Finale
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Chapter 7
Tor and I had planned to take a few days of the break before summer session starts to see the kids, but a phone call from Henry delays those plans. About two o'clock the first day of our break, he pulls up in our drive in a SUV with a long fishing pole in the back.
"It's good to see you, Henry, we're glad you came. Come on in, unless you’re in a great hurry to get to the beach." Tor says.
"Too early. The fishing's best about dusk when they start to feed."
"Good. We'll have time to have a beer and chat." I tell him.
"That I'll go for. It was a long dry drive."
It's so pleasant out we take our beers and sit under the huge live oak in our back yard.
"Seen the kids recently?" I ask.
"Last week. They're home and doing fine. Andy's growing like a weed."
"They're calling him Andy?" Tor asks in surprise.
"It was Tommy's idea, because it's similar to Andrea. Andrea likes it, too."
"It's a damn good thing you go by Drew, then," Tor says to me, "otherwise we'd have a hard time keeping straight who we were talking about."
A little later Henry goes up to change. He comes down in worn jeans and a ragged pull-over. "You aren't going?"
"We're not much for sport fishing because of our work, but we know a good spot a friend told us about. We'll watch you."
"Hop in, then."
Tor directs him to the place Gary told us he prefers, because it's seldom crowded. Who should be the first person we see but Gary.
"You're not out on the boat?" I ask.
"Not much going on offshore. Thought I'd try to get a few for supper."
We introduce Henry and, true to form, Gary immediately takes him under his wing. Henry pulls on his waders and he and Gary wade into the surf. Tor and I sit on the hood of Henry's SUV and watch his first cast. It's obvious that he's no stranger to this type of fishing. There isn't any action for a while, then the frenzy begins. For a few minutes both Henry and Gary are pulling in fish almost as fast as they can cast. Then it's over as suddenly as it began.
I see Gary say something to Henry then they reel in their lines and walk back toward us, each carrying several large blue fish.
"You got a cooler and ice?" Gary asks Henry as he starts to walk past Gary's truck.
"Yes."
"Okay, then. We'll clean 'em right here on the tail gate, like I usually do."
Henry isn't as fast as Gary, so Gary shows him a few tricks and helps him finish.
"Thank you, Gary. It's a real pleasure to be with genuine fisherman."
"It pleasured me, too, cause you know what you're doin'. Glad Tor and Drew brung you along."
"Won't you come have dinner with us?" I ask.
"No, thanks, Drew. Gotta get these home fer mom to fix fer supper. See you all."
"What a grand fellow, he certainly knows where the fish are," Henry says on the way home. "I could tell from his speech he's a native, so I'm a little surprised he'd be so friendly to a total stranger."
"One of the finest men you'll find anywhere; he's been a wonderful friend to Drew and me. He happens to be the captain of the institute's research vessel. If anybody knows these waters, it's Gary."
Henry's catch is so large I help him wrap most of it for the freezer. He asks me if he can cook the rest. When I ask him how he wants to do it, he says, "I plan on baking them, since they're a little large for frying."
"That will take a while and it's getting late. Have you ever done them in a microwave?"
"Never thought of it. Are they good done that way?"
"I think you'll like it."
Tor sets the table and makes fries, while Henry watches me carefully cut away the dark oily portion of the flesh, then season the white pieces lightly and dot them with butter, lemon juice, and a touch of dill.
I'm rewarded when he takes the first taste and says, "Superb."
When Tor and I get up the next morning, Henry is nowhere to be found. I'm puzzled at first, then I remember what he told us about fishing being good only early in the morning, or around dusk. Sure enough, Henry comes in about eight-thirty, lugging an obviously heavy cooler and smiling broadly.
"You missed a real treat this morning. It was even better than last night."
"You got a good catch, then?" Tor asks.
"Did I ever. Soon as I have a cup of coffee, I'm going to clean them and get them in the freezer."
Fortunately I have a good supply of freezer bags. I show Henry how to freeze the filets on a cookie sheet, then pack them in the bags so they don't stick together. An avid fisherman, he does go back that evening, but comes home without a catch.
"Weren't they biting?" I ask.
"Very well, but I threw them back. I have more than enough for once."
After breakfast the next morning, Henry packs his SUV for the trip home. "Oh, Lord, I don't know when I've enjoyed myself so much. I've relaxed more in these two days, than I have on an entire vacation with Margaret. I'm sorry I delayed your visit with the children, but I really treasure the time I've spent here."
"Then don't be a stranger. We were only going to spend a couple of days with the kids anyway. We have plenty of time."
"Thank you again. I wish I had some way to repay your hospitality."
"You do. Come back again. The place has seemed empty since the kids aren't in and out all the time." I tell him.
Tommy and Andrea are delighted to see us when we arrive the next afternoon. "Thank God, daddy came by for mother when he left your house. She was about to drive me up the wall" is Andrea's greeting to us. "You'd think I don't know the first thing about raising a baby. I wasn't doing anything right."
"He certainly looks fine to me. I can't believe how much he's grown."
"Ain't he beautiful?" Tommy says. "I still can't hardly believe he's mine."
"You're coming up for his baptism, aren’t you?" Andrea asks.
"Try and keep us away." I say.
"I'm so glad. Daddy's coming, but I doubt mother will. She's still pissed at me for changing my church, and she told daddy she wouldn't be caught dead with a bunch of queers." She blushes. "I'm sorry, but that's what she said."
"We don't pay much attention to what your mother thinks of us," Tor replies. "Your dad, on the other hand, is wonderful company. We thoroughly enjoyed having him."
"He was thrilled to death to be there. He told Tommy and me how you took him fishing with some wonderful man."
"Gary," I tell Tommy.
"No wonder," he replies. "I hope it won't be too long before Andrea and me can take Andy down there. I want Dave and Martha to see him."
"If you don't mind fish for dinner, we have plenty. Daddy insisted on leaving most of his catch, because mother won't have them at home. She says cooking them stinks up the house, but I love fish. Can you fix them like daddy said you did, Drew? He said they were wonderful and didn't smell at all."
"Be glad to. Tommy can fix a salad and Tor can do the fries."
"Let me call Mike first. He ought to be home by now," Tommy says.
Our dinner turns into a family reunion because of the little time we had together when the baby was born. Andy is fretful only when he wants to be fed. Right after we've eaten, Andrea opens her blouse modestly and breast feeds him without the slightest sign of embarrassment. The sight is so beautiful I'm reminded of a picture that scandalized a few of the prudish girls in the humanities course I took. I've never understood how a picture of a Madonna and child could not be considered beautiful.
When Andy is finished nursing, I ask to hold him.
"He needs burping, Drew."
"I think I can manage."
Tommy puts a clean cloth diaper over my shoulder and Andrea hands me Andy. I put him in place and pat his back gently. Suddenly he lets go with a real trencherman's. I lower him to my lap and look at his smile, losing my heart.
"We'd better keep you around, Drew. That was the best burp he's done," Andrea tells me.
"He already knows his gran'dad means business."
Tommy starts to snicker. "You never change, dad."
"I hope not. I can hardly wait 'til this guy is big enough to have fun with."
Tommy shakes his head. "Unh,unh. You only get him when he's being a real brat."
"Our grandson will never be a brat, Tommy," Tor says flatly.
"Wanna bet?"
"That's okay. Dad and Tor'll do a job on him like they did on me," Mike adds to our surprise.
"If that's what it takes," Andrea says, "I'll send Andy home with them now. You turned out fine, Mike."
He blushes.
After watching me holding our grandson for a few minutes, Tor says plaintively, "I wish I could hold him."
"Go ahead," I tell him.
He shakes his head. "My arm's too hard. I'm afraid it'll hurt him."
"No reason you can't take it off, is there?"
His face brightens; he takes off his shirt and slips the hook off. I get up and take Andy to him, putting him in Tor's arms.
Tor looks at our grandson and smiles. "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be holding my grandson. He's so soft." His finger strokes Andy's brow and feels the fine black hair. When Andy smiles up at him and grasps his finger, I see tears in Tor's eyes. He's as captivated as I.
A few minutes later, I'm amused when I see Tor's expression change to one of surprise. "Uh, oh. I think he needs a change."
Mike snickers. "Got you too, hunh? Won't be the last time."
Tommy picks Andy up and carries him into the bedroom. Tor follows to the bath to wash his arm and sponge off his slacks. Thank goodness they're a cotton-polyester blend and will dry fast.
"I'm sorry, Tor. I should have put his rubber pants on," Andrea apologizes.
Tor laughs. "It happens. I guess being christened by my grandson makes me an official grandfather now."
"His godfather to be has been christened several times," Mike says.
"You mean Andrea trusts you to hold him?"
"Of course. I've got to get in practice for when I hold him at his baptism."
"Just be damn careful."
"Aren't I always? How many times have I hurt myself working in the lab?"
"None that I know of."
Mike gives Tor a smug look. "Well, then."
Though the kids offer us the sleep sofa, Tor and I go to the motel so we won’t disrupt their life. Mike has no room for us in his studio flat.
When we're in bed, Tor puts his arms around me. "We've got a wonderful life, love. I was trying to think of the most wonderful moment I've had, but there are too many to choose just one."
"Like what?"
"When Vince brought you home and put real joy into my life." He kisses me. "Then we found Mike, then Tommy. Now we've got a grandson. I don't regret a thing."
I kiss him back. "Nor do I. And we've got a few wonderful friends, too. I never dreamed I'd have it so good when I was a kid."
"Yeah. I thought my world had ended when my old man kicked me out."
"Like me, when my dad died and they took me away from Doug and Ted."
We spend the next day with the kids. To give them a little help, Tor spends most of the time holding Andy, while I help Tommy take the wash down to the laundry room in the basement and get it started. I insist on cooking lunch, leaving Tommy to help Andrea fold the clean wash.
After we've eaten, Tor and I wander over to the mall so Andrea can get an afternoon nap along with Andy. While we're looking around, I punch Tor on the arm. "There's something the kids need."
"What?"
I point to a lovely Boston rocker. "A rocking chair. They don't have one, and babies like to be rocked."
Tor grins. "Well what are we waiting for?" He charges into the store, and a few minutes later the chair is on its way to the kid's flat.
When we get back in time to fix dinner, Andrea gives us each a kiss. "The chair is beautiful and I've been wanting one, but Tom was afraid to buy one I hadn't seen first. Andy's going to love it. Thank you so much."
"Our pleasure. We want our grandson to be happy."
"Oh, he will be." She smiles. "I don't know who's worse, daddy or you two. Andy's going to be spoiled rotten, not to mention me."
"Good," I say. "Neither Tor nor I had much of a childhood, we don't want Andy deprived of his."
It's hard taking our leave the next morning, but we have to get home and ready to go back to work. It will be only a few weeks before we're back for Andy's baptism.
Mike calls to let us know he's coming home for a week as soon as he gets his paperwork caught up. He's had to of talked with Tommy, because the next night we get a call from him saying he, Andrea, and the baby are coming as well. Tor's smiling instead of grumbling. "At least it'll seem like our place again, if only for a week."
Henry has given the kids a car bed for Andy, which he can sleep in while they're here, so there's no problem. Andrea has weaned Andy to a bottle, so Tor and I vie for the pleasure of being first to feed him. I let Tor do it while I fix a simple lunch of chicken salad for all of us.
When Mike says something about hitting the beach for a swim, I see Tommy's eyes light up. Andrea looks up from mixing formula for Andy. "I wish I could go. A swim would be lovely."
"Let's go then," Tommy says.
"I've just put Andy down for his nap. I can't leave him."
"Go ahead with Tommy and Mike. I think Tor and I can manage the little guy for a while."
She looks at me in surprise. "You know how to wash and diaper a baby, Drew?"
"I gave Mike a bath or two when he first came to us. And I think I can even manage a diaper, if I have to." I see Mike's face turn bright red.
"You told us you were ten when Drew and Tor adopted you, Mike."
"I was."
"Mike had been hurt rather badly; I bathed him so he would be more comfortable."
"Are you sure you don't mind watching Andy?"
"What else are grandfathers for? This may be the first time we've babysat, but I hope it's not going to be the last. Go have some fun," Tor almost yells.
Andy wakes after about two hours and lets us know with a howl. Tor runs in to check on him, while I take a bottle of formula from the fridge. I've just put it on to warm when I hear Tor yelling, "Damn it, Drew, get in here!"
"What?" When I enter the bedroom, I almost break into laughter, knowing Tor would kill me if I did. Andy is wiggling like mad while Tor is struggling to remove his wet diaper.
"I can't manage this little wiggle worm with one hand. Help me."
It's hard to believe a five week old baby can stay in constant motion, but I have to grin, because the diaper is disposable and held on by tape. I pull it off easily. "Now, go wet the flannel and get the baby soap," I tell Tor.
I soon have Andy clean and happy in a new diaper. Tor has been watching me, shaking his head. "How'd you know what to do?"
"By being observant like any good scientist."
"Are you saying I'm not observant?"
"Not when it comes to watching Andrea and Tommy take care of our grandson."
"Well, damn! At least I can give him his bottle."
"Okay. It should be ready by now."
Andy almost disappears in Tor's arms, but it's a beautiful sight until Andy has finished his bottle and Tor tries to burp him. Since he's holding Andy up with his hand he has only his handless left arm to pat him on the back with. Obviously this isn't going to work very well.
"Let me have him, Tor." It's only a few seconds before Andy burps loudly, then smiles as I hand him back to Tor.
Tor holds up his stump. "I've never really missed my hand much before this. Now …"
He looks so sad I have to kiss him. "He'll only be a baby for a little while, then it won't hurt him if you use the arm."
"I hope so. This is the first time I've really needed my hand so much."
The kids have had a grand time on the beach if their expressions are any indication. After seeing Andy happy in Tor's arms, Andrea runs up for a shower. "How was he?" She asks when she comes down.
"What do you expect from our grandson? Good as could be," Tor says.
"He need changing?"
"Not now.
Drew did it not long ago."
"Thank you for keeping him. It was wonderful to get on the beach again."
"Our pleasure. You and Tommy need a break. We'll keep him any time."
The kids go to the beach again the next day with my warning to be back early, because I've invited Dave and Martha over to see Andy.
When they arrive, they're enchanted with Andy, just as I had known they would be. Since he's already been fed and is getting a little sleepy, Martha immediately sits down and cuddles him to the point Andrea has a hard time getting him away from her so she can put him to bed. It's a real shame that someone who loves children as much as Martha has never had any.
Most of the table talk is about Andy, with Martha offering Andrea and Tommy quite a bit of advice. She finishes up by saying, "I know most of what I've said is premature, but don't hesitate to call or come see me if you have any problems."
"That's wonderful of you, Martha," Tommy says. "I didn't think dad and Tor knew anything about babies, because … well, you know. But they really take good care of him when Andrea goes to the beach with us."
"They do?" Dave asks in surprise. "Lord! I'd never touch a baby."
"Scared me, too, at first," Tor admits, "but he loves to be held. Put him down though and he's not still a moment. Drew's the only one can get a diaper on him."
"Only because I've got two hands. Believe me, if he's this bad at five weeks, it's going to take an army to keep up with him when he starts walking."
"I'll keep up with him," Mike boasts.
"That I've got to see," Tor retorts.
Sunday morning Dave and Martha drop by on their way home from church to give Andrea and Tommy a gift for Andy, a little silver cup with an Old English A engraved on it. "We know he won't be christened for another week or so, but Dave and I want Andy to have this."
Andrea and Tommy both hug them. "It's beautiful," Andrea says. "And special because it comes from you."
"Thank you so much," Tommy adds. "But aren't you coming for his christening?"
"Dave is attending a conference in the Bahamas and I'm going with him. It's the first real vacation we'll have had together in years."
"How wonderful for you. Have a great time."
The kids leave immediately after lunch, but Mike stays for another hour. While we're having another cup of coffee, I ask, "You haven't mentioned Carol in a while. What's going on?"
He shrugs. "Not much, I guess. We still date once in a while, but she's been acting kind of independent lately."
"You're not seeing anyone else?" Tor asks.
Mike shakes his head. "Staying busy with my work."
"Sure you don't want to tell us something, babe?" I can tell something is bothering him.
"Nothing to tell. Guess I'd better hit the road. See you guys in a couple of weeks?"
"You know it. Do us a favor. Call the motel when you get in and make reservations for us for the weekend of the christening."
"Will do."
"I wonder what the hell that was all about?" Tor asks after Mike drives off.
"There's something he needs to talk about, but he's holding back. There's nothing we can do but wait until he's ready. I hope he'll talk to Eric if he doesn't want to talk to us."
"Just when I thought everything was going so well, too. Figured Mike might tell us most any time he and Carol were planning to get married."
When we get to the kids' flat Saturday morning two weeks later, I almost don’t recognize Andy. He appears to have already lost some of his baby fat and has grown at least another inch. I mention my surprise to Andrea.
"I was worried, but his pediatrician says he's fine. He's going to be taller than Tom."
"Lean, mean Indian," Tommy says with a grin.
"Well how about letting me hold him before he gets too big for me," Tor says. He had stripped off his shirt and arm the minute we walked in the flat. I know babies aren't supposed to be able to recognize individuals at eight weeks, but I'd swear Andy smiles at Tor the minute he's picked up. Tor doesn't miss it either. "See, he knows his gran'dad already."
Andrea nods. "His pediatrician says it's impossible, but I really think he does. If anybody but you, or Drew, or Mike, or us pick him up, he gets fussy as can be."
"What about with your parents?" I ask.
"He'll go to daddy with no problem, but he doesn't like mother."
"Even at his tender age he's a good judge of character," Tor whispers to me. I can't help but snicker.
After we've had lunch, Andrea feeds Andy and puts him down for his nap. When she mentions that she would like to run to the mall for a few things, we tell her and Tommy to go ahead. We'll stay with Andy.
Tor and I are having another cup of coffee when the house phone rings. It's the guard on the desk telling us the McDonalds wish to see us. I tell him to send him up, figuring it's Henry, but when I answer the door, it's both of them.
"Drew! I thought you and Tor would be here. Where're the kids?"
"Come on in. They've gone to the mall for Andrea to pick up something. Tor and I are babysitting." I look at Margaret. "How are you, Mrs. McDonald?"
"I was fine until now. I can't believe Andrea would leave the baby with someone like you."
"Maaargaret," Henry says.
"And you might at least have the decency to wear a shirt," she says to Tor, seeing his T-shirt.
"I had to take it off to remove my arm so I wouldn't hurt Andy when I was holding him. Excuse me, and I'll put it on."
"You were holding him?"
"Yes. I enjoy giving him his bottle. He's an angel, except when he needs changing."
"You mean to tell me that Andrea lets you touch that baby?" She almost shrieks.
"Ssssh! He's taking his nap." I tell her.
"What's wrong with me holding our grandson? Actually, it's Drew changes him. He wiggles so much I can't manage with just one hand."
Her intended reply is delayed by Andrea and Tommy's return, but not for long.
"Andrea, I'm shocked," she says.
"For what?"
"Leaving your baby in the care of perverts. There's no telling what kind of abuse they've subjected him to while you've been gone."
Andrea stares at her speechless, but Tommy's temper flares. "You're talking about my dads and I don't like it," he says in a quiet deadly voice I've never heard before. "They never touched me nor Mike that way and they love Andy. They'd kill anybody tried to harm him."
"They're a lot better with him than you are, mother, and I appreciate their help. You might as well get used to it, because Luc and Stephan are going to be his godfathers along with Mike."
For once Margaret's mouth works frantically without a word emerging. "Oh, no!" she finally gasps. "I will not have those queers associated with Andrew. Think what it will do to him."
"You have nothing to say about it, Margaret," Henry tells her. "Andrea and Tom have made their choice, and frankly I don't think they could have chosen better. Luc and Stephan are fine young men."
"But … but … if Andrew grows up with all these queers around he'll be just like them."
"He will not," Tommy says. "I'm not gay, and neither is Mike. Tor says it's probably genetic and my research bears him out. We want Andy to have lots of love so he'll grow up to accept and love people regardless of who they are."
"Bravo, Tom," Henry says. "I could use a drink."
"Mike should be home by now. I know he has something around, I'll tell him to bring it up."
Tor gets up. "Don't bother. We'll go down and let Andrea and her mother visit."
As the four of us walk to the lift, Henry puts his arm around Tommy's shoulder. "I'm proud of the way you stood up to Margaret. It's the only way to handle her."
Tommy shakes his head. "Wasn't proper for me to talk to her that way, but she made me mad." He gives me a tiny smile. "Guess it's good we have confession first. I'm gonna need it tomorrow."
Henry chuckles. "If standing up to Margaret is all you have to confess, you can skip it. She would make a saint cuss."
"Bar open, Mike?" Tor asks the minute he opens the door. "You've got three customers."
"Come on in. Just got here myself. I was practicing for tomorrow."
The five of us enjoy ourselves, for Henry tells a number of amusing stories about some of the people he deals with at the bank. His best ones are about Margaret and some of her foolishness. We all get back to Tommy's flat just in time to see a messenger handing Andrea a large flat box.
"What's that, hon?" Tommy asks.
"I have no idea; it's from Stephan's mother." She sits down and opens it, then holds up a beautiful white dress for a baby. It looks to be mostly fine lace and old, for the colour has become ivory. Tommy bends down to pick up a note that has fallen to the floor.
He scans it, then hands it to Andrea. "Look, honey! She sent Steph's christening dress for Andy to wear tomorrow. She says since Steph is to be his godfather she'll be proud for Andy to wear it if he doesn't have one."
"It's beautiful. I didn't even think about getting him one. I was going to put him in that cute little suit we bought."
"That will be far more suitable for a boy," Margaret says.
"Christening dresses are traditional," Mike says.
"Oh, yes. This is so beautiful. It was kind of Stephan's mother to send it, and I wouldn't hurt Stephan's feelings for anything. Andy will be adorable in it."
Margaret takes the dress from Andrea and looks it over, then gasps. "This is hand sewn! Just look at those tiny stitches. It must be an heirloom."
She hands the dress back to Andrea. "It is beautiful. If you insist on having Andy wear it, do be careful with it, dear."
"You know I will."
When we meet at the church. Andrea gives Stephan a kiss when he says proudly, "Mom came through. I'm glad it got here in time. Andy is so cute."
"It was so sweet of you to think of it."
"He's Luc's and my godson. We want the best for him."
Andy is good as gold, crying out only once when Mike begins to play the organ as loudly as he's notorious for. Luc and Stephan are seated next to Tor and me, then Tommy who is holding Andy. Andrea sits next to her father and mother so she can help them find their place in the prayerbook.
As soon as he's played the baptismal hymn, Mike joins us at the font and takes Andy in his arms. He looks radiant as Eric takes Andy from him and looks at him.
"I present Gregory Andrew Henry Thomas Torrence to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism," Mike says without faltering.
Stephan and Luc are beaming when Eric announces they and Mike are the godfathers and asks the questions which they answer in firm voices. As soon as Andy's baptism is over, Mike joins us as we slip out the side door, for the regular organist has taken over.
After a stop in the parish nursery for Andrea to change Andy, Henry treats us all to dinner. It's with reluctance we take our leave. Even Margaret has softened enough to tell Andrea, "You know I don't approve of infant baptism, but it was a lovely service, dear. I particularly liked it when your pastor called Andrew a child of God."
Andrea kisses her. "Thank you, mother. I'm happy you decided to come."
Our summer classes are larger than usual, Tor and I staying so busy we get up to see the kids only a couple of times. When exams are finally over and our paperwork completed, we both collapse for a couple of days to recover. It's a good thing we did, for the kids call and tell us they're all coming for a week.
Tor and I are overjoyed to have Andy to care for while the kids enjoy the beach. Holiday or not, they are all diligent in helping around the house, so it means no extra work for us. I stay amused at Tor and his comments that he can't wait for Andy to get big enough to really play with. Mike concerns me, though. While he's apparently enjoying himself with the others, I can tell he's still bothered by something. I keep hoping he'll open up to Tor and me.
The kids and Andy leave Sunday after dinner to spend the next week with Andrea's parents. Mike is staying home, because he's invited Luc and Stephan down when they return from visiting Stephan's parents.
When we've finished our supper Sunday evening, Mike pours us all another cup of coffee and sits back down.
"I … I've got something I want to tell you."
If he's sacrificing his favorite PBS radio program of organ music, it has to be serious. Tor and I wait.
"I should have told you before, but I…," his eyes grow moist, "I just didn’t know how."
"Mike, you know we love you, no matter what," I say.
"That's what makes it so hard. You're going to be disappointed in me." Mike reaches up and wipes his eyes. "I … well, I've been to bed with a guy."
"I don't believe it! Not you, Mike." Tor says.
"You're twenty-five, babe. If you were still in high school I could understand it, but why has it taken this long?" I ask.
"I … I guess I was just curious, cause you and Tor seem so happy. Carol and I had a fight, so I stopped off at the beer garden. There was this grad student there seemed willing to listen, so … "Mike shrugs, "after a few beers one thing sort of led to another and we wound up in his room."
"How do you feel about what happened?" Tor asks.
"Awful! When he started trying to make it with me, I grabbed my clothes and went home. I … I'm not putting you and dad down, but it's just not going to work for me."
"I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I'm also glad for your sake. You're straight, Mike."
"You're not pissed at me?"
"Why should we be. It's another of life's experiences. Think of it as another indicator of your sexual orientation and accept it," I tell him.
"Thanks, dad. No matter what I do, you guys always make me feel better."
"Good. Are you still seeing Carol?" Tor asks.
Mike shakes his head. "She's found another guy."
"And you?"
"Staying busy with my work. I'm not in any rush."
Luc and Stephan appear at our door Monday afternoon. Both look relaxed and happy.
"We had a great time at Steph's; mom and dad are so good to us," Luc says. "They had Nils and his parents over for dinner. Steph knew Nils in high school, but didn't know he was gay. Mom and dad met them through a parents of gays group. God, I wish my mom and dad were like them."
"They said they wished Nils could find somebody great as Luc to love," Steph adds. "They want him to be as happy as my folks told them Luc and I are. Oh, yeah, mom said tell you thanks for being so careful with the christening dress. Andy's the third to wear it because my grandmother made it for dad when he was christened. I wore it, too. She got it back in perfect shape. They loved the pictures you sent of Andy. I guess the only sad thing is Luc and I won't be having any kids."
"You don't know that," Tor says. "Drew and I didn't think we would either, but see what happened? There's always a chance you can adopt a kid once you guys get a little further along in your careers."
"Mom would be tickled to death," Stephan says. He puts his arm around Luc. "It's something to think about."
Luc shakes his head. "We'd never be lucky enough to find a couple of kids like Mike and Tom."
"Never say never, guys," I add.
To be continued...
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Posted: 01/18/08