The Fire Went Wild (Home is a Fire Book 2)

by Jordan Nasser

  Lana blushed slightly, but she was hanging on every word, as were the rest of us. If we were to get stuck on one word or turn of phrase, we may miss the good part, and I just knew there was a juicy part on its way.

  “It is no secret to you all that I turned to Rosa for companionship,” he continued, and nodded her way. “We were discreet, of course. It was not my intention to embarrass your mother or this family. I assure you now, we had no intention of divorcing, we still enjoyed each other’s company, and we had built quite a satisfying life together. Your mother remarked privately that she was actually pleased that Rosa was there for me, as that freed her for her own pursuits, her charity meetings, and so forth. This was simply a different time, one that I do not expect you all will understand fully. This arrangement worked for us.”

  He took another sip of his bourbon, then set his glass down on the mantle.

  “Rosa, would you join me here, please?” She walked over from the entrance to the parlor and stood by his side, her arm around his waist. They were an odd match, the land tycoon and the Mexican nanny, but the love they shared was obvious.

  “Rosa, my love,” he said. “I apologize to you with all my heart for taking so long to correct this. I do hope you will forgive me?”

  “Si, mi amor,” she practically beamed.

  He picked up his story. “Lana, soon after you were born, Rosa confirmed to me that she was pregnant, as well. Posy could handle my indiscretion, but she was not prepared to deal with her husband’s mistress having a child, and I do not fault her for that. Rosa gave birth while on an extended vacation, and the decision was made to give the child up for adoption when she returned. We all agreed on this, all three of us, so if there is blame or anger to be had, we all deserve our share.”

  Lana was as pale as a ghost and Luke was slack jawed. Bammy’s eyes were wide open, and she turned to look at Michael, his face as stoic as Luke’s had been, earlier.

  “Michael,” said Red, “I do hope you forgive us our sins, as we truly felt we made the only decision we could, at the time. Welcome to the family, son.”

  Michael nodded, in acceptance, but didn’t utter a word. This wasn’t news to him, after all. He wasn’t experiencing the shock of a lifetime. Oh, how I felt for Luke and Lana.

  The silence that followed felt eternal, but it probably only lasted 15 seconds. Personally, I wanted to scream, to laugh, to jump up and down. I had a million questions, but I fought myself to remain silent. Eyes darted about the room. Lana to Luke. Luke to Rosa. Rosa to Michael. Michael to Bammy. Bammy to me.

  “Michael.” The name cut through the silence. You know when you haven’t spoken in awhile, and your voice clears the cobwebs with the first breath? He cleared his throat, and tried again, stronger. “Michael. Welcome, brother.” And with that, Luke walked over and embraced his new family member.

  Bammy started crying. I’m not really sure why. Maybe all the pressure we’ve been under lately, combined with this latest bombshell, was just too much? Maybe she was upset that Mayor Bellman wasn’t Michael’s dad? I’m kidding. Lana looked shell-shocked. No tears, but she wasn’t ready with words, yet. She stood up and walked over to Michael and gave him a hug, following her older brother’s lead. Her arms were listless, yet she forced them to activate, and they found their way around her new half brother’s torso.

  From there, everything became blurry. We all huddled in corners, carrying on conversations both whispered and in the open, tears, laughter, moments of complete shock, acceptance, and wonder.

  “Are you okay?” I asked Luke, as we had a moment to ourselves, the new, expanded family getting to know one another.

  “Yeah, of course,” he said. “I mean, I think I am. I’m kind of numb. Michael’s a great guy, though, so that softens it. My new little half brother could have been a dick, right?” He laughed. I’m glad he was seeing the humor in this.

  “This was the craziest family dinner ever,” I said. “And dinner hasn’t even started.”

  “I wonder how long they’ve been planning to tell us this?” he questioned, out loud.

  “I don’t know, but your family has just passed mine in drama. And my family has a secret drag queen and a father who deserted us. I would never in a million years believe you would have topped that.”

  “Trust me,” he said. “It wasn’t a competition I was looking to win.”

  Red was comforting Lana, trying to explain more details that she required to get through this. Bammy and Michael came over and joined us.

  “So, Derek,” said Michael, “I guess we’re the new guys around here, huh?” he joked.

  “Yep,” I said. “There’s a pretty strict set of rules and regulations, though. You’ll get the manual with your membership card. You’re a quick learner, right? Oh, and how do you feel about a country club membership?”

  “Stop it,” said Luke. “We’re not that bad. I guess you’ve been talking to my father and Rosa for awhile, now?” he asked Michael.

  “Yeah, I have,” he said. “It’s funny. I never would have requested the paperwork if this one hadn’t pestered me.” He held Bammy tighter by the waist and gave her cheek a light stroke with his free hand. “Turns out Nancy Drew here thought Mayor Bellman was my biological father. That’s what she gets for snooping.”

  Bammy looked embarrassed.

  “So, obviously it wasn’t Bellman,” I nudged, wanting to know more.

  “No, not at all,” said Michael. “I was doing Internet searches on him because I was looking for a smoking gun, some sort of leverage we could use to stop these ridiculous protests. I was trying to help you guys out.”

  I had something that could help us, of course, but outing the mayor as a cross dresser was not something I was comfortable with.

  “That makes total sense. See what happens when we assume, Bammy?” I said, teasing her.

  “Yeah. You’re an ass,” she deadpanned, then looked to Michael. “Can I please start drinking now?”

  Dinner went surprisingly well. Rosa had prepared an enormous Mexican feast, and everyone gorged as if it was their last supper, and not the first as an extended family. Red sat on one end of the long dining table, with Lana to his left and Michael seated to his right. Rosa took her place at the opposite end, with Luke by her side. Bammy and I exchanged how the hell did we end up here? glances throughout the meal, but somehow we survived.

  Red was keen to get Michael involved in his business, and Bammy spoke highly of her boyfriend, calling him a “financial wizard.” Michael said he wanted to continue working with the school board, to remain close to Bammy, but he’d be happy to make room for additional work with Red. The two of them were off to a fine start.

  At one point in the evening I overheard a whispered conversation between Lana and Red, meant to stay between the two of them, I supposed. “This won’t affect my inheritance, will it Daddy?” Oh, Lana, always looking out for number one. Red assured her that Michael was only interested in getting to know them, and he laid no claim to any inheritance, though I doubted that Red would leave this Earth without making sure one of his children was financially supported.

  Luke was quiet, but smiling. He preferred to be along for the ride, rather than make himself the center of attention. Perhaps that’s why we balanced each other out so well? He laughed along with Rosa and asked Michael questions to get to know him better, now as a brother, and not just a friend. The stress of the last few weeks had really begun to show on his face, so I was grateful that he was enjoying himself. He was such a strong, supportive man, always worrying about others, but rarely noticing when he, himself, needed a break. I was happy to see him just relax, for a change.

  The meal came to a natural close, and Red called us to attention, once more, asking for a toast. We raised our glasses to welcome Michael into the family, and he forcefully reminded Lana and Luke that their public turmoil must be resolved, as soon as possible. We knew that we had a week before the public school board meeting, so it was up to the three of us to
work together to figure this out.

  We began to stand up, one by one, reaching for dishes to help carry them to the kitchen.

  “No, no, no!” said Rosa. “Leave it, leave it! I’ll take care of it later.” I don’t know how she did it all by herself. Luke explained to me later that there was indeed a small household staff, but that they only worked daytime shifts. Red preferred his privacy at night. Old habits, I guess.

  Coats were fetched and we all began kissing our goodbyes and shaking hands. I was suddenly aware of how welcome I felt at the end of the evening, considering how nervous I was when I arrived. Red and Rosa both made me feel comfortable, and I was incredibly appreciative. I needed to work on Lana a bit, but I was hopeful that our relationship would change, in time. I tend to grow on people. At least I like to think I do.

  “Oh, mijo!” said Rosa to Luke. “I forgot your tamales. I’ll be right back,” and she went into the house, leaving me, Lana and Luke standing outside. Bammy and Michael had already left and Red was safely ensconced within his fortress, again.

  “So,” said Luke.

  “So,” Lana replied.

  “Seriously?” I said, flabbergasted. “Your father is the most verbose man I have ever met. After a roller coaster of a night like that, all you two have to say to each other is ‘So?’ Unbelievable!”

  “I think we take after our mama that way,” said Lana, softly. “You never met her, of course, so you wouldn’t know. Daddy uses words to take over a room. Mama just needed one good look.”

  “I thought about Mother a lot tonight, Lana,” said Luke, taking his sister’s hands. “She would have been proud of us, for accepting Michael, for picking up the pieces and just moving on. Mother wasn’t one for dramatics. If she were still here, she would have never allowed us to get this far in a fight. So… let’s shut this thing down, okay? We need to talk strategy.”

  “Well, we have to start with Amber,” said Lana. “I’ll arrange a lunch with her tomorrow and see what needs to happen to bring this to a close.”

  “I don’t get it, Lana,” he said. “All these years, Amber has followed you around like a puppy dog. She worships you. Won’t she do anything you tell her to do?”

  “Luke, I can’t get into it right now. Trust me. Amber is the key to this whole thing.”

  “What are you not telling me, Lana?”

  “Big brother, you were always so good at sports. How the hell did you end up sucking so badly at math?”

  “Tamales! Here you go!” Rosa appeared at the door and handed a paper bag to each of the siblings. “Heat those in the oven with just a touch of water in the pan. The microwave will dry them out.” Kisses, then she left to rejoin Red.

  Lana walked towards her car. “I’ll give you a ring tomorrow and tell you what happens.”

  “Okay,” he called out to her. “But, I.… Good night?”

  Math?

  16

  CAN I HAVE A PONY?

  We couldn’t expend any more energy worrying about Lana’s riddle. We were exhausted, emotionally and physically, and we just needed to get to bed as soon as possible.

  We barely spoke. What more was there to say? It had been one hell of an evening.

  I started laughing to myself, quietly, as Luke pulled the car into his driveway, the porch light welcoming us home.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked, turning off the ignition.

  “Oh, nothing important,” I said, dreamily. “I was just imagining what it would be like if Michael and I appeared on Oprah together. ‘And you get a dad! And you get a dad!’ Awesome, right?”

  “You’re crazy, you know that?”

  “Yeah, kinda. But you like me.”

  “That I do,” he said, reaching out to place his hand reassuringly on my knee. “That I do.”

  I woke up Saturday morning to a flurry of text messages from Bammy. Apparently Michael had put on a brave face last night, but when they got home, he released the barriers, and the tears flowed. He had told his foster parents about the Walcotts long before he contacted Red and Rosa, and they supported him 100% in whatever he decided to do. They loved him like their own son, and he felt the same. He would never change his last name, but these immense feelings of guilt overcame him. Bammy experienced a long night of hand holding and reassuring hugs. I understood. We both had been thrust upon the Walcotts, with different degrees of expectations. I knew Luke would be the best person to help him through this.

  “Babe?” I called out to him in the shower. “What are your plans today?”

  “I’m hanging out here,” he answered. “I need to be ready when Lana calls. No telling what she and Amber are up to.”

  “All right, I’m heading to Mom’s. She wants me to help her clear some downed branches and underbrush from the yard. I’ll call you later? Oh,” I added, “do me a favor? Bammy messaged me. Michael had kind of a rough night. Can you make sure to reach out to him today? Maybe you two can meet up for a brotherly beer, or something?”

  “Good idea. Will do!”

  I drove Willie Nelson over to Mom’s and walked inside. I didn’t have to ring the doorbell at this house. Uncle Barry was sitting at the breakfast table in his kimono, having a plate of sliced carrots and hummus. Since his coming out we’d all agreed to stop calling it a dressing gown.

  “How’s the diet going? I asked.

  “How do you think?” he growled back at me. “I may just be too old to change, you know that? My body is quite happy where she is. Maybe I should just listen to her. Besides, a bigger backside just means more sparkles on my dress.” He laughed, as if he was just getting used to the idea of liking himself, no matter what. His public performance as Beret had been good for him.

  “Is there anything good to eat?” I asked. “I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

  “Only healthy things,” he said, grumpily. “Audrey’s been on a health food kick.”

  “Really? She loves fried foods. I was hoping for biscuits and gravy.”

  “I can still make you biscuits,” she said, entering the kitchen from her bedroom. She was tying the knot on her bathrobe, a glowing smile on her face. “But we don’t have any pork sausage. Johnny says it’s not good for you, how they make it. I have some of that veggie sausage, if you want?”

  “Veggie sausage? That’s sacrilege, Mom! What’s next? Barbecued tofu?”

  “Oh, hush,” she said. “It’s not that bad.”

  “Not bad at all,” said Johnny, following her through the door, his shoes in his hands.

  Wow. So we’re at that stage, now? “Walk of shame, Johnny?” I teased.

  “Nothing shameful about it. She’s still my wife, after all.” So that answered that question. They never did sign those papers. Interesting.

  Johnny gave my mom a kiss that was befitting a couple far younger than their years, then he clasped my shoulder, nodded at Barry and walked out the side door, without a word.

  I yelled after him. “Can I have a pony?” I glanced over at Barry, thinking he’d enjoy the joke. He did not look happy.

  “Do you want me to make you something?” she asked.

  “No, I’m fine. I’ll have some cereal. We still have milk, right?”

  “Is soy okay?”

  After I helped her clear the yard, Mom went back inside to clean up and I took a seat in the old rocking chair on the front porch, surveying the lawn. The house was surrounded by trees, with a long gravel driveway that led to an old country road. It was quiet out here. Peaceful. I heard the screen door open behind me and Barry came out with two glasses in his hand.

  “I figured you could use a cocktail after all that work,” he said, handing me a cool drink.

  “Thanks.” I glanced at him as he took a seat beside me. “So, dare I ask? Is he hanging out a lot, now?”

  “What did she say?”

  “I didn’t bring it up,” I said, sipping my drink. Vodka and sweet tea. That hit the spot. “She tends to be a little secretive, you know?”

  “Aren’t we al
l?” he said. “Family trait.”

  “I take it you’re not pleased?”

  He sighed, rocking slowly. “I need to lighten up a little, I guess. I was kind of hard on him, at the beginning. When he left, you two had nothing. No safety net. It was up to Janey and me to help out, and we were glad to do it, of course, but it feels a little strange for me to just forgive and forget, after all these years. He does seem like he’s changed a lot, for the better.” He paused, then spoke adamantly. “We raised you, kid. We did. Not him. And I’m damn proud of the man you’ve become. I’m just feeling a little conflicted. He waltzes in, years later, as suave as he always was, and now you’re all just perfect and waiting for him. We did all the work and he’s sharing in the reward.”

  “It’s not like that,” I assured him. “I’m not ready to trust him 100%, either. But in a way, you’re right about one thing. It is years later. We’re all adults now. We can make our own decisions, and that includes Mom, too. You don’t need to protect us all, anymore, okay?”

  “How’d you end up being so smart?” He shook his head.

  “Good teachers, I guess. But my favorite one was the lady in the sparkly dress.”

  “Go ahead. Make me cry,” he said, defiantly. “I’ve been dying to know if this waterproof mascara really works. If not, I’m returning it.”

  I called Luke as I was leaving, but he didn’t answer the phone. Maybe he was out having a beer with Michael, like I suggested?

  “Luke? You here?” I called out as I opened the door, but there was no answer. His car was in the driveway and his keys were here. Maybe he went for a walk? Or Michael picked him up?

  I walked back into the kitchen and set my bags down on the counter. After leaving Mom’s I was in the mood to reaffirm my lifelong status as a carnivore, so I bought some barbecue from Cochon’s on the way over. I looked out on the back porch, and there was Luke sitting alone. I pushed open the screen door and peeked my head out.

  “Hey, what’s up?” I asked. “I picked up barbeque. I didn’t think we’d feel like cooking tonight.”