Chapter 41 The Girlfriend
THE GIRLFRIEND
LEAH
“Dad, Papa,” I said. “I wanted to talk to you before the food gets here.”
Dad sat on my couch sorting the magazines the way he always did.
People assumed footballers were inattentive meatheads, but my father was anything but.
Patrick Roughy was exacting and observant like any good winger.
I remembered back on what Lou said about him arranging things just so.
Somehow, it made my heart swell to know we shared this quality.
While I still couldn’t remember to put dishes in the dishwasher, my plate and cutlery were always perfectly aligned, and my drink was always centered impeccably on any napkin or coaster.
Papa turned from the window. “Leah, do not tell us you’ve done something stupid.”
“Georgie!” Dad admonished.
“Well, she’s got that look on her face—the one where she’s about to break bad news.”
“Papa, sit the fuck down,” I groaned. “This isn’t bad news. I mean, you might whinge, but it’s good.”
“He will complain. He always—”
“I do not always complain, Pat!”
“Hey, eyes on me!” I waved. “So, after the lunch the glam squad shows up, and we do the whole thing. However, while you are attending the premiere with me, you’re not my dates.”
“What? Oh God! Who is it now?” Papa groaned. “Leah, darling, you are such a serial monogamist that it hurts my soul.”
“Pot meet kettle,” Dad snickered. “George, let her talk!”
I continued. “So, Lottie knows already—but only because I saw her in person first. Lou and I are dating and I really, really want to hard launch us at the premiere. I cannot contain it a minute longer. I just love her too much.”
Silence. I panicked as I knew Lou was like ten minutes away with food—a surprise I thought would be welcome.
“You’re… with Lourdes?” Dad asked.
“And you worried we’d be cross?” Papa completed his thought.
“Oh, no. I just thought you might feel shorted,” I said. “Because I promised you could take me months ago.”
“Oh, my darling, no!” Papa chuckled. “No, we’re relieved. God, so relieved, aren’t we, love?”
“Indeed,” Dad said. “Fuck! I thought for sure you were back with that Clive guy.”
“Ick! No. God no. As Lou always says, ‘Death to Clive’. He’s a costar. We don’t talk about him.”
“Gotcha.”
“It took us ten years to get here but… we’re here.”
My dads exchanged glances, then burst out laughing.
“What?” I asked.
“Oh, sweetie, it’s not you,” Dad insisted. “It’s just… you’re a chip off the old block. It took Papa and I ten years or thereabouts. It’s… neither of us was ready. You did it when you were ready and now it feels like it always should have been?”
“Yeah. Exactly! And that’s why Lou coming out—like really, really coming out—is so big. It makes me feel safe in a way I didn’t expect. I don’t know. Don’t bring that up. She feels silly to come out at forty.”
“As someone who came out at thirty-five, I totally understand,” Dad agreed.
“But I know what you mean. And yes, your father and I came out, bought a house, decided to have you, and got married within eighteen months, but… it was meant to be. So, if you want to ‘hard launch’ or whatever the hell that is with Lou, we will support you a hundred and ten percent.”
“Honestly, I’m relieved but unsurprised now,” Papa said.
“Oh my god! Papa, you told me women were too complicated!” I declared in frustration.
“I didn’t think you’d actually commit to her. Both of you are complicated. I am grateful you each came around. Leah, this is truly beautiful.”
By now, Papa was in tears.
“Is everyone in this family going to cry when I tell them?”
“If everyone cries, you know it means something big,” Pat said. “I mean, if they cry for the right reasons.”
“Mum cried when I told her. Pat’s parents did, too,” Papa nodded. “It’s okay to cry when you see your kid finally as happy as they’ve ever been and self-assured. Leah, it’s all we’ve ever wanted for the both of you. Thank you for telling us.”
We hugged but were interrupted by my door opening.
Lou’s voice rang, “I brought sustenance!”
To my surprise, Papa speed-walked towards the kitchen and wrapped Lou in a hug before I could say anything. I rushed over, concerned by her reaction as she tried to hold two heavy bags of food up while hugging my teary-eyed father.
“I told them,” I said. “And those are happy tears.”
“Prince George, I… I would greet you properly, if you just gave me but a moment. I apologize.” Lou extricated herself in the most polite, British way possible.
“Sorry,” Dad apologized. “He is overwhelmed. I swear it’s just… he’s happy.”
“I truly am. And please call me George or Dad or whatever you want,” George said.
“Papa, no. George is fine,” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Why don’t you go to the dining room, and we will bring the food in.”
“Yes, let’s give them some space, Georgie.”
Dad walked Papa off and Lou shook her head. “What the fuck just happened?”
“I told them not to make a big deal out of it, but… that’s just how Papa is when he’s emotional.”
“It is so bizarre. Where the hell does that come from?”
“Granny,” I said. “My very American grandmother and… I honestly love him for it. You will, too. Someday. I promise you will adjust.”
Lou snickered. “It beats being accused of a lesbian ambush, I suppose.”
“They are fully onboard. They thought I’d fucked something up, but… I didn’t.”
She gave me a long kiss. “I dunno, jury is still out. The night isn’t over yet.”