*******
“You’re probably wondering how I know where you live,” Christine said as she stepped into Kellen’s kitchen.
“No, I’m sure you were with the group who came out here and broke some windows back in the day.” Kellen smiled. “That was after I stole Mr. Sealy.”
Christine nodded. “You know, I really have to say I was impressed with that stunt. Someone hit the base with their car, and that seal never moved. How did you get him to budge?”
“A panicked Kyle and a sledgehammer. He has a lot of strength when he’s terrified.”
“I really want to hear you two compare notes, but right now, Chris, I need to know if you’ve heard anything else,” Stevie said.
“No, but Linden’s car was in the driveway of Mom and Dad’s house when I passed, and he’s always at the gym this time of the morning.”
Stevie nodded. “Okay, let’s do this.” She hugged Kellen and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll be back later.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you do.” Kellen clamped her lips together tightly as she gazed at Stevie. “Call me if you need me, and I will come running.”
“I know that.” Stevie smiled and kissed Kellen again.
Kellen grabbed Stevie’s arm when Christine stepped out of the door. “You remember where I stand, right?”
Stevie nodded with a smile. “I’ll be back.” She gave Kellen another quick kiss before she walked out.
“Y’all look good together,” Christine said when they were outside. “You know how some couples don’t match, they don’t look like they fit together?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Stevie looked up at the kitchen window as they walked to the car. Kellen was watching her and waved, and Stevie blew her a kiss.
“You are so calm,” Christine said once they got in her car. “I would be shitting myself. This is why I’m jealous of your balls.”
Stevie waited until Christine had driven down the driveway a bit before she clutched her forehead with her hand and started squirming. “I am shitting myself!”
“I’ve got a raincoat you can sit—”
“Figure of speech, Chris. I had to keep it together in front of Kellen because I didn’t want to make her feel worse than she already does because I wouldn’t let her go with me. I love Mom and Dad, I don’t want to hurt them, but at the same time, I’m not letting go of Kellen. I’m just gonna have to tell them that. If they disown me, well, it is what it is.”
“No, they won’t do that. They’ll try to brainwash you by telling you how you feel. They’ll just keep hammering at you saying things like, ‘This is a lapse in sanity and it’ll pass.’ That’s what they told me when I wanted to wear white after Labor Day. That rule should not apply to anyone living in an area where you can still wear shorts at Christmastime.”
“Uh-huh,” Stevie said with a nod and tried to get her breathing under control. “I should’ve grabbed that bottle of tequila I saw in Kellen’s pantry.”
“I wish we had pot. I’ve never tried it but always wanted to, especially in a brownie.” Christine glanced at Stevie. “You sound like you’re in labor with all that panting. You need to pick a thought that makes you happy and really hang on to it. I saw the way she looked at you when you were telling her bye. If I were you, I’d pick that memory.”
Stevie smiled. “You saw that, too?”
“I did. Jared looked at me like that when we were dating. He still does when I tell him I don’t mind if he spends the whole weekend golfing. Okay, do you want to go to the cottage, or are we marching up in Mom and Dad’s house with balls blazing?”
“The cottage,” Stevie said as she tried to calm down. “I have one of those little miniature bottles of vodka, and we’ll split it.”
*******
Stevie didn’t get a chance to enjoy her liquid courage; her parents and brother were sitting in the living room of the cottage when she and Christine walked in. The three of them looked at Stevie as though she’d burned the town of Sealy down and danced in the ashes. “A brownie would be really good about now,” Christine whispered while she sort of hid behind Stevie.
“Where have you been?” Joan asked.
“Why do I have to keep giving an account of where I go and what I do?” Stevie asked with a lot more bravado than she felt.
Linden waved a hand dismissively. “Let’s not pretend we all don’t know why we’re here. Stevie, we’ve been informed you and Kellen McLin are friends. I’m sure you know that’s a concern for us, and we want to know what’s up.”
“How did you even meet her?” Dave asked.
Stevie walked farther into the room and sat on the arm of a chair while Christine stood in a corner with her arms folded. “I met her at a party, I got to know her, and I really like her. Y’all probably would, too, if you weren’t so programmed to hate the McLins.”
“We’re not programmed—well, if we are, the McLins did it with their poor behavior,” Dave said angrily. “I just don’t understand how you could possibly have anything in common with a McLin. Stevie, what are you doing?”
“She hasn’t grown out of her rebellious nature. When she was a child, if I had told her not to jump into a wood chipper, she would’ve done it.” Joan stabbed a finger at Stevie. “This is gonna fly back on you and the whole family because Kellen is a homosexual, and you’re gonna be branded as one too.”
Stevie’s moment of truth arrived. She pulled the pin from the revelation grenade and tossed it into the middle of the room. “I am a homosexual,” she said calmly.
Linden groaned. “We’re gonna hear the whole Rumors album now.”
Joan surprised everyone when she didn’t burst into song; instead her tone was gentle when she said, “No, you’re not. You’ve gone through a breakup, it was traumatic, and you’re mentally compromised right now. We’ll find a therapist for you to see, and we’ll get this all worked out. Who wants more coffee?”
“Hear what she’s telling you,” Christine ground out. “She’s a lesbian, and she’s falling in love with Kellen. That’s the facts, Mom, and you’re not gonna be able to brainwash that out of her.”
“Wait a minute,” Dave said, looking confused. “I was told Stevie and Kellen were friends, no one ever mentioned that kind of thing, so let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“Dad, Christine nailed it. This isn’t some sort of rebellion, and this is not some silly attempt to hurt y’all.” Stevie sighed. “This is who I am.”
“You haven’t even been here a month,” Joan said. “That’s not enough time to fall in love with anyone. Kellen has taken advantage of your instability. A therapist will help you see that.”
“If that’s what you want to tell yourself to cope with what I know is a shock, that’s just fine with me. I’m not seeing a therapist, but if you want to, then go right ahead,” Stevie said kindly but firmly.
“When did you become a lesbian?” Linden asked.
“I think I’ve always been one. I’m not sure why it took me as long as it did to finally accept it. I suppose it took meeting the right woman for me to fully come to terms with it,” Stevie admitted.
“Oh, my God.” Dave craned his head back and stared at the ceiling.
Joan held up a finger. “This is a sickness that can—”
“I take offense to that,” Linden interjected. “My daughter isn’t sick. She told me a year ago that she’s a lesbian, and I didn’t tell you and Dad because I knew y’all would react exactly like this.”
Dave gawked at Linden while Joan slowly rocked and hummed what sounded like a conglomeration of Fleetwood Mac songs.
“I’m coming out of the closet too,” Christine added. “I’m not a lesbian, but I’m a woman who wants to wear yoga pants to the grocery store, and I plan to do it. I will begin wearing ponytails in my hair, and if I choose to go without makeup while in the carpool line, I will do that, too. I also plan to try marijuana as soon as I can find someone who has some.”
“What the hell is happening to thi
s family?” Dave cried and jumped to his feet.
“Normalcy, Dad,” Christine retorted. “What is abnormal is pretending to be so…what you and Mom think is perfect. That’s faking it, living a lie, and that’s the real sickness.”
“There is nothing wrong with having high standards and living up to them,” Joan argued hotly.
“Living like this is driving me crazy.” Christine nodded emphatically. “Seriously crazy. The other day, I was in a rush to help the girls get their homework done, then get to dance class on time. I told them to get in the car, and I was so busy trying to make myself presentable by smearing on lipstick I didn’t even notice Joanna hadn’t gotten in when I pulled out of the driveway. I didn’t even realize it until I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her chasing the car. When I told you about it, Mom, you weren’t even concerned that I was so frazzled I had left a child standing in the driveway. You were worried about what the neighbors thought and told me to be sure to let them know I was helping Joanna exercise. What parent makes a kid chase a car? This is why I want pot!”
“How far did she have to chase you?” Linden asked.
Christine threw up her hands. “Almost the whole block!”
“None of this can be blamed on your mother,” Dave said, giving his children a stern look.
“Don’t worry, we blame you, too, Mr. Dress Code,” Christine spat out.
Stevie and Christine had never really hugged each other very much, but Stevie wanted to throw her arms around her sister and squeeze her. She was even having warm feelings toward Linden, who wore a slight grin. Stevie wanted to smile, too, until Dave decided to lay down the law.
“I have spent every second of my life making sure I have preserved the prestige of the Sealy name. I will not allow it to be tarnished on my watch. Linden, you make sure what is said in your household stays there, and get your child into therapy. Christine, take a pill. Find a medication that will help you get your act together. Stevie, put an end to whatever is going on between you and that woman, and do not ever step foot back in McLin.”
Stevie shook her head. “When we’re done here, I’m going right back to Kellen.”
“Then take your things with you,” Dave said without hesitation. “If you want to live like trash, you won’t do it here.”
Stevie nodded. “Okay, I’ll hire whichever moving company can be out here first.”
“I’ll help you pack, and you can stay with me if you want, Stevie,” Linden said as he stood.
“She will not. I will not allow the reputation of this family to be dragged through the mud for anyone who makes these kinds of choices,” Dave said so angrily his voice shook.
“Dad, I love you, and I’ve always tried to make you proud to the point it has caused problems in my marriage.” Linden looked sad as he said, “You just crossed a line, though. I can’t tell my daughter I love and support her and stand with you when you kick yours into the street.”
Dave walked out without another word. Joan followed but turned when she got the doorway. “When everyone calms down and regains their senses, we’ll talk again. Stevie, your things will remain here until then,” she said and closed the door behind her.
“Who are you?” Christine asked Linden in awe.
“I’m a dad,” Linden said with a sad smile.
Chapter 18
“No, I still haven’t heard from her,” Kellen said as she paced in front of a window with her phone pressed to her ear.
“I’m almost finished at the job I’m on. Do you want me to come over?” Kyle asked.
“Uh,” Kellen said with a loud sigh. “I wanna say yes, but I don’t know how Stevie’s going to be when she comes back…if she comes back. I have visions of her duct taped to a chair.”
“Oh, shit, Kellen, that reminds me to tell you Zach tracked me down this morning and gave me Stevie’s license. He still had it from last night.”
“Why did her being duct taped remind you of that?”
Kyle laughed. “Zach said Stevie was not a woman he’d wanna tangle with because he thought she was about to beat Darrin’s ass. He thinks you two make a perfect couple. That got me thinking if someone did tape Stevie to a chair, they’re probably nursing some injuries right now.”
“I think you’re right about that.”
“Okay, I’m gonna finish up here, and I’ll check in on you. Send me a text the second you hear from Stevie because Trent’s been blowing up my phone wanting to know if I’ve heard anything. It’s gonna be okay, sis.”
Kellen smiled weakly. “Thanks.” When the call ended, she looked at her phone to make sure she hadn’t missed a text from Stevie.
Unable to stand still, she went to the back door and stared out at the part of the deck where she and Stevie had danced and she’d had her moment. When Stevie had pressed her to define it, Kellen couldn’t explain it to the point where it would make sense. She would’ve had to admit that her internal GPS was telling her at that moment she’d arrived at her person. She was afraid Stevie’s GPS was running slow, and if she admitted the truth, Stevie might’ve been running, too—away very quickly.
Kellen returned to the kitchen window and pressed her forehead to the cool glass, watching and waiting. She stood there for a while and was about to go to the front door and look out that window when Stevie’s car came into view. She made a mad dash out the back door. When she rounded the corner of the house, Stevie’s car came to an abrupt stop. Stevie threw open her door and jumped out. “Kellen, I need to know right now, cards on the table, if you have any second thoughts about me staying with you.”
“Not one,” Kellen said with a big grin as she walked over to Stevie and hugged her tight. “Are you okay?”
Stevie melted into the embrace. “You’re not gonna believe what happened,” she said as a blue SUV rounded the curve followed by a green Range Rover.
“Are we about to die?” Kellen asked, tempted to pick Stevie up and run.
“No, that’s my brother and sister. Kellen, they have my back, and I have theirs.” Stevie gave Kellen a squeeze. “I have so much to tell you, and it’s gonna blow your mind.”
Linden walked over to them and simply said, “Kellen.”
Kellen nodded. “Linden.”
“Y’all!” Christine said excitedly as she got out of her vehicle. “After we get all this unloaded, let’s get some pot.”
“Oh, wow, that’s really become an obsession for her,” Linden said with a sigh.
*******
When they’d emptied all three vehicles, Kellen’s bed was covered with clothes, and the living room was filled with boxes, a TV, computers, and bags filled with an assortment of things. “Kellen, I think you’re gonna have to add on,” Linden said as he looked at it all. “The high side is she doesn’t have a whole lot of furniture.”
Kellen smiled at Stevie. “Yeah, we can add on.”
Christine rested her arm on a box. “I feel exhausted and exhilarated at the same time.”
Kyle burst through the back door, looked at everyone wild-eyed, and shrugged. “What’s going on?” he asked with his voice much deeper than normal and his shoulders up. “Kell, why didn’t you answer my text?”
“Everything’s cool,” Kellen assured. “I’m sorry I didn’t respond. I left my phone on the counter, and we’ve been a little busy as you can see.”
Kyle visibly relaxed. “Okay.”
“This is kind of weird, all of us being in one room and no one is threatening or spitting.” Linden stuffed his hands in his pockets. He looked at Kyle and Kellen. “You two look more alike now than you did as kids.”
“It’s the facial hair,” Kyle quipped and drew a few laughs. “So…how’ve y’all been?”
“Good, but great today.” Christine smiled. “We all came out of the closet.”
“In a sense,” Linden said quickly.
“Right.” Christine placed a hand on her chest. “I came out of the pot closet, and Linden’s—”
“Chris, really?”
Linden said and gave her a “shut up” look.
“Let’s be really out.” Christine looked at Stevie and Linden. “I’m not living by the Sealy code anymore. I thought that’s what we were saying when we took our stand today. I’m ready to shove my ass in yoga pants and go grocery shopping.”
“All right.” Linden planted his hands on his hips. “My daughter is a lesbian, and I’m proud of her for having the courage to tell me and my wife that. I hate the taste of cognac, and I can’t tell the difference between an expensive wine from a cheap one by simply tasting them. I abhor getting pedicures. I can’t stand any of the people I golf with, and I like to pee in the shower at the country club because I know one of them will use my stall after me.” He inhaled sharply and nodded. “That felt good.”
“You golf with my husband,” Christine said dryly.
Linden held up a hand. “Jared is an exception. He’s okay, but you may want to tell him not to use a stall after me.”
“What’s in the pot closet?” Kyle asked.
Christine opened her eyes wide. “My desire to try it, do you have any?”
“No, I’m sorry,” Kyle said with a laugh. “If I did, though, I would share with you.”
Christine pointed at Kyle. “I like you.”
“I have something else to say.” Linden glanced at Kyle, then met Kellen’s gaze. “My son painted your diner, and he and his friends make the signs. I condoned that, and I apologize. If there was damage to the diner, I’ll pay for the repairs. With that said, my sister just got kicked out of my parents’ house over you. I don’t know what all that is going to mean for her yet, so if you let her go through that for nothing…” Linden sighed. “Things will get ugly again really quick.”
Kellen nodded. “All right, cool.”
“Wow, Linden, you really do have to piss on things,” Stevie said sarcastically.
“It’s okay, I would’ve said the same thing to him if the situation was reversed.” Kellen pretended to spit in her hand and held it out to Linden.
Kellen's Moment Page 20
