Caution and Courage
By: Morris Henderson
(© 2012 by the author)
 

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Chapter 22 

After two days of deliberation and frequent discussions with Billy, Will made up his mind.  “I’m going to visit my parents,” he said in an unusually casual way.

“GOOD!” Billy exclaimed.  “I betcha decided to tolerate yur daddy’s criticisms, too.”

“No.  I’m going to do three things.  One, I’m going to tell him ... not ask him ... to lay off the criticism and insults.  Two, I’m going to tell him that I love him.  That second part is because you’ve opened my eyes to the possibility that he loves me but his pride or whatever hasn’t let him show it.  He’ll probably be surprised that I stood up to his verbal abuse but I suspect he’ll be rendered speechless to hear me say I love him.”

“I s’pose yur right on both counts.  But ya said ya’d do three things.  What’s the third?”

“I’d appreciate your help on that one, Billy.  If you’re willing and can get a few days off work I’d like you to come with me.  One reason is that he would be more likely to control his temper in the presence of a stranger.  Another reason is that I want my whole family to meet my life partner.  And yes, that means I’m going to tell them that we’re gay and plan to live as a couple.”

“WOAH!,” Billy interrupted.  “I’m not so sure ‘bout that.  Based on whatcha been tellin’ me ‘bout yur daddy, he ain’t gonna like ya pickin’ a country hick from Miss’ippi for a partner.  I’m thinkin’ it’d just make ‘im madder for not pickin’ a friend that’s more like he thinks ya oughta have.  On top o’ learning yur gay, it’d be a real kick in the butt for ‘im.”

“First of all, you are NOT a country hick.  You’ve got more smarts than you give yourself credit for.  And if he dares to challenge me on that count, I’m ready to set him straight.  He may have difficulty seeing past your Southern accent but it’s important that he meets the new member of the family.  This is speculation but I think his first reaction — shock, disapproval, or even anger — will fade over time.  A much longer time than it took your father but I think ... I hope ... he will mellow as time goes by.  So, are you willing to come with me and help me with my plan?”

Billy scrunched up his face in deep thought and finally said, “Ya told me once ‘part’ is the most important part of ‘partner’.  That means we stick together through thick and thin.  If’n ya want me by yur side, I’ll be there for ya.  ‘Course I gotta see if’n I can get vacation time at work but that’ll be no problem ‘cause I been there for more than a year and the Union contract says I get a week’s vacation.  When ya wanna go?”

“My mother’s birthday is in five weeks.  I thought I’d write to my sister and tell her I want to surprise Mother for her birthday.”

“That’ll be a surprise, shore nuff!” Billy said.  “Even bigger if’n I tag ‘long with ya.  Maybe ya better warn yur sister there’ll be two of us.”

“More proof,” Will exclaimed, “that you have superior ‘people smarts’ along with your uncommonly good sense.  I’ll tell her more than that we’re both coming.  I’ll tell her on the way from the airport to the house that we’re gay and partners.”

“Is that such a good idea?” Billy asked.

“I think so.  She’s not at all like my father.  Remember when I told you about working in the soup kitchen because Dad wanted me to see what ‘welfare leeches’ were really like?  Well, she thought he was totally misguided and she seemed interested in hearing my stories of the good folks who had to get their meals in a soup kitchen.  She’s not as liberal as I am but I’m sure she’ll be okay with having a gay brother.”

Will’s letter to his sister went through several drafts until he and Billy agreed on appropriate wording that included a strong suggestion of their true relationship.  Carolyn would, they were sure, deduce the meaning but on the minimal chance that her parents saw it, they would never suspect:

“...My good friend, Billy Simpson will come

with me.  I hope you don’t mind.  He’s an

important part of my life....”

<><><><><> 

Will’s sister, Carolyn, met Will and Billy in the baggage claim area of JFK airport just past noon on a Saturday.  She was, as Will had predicted, very pleased to see her brother and was very cordial to Billy.  On the drive to her apartment the conversation was carried mostly by her and Will in the front seat.  Eventually, however, she could not resist confirming what she thought was the implication in Will’s letter.  “Hey, Will.  Help me out.  You said in your letter that Billy is an important part of your life.  Does that mean what I think it means?”

Teasing his sister, Will replied with a grin, “Since I don’t know what you think it means, I can’t answer your question.”

Exasperated, Carolyn snapped, “Okay, smart ass!  What does it mean?”

Will learned long ago there was a limit to how much he could tease his big sister.  Her sharp comment signaled the limit had been reached.  “The short answer is that we’re gay and committed life partners.  The long answer is that we love each other.  That love took root when we were in Basic Training and flourished.  It’s the reason we were discharged from the Navy ... not because we DID anything while on duty but just because we’re gay.  Since that time, in Ann Arbor, our love has grown stronger.  New here’s a question for you, Sis.  How do you feel about having a queer brother?”

The long pause before she answered disturbed both Billy and Will but she replied, “I can’t say I’m totally surprised.  I wondered about you when you were in High School and rarely dated any girls.  But I figured it was just another of your passing phases.  How do I feel?  It isn’t what I’d like but I’m smart enough to know that your happiness is what’s important.  So!  Congratulations to you both!  May you continue to be happy together.  But you know Mom and Dad will not be pleased when they find out.  Are you going to tell them?”

“Yes,” Will answered.  “It’s not the sort of birthday present that I’d normally choose for Mom but Billy and I have discussed all the options and decided they have a right to know ... even if it upsets them.  There will never be a good time to tell them so it may as well be done and over with.”

<><><><><> 

Will’s mother’s reaction when they walked into the house was temporarily speechless surprise.  Will broke the silence by saying, “Happy Birthday, Mom.  I hope you don’t mind the surprise visit.”

The response was typical of her: a sugar-coated, veiled criticism.  “How sweet of you, Willard.  I wish you had told me you were coming.”

“This is my friend, Billy Simpson.  We met in the Navy.”

Mrs. Benson summoned her practiced charm and gushed, “I’m very pleased to meet you, Billy,”

“And I’m pleased t’ meet y’all, ma’am,” Billy replied.  “Will’s done tol’ me ‘bout all the good things ya done for ‘im growin’ up.”

The woman was unsuccessful in concealing her disdain for the accent and grammar but recovered quickly and said through a forced smile, “Would you like to sit out on the patio?  It’s such a splendid day.  We can chat and get to know each other.”  Without waiting for an acceptance of the suggestion, she called into the kitchen, “Angela!  Bring a pitcher of ice tea and four glasses to the patio.”

They settled into luxuriously padded outdoor chairs around a large table shaded by a massive umbrella.  Billy found the view of the swimming pool and grounds was breathtaking for the meticulously manicured shrubbery and abundance of colorful flower gardens.  Will had told him about the sumptuous house his family lived in but seeing it made the description seem completely inadequate.

“We’re having a few friends in tonight after dinner.  Jeffrey, that’s my husband, insisted on celebrating my birthday.  It’s actually not until Monday but you know how hectic weeknights are.  You will join us, won’t you?”

Will knew that “a few friends” meant a houseful of stuffed shirts, many of whom had trophy wives who would not-so-subtly be showing off their gowns, jewelry, and fleshy assets.  Consequently, he was prepared with what he hoped would be a gentle way of declining the invitation.  “Thanks, Mom.  But neither Billy nor I brought the proper clothing for a formal party.  We just wanted to be here to help celebrate your birthday.  Perhaps we can do that over dinner before your party.”

Another mother might have said, “Nonsense!  It’s you that’s important, not the clothes you wear.”  Instead, she said, “That’s a pity.  Maybe another time.”

Only Will and Carolyn recognized their mother’s response was one of relief.  Billy surely didn’t.

Angela brought the ice tea and a tray of hors d’oeuvres — tiny cucumber sandwiches and some sort of vegetable bits that even Billy with his farm background couldn’t recognize. Without saying ‘Thank you,’ Mrs. Benson said to the housekeeper, “We will be five for dinner tonight.”

Will asked, “Will Dad be here for dinner?”

“Yes,” his mother replied. “He’s golfing with clients at the moment.  Or perhaps in the clubhouse having a few drinks.  But he promised to be home for dinner.  You know how it is.  Working when you’re playing.”  She chuckled at her own weak joke; the others, out of politeness only, laughed.  ”My goodness, she gushed.  We’re being rude, Billy.  We haven’t let you say anything.  Tell me about yourself.”

“Ain’t much to say, ma’am.  Ya can tell from my accent I’m from Miss’ippi.  Grew up on a farm ‘till my folks moved to Detroit.  Wasn’t there long, though ‘cause I joined the Navy.”  Will had briefed his lover on tactics to deal with his parents so Billy transitioned quickly.  “That was a great experience, it was.  The Basic Trainin’ was no fun but I learned a lot.  That’s where I met Will.  And bein’ at sea was an adventure.  We even crossed the equator.  Out in the middle of the Pacific.  Funny thing is, we lost a whole day crossin’ the date line but got it back when we sailed back home.”

Continuing her probe into Billy’s background (or, one might say cynically and accurately), his worthiness to be her son’s friend, she asked, “Your family lives in Detroit?”

“Yes, ma’am.”  Billy was reluctant to say more.  He was proud of his family’s loving nature and ethics but he was unwilling to divulge details because they contrasted so sharply with the Benson’s affluence.  He was grateful that the undisguised interrogation was interrupted by Mr. Benson walking out of the house.

“WILL!” he exclaimed.  “I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“Hello, Father,” Will said as he stood to shake hands.  “I thought I would surprise Mom for her birthday.”

“And a surprise it is!” the man said.  “I’ve wondered why you didn’t come home after leaving the Navy.  In fact, I’ve wondered why you left the Navy.  I sincerely hope it wasn’t a disciplinary move.  You never really explained it in your letters as I expected you would.  And I see you’ve brought another unexpected guest.”

Will Ignored the subtle chastisement behind his father’s greeting but couldn’t resist giving a retort.  “Good to see you, too, Father.”  Will paused just long enough for the sarcasm to register and then said, “I’d like you to meet my friend, Billy Simpson.  We met in Basic Training and were shipmates on a couple of trips to Vietnam.”

Billy stood, extended a hand to shake hands with Mr. Benson (The gesture was rudely ignored.), and said, “Mighty pleased to meetcha, Sir.  I’m hopin’ ya don’t mind my taggin’ along with Will here.”

“Not at all,” the man lied.  Turning to his wife, he continued, “Can I see you inside a moment?”  Addressing Will, he said, “We won’t be long.”

“Take your time,” Will said.  “Billy and I will get our things from the car.”

“Right!” Mr. Benson said.  “Put your belongings in your old bedroom.  Your friend” (pointedly not using Billy’s name) “can use the guest room.  Show him where it is.”  That last sentence was delivered more like an order than a suggestion. 

Having deposited their luggage in separate bedrooms, Will went to the guest room and said, “Just about what I expected.  Neither one of them said they were glad to see me.  Both of them acted as if I’m intruding into their lives.”

“I’m thinkin’ yur maybe puttin’ too much interpretation on it.  That’s just the way they is.  Or at least whatcha told me ‘bout ‘em.  I figure it went purty well.  A big sight better ‘n when ya break the big news to ‘em.”

“Because I trust your judgment, Billy, I’ll concede that my perception might be a little off base.  Maybe my memories of criticism and disapproval are warping my thinking.  I’ll try to keep your counsel in mind.”

“Have ya decided when yur gonna tell ‘em ‘bout us?

“Certainly not tonight ... what with their party and all.  Maybe tomorrow.  It used to be their habit to go out for brunch after church.  If we’re invited — and I’m sure we will be — I might tell them in the restaurant.  Neither of them will dare make a scene in public.  The tirade will come when we get home but perhaps the shock will have worn off somewhat by then.”

To be continued...

Posted:03/23/12