, the karaoke nights where Andy always sings one love song to me, etc.  Colin was sitting next to Cindy and as I spoke, he took her hand in his.  When I looked at Tyler, he was grinning broadly, turning his attention back and forth between Andy and me.  In spite of his big smile, I noticed that Tyler’s eyes were watery.  I didn’t expect our love story to affect a seventeen year old boy so deeply.

Finally Colin said that he had made reservations at a barbeque restaurant for dinner.  He didn’t want Cindy cooking at all this weekend.  This was all right with me as long as I could grab the check occasionally.

“I hope you guys like barbeque,” he said.

“Sure,” Andy answered for both of us.  “How shall we dress?”

“Casually, just like in Florida.”

“What time are we leaving?” Tyler asked.  “I told Brady on the school bus that I might come over for a swim.”

“OK, son.  Be home to shower and change by six.  We’ll leave at 6:30.”

When he got up to leave, Tyler took the time to kiss each of us goodbye.  It was a heart warming feeling.

“Aren’t you going to take a swim suit?” Cindy asked and Tyler started to laugh.

“Mom, Brady’s mother is a single mom.  She won’t be home before 7 PM.  We always swim in the buff.”

“If she’ll be home that late,” Colin said, “ask Brady if he’d like to join us for dinner.”

After he left, Colin told us that Brady and Tyler were BFF. 

“What’s that?” Andy and I asked simultaneously.

Cindy laughed. I guess you guys don’t do much text messaging.”

“We don’t do any,” I replied.

“BFF is text speak for ‘best friends forever,’” Colin explained.  He had been smiling, but suddenly his countenance changed and he looked at Cindy and asked, “Shall I?”

Cindy nodded, and Colin turned to me and then to Andy.  He obviously had something serious to discuss and we gave him our full attention.  He started to speak.

“I grew up in a house with a kid brother who was gay.  I figured it out early and I haven’t forgotten any of the telltale signs.  Guys, I’m pretty sure that Tyler is gay and that Brady is more than a BFF.”

I was stunned.  Andy remained speechless, But I asked, “Why are you sharing this with us?”

Colin continued, “I sense that he has tried to tell us several times, but has chickened out.  I was thinking that he might open up to one of you.  I don’t mean you should come right out and ask, but if you sense he is giving you an opening, please jump right in.  He has to know that we would love him just as much, and as for Brady, he could use a father.”

Then Andy said, “I hope you won’t mind if I butt in.”

“Absolutely not,” Cindy replied.  “You’re family.”

“Well, let’s hope that Brady does join us tonight.  I’ve had surefire gaydar for seventy years.  If I am convinced that the boys are gay, whether or not there is anything between them, I’d like to give them the same advice I gave Harry.  It’s best to come right out with it.  Each time you come out to someone it gets easier.  You’ll also find out that most of the people you come out to already know or suspected anyway.  You’ll also find out that most of them don’t care, and find it no big deal.”

“I would sure appreciate your thoughts on it,” Colin said.  He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and speed dialed a number. 

“Tyler,” he said.  “Please tell Brady that we really want him to join us tonight for dinner.  He should call his mother right now.  Maybe she would like to plan something for herself for this evening.  If she wants to, she can meet us at the restaurant after work.  She’s more than welcome.”

He hung up and Andy gave him a thumbs up sign.  Then Colin called the restaurant and added two more people to our reservation.

“It’s easier to remove a setting than to add one,” he explained.

The four of us sat around making small talk.  I was getting reacquainted with my family and Andy was getting to know them.  The time flew by quickly.  Before we knew it, Tyler and Brady came out to the patio.  Tyler introduced Brady to me and Andy. 

“My mom said thanks, but she has plans for the evening so she won’t be joining us,” Brady informed Colin.

Brady was dressed for dinner, but Tyler said that he had to shower and change.  Brady went upstairs with him.

As soon as the boys were gone, Cindy and Colin turned to Andy.

“What I have to say is a little embarrassing,” he told them.  “They are not only definitely gay, but their relationship does go far beyond BFF.  Do you want to know how I know?  That’s the part that might embarrass you.”

“Lay it on us,” Colin said.  “I’m a psychologist.  I’ve heard everything.”

“Well,” Andy began, “A straight boy would not have gone upstairs while Tyler showers and changes clothes.  He would have stayed downstairs with us. 

“They never went swimming. Brady’s hair was damp, but he smelled of soap and a fresh shower.  He probably showered and dressed before they left his house, but Tyler had no clean clothes with him so he decided to shower at home.

“Tyler’s hair was dry and there was no smell of chlorine on him.  He had never been in a pool.”  He looked at us, “This is the embarrassing part,” he said. “I could smell the unmistakable aroma of semen on him.”

“My God,” You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes,” Colin said.  I can’t argue anything you said except the part about the aroma of semen.”

“I wouldn’t know it or smell it either,” I said. “But I’ve learned never to doubt Andy when it comes to detecting gayness.”

“Would you like us to talk to Tyler, or both boys, if the occasion permits?” Andy asked.

“Please!” both parents said.

To be continued...

Posted: 10/03/08