by Megan Slayer
End of story? He shook his head. The Coalition hadn’t seen anything yet.
Remy opened another document and wrote about the incident he’d been through. The assault would be in the police blotter, so it wasn’t like he was telling a secret. He zipped through the second piece and once he reached the end, read through what he’d written.
“Informative and unbiased,” he mumbled. He saved both documents, then sent them off to the paper. He clenched his fist and grinned. He was beyond his deadline, but not by much.
He stretched and winced as his side ached. Damn fools. Beating someone because they didn’t like his sexuality. Whatever. He opened a third document on the tablet. There were more words within him, and he needed to get them out.
When will it end? he typed. The town of Cedarwood is divided. Walk outside and look around. It’s pretty clear. Surely you’ve noticed. From physical violence, name calling and public displays of hate to the quieter forms of intolerance—ignoring a local play because the playwright is gay or refusing to shop at the bookstore because the proprietor is a gay father—this needs to end.
Are we not a civilized community? Can we not accept the thoughts of others, especially if they don’t mesh with our own? Are we unwilling to consider we might not have all of the answers?
To my knowledge, no one in the LGBTQ community is expecting to be given a free pass. They, me included, want to be treated with dignity. To be given the same freedoms as anyone else in the town of Cedarwood, that’s all. How can this happen when there are bags of feces left on the porches of gay men? Or someone insulting another person at a public event because she happened to kiss her girlfriend?
I’m not sure how to answer those questions. Maybe there aren’t answers. Maybe you don’t see a problem with this. You should. What if you wanted to kiss your partner, but someone deemed it inappropriate simply because of your sexuality?
Now, you might be asking yourself, what about the opposition? If you’re expected to accept the LGBTQ community, then why not accept those who have the opposing view? There are no laws stating everyone must get along. No person in charge demanding fair treatment for the masses. You’re right—there aren’t. But doesn’t the Golden Rule come into play here? Do unto others as you’d have done to you. If you want to be treated with dignity, then do that for everyone else. You don’t have to like the person in order to be fair. Live and let live. Right?
Then what is the grand solution here? What if you and I don’t agree? That’s the beauty of democracy. We don’t have to. We can still treat each other fairly and not share the same beliefs. It’s what makes Cedarwood great. You’re welcome to your thoughts and feelings thanks to the Constitution. That’s a pretty awesome thing.
But if you’ve got rights, then so does everyone else.
I ask again, then what’s the solution?
You think for yourself. If you don’t like the LGBTQ community or any other group, then that’s your right. Understand, though, that there are those who don’t share your opinion. They’re just as vocal as you are. Don’t shame someone else for being different. Simply move on. Don’t insult someone because you don’t agree with them. Move on and put your energy into something you’re passionate about.
Live and let live. I’ve mentioned that already. Have your rainbow flag and your differences of opinion. This town is already great because we have choices. Cedarwood should be a place where kids feel free to be themselves and where families of all shapes and sizes can co-exist. A place where we can aspire to be greater than we ever imagined.
Love each other and accept your fellow Cedarwoodians. You never know what the future holds. Let’s make right now the best it can be so we’ve got a future to look forward to.
Remy sat back in his seat and puffed out a long breath. Holy fuck. He’d written three articles in the space of forty-five minutes. He closed his eyes. His brain was fried. The first two stories would be fine and were probably being proofed already. If Maureen was working late, his work would be pushed through to the morning edition. He opened his eyes and saved the opinion piece. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to turn it in yet or not.
Maybe he’d better let Bobby and the group read it first.
Bobby strode back into the room and sank onto the couch beside Remy. “Sorry about that. Once I got off the phone with one person, I had to field a call from someone else. My idea to have the group over went over well, and they want to discuss the alternative flags.” He palmed Remy’s thigh. “Looks like you got something accomplished. I’m sorry I left you in here so long.”
“I had to get my work done.” Remy detached the keyboard, then tucked it into his bag.
“I need to clean the house. It’s a mess.” Bobby hopped up from his seat. “I’m going to have a ton of people here. Shit.”
“Slow down.” Remy left the tablet on the couch and stood. “It’ll be fine. The kids and I will help. Aren’t your folks still here?”
“Yeah, they’re upstairs.” Bobby massaged his temples. “I suck under pressure.” He met Remy’s gaze. “And you should be resting.”
“I feel better than I thought. I’ll pay for it later, but I’ll be okay.” The safety in Bobby’s house, plus the love in his eyes, more than made up for Remy’s bad day. Sure, he hurt in plenty of places, but he had a purpose. More than that, he had someone who cared. For a guy who hadn’t had anyone give a damn about him, Bobby’s affection and worry made him feel pretty important.
“I don’t have refreshments.” Bobby shook his head. “I should’ve thought this idea through before I made calls.”
He grasped Bobby’s shoulders. “Chill. Call Colt. Maybe he can bring something from the bakery or has extra something made up.”
“Yeah.”
Remy glanced around the living room. “Other than picking up my stuff, this room is fine. How’s the kitchen?”
“A mess.” Bobby kissed Remy. “I forgot how good it is to have someone who can put up with…me. You ground me.”
“I’m trying to do that, or something kind of like it.” He squeezed Bobby’s shoulders. “Call Colt. I’ll help in the kitchen.”
“If you keep doing stuff like this, I’ll fall for you.” Bobby held his phone to his ear.
“Oh, don’t lie,” Remy said. “You already have.” He ducked into the kitchen before Bobby could speak. Part of him wanted to hear Bobby agree, but the rest of him didn’t want to push.
Chris and Esther emptied the dishwasher. Esther shooed Remy from the stove. “We’ve got this,” she said. “Sit. You’ve been through a lot today.”
“I’m not an invalid.” Instead of continuing to argue with her, he rounded the island to the barstools.
“That’s true, you’re not.” She wiped off the granite on the island. “But I’m not taking no for an answer. My friend Maureen talks highly of you.”
“Dad says he’s hot.” Chris waggled his eyebrows. “Dads.”
“Hot, eh?” She grinned. “I haven’t seen Bobby this happy in a long time.”
The tips of Remy’s ears burned. Hot. He assumed Bobby liked the way he looked, but to hear Chris say the words… Are kids supposed to repeat that stuff?
“You’re cute in a you’re-way-too-young-for-me sort of way.” Esther placed a serving platter on the counter. “But you’re Bobby’s type, so it works.”
“Thanks.” He has a type? He hadn’t gotten that vibe from Bobby at all. Then again, he hadn’t seen pictures of Bobby’s exes, so he wouldn’t know. “Julia would agree that I’ve been pretty happy lately too.” Speaking of his friend, he needed to call her. Not only would she be worried about him, but she’d insist on an update on the Bobby front.
“Julia? Is that your mom?” Esther asked. She balled the dishrag. Water dripped from between her fingers.
“She’s my girlfriend.” He knew the moment he’d said the words, he’d described Julia in the wrong way.
Esther’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry?”
Chris shook his head. �
�Like Jenna’s my girlfriend, but we’re not going together. I wanted to be dating Nicki, but Dad axed that. Anyway, Jenna—a girl who is my friend. Girl friend. Dad would probably prefer I date Jenna. He knows her parents and her. He doesn’t know Nicki.”
“Oh.” Esther didn’t appear convinced. She folded her arms.
Remy hadn’t ever felt the need to apologize for Julia or explain her to anyone else—until now. “I’ve known Julia for a long time. She’s a great person, but we’re not dating. I’m not interested in her that way.” He pressed his lips together. He thought he’d sounded fine in his explanation, but Esther hadn’t uncrossed her arms, and she continued to frown.
“Then you’re not cheating on my Bobby with her?” she asked.
“No.” He chuckled, not knowing what else to do. The tension was so thick. He laced his fingers together. The idea of cheating on Bobby hadn’t crossed his mind. Not with Julia or anyone.
“Good.” She unfolded her arms and clapped her hands. “This place seems to be clean.” She draped the dishrag over the divide in the sink. “I’ll get the chief and we’ll go. I’ll be right back.” She strode from the room, leaving Remy alone with Chris.
“Grandmas. She means well,” Chris said. “If it makes any sense, she had issues with Dad being gay. They’re chill now, but back then…whatever. She needs time to come around, but she will.” He laughed. “People are so messed up.”
“Humans are a messed-up bunch.” He smiled and sighed. “Sometimes I wish they weren’t.”
Chris nodded. “I don’t see why everyone is so mad about who’s dating whom. You’re not doing anything illegal. Right?” He grinned. “We talked about this at practice the other day.”
“You discussed me and your dad at practice?” He gulped. “We’re not doing anything illegal, by the way.”
“I knew you were cool.” Chris spread his hands on the other side of the island. “We didn’t discuss you and Dad, but gay people and the Coalition thing. One kid, his mom is on that board for the Coalition, said the gay people are trying to rule the world and make everyone gay. You can’t make someone gay.”
“You’re smarter than a lot of people.” He still ran into individuals who swore up and down that touching a gay person would make them gay too.
“That’s what I don’t get. What’s so bad about guys who like other guys and women who like other women? If you like the person, what’s the big deal?” Chris asked.
“Without getting into a huge discussion about ideology, some—like the Coalition—believe the only relationships should be between a man and a woman. There are a ton of reasons why gay couples bother them. They can’t produce children. It’s not in the Bible. It’s against God’s law. It’s gross. Gay people can’t raise kids because the kids won’t have a mom and a dad. Kids with one parent or another aren’t raised in the same manner so they’ll be screwed up. Those aren’t true, but it’s…one set of beliefs versus another. You’re right, as long as we’re not doing anything illegal, it shouldn’t matter who you have for a partner. You can be bad and be heterosexual too.” Remy unclenched his fists. He hadn’t realized he’d tensed up. “Sorry. That was the novel answer to a short answer question.”
“It’s okay.” Chris leaned on the counter. “I know you don’t like kids—I heard you tell Dad that—but maybe you can learn to like us? Like maybe we can grow on you?”
“You already have.” He wasn’t lying. He’d grown quite fond of Chris and Darcy in the short time he’d known them. He’d lied to himself. He was a kid person—he just needed the right kids to come along.
“You’re not shitting me?” Chris grinned and stood tall. “Nice.”
“I’m not, but you shouldn’t talk like that. Your dad would have a coronary.” Remy exhaled. The tension was gone, and he felt like he was part of the family. He’d forged a bond with Darcy and now Chris.
“Sorry,” Chris said. “Grandma’s right. Dad needs to be happy. He doesn’t act all tense and emo.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “He needs the help too. You know, someone to be there for him and stuff. To do parent-y stuff. Watch us at meets and runs. I kinda like knowing I’ve got a cheering section. We didn’t have that when Dad dated Neil.”
The kid was smarter than his years in so many ways. Remy respected Chris’ honesty and wished Chris hadn’t had to grow up so fast. “Well, unless your dad dumps me, I’m not planning on going anywhere. I’m more of a homebody than Terry, and I do like you two. I did from the start, but I didn’t realize it.”
“You’re a trip.” Chris’ smile widened. “A good one.”
“Thanks,” he replied.
Bobby strode into the kitchen with Esther and Chief Gagnon right behind him. Darcy followed.
“Okay, so Colt’s bringing sandwiches, plus dinner for any kids who tag along.” He threw his arm around Darcy’s shoulders. “Meaning you and Chris. Pick out a movie—I know. Too much television time usually gets you into trouble, but this is different.”
“I’ll help,” Chris said. “We’ll have fun. Come on, almost teen.” He herded Darcy from the room. “Dad and Remy need privacy.”
“For what?” she asked.
If Chris answered her, Remy couldn’t hear him. Good Lord. What is Chris telling her? Remy scooted off the stool. “Are you leaving?” he asked. He extended his hand to Chief Gagnon. “Thanks for the ride and for saving my ass.”
“You’re welcome.” The chief shook hands with Remy. “Now, Bob, Dr. Rhinehart said to watch for concussion symptoms. You know what to do.” He turned his attention back to Remy. “And you. We used the photos from the paper to help locate the guy. My detective has him in custody. We’ll get this sorted out, okay?”
“Good deal.” Remy nodded. He wanted the whole ordeal to be over already.
“If Bob thinks you’re good people, then so do I.” The chief hugged Remy.
Remy met Bobby’s gaze. Bobby’s eyes widened and his lips parted. Was he as shocked as Remy?
“The same goes for me,” Esther said. She caught the chief and Remy in a group hug. “Be good to my boy and I’ll love you forever.”
Approval from both parents. He couldn’t believe his luck. He let go of Bobby’s folks, then sank onto the stool. “Thank you,” he said.
Bobby nudged his parents out to the garage, to his mother’s car. He stepped out of the kitchen, and whatever he said to his parents, Remy couldn’t hear. Remy rearranged the apples in the fruit bowl while he waited for Bobby. The synapses in his brain were at the point of misfiring. He had too much information and needed to talk.
Bobby stepped back into the kitchen. “I don’t know what you did to get my dad to approve, but I’m impressed. He hates everyone.”
“It’s a cop thing. I’ve only ever dealt with one that didn’t believe everyone was a jerk or out to do something irresponsible.” Remy shrugged. He talked to cops on a regular basis for his job. Most of the time, the police were great people, but sometimes they weren’t. Then again, the same could be applied to dealing with humans in general.
“Yeah, I guess.” Bobby glanced over his shoulder. “I hate talking about the past with the kids, and I don’t want them to think of their grandparents in a negative light.”
“I heard your father had a problem with you being gay. Chris mentioned it.” Remy put both hands up. “I had a heart-to-heart with him. It wasn’t my plan. It just happened.”
“If you can get him to talk like that, then consider it a win.” Bobby leaned on the counter in the same manner as Chris had done earlier. “Look, I’m going to throw this out there. After what happened and everything, I need to say it.” He bowed his head, but didn’t continue.
Remy leaned over enough to scope out the stairs. “I don’t see the kids,” he whispered. “What’s wrong?” Is Bobby having second thoughts? He wished he could read Bobby’s mind.
“You weren’t the only one Chris opened up to today. He told me something I didn’t know, and it’s got me on guard.” Bobby met Remy’
s gaze. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back, I can see each maneuver.”
“About me?” Remy asked. Goddamn it, he was confused.
“No. About Terry.” Bobby waved his head from side to side, then stopped. “Terry had this way of expecting everyone to go along with whatever he wanted. I got used to it and didn’t notice as much once he moved in. I thought he kept his pushiness to a minimum, but now I’ve found out he’d manipulate the kids. If he didn’t want to do something, he’d plant the idea in Chris’ or Darcy’s head that they didn’t want to, either. Why? Because he was selfish.”
Remy nodded. “I see.” Although he wasn’t sure how this applied to him.
“If I ever catch you using my kids like that, I will tie your testicles together and hang them from the front porch,” Bobby bit out.
Remy scooted back from the island. Besides Bobby’s words coming from left field, his anger was unprovoked. “Bob, I can’t imagine who would do that to a kid, let alone do it myself. I’m in awe of Chris and Darcy, and I appreciate how you’ve raised them. I even appreciate the warning.” He lowered his voice to a growl. “But I haven’t done anything wrong. Call Terry and bitch him out. He deserves this piece of your mind. I need a guy who sees me—not some version of his past that he’s worried will come back again.” He left the stool. “I’ll be in the living room picking up my shit. Once the meeting is over, I’ll leave.”
Remy strode past Bobby and winced as he stopped in the front room. The pounding in his head had returned. He and Bobby weren’t supposed to fight. Not over something like this. He wasn’t ready to give up on his boyfriend, but he also wasn’t sure Bobby still wanted the relationship. Fucking balls.
Chapter Ten
Bobby scrubbed both hands over the top of his head and bit back a growl. He hated it when his partner was right. Remy hadn’t deserved to be yelled at any more than Terry deserved not to have to deal with what had happened. He didn’t want Remy to go, but he’d created one hell of a wound in the relationship. What a way to explain some of his issues—to threaten one of the few people who cared about him and the kids.
