Noel walked around, trying to catch a peek of Robert’s face, but Robert kept moving away. “I will find out, you know. You were never good at keeping secrets.”
“Yes, well, I’ve gotten better with age.” Robert turned toward Noel. “Seriously, please drop it. I want to share, but right now I can’t. You have to trust me, okay?”
Noel held up his hands in surrender. “Okay. I’m sorry. I just…. It’s good to see you happy.”
“It’s good to be happy.” Because now he knew what he was missing, and he didn’t want to lose Galen. Or his friendship with Noel and Lincoln. He slipped into his heavy coat and grabbed a hat from the shelf.
Noel reached out and put a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “I hope one day you can tell us and we can meet him. I’d like to know the guy who makes you smile.”
God, Robert wanted that too. He wished like hell he could have Noel, Lincoln, and Galen together in the diner, the four of them sitting around, having ice cream, telling jokes, laughing. But Galen was still hesitant. He continued to imagine the worst-case scenario, and it scared the hell out of him.
“Maybe one day. Anyway, I have to go.”
Noel tugged Robert into a hug. “Well, tell this mystery guy thank you for me, will you?”
Robert returned the embrace. “I will.” They pulled away, and Robert peered at Noel. “Thank you for doing this. I know it’s not easy for you.”
Noel shrugged. “Lincoln encouraged me. He said if it makes me happy, it makes him happy. He’s changed my schedule a bit, so Katy’s covering later on Monday, which means I can stay most of the night.”
A pang of guilt surged through Robert. If Galen would come to terms with the situation, Noel wouldn’t have to come in. Then again, if things didn’t go as Robert expected, how could he possibly make a choice between the man he thought of as a son and the one he’d come to love?
“I should go. Thanks again.”
Noel chuckled. “You don’t have to keep thanking me. I know you appreciate it. Believe me, no matter what I do for you, it’s always going to be less than what I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing, so get that out of your head.” Robert started out the door, but then he had another thought. “Actually, one day, hopefully soon, would you keep that in mind? I might have to ask you for something big.”
“Anything, but you know that already.”
He did, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to be nervous about it. “See you later.”
“Have a good night. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
Robert grinned. “You might have to make out a list for reference.”
“Ooh, you naughty, naughty boy.” Noel gave him a wink. “Have a good night.”
“Thanks. I have my phone if you need me.”
Robert stepped outside and drew the jacket around himself before he headed for his car. It was already chilly for November, and he had a ways to walk, but he didn’t mind. He’d always loved the winter, even with as much snow as Milwaukee got. There was an almost magical quality to the city. The people were more generous, and the shelter got more donations in the period between November and January than they took in most of the remainder of the year. Of course, the downside to that was there were a lot more people joining the ranks of those in need.
Still, the new year was coming, and with it came limitless chances for change. Maybe 2019 would be the year that the government got their heads out of their asses and addressed the homeless situation. Maybe a coalition would come together to solve the problems for all the people who Galen and Robert cared for. Maybe…. He sighed. Maybe blue monkeys would fly out of his butt. No one—from any political party—had the first idea how to help. They were all bogged down in how best to get votes or suck up as much money as they could to line their own pockets, at which point they’d “retire to spend more time with their families.” And meanwhile the problem continued to worsen with every year.
He sighed again as he went to his car. It would do no good to get to Galen’s in a funk. Their time together was short and precious. Robert didn’t want anything to intrude on it. He needed to compartmentalize the anger that swept through him when the feelings of inadequacy warred with the logic of what one person could accomplish.
He got in and closed the door. Once he had the key in the ignition, he cranked the heat. The warmth felt good on his face and brightened his mood somewhat. While the car warmed up, he took out his phone and called Galen.
“Oh my God, Robert! You’re not going to believe it. It’s…. Shit, it’s incredible.”
“Hi, Galen. Nice to talk to you, too, Galen. I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Oh, sorry. It’s just—”
“Incredible.”
“Yes!”
Galen sounded absolutely astounded, and Robert had to admit he was dying to find out what was going on.
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Sorry, Robert. He’s off on the computer again.”
“Andy? What the hell’s going on?”
“The site he and Olivia put up? It’s already gone viral. More people are logging in and putting their stories up, and this time they’re including Galen’s mother. Now the news stations are calling to interview Galen. It’s a madhouse. Channels 4, 6, 12, and 58 all want to get an exclusive. Good Morning, America has been trying to get Galen to fly out to New York to talk about it. People magazine wants to do Galen’s story. Everyone wants a piece of him now.”
“Oh.” Robert’s heart sank. Of course everyone wanted a piece of Galen. “Well, okay. Tell him I’ll call him back later, would you?”
“What? Wait a second.”
A shout and then loud thumps before Galen came back on the phone. “What do you mean, you’ll call me back later?”
“You’re busy.”
“Yes, I am. I’m going out to dinner with my boyfriend.”
“But they want interviews with you, and—”
“And I’m telling them no.”
What? “Why?”
“Let me spell it out for you very slowly. I’m having dinner with my boyfriend.”
“But this is what you wanted.”
Galen chuckled. “No. I wanted to get the story out there. I’ve done that. Let them do the work, because I’ve got a date.”
Holy crap! “You’re choosing me?”
Galen’s voice softened. “I’m always going to choose you. I didn’t want my father to get away with what he’s done, but he’s not my priority anymore. You, Cassie, and everyone else at the shelter is. Dear old Dad will get what’s coming to him in due time.”
Robert scrubbed at his burning eyes. He was sure it was from the onions he cut the other day, because no way was he crying.
“When the story broke, the first to call was Father. Do you know he had the balls to ask me what the hell I was doing to my family? My family. The ones who were willing to split up Lincoln from the man he loved, and the one who pretty much told me I’m useless.”
“Which you’re not.”
“Damn straight, I’m not!” Galen sighed. “I realize I’m going to have to answer questions in the future. The company’s lawyers have been calling, as well as members of the board. They’re doing major damage control right now. They’re acting all shocked and everything, despite the fact that there were a lot of complaints against Father that stretched back years. Now, suddenly, they’re taking them seriously. Father’s been asked to step down, and they’ve offered me my job, with a hefty raise and a promotion to CEO, but only if I walk the story back. I refused. Then they tried to dangle a carrot in front of me, telling me they’d release all my assets. All those things came from Primal, and I’m not proud of what I did to get them. I said they should go ahead and keep them.”
“You did not.”
“Oh, I did. And when I asked why they hadn’t called Lincoln, they hemmed and hawed, but eventually admitted they did, and he turned them down flat. Even now, I still come in second to my brother. Oh well. Eith
er way, I told them to kiss my ass. If they had contacted me first, I still would have said no. You’ve given me purpose in life and made me happy. Why would I want to walk away from that?”
Robert’s heart wanted to burst from his chest, he was so damn proud.
“Now, about dinner. I was thinking maybe we could skip right to dessert.” Galen’s tone was seductive. “I’m in the mood for something cream-filled tonight.”
“I will give you anything you want, anytime you want it. Because I love you.”
“And now you know why I did what I did. I love you too.”
Robert’s heart turned to mush hearing those words. He just hoped he’d always be worthy of them.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“GALEN, ROBERT! Happy Thanksgiving.”
Galen kissed Rachel on the cheek and shook Dwight’s hand, which ended up with him being pulled into a bear hug. “Thank you for having us.”
When Marco and Andy had picked them up, Galen sat in the back with Robert. They had snuggled together, with Galen’s head on Robert’s chest. He was nervous about spending the holiday with Robert’s family, but Robert assured him it would be fine.
As soon as they were pulled into the house, Galen’s fears melted away under the amazing scents that emanated from the kitchen.
“I’m going to be in the kitchen working on dinner. You guys go have a seat in the living room.”
Andy perked up. “Oh, what can we do to help?”
Rachel gave him a kindly smile. “You can go sit down and watch football with Dwight. It keeps him from coming into the kitchen to snack.”
Marco snickered and wrapped an arm around Andy, following Dwight. Galen wondered at the warmth of the house and the people in it. How was it that this group of people were closer to him than his own family? Why did he feel such affection for them all?
When Tom and Brian showed up, they were absorbed into the group after they’d given everyone, including Galen, a hug.
Dwight was the perfect host. In conversation, he didn’t favor one person over another. He offered drinks, made a few bawdy jokes, and in general showed why he was king of the roost.
Rachel came out on occasion to ask the score, kiss Dwight, then disappear back into the kitchen. At one point she poked her head out the swinging door and called for Galen.
“Ooh, someone’s in trouble.”
He stuck his tongue out at Robert, who collapsed into a giggle fit. Galen got up and went into the kitchen, where he found Rachel washing some pots and pans.
“You wanted me?”
“Sit down, please.”
He glanced at the chair, then stepped up to the sink and grabbed a towel to dry. If Rachel was surprised, she didn’t show it. They worked together in companionable silence for a time, before Rachel cleared her throat.
“Are you happy?”
Galen frowned. “Of course I am.”
“I’ve been following the news about your father.” She held out a pan to him. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
He shrugged. “A lot of it is my own doing. I was too much of a coward to step up when I knew what was happening.” He finished drying, then put the pan on the stove. “Olivia, the woman who used to be my assistant, is happy because they’ve lifted all the noncompetition agreements we all signed, which means we can finally get back to looking for jobs that make us happy.”
“And will you do that?” She was fishing for answers, and he had no problems giving them to her.
“I’ve got a job I like. Working with Robert, helping the people at the shelter? All that fulfills me in a way I never knew anything could. I keep looking back on the past and wondering if that was a dream and now I’m awake in reality.”
“Good answer.” She turned the water off and dried her hands. “The reason I called you in here is I want you to say grace tonight.”
“What? But… I can’t.”
She regarded him with a hint of amusement. “Why?”
“I’m not religious.”
That made her chuckle. “Honey, no one here is. In our house, grace isn’t necessarily a religious thing. You say a few words, then give thanks for what you have and tell people why you’re grateful for it. Then we go around the table and everyone does the same.”
He peered down at her. She seemed so hopeful, and Galen warmed at the thought that she was including him. “Okay. I would be honored.”
“Good. Now get back to football before Dwight comes in here to see where you are.”
Galen went back to the living room and was pulled down next to Robert.
“You’re saying grace, huh?”
“How’d you know?”
“We all have to go through it. This year it was your turn. Next year she’ll tap Andy or Marco.”
Galen glanced around the room. Dwight, with a bottle of Miller in hand, was focused on the screen as some guy ran a ball down the field. Tom was curled up on the oversized chair, Brian’s head resting on his lap. When he saw Galen looking, Brian gave him a smile, which Galen was only too happy to return. Andy and Marco were sleeping, Marco’s arms wrapped protectively around Andy.
It was then Galen realized that this was his family. His brothers, his mother, his father, his lover. They were the ones who took him in and made him feel welcome. They knew of his past but were able to look beyond it and see Galen for the man he was becoming. He sat there, digesting this new information, and a slow smile spread across his face as he finally understood what family really meant.
A few hours later, Rachel came out from the kitchen and announced dinner was served. Robert stood, held out his hand to Galen, and followed him into the dining room. Galen’s jaw dropped. Rachel had gone all out. The food was spread on an eight-foot banquet table, covered in a white cloth. Each item was served in an elegant bowl or tureen and had a small white card listing what was there. She’d made a turkey, a Tofurky, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole with tiny marshmallows, biscuits, cranberry sauce, two kinds of stuffing, and apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies for dessert.
Once they were all seated, with Rachel at the head of the table, she smiled at everyone. “Galen is going to be doing grace tonight. So if you’ll all join hands.”
Robert took one hand, and on his other side, Brian took the other. He gave Galen a squeeze, which was comforting.
“Um… I’m not really sure what to say here, so I hope you’ll indulge me. Earlier this year, I did something reprehensible. I took money from the shelter that was meant to help the homeless. I could make excuses or try to explain why I did it, but in the end, it’s all on me. Robert could have—should have—been angry with me. Hell, I was angry with me. Then one night he saw me out at a bar. A gay bar. And he had the perfect opportunity to make my life a hell. He didn’t, though. He was kind, considerate, and asked me out for chili. I couldn’t understand it. Why wasn’t he shouting to the world that I was gay? Ruining my life like I ruined others? But he’s not that kind of man, and realizing that started me on a path that brought me to this time, this place, and this family. I learned that not everyone was out to screw people over. That there were good, decent people in the world. Instead of closing myself off to it, I opened my heart. It’s that which I’m thankful for, because I’m learning to be a decent human being.”
He looked up and found Rachel dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “That’s beautiful.”
Galen grinned at her. “Thanks… Mom.”
Her eyes went wide, and for a moment, Galen thought he’d said the wrong thing. Then she turned to Dwight. “Told you he’d say it today.”
“You were right. As always.”
His gaze darted between the two of them. “How did you know?”
“Because we both knew how badly you wanted to belong to something real. And this family is about as real as you’re going to get. And you’re welcome here, just like any of the rest of our sons.” She looked around the table. “You are all our family. Either by birth or by shared love, we hav
e never been as proud as we are today, surrounded by those who make our lives rich and full. Now, I believe it’s Robert’s turn.”
And that was it. They went around the table, each person saying something and expressing their love for the family. Even Marco and Andy said they were happy to be members.
It was the best holiday Galen ever had, because it was the day he made his new family. And it got him thinking about how he wanted to ask to draw in his other family, Lincoln and Noel.
Because it was finally time for him to man up and step forward to take responsibility for the wrongs he’d done.
ROBERT GROANED as he loosened his belt another notch. His mother had outdone herself this year. The spread put every one that had come before it to shame. The biggest surprise was when Galen started calling Robert’s parents Mom and Dad. They beamed a smile at each other, and after dinner, they’d enfolded Galen in their arms and told him he was loved. Robert was so grateful for his parents and the fact that there was no such thing as someone who wasn’t family to them.
“You seem serious about this guy.”
He turned and found Tom standing beside him. “I am.”
Tom reached out and ruffled Robert’s hair. “Good. I was afraid you’d work yourself to death and never take the time to stop and see what’s in front of you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being married to Brian, it’s you have to remember every day how precious they are to you.”
It seemed Tom wanted to talk but was hesitant.
“I’m going in the backyard for some air. Want to come?”
Tom blew out a breath. “Yeah, okay.”
They opened the door and stepped out into the tree-lined yard from their youth. The leaves had all fallen and their father had mulched them into the grass, but for Robert anyway, it still held so many memories of when they were kids. Even then, Tom had been the best big brother.
“So what’s up?”
Tom was quiet for a minute. “Brian had a doctor’s appointment last week. The cancer’s spread again. It’s reached his brain.”
“Oh shit. I’m sorry.”
Galen's Redemption Page 24
