by Cooper West
“Ain’t proper for Evie to start that here.”
Gary nodded. “No, it’s not. But they need to talk about it sometime.”
She looked over at him, squinting. “Dad says you’re fromTaylor County, but youdon’t sound it.” Garylaughed. “Chicago’lldo that, I suppose.” “Youweren’t scared up there?”
Garysat downonhis practice stool, motioningfor Martha to take the other one. Gary could see her resemblance to Chuck as she settled, one long leg hanging down, her arms crossed over her chest. She was a cute girl but had the makings of a gorgeous woman, and Gary felt sorry for Chuck, taking her to be prime pickings in an urban area. There would be no peace for the father, he figured.
“Yes, it was scary sometimes. But it’s a great city. Maybe one dayyou’llget a chance to visit it.”
“You’lltake me?”
It was asked with childlike innocence, which took Gary back a little. “I can’t say. Your father and I are still… figuringthings out.”
She nodded wisely. “He was P.O.’d at you last night.”
“It was kinda mutual,”Garysighed.
“That what happen to the door?” She jerked a thumb toward it.
Gary cringed again. “So you know how to play guitar?”
She nodded. He got up and pulled out his old acoustic beater, with all the pride stickers on the case. As expected, she loved that, and took the guitar gratefully. It was naturally too big for her, but she squirmed around and adjusted, wrapping her arms around it.
He picked up his practice guitar and asked her what she knew. She had fun leading him through a few country standards, and he coached her a little on a bluegrass tune. Their playing was casual and not very loud, so the voices from the kitchen could be heard occasionally even if they remained indistinct. Gary was glad that it had not become a shoutingmatch, because it was good odds that Evan was just as stubborn as his father.
Martha stopped dead in the middle ofthe song as the voices pitched up, cocking her head to listen. Sighing like a woman three times her age, she gave Garya sorrowfullook. “Everyone’s mad at Daddy.”
It took Gary a second to realize she was talking about Chuck and not her grandfather. “I bet. Some people reallydisapprove ofhomosexuals.”
“Grandad says he won’t even see us if Daddy don’t change his ways.”
Gary pinched his nose, trying not to lose his temper at someone who wasn’t even in the room. “That’s wrong ofhim.”He didn’t care ifit was his place to say it or not, given the heartbroken look on Martha’s face. “And, Martha, I know you’re young, but you need to understand that this isn’t something a person can change. It’s not like dyeing your hair. I could get married to a woman, care for her deeply, even have kids—but that wouldn’t change who or what I am.”
Martha’s brow furrowed. “Daddy says that. Says it’s wronger to lie thanbe gay.”
Gary opened his mouth to correct her grammar but changed his mind. “I happen to agree with him, not your grandfather. I know you love themboth, but, well, I also love your daddy.”
Martha almost answered, but her words were cut off by Evan throwing open the kitchen door and notquite-running out into the living room on his way through. Gary was glad the boy at least had the foresight to grab his jacket and gloves before slamming the front door so hard the windows rattled.
“Well, that went well,” Chuck said, ambling out. His sardonic tone was belied by the frustration that was clear inhis expression.
Martha simply stared out the way her brother had gone.
“No worry for him, Martha. He’ll stomp around the orchard for a bit thenget hungryand come back in.” Chuck sat down in Gary’s porch chair and rubbed his eyes.
“I know, Daddy.” Martha shot her father an exasperated look and started randomly playing scales on the guitar. Chuck watched her fondly for a minute before turningto Gary.
“That was a bit more drama than I was angling for, comingover.”
Gary motioned for Martha to keep practicing as he set his guitar aside. “I guess we should talk.”
“Yes, but not now. I need to herd them back home. Jess is counting on them to help with some cooking she’s doing for some cousin’s wedding reception.” He glanced at his watch. “Church is out. She’s home bynow.”
“Pie or casserole?” Gary smiled, knowing that most womenfolk usually did one or the other for a party.
“Pies,” Martha answered. “Aunt Jess don’t do casseroles.”
“Doesn’t, not don’t,” Chuck automatically corrected. Martha rolled her eyes.
“Okay, enough with you. Get your jacket on and go out to the truck. Call your brother in.” Chuck stood up.
Martha handed the guitar to Gary with a polite, “thank you, Mr. Winston” before she dashed out, tossing her coat on as she went and hollering for Evan. Chuck and Garystared at eachother for a moment. “I thought yousaid youweren’t comingback.”
Chuck shrugged. “Aman says things in temper he don’t mean.”
“Doesn’t, not don’t,” Gary said without thinking, startled as the words left his mouth.
Chuck blinked once in surprise, then started laughing. He laughed so hard he couldn’t speak, and it wasn’t long before Gary’s own giggles turned into howling laughter right along with him. He was still laughingwhenChuck walked over and pulled himinto a hug. They snorted like teenage boys into each other’s shoulders.
It took a few moments for them to calm down. Chuck’s mouth was beside Gary’s ear, and he started nuzzling it as he talked. “We’re moving as soon as school ends for the summer, which is about the end of Aprilthis year.”
Gary sobered at that and tried to pull away, but Chuck held on.
“I want the kids settled with their mother before I go ontour withyou.”
“What?”
Chuck finally pulled back but didn’t let go. “I’ve secured a small apartment in Alpharetta, but the kids will be with their mommost of the time for a while, until I figure out what I’mdoing down there. I’llget a house, eventually, but if I’m touring most of next year, I don’t need it yet. I talked with Ellie about it, and she’s supportive. I’ll get the kids when I’m not on the road. She’s just so happy to have themout of Cornerstone, I think she’d agree to anything. You don’t have to move with us, but I want you to think about it. I can get this propertysold, ifit comes to that.”
Stunned, Gary had to kick-start his brain. “I, uh, well I’ll—hold on, wait.” He pulled in a deep breath, lookingChuck straight inthe eye. “Withyougone, there isn’t muchto keep me here.”
“I was kind ofhoping, giventhat—”
Garyshut himup witha kiss.
About the Author
Cooper West lives in Florida and wishes the
weather was more like the Pacific coast, or maybe Hawaii, but is in graduate school to become a sexy librarian so is unable to make that real just yet. West has a cat and a lot of books and spends too much time reading slash fan fic when not riding a bicycle or doing yoga or napping.
Visit Cooper at http://www.cooper-west.com . You cancontact Cooper at [email protected].
Also fromCooper West
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
