by L. M. Brown
“Don’t worry about it,” Todd told him. “It’s only a vase.”
“It’s a family heirloom,” his mother wailed.
Todd rolled his eyes. He knew his mother had disliked the ugly things, which was why they had been relegated to the dim recesses of the hallway, rather than on display in the living room.
Todd’s mother batted Deacon’s hands out of the way and Todd helped him to his feet. The timing couldn’t have been worse.
Deacon’s father, still struggling in Mr Hunter’s grip, finally slipped free, but stumbled on the broken china, fell back into Deacon and sent him crashing to the floor, his head striking the corner of the table on the way down.
“Deacon!” Todd dropped to his knees.
His boyfriend didn’t make a sound or move.
Deacon’s father scrambled to sit up. “Deacon, Deacon boy, come on, wake up for your old man.”
“Someone call an ambulance,” Todd shouted.
Both of his parents were saying something, but the words didn’t register with him. The only voice he wanted to hear was Deacon’s.
“The ambulance is on its way,” Tammy said.
Todd grasped Deacon’s hand and squeezed. Someone, probably his father, squeezed his shoulder, but he shook the hand off.
The Barretts gathered their coats and made their excuses to leave. Todd didn’t even glance up as they departed.
The ambulance seemed to take forever to arrive, but finally sirens rang out in the distance, drawing nearer with each passing minute.
Todd held Deacon’s hand until he had to step back for the paramedics to do their job.
He answered their questions in between shooting glares at his father for his part in what had happened.
“It was an accident,” Todd’s father kept telling them.
Todd wanted to tell him that it wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been so rude to Deacon and his father, but he kept quiet, focusing on his unconscious boyfriend.
“I’m coming with him,” Todd insisted as the paramedics loaded Deacon into the back of the ambulance.
Deacon’s father opened his mouth, as though he might raise an objection, but Todd glared at him, and he held back whatever he was going to say.
“I’ll follow you there,” Deacon’s father called as the doors closed.
Todd didn’t care whether he did or not.
They were almost at the hospital when Deacon opened his eyes. “What happened?” he mumbled. “Why does it feel like the floor’s moving?”
Todd gave a relieved laugh. “We’re in an ambulance.”
Deacon frowned in confusion.
“You fell and hit your head on the edge of the table in the hallway. Or, actually, your dad fell, crashed into you, and you hit your head on the way down.”
“Is my dad okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine.”
Deacon sighed. “Good. As much as he’s been a git the last few months, I don’t like to think of him being hurt.”
Todd squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry about him, I’m sure he’ll be at the hospital later.”
Once Deacon was awake and talking, Todd let himself relax. He had no doubt Mr Jones would be following the ambulance by whatever means he could manage. He wanted to believe that one of his own parents would drive him there, but he had a feeling that was going to be too much to hope for.
He had never seen his father so angry. He had seen a side to his parents that he hadn’t wanted to admit was there—rigid, unaccepting and snobby. He was ashamed to be related to them.
“What are you glowering at?” Deacon asked, bringing Todd out of his thoughts and back to the reality of waiting around at the hospital.
“I just can’t believe my dad went off like that.”
Deacon snorted. “I can’t believe my dad stood up for me like he did. I thought he hated me.”
Todd smiled. “Let me guess, you made as much effort to mend things with your dad, as you did about letting me know what was happening?”
Deacon flushed. “I’m an idiot, right?”
“Yes, but you’re my idiot, so I’m learning to live with it.”
Deacon’s father turned up, looking sheepish, but relieved to see his son awake.
Todd tried to peer round him, but he couldn’t see any sign of his own parents.
“Bloody buses,” Mr Jones said as he approached the end of the bed.
Todd sighed at the comment, knowing what it meant and feeling another wash of shame at his own family.
“You didn’t expect them to drive my dad here, did you?” Deacon asked, guessing Todd’s thoughts as only he could.
“I hoped one of them would,” Todd admitted. “It’s Christmas Eve after all.”
Neither Deacon nor his father had anything to say to that.
Todd pushed thoughts of his parents out of his head and concentrated on his boyfriend once more.
* * * *
The doctor seemed to be of two minds about whether to keep Deacon in hospital overnight, but Deacon insisted on going home. With the Accident and Emergency Department stretched to the limit and the constant bed shortage, it didn’t take much to convince the doctor that he would be perfectly okay at home. Todd promised to stay with him and follow the doctor’s orders to the letter.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” Deacon’s father said.
Todd helped Deacon up and wrapped his arm around his waist. “Will Billy mind my staying over?”
“Billy?” Mr Jones asked. “You aren’t coming home with me?”
Deacon stared at his father, then at Todd, then back to his father. Todd could tell he was torn about what to do. “Can Todd stay over?”
Todd thought Deacon might be pushing his luck, but Mr Jones only hesitated a moment before he nodded. He supposed it helped that Deacon wasn’t in any condition for sex.
“Are you sure about this?” Todd whispered.
“No, but I have to start mending those bridges some time, don’t I? Besides, there might be some of my things still there, if my darling brother hasn’t sold the lot.”
“Some hope of that,” Todd muttered.
“You should probably phone your parents and let them know where you’re going to be tonight?” Deacon suggested.
“Yes, I probably should,” Todd replied, making it clear from his tone that he had no intention of doing anything of the sort.
Deacon looked as if he might try to talk him into it, but then appeared to think better of the idea.
They headed outside to the bus stop, an awkward silence settling between the three of them.
Deacon’s childhood home appeared as neglected inside as it was outside. Pots were unwashed and clothing was hanging over the bannisters. When Deacon made a beeline for the kitchen, Todd took hold of his arm and steered him over to the sofa. “You’re going to take it easy.”
“I’ll put the kettle on,” Mr Jones said. “You want a cuppa?”
Todd didn’t, but he said yes so he could have a few moments alone with Deacon. “Are you sure you don’t want to just grab any of your things that are still here and go back to Billy’s?”
Deacon tugged Todd to sit down beside him. “That would be the sensible thing to do, but I think we’ve already established that I’m an idiot.”
Todd grunted but declined to comment.
“He’s my dad,” Deacon said. “Whatever’s happened between us, he’s my dad, and he’s trying. I have to at least make an effort to meet him halfway.”
Todd nodded. “I know, and I’m glad he seems to be coming round. Really, I am.”
Deacon picked up the remote and turned on the television. “Let’s see what crap is on the box.”
Todd pulled Deacon up against him as his boyfriend flicked through the channels, looking for something worth watching. Or, more likely, using the television as an excuse to avoid talking about uncomfortable subjects, like Deacon’s brother’s arrest, the fight with Todd’s parents, and the way Deacon’s father had thrown him out on
the streets.
Deacon’s father returned to the room with their drinks. He hesitated at the door a moment, and Todd could tell he was a little unsettled at the sight of the two of them cuddling on the sofa. Todd took the chipped mug and offered the older man a smile. At least the man was trying, which is more than could be said for his own father.
They passed a quiet evening in front of the television.
When Todd’s phone buzzed with an incoming text, he checked it quickly, finding a message from his sister asking what was happening. He texted her back to let her know Deacon was okay and that he was staying over with him. He knew she would tell their parents, and half-expected a call from one of them, demanding he return home, but the phone stayed silent for the rest of the evening.
* * * *
On Christmas Day morning, Todd’s first thought was that his present for Deacon was still at his house.
Deacon appeared to have recovered from his bang to the head and seemed to be on a mission to clean up the house, even though he no longer lived there. Todd ended up helping him in an effort to try to keep him from overdoing things. It also helped to take his mind off the fact that his parents still hadn’t contacted him.
“You could take your own advice and go home and see what they have to say,” Deacon suggested.
“What? And have them ruin Christmas Day too?” Todd shook his head.
A knock on the door made them both jump.
They each held their breath while Deacon’s father went to see who it was.
Whoever Todd expected to see, it wasn’t his grandfather. “Gramps? What are you doing here? How did you even know where I was?”
“Tammy, of course.”
“Tammy?”
“Your sister.”
Todd rolled his eyes. “I know who she is. Why aren’t you in Devon?”
“Because your sister called me yesterday in floods of tears, wailing about boyfriends and ambulances and everyone going to jail.”
“Huh?”
“Or something like that. She seemed to think your dad was going to jail for putting your boyfriend in hospital.”
Todd rolled his eyes. “Could she be a bigger drama queen? No one’s going to jail and, as you can see, Deacon is fine.”
“I suspected that was the case when her call wasn’t followed by one from you. But clearly something happened yesterday, and after spending a sleepless night wondering, I thought it best to come up here and find out for myself. I always find it’s easier to get to the truth when you speak to someone face to face, rather than over the phone. So, do you want to tell me what happened?”
“Didn’t you get the full story from Mum and Dad?”
“Funnily enough, no. Your dad was rather tight-lipped about what happened yesterday. The last time he looked that guilty was when I had to pick him up at the police station for stealing a car.”
“What?” Todd gaped at his grandfather, wondering if he had misheard.
“Oh, he’s never told you about that?” The old man chuckled. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Now, how about you introduce me to your young man?”
Todd introduced Deacon and his father and they all sat down in the living room where Todd went over the events of the previous day, with Deacon confirming the details of the discussion between him and Todd’s father.
Todd’s grandfather shook his head and sighed. “Well, it sounds like I missed all the drama. Get your coat and I’ll drive you home.”
“I was going to stay here for the day,” Todd replied.
“I’m sure you were. Are you feeling up to coming with us, Deacon?”
Deacon nodded and went to get their coats.
“What about you?” he asked Deacon’s father.
“I think it might be best if I stay here,” he replied. “You’ll come back later, son?”
Deacon nodded and passed Todd his coat.
Todd guessed the decision had been made for him. It was time to go home and face the music.
As soon as they pulled into the drive, Todd saw the curtain twitch. He wasn’t sure if it was Tammy or their mother, but there was no chance of sneaking in.
They traipsed into the house, trailing snow onto the mat.
“The wanderer has returned,” his grandfather announced as he took off his coat and hung it up.
Todd and Deacon followed his example. Todd cast a longing glance at the door to the basement, wishing he could sneak down there and hide out for the next few hours.
The whole family were in the living room, which looked the same as it had yesterday. Even the presents under the tree were still wrapped.
Tammy whooped and hopped down from the window seat. “Now can we open the presents?”
“Later,” their mother said.
Todd and Deacon lingered in the doorway. While no one was shouting, the welcome wasn’t exactly warm. Deacon wrapped his fingers around Todd’s hand and squeezed.
Todd’s mother was the first to speak. “Well, aren’t you going to come in and sit down?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to retort that he was just here to pick up his things, but he knew that if they didn’t get this sorted out now, they never would. Deacon wasn’t the only stubborn one around here.
“You’re recovered?” Todd’s father asked Deacon as they sat down.
Deacon nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
Todd didn’t let go of Deacon’s hand. He caught his grandfather’s eye, and the old man nodded for him to say his piece. He guessed it was now or never.
“Mum, Dad, I want you to understand that I’m serious about Deacon and that isn’t going to change.”
“You’re too young to know what you want,” his mother interrupted.
He cut off whatever else she had to say with a glare. “You can either accept that Deacon is the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with, or you can’t. I’m not going to argue with you. I’ll just pack up my things and take them with me when I go back to university.”
“You don’t mean that,” his mother said.
Todd shook his head. “You’re not listening to me, are you? You’re asking me to choose between my family and my boyfriend, and I choose him.”
Tammy gave a surprised squeak, while Richie watched the whole proceedings in silence.
“Is that what you want?” Todd’s grandfather asked. “For your son to walk out the door and not come back?”
Todd held his breath as his parents communicated without words.
“Of course not,” Todd’s father finally said. “But he can do so much better than him.”
Todd stood and pulled Deacon up with him. “Come and help me pack. Tammy, can you dig out Deacon’s present from under the tree?”
They were halfway to the door when Todd’s mother stepped in front of them. “You wouldn’t really leave like this.”
“Yes, Mother, I would. I am.” Todd eased his way around her and went to pack his belongings.
“Are you sure about this?” Deacon asked as they pulled Todd’s belongings from the wardrobe and chest of drawers. “It’s your family you’re walking away from.”
“You’re my family now,” Todd replied. “Besides, I still have Tammy, Richie and Gramps. It’s not like I’m going to be on my own.”
“Like I was, you mean?” Deacon whispered.
“Yeah, exactly.”
Todd leaned over to kiss Deacon on the lips. “It’s you and me from now on, right?”
Deacon smiled and wound his arms around Todd’s neck. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good, because I am never letting you go.”
Todd knew that as long as the two of them stuck together things would be okay.
Epilogue
Deacon stared out of the window of the train as it pulled into the station. This December there was no sign of snow or ice, but there was a bitter chill in the air.
“We’re here,” Todd said.
Deacon stood and grabbed his bag from the overhead rack. He still didn’t k
now whether this was a good idea or not. While Todd and his parents were talking again, there was a big difference between phone calls and being in the same room together.
It had been a year since they had last come back here. Deacon had his own place just a short bus ride away from the university, and rather than return to his parents’ house during the holidays, Todd had stayed with Deacon. He had officially moved in during the summer break and things had never been better between them.
Deacon’s job with Billy’s cousin was going well, and while money was a little tight, they were doing okay.
Deacon’s relationship with his father had improved more than he ever thought it would. The old man would never be waving a rainbow flag, but he was making a real effort and had even invited them over for Boxing Day.
Todd’s parents, however had taken a while to come around to the idea that their son’s boyfriend was from what they perceived to be the wrong side of town. Only when Todd hadn’t returned home in the summer, had reality set in.
Now, just a few months after Todd’s mother had reached out to her estranged son, they were all going to be spending the holidays together. Deacon supposed that at least Todd’s grandfather was going to be there too. He could keep the peace if things got out of hand again.
“Do you want to stop by Billy’s first?” Todd asked.
“Stalling?”
“Maybe a little.”
Deacon smiled. “He’s going away for the holidays this year.”
“What about your dad?”
“I said I’d text him when we got there. He’ll come over later unless I message him to say otherwise.”
“You don’t have much faith that things will go well, do you?”
“It’s not like you haven’t been worrying about it for the last two weeks.”
They had both been hesitant about spending Christmas with Todd’s family. After last year, Deacon had wondered whether Todd might lose his family for good. At first he had worried that he was the cause of the rift between Todd and his parents, before he eventually accepted that while he might have been the catalyst for the fight, the issues between Todd and his family would always have come to a head sooner or later.
