The door opened and Todd stood draped in the front entrance with a scowl. “And who invited you?” he asked in his best Riff Raff from the Rocky Horror Picture Show impression.
“Fuck you bitch I have to take a piss,” Lenny said running past him.
“How rude” Todd said still using the impression and trying to reposition after almost being run over. He waved them in and then noticed Nathan. “Honey you came,” he cried holding out his arms back to his original voice.
Nathan offered him the wine instead.
Todd took it. “Thank you, you didn’t have to bring anything.”
“Sorry the vintage isn’t that great.”
“My dear, in an hour we could serve them watered down rubbing alcohol and call it a bottle of Chateau Le Pin Pomerol and they wouldn’t be able to tell,” he said laughing. He paused for a moment and held Nathan back by the arm. “We won’t, but we could,” he said finishing with a mockingly evil laugh leading him through the apartment.
“I thought you were having a few friends for dinner?” Nathan asked a little over whelmed.
“This is a few friends for dinner sweetie, and on a school night,” Todd said raising his voice over the music then slapped him on the shoulder. “No, it started out that way then one friend got mad they didn’t get invited and the avalanche pretty much started from there,” he said waving and pointing at different people.
“They all seem very nice, friendly.”
“Honey their friends of mine, if their being bitches their still doing it with a smile on their face,” he said leading Nathan through the apartment. “I really wish you came before, I think if you saw it, you’d like the place.”
“Looks amazing,” Nathan said looking around. “It’s huge.”
“Ha, don’t even, I know where you live Mr. Caesar. O-M-G,” Todd laughed as he waved back to a couple in the kitchen.
“But this place is. . .” Nathan paused and thought about it for a moment. Todd waited patiently for the verdict. “Welcoming,” he said honestly.
Todd put his hand over his heart. “Thank you, I try,” he said leading him past a crowd just outside the kitchen area.
“I sure your place is lovely,” Todd said then started to laugh. “And yes, that was a hint for an invitation,” he said stopping at the living room.
“Noted,” Nathan said.
“This is the living room,” he yelled in front of a sea of people. “You already met the Three Whore-a-teers,” Todd said standing in front of John, Paul and Lenny who just got back from washroom.
“Do you see how witty Todd is boys?” Lenny asked looking at the other two. “He called us the Three Whore-a-teers.”
“Like the Three Musketeers, but whores, I get it,” John chimed in with sarcasm.
“Oh, but whores, I see,” Paul said with equal sarcasm as all three huddled closer and nodded.
“All for one and one for all,” John said and started to undo his pants making the other two follow suit.
“Oh Christ,” Todd said holding his hand in front of his eyes. “Now no one wants to see those.”
Suddenly Lenny stops realizing who Nathan is. “You’re the book store owner.”
“I am,” Nathan confirmed.
“Have you read the Three Musketeers?” Paul asked.
“I have, many times.”
“A proper quote if you please,” Lenny said taking a drink that Paul had gotten each of them.
Todd leans into Nathan’s ear and whispers. “Make it a bitchy one.”
“A bitchy one,” Nathan replied just as quite. Todd nodded. Nathan thought of it for second then believes he has found one with the right amount of bitchy. “Alexander Dumas, The Three Musketeers,” he said with a bit of power and paused for a moment, drawing them in. “I’m sure you’re very nice, but you’d be even nicer if you went away,” he recited.
Todd and the other three stand quite for moment.
“What a bitch,” Lenny finally said with a huge smile while the others laughed and clapped.
Todd still laughing directed Nathan through the crowd of people peppered all throughout his home. He waved and smiled diplomatically at some and mouthed big hellos to others. Finally he came to a stop, right in front of Lily. “Oh my goodness, its Lily,” Todd said not even trying to hide the fact he sought her out.
“Real subtle Todd,” she said abashed. “I’m sorry,” she apologized to Nathan.
“It’s okay, I would have searched you out anyways,” Nathan said offering her a smile and getting Todd off the hook.
“See, he likes you,” Todd said sticking his tongue out at her. He turned to Nathan and smiled before he turned around and was lost in the sea of partiers.
“Nice apartment,” Nathan offered and thinking not bad for not really having anything.
“Thanks,” Lily said nodding. “Not to be stereotypical, but Todd is pretty stereotypical,” she said and smiled at her confession.
“You look really nice Lily, beautiful even,” Nathan said awkwardly. “I’m sorry, let me try it again,” he said then cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “Wow, you look beautiful this evening Lily.”
“Why thank you Nathan, so do you,” she said turning with a smile and resting her chin on her shoulder. She could not believe the Epic Fails had already begun.
“Hmm, I don’t think I have ever been called beautiful before.”
“Really . . . never,” Lily wondered embarrassed.
“Well my mom . . . my brother Bo, but that’s a weird thing to bring up,” Nathan said wishing he could take that one back.
“Wow, Amber alert . . . you want I should go get a doll from my room and you can show me where he touched you,” Lily said trying not to laugh.
Nathan could not help it and laughed. “Yeah, I don’t want to ruin Todd’s party.”
“Oh my God, he would probably turn it into a game,” Lily said exasperated at the idea. “He would make everyone show what happened to them at camp, or gym class. Or what he likes to do,” she said suddenly not wanting to think about the horror show that would ensue. The thought of what Todd would share with everyone alone would forever taint and tarnish her poor dolly. She would never be able to look at it again, nor would the dolly ever want to be looked upon. Lilly giggled causing Nathan to look at her inquisitively. “Sorry, already queasy just thinking about it.”
“I can definitely see that,” Nathan laughed, pretty much imagining the same thing. At least he was able to leave if it happened.
“Speaking of the perverted Devil,” Lily smiled at an oncoming Todd, who was making his way back over to them. She silently prayed he wasn’t going to do anything embarrassing.
“Honey,” he called out to Lily drunkenly happy. “I want you to tell Carl the story-”
“I will, just shut up,” Lily said instantly.
Todd was a little hurt. “But I didn’t say what story.”
“Just playing the odds captain,” Lily said making her way to him. She turned around to Nathan. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Nathan said.
Martin saw Nathan standing alone and made his way over. “She is a wonderful girl mi amigo,” Martin said offering him a beer.
He took it with a genuine smile. “Thank you and yes, she is amazing.”
“You seem like a real nice guy Mr. Nathan, just be patient with her.”
“Of course,” Nathan said assuring him.
“Without being a Todd,” Martin said as they both laughed. “She’s had it pretty shitty, and she deserves the best,” he said feeling the tears well up, signaling he had exactly that many now.
Nathan feeling like his guard did not have to be up let honesty out. “From the moment I saw her . . . I fell for her, in a long term type of way,” he said and raised his bottle to Martin.
“A la Amistad,” Martin said and clanked Nathan’s bottle.
“To friendship,” Nathan agreed and took a swig of his beer.
Martin looked a lit
tle surprised and took a swig of his beer. “Usted habla español?” he said asking him if he spoke Spanish.
“Si, un poco,” Nathan said teetering his hand telling Martin he spoke a little.
“Cómo te gusta esto, Chicago,” Martin said asking him casually how he liked Chicago.
“Umm, you asked how I like it right, umm . . . Bueno,” Nathan said with a little theatrics.
Martin convinced, continued. “Good, if you need anything, just let us know.”
“I appreciate that, thank you,” he said and took another swig of his beer. “I love your shop by the way.”
“That is nice of you to say, I wasn’t sure if it was our shop or the Lily,” Martin said with a smirk.
Nathan teetered his hand again. “A little of both,” he said as Martin teetered his hand and they both chuckled.
“Was it hard?” Nathan asked curiously, obviously referring to him and Todd being gay.
Martin smiled while mulling the question over. “Two gays opening a coffee shop that specialized in cupcakes, nooo,” he said dragging the no to a new level of sarcasm. They both laughed. “Yeah at first it was hard, customers would put two and two together, would either tell us we were sick or just be plain rude or just never show up again,” he sadly explained. “It might be the twenty first century but that just doesn’t make it all just go away,” he said recalling those first few months. “It was Todd who was weary about opening a shop together, he wasn’t sure we could handle all the negatives that went with it. It was me that pressed for it.”
“They say fortune favors the bold,” Nathan said with admiration.
“Exactly . . . but when the negatives and talk began I actually started getting discouraged and depressed,” Martin said remembering. “It was bad . . . but it was Todd that picked me up and carried us through the rough patches. He became a reason for people to come by, to sit and tell or listen. He’s pretty amazing.”
“I got that within sixty seconds,” Nathan said.
“You, he likes you, mi amigo. I’m just glad you’re straight,” he said taking a swig of his beer and smiling.
Nathan laughed then looked across the room and saw Lily looking back at him. She smiled as bravely as she could through the shyness and gave him a wave. He returned her smile and waved back.
Lily finished telling the story to Carl who just burst out laughing. Lenny and Paul were there as well laughing until Paul saw a man walking down the hall and pointed him out to Lenny. “I call dibs,” Lenny said getting a look at him.
Lily turned and saw the new guest coming down the hall and immediately backed up in a panic. Horror plastered itself all over her face. She slipped a bit and bumped into a bunch of glasses on the counter. They tumbled to the floor and smashed into a hundred pieces causing some of the guests to turn and notice.
“Lily, I just want to talk,” Rick said a bit timidly.
“You can’t be here,” Lily replied in terror.
Across the room Todd was having an argument with friends about who they would turn gay in Hollywood if they could only pick three stars. He noticed Lily’s face and couldn’t figure out what was so wrong until he followed her horrified gaze to the end of the hallway leading to the kitchen. “Oh hell no,” Todd said leaving the conversation. “Come in to my house,” he mumbled to himself as he passed Martin and Nathan.
“What’s the matter?” Martin asked but was ignored.
Todd had his hand up and palm forward as he continued toward Lily.
Rick moved closer and Lily could feel that familiar cold clamminess fall over her as she started to get dizzy.
“I just think we should talk,” he said taking another step closer.
“You can’t be here,” Lily repeated as if her body was shutting down and autopilot was on.
“I need you Lily,” Rick pleaded taking another step closer.
Lily wanted to pass out but was afraid if she did she would wake up and it would have all been just a dream. She would be back at her old apartment scared and bruised. She wouldn’t be safe and free in Todd and Martin’s apartment, the one that they had made her call home. The extremely good looking bookstore owner who was so fun and shy and actually asked her out would just be a dream. The confidence and safeness that filled her now would be punctured and pour right back out and be gone. She thought Rick was here to take her back, to wake her up and take it all away.
“If we can just go and talk for a bit,” Rick said with a bit of hesitance. Taking another step closer Lily shakes her head at him. Now getting impatient he takes a couple of abrupt steps towards her. “Let’s go Lily,” he said reaching out to her.
Todd expeditiously appeared in front of Lily slapping Rick’s hand away and pointing his own finger directly at him. “Get the fuck out of our house!” he yelled now pointing towards the door. He was loud enough that the conversations and laughing completely stopped and the music suddenly sounded quite.
“Oh shit,” Martin said handing Nathan his beer. “Excuse me.”
“This is none of your business,” Rick said defending himself.
“This is my friend,” Todd said squeezing her arm to let her know he was there. Lily looked unaware of anyone but Rick until Todd gave her a squeeze. He waited until she looked in his eyes then turned back to Rick. “This is our house,” he said waving his hand around to include Lily. Holding his hand up too Martin as he arrived told him he had this. Martin knew what he meant but also knew not to go anywhere in case Rick had to be removed by force.
“I think that should be her decision,” Rick said trying to look intimidating.
“Look at her,” Todd said stepping out of the way and letting Rick see how frightened she was. “Just seeing you is terrifying her,” he said getting back in his way. “I made my best friend a promise. I promised her she would never have to be afraid of you again. And I will be fucked, if I’m gonna let your white trash ass make me out to be a liar,” Todd said coming face to face with him.
“Pretty tough with all your queers around,” he said getting visibly angrier.
‘That’s right bitch, I am.”
“Probably give me Aids,” Rick said drawing some disbelief from the party goers.
Nathan wasn’t sure what was going on at first but was able to put the pieces together fairly quickly. He was just wondering how he could get close enough to get Rick out of the apartment if he became violent. Just seeing how it was affecting Lily was making him fight the urge to rip Rick’s spine from his body. Slowly he began moving closer trying not to arouse any attention. He wanted to get close enough so no one got hurt.
“You wanna see how tough I am Queer?” Rick continued trying to ruffle feathers.
“Pretty tough slapping around a women,” Todd extended back to him.
“No, I can slap around fags too,” Rick said getting closer as the crowd around him started to get vocal about his presence.
Martin could not take it anymore and stepped forward. “Okay Amigo, it’s time to go,” he said trying to push on his shoulder enough to antagonize him.
Rick slapped his hand away. “Fucking-touch me,” he said stepping closer to Martin. “And I’m not your Amigo, dirty Spic faggot.”
Martin could feel the rage taking over as he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. Suddenly he felt Lily’s small hands grab his shoulder and calmly pull him back. He looked at her and saw she wasn’t afraid anymore, she was calm and smiling. She turned to Todd and put her hand on his shoulder as well. “Thank you” she said.
“See, come on baby, let’s just go somewhere and talk,” Rick said calming down himself.
“No” Lily said quietly but firmly. “Were finished Rick, done. I live here now.”
“But . . .”
“This is my family and this is where I belong,” she said not letting him find the words. Lily took her hands off of Todd and Martin and stood in front of him, scared but determined. “You will never lay another hand on me again and you will never threaten my family again.”
“This is your family now?” Rick asked starting to get upset again.
“Yes, this is my family now,” Lily confirmed.
“I’m your family, I love you,” Rick said trying to not let it become a yell.
“No,” Lily said shaking her head. “I know you think you do, but you don’t. And I don’t.” She turned to Martin and almost could not believe her own ears. “I would like you take me to the police station,” she said while turning back to Rick. “I’m taking the pictures Todd took the night I came here to live . . . “ Suddenly she felt more empowered with each word. “And I’m charging you. I’m also having a restraining order put against you.” Rick went to say something but Lily was not done. “I’m not going to be afraid of you anymore.” Looking back at Todd he nodded, she smiled and turned back to him. “Like my friend said, get the fuck out of our house.”
Todd stepped beside her. “That’s right bitch, the fuck out,” he said pointing to the door as the entire apartment cheered and pointed.
Rick looked at her as his face was consumed with hate and fury while his lips tried to find the proper words to express his malcontent. Not being able to find the words to express his anger he decided to just turn around and leave. He didn’t bother to shut the door but wished he did as he stood in front of the elevator and waited while a hundred eyes watched. Finally it arrived and he stepped in and pushed the button. Everyone waited until the door finally closed and let out their gasps of relief and cheered again for Lily.
Lily turned to Todd. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m so proud of you honey,” he choked as he wrapped his arms around her.
Martin hugged them both and tried not to cry but his sniffling gave him away. They stepped back a little to breathe and Lily wiped the tears from her eyes. She then wiped the tears from Todd’s eyes as they both laughed. Lily went to wipe Martin’s eyes but he pushed her away. “Fuck off,” he laughed wiping his own.
“I’ll get the pictures,” Todd said racing to their bedroom.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Lily asked.
Martin gave her another hug. “No estés de tonto, of course not Lily, I have been waiting for this,” he said trying to control his excitement.
My Boyfriend is a Monster Page 21
