Chapter Seven #3
He sighed out a chuckle. “Phew. Thought for a minute I had to back up the info dump some more. He’s a great kid—” He made a face. “Well, he’s not a kid. He’s a grown man. But I just wanted to come down and have a chat. If Deac knew I was here, he’d be royally pissed.”
He clearly loved his son very much, and it made me smile. “I won’t tell him.”
His eyes met mine. “He likes you.” Then he put his hands up. “Now, I don’t need to know your personal business.”
“I’m gay,” I said, letting him off the hook. “Just putting it out there.”
“Oh,” he said. “Good. I mean, that’s good.
Because he is too. Not that it was ever anything he came out and told us.
He was never interested in anyone for a long time, not like that anyway, but as he got older, he always got flustered around the boys and never the girls, so we kinda assumed .
. .” Then he sighed. “Then he went to college and there was an incident with another guy that, well, it more than upset him. He almost quit school.”
“He told me,” I said. “Some guy kissed him without asking.”
He seemed surprised that I knew, but he nodded.
“We’ve always taught him about the importance of consent, because sometimes people can give mixed signals, which is very confusing for him, so asking is always important.
And anyway, long story short, after we talked about it, it was clear that he had liked that boy, and then he told us, yes, he does like guys.
That was never an issue for us.” He looked me dead in the eye as if he needed me to see his sincerity.
“I need you to know that. We don’t care who he likes. ”
Oh god. Was this about to be a conversation about the birds and the bees?
Well, just the birds. Or just the bees. I never really understood that analogy. One was the pollinator, so—
“Anyway,” he said, getting my attention.
“Yes, sorry. I am listening.”
“You look a little horrified,” he said. “I’m sorry if this is embarrassing.”
“No, no. Uh, you said Deacon said something this morning? About what upset him last night?”
He sighed, grateful, I think, that I was helping to move the conversation along. “Yes. He said you talked about sex.”
“Oh, dear god, no.”
“But then he mentioned Komodo dragons and starfish. Not entirely sure what that was about.”
I buried my face in my hands. “Oh, dear heavens.”
“Yeah, I was a bit lost on that too.”
I looked at him then and put my hand on his arm. “I’m asexual. That’s what that is. When you said we were talking about sex, we were talking about not having sex. How I don’t feel sexual attraction, so whatever horrifying scenarios you were envisaging, it was the opposite of that.”
He stared. “Oh.”
“When I said asexual, he automatically assumed asexual reproduction.”
Wayne stared some more, then barked out a laugh, his hand to his mouth. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” Then he laughed some more, pure relief, if I had to guess.
I couldn’t help it. I laughed too. I mean, it was kinda funny.
Now.
It wasn’t funny last night.
He nodded. “Oh, well, that explains the . . .”
“Komodo dragons and starfish.” I nodded too. “Yep. So for a few horrifying seconds there, he thought I had the ability to reproduce with myself.”
He laughed again. “Shoot, I’m sorry.”
I waved his apology off. “It’s fine. We cleared the air.
On that matter anyway.” I sighed then. “But I did touch his arm, just like this.” I showed him how I’d done it.
Hell, I’d touched his arm a few seconds ago.
“And that upset him. That was before the asexual conversation though, and I thought we got past that.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t deal with touch very well.”
“I learned that, yeah.”
He let out a sigh. “Look, Winter, I’m going to be very frank with you and I don’t know how you feel about him, but he likes you.
As in, he likes you. So if you’re not on the same page as that, or don’t think you ever could be, we’ll need to be clear about what we tell him.
I don’t expect you to answer right away.
I mean, you’ve just met him, just moved here, been super busy getting the store ready.
” He looked around. “Looks great, by the way.”
“Thanks.”
“I guess I wanted to come see you and, one, ask about what happened last night, and two, just see . . . well, I didn’t know what else, to be honest. I just wanted to let you know where he’s at.
He’s not like most other guys, so even as his friend, I wanted to catch you up, I guess.
He might take some patience, that’s all. ”
“I do like him,” I said, then scrubbed a hand over my face, feeling the heat in my cheeks. “I do like him. He’s smart and funny, and he quoted one of my favorite books to me the very first time we’d met. I mean,” I shrugged. “Kinda sealed the deal right from the get-go.”
He smiled, a real smile if the creases at the corners of his eyes were anything to go by. “He is smart and funny,” he repeated. “Not many people take the time to get to know him, so thank you for saying that.”
“Well, they’re missing out on knowing a great guy.
” I shrugged. “But I have to say, I am busy. Grand opening is tomorrow, and I’m hoping December will be a super busy time for me.
Plus, I now have two kittens . . .” That reminded me.
“Oh, I texted Deacon earlier and asked about introducing solids because I think Bright is ready. Not sure about Merry, but Bright, definitely. And—”
“I know you texted him,” he said. “He was smiling at his phone for a good hour. I’m running out of stock and inventory tasks at work to keep him distracted. Keep him busy and he’s a workhorse, but let him get all up in his head, and it can spiral pretty quickly.”
I chuckled at that and put my hand up. “Also guilty.” Then I looked around for my phone. “Aunt Ro took my phone away from me before I could send him another text, because apparently ten in a row was too many, and I don’t know where she put it.”
“Well, if you wanted to come around this afternoon, to the clinic, I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you,” Wayne said. “I mean, you have both kittens with you, yes?”
I nodded to the youth center across the way. “I believe the town’s teenagers are spoiling them rotten as we speak.”
He smiled as he nodded, then he chewed on his bottom lip, nervous for what he was clearly about to say.
Oh god.
“I should let you get back to it,” he said. “And they’re probably wondering where I am. I was only going to the post office.”
Well, that wasn’t bad . . .
“Look,” he said quietly, grimacing. “Please don’t think too much about me coming to see you.
I don’t want you to feel pressured at all, because there is no pressure.
None whatsoever. And I’m not being a weird parent, honestly.
I just . . . I just didn’t want you to think any less of Deacon after he left last night; I thought I might have to explain the situation, so I’m glad you understand.
” He shrugged. “I just want him to be happy.”
Gawd.
“If only all gay kids had a dad like you,” I said. I certainly didn’t. Not a mother, either. But I did have Ro.
Maybe it was the lighting, I wasn’t sure, but his eyes seemed a little glassy.
“Thank you,” he said. Then he let out a breath and headed for the door.
“Thanks again, and good luck with the grand opening tomorrow. We’ll be down in the afternoon.
” Then he stopped and held my gaze. “If you’re going to the Christmas tree lighting tomorrow night, we’ll see you there. ”
I nodded. “I’d like to. Gunter mentioned it. I hear it’s quite the event.”
He smiled as he looked up the street. “It’s a great little town. I hope you like it here.”
He left after that, and I stood there for a moment, trying to process what I felt.
Happy, grateful. Respect.
Confused.
About how I felt about Deacon. About what I should do.
With a heavy sigh, I went in search of my phone, finding it in the storeroom. There were messages from Deacon.
Hello.
I’m sorry I left early. Did you get the last boxes done last night? I can help again tonight if you need. Please let me know.
Yes or no is fine.
Tomorrow is the big grand opening day. I would like a copy of Never Let Me Go by Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and I know you have two. Please don’t sell both before I get there.
That made me smile.
Texting is sometimes easier for me.
Regarding introducing solid foods to Bright, I’m sure he’s ready however if you’d prefer me to check the emergence of his premolars, I’m happy to do that and I can also monitor his intake and ability to chew and swallow effectively.
I have some samples at the clinic and I’m more than happy to discuss options for him. Any time which suits you is also fine.
Also Merry too. He may be more ready than you think.
I look forward to your reply.
Thank you for messaging me first.
I was still standing there, smiling at my phone, when Ro came back in. “So,” she said smugly. “I take it that went well.”
It took me a moment to realize she didn’t have the kittens. “Where are the boys?”
“Calm down, Dad,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Evie has them well taken care of. We’re leaving them with her while we go and have some lunch.”
I opened my mouth to protest but she put her hand up. “Relax,” she said. “Evie’s own cat has had two litters and she’s very adept at caring for them. Plus, it’s good practice for tomorrow.”
I stared at her. “What’s happening tomorrow?”
“She’s minding the boys tomorrow, all day.” She ignored the look of horror on my face. “We’re going to be far too busy and will not have the time to stop every time they make a sound.”
Well, that was aimed directly at me. “I don’t fuss over them every time they make a sound.” She deadass looked at me until I revoked that claim. “Okay, so maybe I do. But they’re so little and helpless, and it’s only been a handful of days and I already cannot imagine my life without them.”
She chuckled and collected her scarf. “Okay, let’s go to the diner for lunch and you can tell me everything that you and Deacon’s father talked about.”
I felt much better after a long lunch with Ro. She listened to me, nodded, and smiled patiently as I told her everything, and I was ever so grateful. She’d never once been anything but supportive, much like Deacon’s father was with him. It made me appreciate Ro even more.
I couldn’t imagine where I’d be without her.
“I should totally cook us dinner tonight,” I said. “Given it’ll be the last chance I get for a week or so, at least. Or until I get a routine at the store.” I fully expected some late nights, particularly in this first week.
Well, I hoped I would.
I needed to be busy. I needed this to be a success.
“Orrr,” Ro said. “And hear me out on this, we could totally order pizza, grab some wine, and have a totally chill night before your life changes forever.”
“My life won’t change forever,” I countered.
“Win, you’ll be a fully-fledged bookstore owner, small business owner, marketing manager, cleaner, accounts manager, social media manager, public relations—”
“Okay, okay,” I relented with a laugh. “Pizza it is.”
“Plus,” she added, “you won’t have time because you need to take the boys to the vet clinic on the way home so Daddy Deacon can look at them.”
“What we’re not going to do is call him that,” I said flatly, because dear god. “Ever again.”
“I thought it was fun. Pairs nicely with Papa Win.”
I stared at her. “I will pay you actual money to never say that again.”
“Just kidding,” she said with a laugh. “You can pay for lunch though.”
“Deal.”
She pulled on her coat, then collected her purse and scarf. “Did you need to see Jayden about tomorrow?”
“Nope. It’s all organized.”
We waved to Jayden as we were leaving. “See ya tomorrow,” he called out.
We turned for the door and literally ran into Hamish from the hardware store as he was coming in. “Hello again,” I said, giving him some room.
“Oh, hi,” he said, brightly, giving us a killer-watt grin. “Looking forward to tomorrow. We’ll be there, don’t you worry. Oh, and you must come to the lighting of the Christmas tree tomorrow night. I know you’ll have had a crazy day, but it’s a great way to meet everyone.”
“I will,” I said. “Given you’re the third person to ask me, I think that’s a sign that I should go.”
He beamed at that, then he turned to Ro. He grabbed her hand but looked at me. “You never mentioned a gorgeous sister.”
“Aunt,” I corrected.
“Oh my goodness, I love you already,” she said, her grin matching his, and it suddenly felt like I was in a Colgate commercial.
“Oh, good, I’ll never hear the end of that,” I mumbled, and Ro shushed me. Someone else tried to come through the door—a man wearing a deputy uniform who Hamish called Colson—so I took that as an escape route. “We should get going. It was good to see you again, Hamish.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” he replied, already talking to Colson about something else.
As we made it to the sidewalk, Ro slid her arm in mine. “Is everyone in this town gay?” she asked.
“Statistically, I’d say that’s unlikely.”
She hummed. “But still. Statistically speaking, of course, I love that for us.”
I laughed, both of us smiling all the way back to the store.