“You’re wiggling more than the puppy on Antonio’s lap.”
Danny elbowed his partner. “Your hot breath is on my neck.”
“Do you want me to stop breathing?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
TJ pinched Danny’s thigh. “Brat!”
Danny kicked his heel in a knee jerk reaction against TJ’s shin.
“Ow! You little shit!”
Antonio turned around from the front passenger seat. “Boys! Knock off the bickering! Unless you want me to give you something to really complain about.”
For the next five minutes Danny bit his thumb while TJ bit his tongue. Ricky daydreamed while looking out the window at the Mississippi River. “I can’t believe we’re here. I’ve always wanted to beat my feet in the Mississippi mud.”
“Ew, that’s gross!”
“It’s an expression, silly boy.”
“Actually it’s from a song,” Ricky corrected TJ, “written in 1927 by Harry Barris and James Cavanaugh.”
“Whatever it is,” Danny said, defending his position, “I wouldn’t want to put my feet in that toxic water.”
“You mean like the fumes you’ve been emitting on my lap?”
“I didn’t fart!”
“Daniel, please don’t yell,” Antonio scolded. “It’s hot, we’re cramped, and we don’t need any more stress.”
“Yeah, Danny, just put your thumb in your mouth and be quiet already. And, while you’re at it, squeeze those toxic butt cheeks of yours shut.”
“TJ! One more teasing word from you and I will tan your hide!”
The stifling silence that filled the car ended fifteen minutes later with a snicker.
“Aw, Danny! Not again!”
“What? I didn’t do anything,” Danny tried to deny his bubbling belly through titters of laughter.
“Silent but deadly. You stink!” TJ retaliated with a slap to Danny’s thigh.
“Hey! It’s not my fault!” Danny slapped TJ’s leg in return. “You make me gassy.”
“That’s it!” Mitch whipped the steering wheel, crossing over the slow lanes and bringing the car to an abrupt stop on the side of the road. His restraint whisked away as he crouched up from the average man’s sedan. Stretching to his full height he towered over the car.
The three boys in the back seat turned wide eyes toward the window of the passenger door TJ had been leaning against. All they could see was Mitch’s midsection. The buckle of his thick black belt gleamed in the sunlight. TJ tightened his arms around Danny. Mitch opened the door letting the heat rising from the highway suck out the cool temperature in the air-conditioned car.
“Um, Mitch…”
Mitch didn’t allow TJ to finish his thought. He yanked Danny from his lap, breaking their embrace. Danny was escorted swiftly around the back of the car to the other side. He was pulled up on his toes and swatted hard before Mitch opened the door, ordering him to get on Ricky’s lap. Mitch’s large finger was suddenly pointing at his flushed face. “Don’t dare say another word until we get there.”
Mitch slammed his door shut and came back for TJ. He reached through the back seat and jerked out his eldest boy by the elbow. “You want to be treated with respect? Then act like you deserve it!” He smacked TJ three times on his rump in the view of passing vehicles.
“Yes sir,” TJ mumbled. Little Jay sprung forward against his tight jeans at the public humiliation.
“Get back in the car. There is a half an hour left to this ride, don’t give me anymore reason to pull over.”
TJ slinked back to his spot. He stuffed an urge to laugh with embarrassment at his predicament. Instead, he glanced over at his young partners cuddled against the car door on the opposite side. Feeling a mixture of guilt and jealousy at the way they held each other’s hands in comfort, he promised himself he would try harder with Danny.
Chapter 7
Medaling in da Past
“Tonio’s here!” came the cry of two tween girls.
As soon as Antonio opened the door of his childhood home he was rushed by a zealous mob of extended family.
Danny hovered behind TJ–their recent car ride tiff already forgotten.
Mama Cecelia pushed through the crowd with her arms opened. “Looka dis handsome young man. Dis must be ya Ricky.” She took his reddening face in her hands. A bashful grin was squished between her palms. The exuberant woman kissed his forehead and then hugged him tight.
“Mama, give him a little space. Not everyone’s used to such demonstrative greetings.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind,” Ricky said, as his chest was compressed against her generous bosom. “My family hardly ever touches. This is nice.”
“Whadda sweet boy.” Mama Cecelia released her son’s newest addition to inspect him up close. “Whadda gorgeous face. Been a long time since I’ve seen such a dazzling smile.”
“I knew you’d like him, Mama.”
“Why wouldn’t I? My boys have good taste.”
“Hey Mama!” TJ dropped his bag to be next in line for one of her infectious hugs. “I brought you chocolates from that shop you like in SoHo.”
“Oh, cher, how thoughtful! Give ya Mama C a squeeze.”
“Been waiting for one all year.” TJ wrapped his arms around his beloved second mom, lifting her off her feet.
Mama Cecelia was tickled with gratitude and enveloped him back with equal enthusiasm. When her feet touched back to the floor, she pushed TJ out at arm’s length. “I must say dat scarf I knitted suits ya perfectly. It brung out ya purdy blue eyes.”
Although it had been unseasonably warm in New Orleans, TJ made sure to wear it this morning for her benefit. He lifted one end of the scarf that was dangling off his shoulder and flipped it around his neck with a wink.
Mitch bent down to greet Antonio’s mother with a soft peck on the cheek. “Only TJ can pull off a scarf in seventy degree weather. What’s the deal with global warming here? How hot is it going to get?”
“I hear it might reach high eighties by mid week. Will dat be a problem fo’ y’all cold blooded Yankees?”
“Not at all. It’s nice to get a break from the winter weather. Besides, we’d tolerate anything to see you.”
“Flattery will get ya everything, or at least a home cooked meal.” Mama Cecelia reached up and gently pinched Mitch’s cheek.
Mitch chuckled. “Where should we put the luggage?”
“Oh, I figgered ya n’ Antonio can be in his old room. The boys can take da spare room across da hall.” She craned her neck past Mitch. “Where’s da lil’ one at?”
Danny had slipped away quietly to give Nicky another chance to urinate. He didn’t want to be embarrassed by having him pee on the newly polished floors.
Antonio pushed back the curtain of the living room window. “I’ll go get him.” He went outside and strolled casually over to his young partner. “Warm isn’t it?”
“Yep.”
“Making sure Nicky doesn’t have an accident?”
“Yeah. I don’t want him ruining Mama C’s floor.”
“That’s very considerate of you.”
The two stood by as Nicky pranced around the front yard. Investigating new smells and sights were preoccupying his thoughts. He finally lifted a leg to mark his territory.
“I think that’s good enough. Why don’t we head back in? Mama is eager to see you.”
Proving his point, Mama Cecelia stepped out her front door. “Well, don’t be shy. Give ya Mama C a hug,” she called.
Danny picked his puppy up to use him as a shield against the intrusion of meeting new people once he got inside.
Mama Cecelia squealed in delight. “Ohhh! Whadda dawlin’ t’ing!” She enfolded Danny and his puppy against her body. The puppy yapped at being squashed in between. Mama laughed. “Sorry ‘bout dat, boo.” She held the puppy under his snout and kissed his wet nose. Nicky licked her face. Unable to resist his soft fuzzy charm, Mama Cecelia took him from Danny for a cuddle be
fore letting him down to roam around.
They watched as her three grandnieces stopped gossiping in order to coax the puppy over to them.
“He’s a charmer, just like his owner.” Mama Cecelia turned back to Danny to give him a proper hug. After hearing about the recent trauma they had all been through, she did not want to let go. She eventually stood back for a full appraisal. “My word ya gotten so grown up since I last seen ya. Ya really filled out. Whadda looker ya become. I see ya can still use some fattening up. No worries, Mama will take care of dat.”
Danny blushed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Noticing Danny being extra shy in unfamiliar territory, Mama Cecelia couldn’t help pinch his cheeks. “Such a good boy.”
“Mama, please.” Antonio put his arm over Danny’s shoulder gently guiding him away. “Let me introduce you to a few of my cousins.”
“Who dat lil’ white boy belong to?”
Danny passed the group of girls between the ages of eleven and thirteen who were playing with Nicky. He grimaced when he overheard their conversation.
“Dat’s Uncle Tonio’s boy. Don’t ya remember? Auntie C said he n’ Mitch took him in.”
“What about dos two over dere?” another asked, with her finger extended towards Ricky and TJ.
“Oh, dat’s TJ n’ his boyfriend,” the oldest identified.
“I like em.”
“Which one?”
“All dem,” the youngest giggled.
Mama Cecelia was concerned for Danny who stood by her nephews fidgeting. He was nodding politely and biting his thumb, but otherwise not engaged in the conversation. It was easy to tell that his attention was elsewhere. She followed his nervous glances across the room and went over to investigate. “Whaddya girls nattering on about?”
“How come Uncle Tonio brought so many white boys wid him?” the youngest asked, with all the haughtiness of a preteen girl.
“Hmmm. How shall I say dis?”
“Dey all part of his love nest,” the older tween piped in.
“F’true?” the youngest questioned. “People in New York are weird.”
Noticing the love struck stares, Mama Cecelia assessed there was more to their curiosity than just nosiness. “Dey attractive, ain’t dey?”
“How come Uncle Tonio gets dem all?”
Mama Cecelia laughed at her precocious middle niece. “Just lucky, I guess.”
“How ‘bout da young one dat brung da puppy? I’ll be in high school next year,” the oldest bragged.
“I saw him first!” the twelve-year-old declared.
“I was joking. Dey all belong Uncle Tonio, stupid.”
The eleven-year-old was getting increasingly confused. “I thought he was wid da big guy.”
“He is. Ya’ll understand mo’ when ya my age.”
“I get it. We ain’t dat much younger!”
“Den ya’ll shouldn’t be too disappointed t’ realize none of dem would be interested, even if ya were old nuff,” Mama Cecelia said gently.
“Why not?” the younger girl asked with a pout.
“Uh, dey into boys,” the older girl said with impatience.
TJ caught the girls leering. He elbowed Danny. “I think we have some fans.”
“I don’t think they like me. They keep making faces.”
Antonio’s cousin Marcus hooted with a slap to Danny’s back. “Dey just don’t realize ya shy. Dat’s not summin ya see much of in dis family.”
“Sug, it’s hard t’ picture someone as purdy as ya being shy,” his wife, and the mother of the youngest two girls, added.
“Yeah, it makes you come across as stuck up,” TJ teased.
“I’m not stuck up! I just have nothin’ to talk about. Ricky is the shy one, but he gets to talk about music.” Embarrassed by his outburst, Danny trailed off, “I don’t do anything…”
“You do plenty,” Antonio assured him.
“Yeah, plenty of mischief.”
“TJ, stop teasing. Danny is in school full time and working. He is a wiz in math and science.”
“I don’t think anyone wants to talk about how to find some obscure algebraic formula or to discuss the proper way to label chemical compounds,” Danny muttered.
“Actually, dere’s a lot of math applied t’ music,” Antonio’s cousin Louis chimed in. “All ya hafta do is listen t’ da natural patterns or see it in da notes of any musical score.”
“It’s true, music is in everything. Dey don’t call it da universal language fo’ nuttin’ honey,” agreed his jovial cousin Marcus. “Speaking of music n’ school. I understand Ricky’s at Juilliard n’ has an interest in Jazz.”
“He’s fantastic,” TJ boasted. “I think you’ll be impressed.”
“Well, if dat’s da case, we’ll be playing out tomorrow night, if ya like t’ join us.”
“Are you serious? I’d love to!”
“Bring ya axe,” Louis prompted. “I wouldn’t mind hearing how an Ivy League trained musician measures up t’ us meager home grown artist.”
“Ha!” Marcus laughed. “Don’t let da humble act fool ya’. Louis here is a Berkeley grad, n’ Uncle Earl teaches music at UNO.”
Hearing his name in conversation, Uncle Earl came over and clamped his hand on Antonio’s shoulder. The man was tall and wide shouldered like his nephew. But, the contours of his face resembled his sister. He was two years her junior and had the distinguishing grays of a man in his early fifties. “Don’t kill da mystique,” he scolded. “True artistry is in da illusion.”
“Where was that poetic philosophy when you were beating the fundamentals into me after mama insisted I learn the keyboard?”
“Ya were too interested in finding poetry wid ya feet. Ya wouldn’t sit down long ‘nuff t’ get beyond da basics.”
“F’sho,” Antonio laughed, slipping into his old dialect, “Dat’s why I brung Ricky home.”
*****
Later that evening the house was bursting with additional relatives. Danny began to pace. There were too many strange people. He wandered off, missing his puppy, convinced the girls were occupying him somewhere. House parties always ended with bad memories. His heart began to race as his head filled with self-deprecating thoughts. Stepping outside for fresh air, he went through the steps of relaxation he learned in counseling. Slowly his heart rate lowered, but the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach wouldn’t leave. He remembered being told to seek out the safety of someone he trusted.
In the dining room packed with relatives, Marcus was arranging plans for the following day to introduce Ricky to the rest of his band. “I’ll pass by t’ pick ya’ll up on da way t’ rehearsal. We betta get dere fo’ three t’ give us time t’ practice, gobble down a po’ boy or two, den load up da equipment. We should be settin’ up at da club fo’ sev’n o’clock.”
Danny sidestepped through the crowd as Mitch and Antonio announced their decision to stay at the house because they didn’t want to leave him alone. Antonio used needing time to rest up from all the traveling as their excuse. “That’s a nice offer. TJ can go with Ricky. Mitch and I will stay back with Danny and catch up on some sleep.”
Danny balked at being left behind. “Why can’t I go with them?”
“Oh, there you are,” Antonio said, surprised to see him standing close by.
“Why can’t I go?” Danny repeated.
“There’s an age restriction,” Antonio reminded him.
“But, Marcus said earlier he could get me in with a band pass. I can help set up.”
“Sorry, Danny, the answer is no. Maybe another time when Mitch and I will be there. We made plans to stay in and rest up with mama.”
“That’s such bullshit! There’s not gonna be another time. Why do I have to stay back just because you and Mitch are busy or tired or whatever.”
“Watch your language and lower your voice. I’m sorry you’re disappointed, but there’s no call to speak to me like that.”
Danny was mortified. He had not meant to
lose his temper like that. It was embarrassing to be reprimanded in front of others. A few people got up discreetly to leave the room. Lack of sleep, and the pressure of keeping his stress level at bay, was getting the best of him.
TJ brushed past him in a hurry to change the subject. “Anybody want a refill on a drink?”
Danny snapped. “Hey!”
TJ patted his head in sympathy. “Sorry, kid. I promise we’ll do something fun this week. I know some great places you can get in. It’s just, tomorrow is an opportunity for Ricky to experience live jazz with some of the best players in New Orleans.”
Danny shoved TJ’s hand away. His foul mood mistook his partner’s sincere condolences as condescension.
TJ made a face in frustration. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothin’. It’s fine that you and Ricky can go.”
“Then what are you getting so hot about?”
“Why can’t I tag along while you get ready? You can drop me back off before dinner.”
“We’ll have a bunch of different things to do, a lot of running around. We might not have time to come back and drop you off. You should stay here and enjoy Mama C’s company.”
“I’m not sticking around here all day. I can only take listening to old people talk about their ailments for so long.”
The complaint, intended only for TJ’s ears, was not so quiet that missed Antonio’s. Assessing the dark circles under his boy’s eyes, he crouched in front of him and said, “You’re tired. Why don’t you go back to your room and take a rest?”
Danny was offended by the implication that he needed a time out like a child. “No, thanks,” he said shortly. “Why don’t you take a rest? You’re the one who’s too tired to go out. I’m gonna take Nicky for a walk.”
Antonio turned sharply, aggravated by Danny’s lack of consideration. “You are not going anywhere in that agitated state other than to bed.”
“What the fuck!”
Overhearing the exchange from the other room, Mama Cecelia gasped. She walked over to her son, placing a hand on his arm. “P’haps ya wanna private conversation.”
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