“This is going to be entertaining,” Linden said and shook it. “Did you really steal Mr. Sealy?”
“Yep, you want him back?” Kellen asked with a grin.
“No, I hated that damn thing. I used to have to wash and polish it.” Linden nodded with a smile. “So thanks for that.”
*******
Stevie and Kellen barely had time to discuss and mentally sort out one emotionally charged event before they walked into another one. At five that evening, they stepped into Walt and Trulee’s house along with Kyle and Trent, and the tension was palpable. Walt sat at the head of the kitchen table glaring in their general direction. Trulee had added the leaf to the table and extra chairs. The house smelled of roast, but there was no food in sight.
Trulee skipped her usual warm greetings. “Okay, everyone, come sit, and I will explain how this evening is gonna go down.” She set pitchers of water and tea on the table and a tray of ice-filled glasses. “Pass these around.” Trulee waited until everyone had a full glass and took a drink from her own. “Now we’re all going to talk calmly about what’s going on in this family. Once everything is out in the open and everyone has aired their feelings calmly, we’ll have dinner. Walt, you begin by telling us how you feel and why.”
“I’m pissed ’cause they’re liars.”
Trulee smiled wryly and held up a finger. “Try again.”
“I’m pissed ’cause they’re liars, and they made a fool out of me when they made me believe Stevie was Stephanie. I’m pissed that my own flesh and blood not only want to bend over backward for the Sealys, one of them is playing slap and tickle with a Sealy,” Walt said and folded his arms.
“Okay,” Trulee pointed to Trent. “Your turn.”
Trent looked like a deer caught in headlights. “I…uh…I’m ashamed of myself for lying to Walt, and I am sorry about that. Um, Stevie is a really good friend of mine, and I think she’s good for Kellen. I want Walt to try to look past her last name and get to know the woman she is.” He nodded. “That’s all I’ve got.”
Trulee pointed at Kyle. “You go.”
“I feel exactly the way Trent does. I’m sorry for lying to you, Walt, and I wasn’t trying to play you for a fool. You were already mad about the diner and at me and Kellen for not fighting with Dave. I figured if I told you who Stevie really was, you’d vent everything on her.” Kyle shrugged. “That’s it.”
Trulee smiled at Stevie. “Honey, I know this is awkward, but since you play a large role in this drama, I think we should hear what you have to say.”
“I definitely want to apologize to Walt for lying to him. I can’t apologize on behalf of my family, but I’m very sorry for what they did to the diner and for the signs.” Stevie shook her head. “I don’t want any part of this war, I simply want to have a life with Kellen.”
“Kellen?” Trulee said.
Kellen pursed her lips for a second. “I love Walt, and I hate that I lied to him and that the people I love had to lie to him for me and Stevie. We did it because he’s a hardheaded jackass with the attitude of a thirteen-year-old. That’s how I feel.”
“I hate that you got a Sealy spending time in my house, the one I was born in, and the McLins before me are rolling in their graves,” Walt said testily.
“Remain calm,” Trulee warned.
Kellen cocked her head. “Grandpa willed that house and property to me and Kyle. If you wanna get technical, it belongs to us. A Sealy is not spending time there. As of today, Stevie lives there.”
“Well, shit,” Walt said, drawing out the words. “What you gonna do next, Kellen—invite Dave over for a barbecue?”
“No, because he disowned his daughter because of me and threw her off his property,” Kellen said between clenched teeth.
Trulee regarded Stevie with a pained expression. “Honey, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, and thank you,” Stevie said with a weak smile.
Walt sat up straight and looked cheerful. “I can live with that. Kellen, you sunk Dave’s battleship. We’ll make Stevie an honorary McLin, let’s eat.”
“It’s my turn to speak now,” Trulee said and looked around the table at everyone. “I declare the war over. As of right now, there will be no more signs, no more—”
“You can’t declare—”
“Walter, I have the table, and it is my turn to speak. If you want to keep the five hairs left on your head, do not interrupt me. I have spent our entire married life listening to you bitch about the Sealys. I have put up with your antics and Kellen’s and Kyle’s when they were involved with it. I’ve had the windows busted out of my diner and spray-painted. For the last week, I have stressed and worried over what was going to happen when you found out about Kellen and Stevie and how much you would be hurt. I don’t know how many years we have left, but I’m not gonna continue to live them this way. There will be no more signs, no more harassing phone calls or contact with Dave of any kind. Kellen and Kyle, especially you, Kellen, will be patient with Walt as he adjusts to peace time. You will all do this, or I will smother each and every one of you with a pillow.”
Walt shifted in his chair. “I’m gonna be honest, Trulee, I don’t know if I can abide by that.”
“You will or I will take you out first.” Trulee wagged a finger at Walt. “I’ve got a queen-sized, ultra-firm with your name on it. Trent, get the dishes out of the oven, Kellen and Kyle, set the table and get the salad and dressings out of the refrigerator. It’s time for this family to eat a pleasant meal together.”
Chapter 19
“That was probably the best roast I’ve ever had, but I couldn’t eat much of it because Trulee terrified me. She had crazy eyes,” Stevie said later that evening while she and Kellen lay in bed together.
“I know, and she had them the second we walked in. I’ve only seen her get that look in her eyes a few times. The first was when my dad called the house and wanted to speak to me and Kyle for the very first time. The second was when I was thirteen and I mouthed off to her. She looked at me like that, and I climbed the highest tree I could find. Finally, there was this evening. I hope Walt doesn’t challenge her on the cease-fire tonight, or he might not be with us in the morning.”
“He couldn’t even see her, and even he looked scared.” Stevie burrowed deeper into Kellen’s embrace. “We really turned everything upside down, didn’t we?”
“I think it was upside down before, and we kind of started it on its way to being right side up,” Kellen said groggily.
Stevie was just as tired as Kellen sounded and fought to keep her eyes open. “I wanted to talk about the moment…GPS…I’m…here.”
*******
“Do you feel like your inner sanctum has been invaded?” Stevie asked the next morning when she felt Kellen stir.
“Baby, I just woke up thirty seconds ago, and the only thing I feel is your little sweaty butt against my stomach,” Kellen said, sounding half drunk. “I’m not ready to talk about rectums.”
Stevie’s ack and wheeze laugh shattered the silence of the room. Kellen made it worse by trying to cover Stevie’s mouth with her hand. When she eventually calmed down, she said, “There was so much I wanted to talk to you about last night, I was exhausted, though. You were too. I think you fell asleep before I did.”
“We’re gonna have to get up to talk because I’ll go right back to sleep if we lie here.” Kellen kissed Stevie’s shoulder, climbed out of bed, and put on her robe. “I’m going to make coffee.”
“I’m going to the bathroom, I’ll meet you at the pot.”
*******
“I’ve been meaning to tell you, Kyle has your driver’s license. Zach forgot to give it back to you the other night.” Kellen turned as Stevie shuffled into the kitchen wearing what looked like a baby’s yellow onesie. “Oh, I thought you were Stevie. Little duck, would you pass that message on to her if you see her before I do?”
“This is my favorite comfort clothing on cold mornings. Are you telling me you disappr
ove?”
“Let me put it this way,” Kellen began as she looked Stevie over, “if you ever don’t want to have sex, put that on. I can’t think about getting dirty with you looking like a little birdie.”
Stevie laughed, then her eyes flew open wide. “My purse is still in the storage compartment of your four-wheeler along with the food I was going to cook. I don’t even want to imagine what it must smell like in there.”
“Oh…yeah, that’s gonna be rank. I’ll take care of it after breakfast.” Kellen opened the refrigerator. “What do you want, eggs and bacon or pie?”
“Pie.”
It turned out to be a busy morning, and every time Stevie and Kellen began to talk, there was an interruption. Trent called first and offered to go with Stevie to get her furniture from the cottage. While they were making plans to do that, Linden called and asked about the furniture, as well, so Stevie coordinated with him to help her and Trent load it and set a time for when they’d meet.
Kellen and Stevie had just sat down to eat their pie when Trulee dropped by. “Are you two crazy?” she said when Kellen opened the door to her. “Y’all haven’t even had your one-week anniversary since your first date.”
Stevie got up from the table. “I should go out and clean the storage compartment on the four-wheeler.”
“Oh, no, you’re neck deep in this family now. Sit right back down, honey.” Trulee walked in, took a cup from the cabinet, and filled it with coffee. She was about to take a sip when she noticed Kellen outside. “Kellen Layne! You get back in here now!”
“You left me?” Stevie said when Kellen came back into the house.
“I waved for you to follow,” Kellen said with a laugh, then turned serious when she noticed Trulee’s crazy eyes. She sat next to Stevie, trying to appear contrite.
Trulee sighed as she sank down into a chair. “I saw the boys this morning, and Kyle tried to explain the concept of lesbian
U-Haul dating to me, and Trent started talking about armpits. Apparently, your generation is all about living in the moment, and that’s why the one that followed have relationships on their phones.”
Kellen reached under the table and took Stevie’s hand. “We know we’re in a sink-or-swim situation.”
“Yes, you are, but I will be in your corner rooting for y’all. I apologize for just dropping in, I had to escape my sulking man child who at least acknowledged that it was time for the more juvenile antics to stop. Now, he’s lamenting letting down the previous generations who fought the fight. I finally put a bag of blankets on the couch where I normally sit, and he was talking to it when I left.” Trulee took a drink of her coffee and smacked her lips. “We made an appointment to have the cataract surgery, and now I’m not sure if I’m happy about that. I wish I’d thought about that bag of blankets sooner. What do y’all have planned today?”
Kellen glanced at the clock on the stove. “We’re gonna go get Stevie’s furniture around eleven.”
“No, we are not.” Stevie put a hand on Kellen’s arm. “My dad was furious yesterday, and if he sees you on that property, I honestly don’t know what he’ll do. Linden will help me and Trent load the furniture, and you and Kyle can help us unload it.”
“Somehow, I knew I was gonna hear that,” Kellen said with a sigh.
“Linden is helping?” Trulee asked sounding stunned.
Stevie nodded. “I know, I was surprised too. My brother and sister stood up for me yesterday against my parents.”
“They even hauled a bunch of Stevie’s things here yesterday,” Kellen added. “When I saw those vehicles coming up the driveway behind Stevie and I didn’t recognize them, I thought they were coming to whip my ass. We actually shared a few laughs.”
“That sure is a surprise. I think I’ll share that with Walt before his surgery, so he can talk to the bag about it,” Trulee said with a chuckle. “Honey, how much furniture do you have to move?”
“Let’s see…” Stevie thought for a moment. “You know, it’s really not that much. “I have a sofa, a chair, coffee table, a couple of end tables, a little bistro table in the kitchen with two chairs. I have a desk, my bed, and a bedside table, that’s it.”
“Good, that’ll only be one trip,” Kellen said.
Trulee smiled at Stevie. “What color is your couch?”
“It’s a sand color, and the chair matches it,” Stevie said.
“Y’all should put it in the living room,” Trulee suggested.
Kellen frowned. “You saying you don’t like my couch?”
“No, I don’t,” Trulee said without hesitation. “It’s brown and makes the room look too dark. It’s a lint magnet, what kind of fabric is it?”
“I don’t know, but it’s soft and snuggly, and I call it Velveteen rabbit,” Kellen answered with a scowl.
Trulee gazed at Stevie. “And what do you call the outfit you’re wearing?”
“After hearing Kellen’s commentary on it this morning, I’m gonna go with unattractive,” Stevie said.
*******
When Stevie and Trent met up with Linden at the cottage, they hit the ground running. Though he didn’t say it, Linden seemed as anxious as Stevie was to avoid their parents. He nearly moved the couch out of the cottage by himself and had Trent at a run to keep up with him. Stevie carried out some things and began sweeping the floors. There were only the end tables and her desk left in the living room when her father darkened the doorway of the cottage.
“I would like to talk to Stevie alone for a moment. You two wait outside, please,” Dave said.
Linden gazed at Stevie with his brow raised, and when she gave him a nod, he grabbed one of the end tables and walked out. Trent grabbed the other and followed. When she and her father were alone, Stevie steeled her nerves for whatever was coming next.
“When I held you for the first time, I thought about all the things you might grow up to be,” Dave said dully. “I was eager to give you all the building blocks you’d need for a bright future. You grew up in a fine home, you left it in the brand-new car I provided, and went to college with your tuition and all expenses paid. I gave you the best, so you wouldn’t settle for anything less, yet you did anyway.”
“You don’t truly know anything about Kellen, but if you did—”
“That is exactly the point. If you would’ve come to me a year or even six months from now and told me you were seeing her, I won’t deny that I would’ve been angry. I would’ve been shocked to learn about your sexuality. It would have taken me a while to accept all of that, and I would have. You, however, have not even been here a month and you upended the entire family for someone you don’t even know. That I cannot excuse or forgive,” Dave said as he turned and walked out the door.
Stevie stood in the middle of the room staring off into space as she tried to process all the emotions demanding first place in her mind when Trent walked in and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, let’s get the desk and get out of here,” she said.
*******
Kyle and Kellen broke down the bed in the spare bedroom and leaned it against a wall, making space for whatever they’d have to store. Her couch was the first thing to be shoved into the room because Kyle and Trent wholeheartedly agreed with Trulee’s suggestion to replace it with Stevie’s. Kellen stroked the arm of it and said, “One day, I will build more rooms, and you and I will be reunited.”
“I remember you chewing my ass out for talking that way to Mr. Sealy. At least he had a face.”
“I had a relationship with this couch. It held me as I watched TV. You didn’t even know that seal, so shut it.” Kellen patted Kyle on the shoulder. “While we’re waiting, I need you to look at something on the four-wheeler for me.”
“Is it the lightbar?” Kyle asked as he followed Kellen outside.
“No, it’s a compartment latch.” Kellen opened the side door of her garage and motioned for Kyle to go ahead of her.
“Shit!” Kyle exclaimed. “Something’s dead, it
smells like Hannibal Lecter’s storage shed in here.”
Kellen remained outside and closed the door. “If you take the bags out of the four-wheeler compartment, I’ll set you free,” she said and laughed hysterically.
“Oh! You asshole!” Kyle gagged. “What’s in here?”
“Rotten chicken, I think. Put it all in the trash can.”
Kyle gagged again and laughed. “I hate you so hard right now. Do I throw away this purse, too?”
“No, that’s Stevie’s. Make sure you put the lid on the garbage can really tight.”
“Open the door!” Kyle screamed.
“How many times have you been in my garage, and why have you never noticed the roll-up door?” Kellen asked.
“Oh, my God! Why am I so stupid in stressful situations?” Kyle alternated between laughing and gagging as he kicked at the latches. He threw the door open and charged out wearing Stevie’s purse on his shoulder.
*******
“It’s gonna be much easier to get everything through the front door,” Trent said as he and Stevie got out of his truck. “The spare bedroom is right—do you hear screaming?”
Stevie didn’t answer. She took off running, and Trent raced behind her. When they rounded the back corner of the house, they found Kyle sitting on top of Kellen pinning her to the deck. She screamed, laughed, and gagged while Kyle tried to rub Stevie’s purse on her face.
“What’re they doing?” Stevie asked when she caught her breath.
“You’re gonna learn that these two show their love in weird ways. When Kyle and I were dating, I went to his house once and there was this big box in the middle of the kitchen floor. It was all taped up, and Kellen was inside of it. She can’t stand the smell of canned tuna, and Kyle was spooning it through an air hole he’d cut into the box. The most bizarre thing about it was that Kellen was laughing her ass off like she’s doing now.”
Stevie walked onto the deck, grabbed her purse from Kyle, and walked into the house leaving everyone staring after her in stunned silence. “What happened?” Kellen asked as Kyle got off of her.
Kellen's Moment Page 21
