Epilogue – Otis
David had just confirmed that I was going to be a racing driver next year.
Vincent asked me a few days ago if I minded David adding it to the announcement today.
I hadn’t. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to stand in front of a room full of people with the confidence that David exudes.
I’m hoping that he’s going to be able to teach me how he does it next year.
Looking around the room, Richard and David have the room captivated. Everyone is looking at them, with the exception of one person, Jasper, who is looking straight at me. I give him a smile and try to ignore the warm feeling that travels through my body, when he smiles back at me.
“Otis.” I hear my name being called, and when I look over, I see Vincent looking at me, calling me over.
“Hi,” I say, as I get closer to him.
“I know we didn’t discuss this, but I was wondering how you would feel about saying a few words?”
“I have never spoken in front of this many people before,” I tell him, looking around the room.
“Just picture everyone in their underwear,” Vincent says.
No. I do not need to picture Jasper in his underwear. I don’t even understand why I’m suddenly thinking about him like that. I’m not attracted to guys. Never have been. Yet, since I met that man, he has invaded my dreams in a way that is confusing.
“Helpful, Vincent,” I say over to him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Vincent starts, as he walks onto the stage. “This wasn’t planned, but as everyone is here, would you like a quick Q&A with our newest driver?”
There is a murmur of agreement through the crowd, and Vincent calls me up to join him.. Richard and David vacate their seats, and Vincent and I take their place.
“Guys, play nice,” David says. “He’s new, and we like him. Don’t frighten him away.”
Once Vincent and I are settled in our chairs, I try to take some deep breaths to settle my nerves, but it’s not really helping.
“Otis, how does it feel to be driving an F1 car?” the first journalist asks.
“It still feels like I’m dreaming,” I start. “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up any minute.”
“Your drives in Qatar and Abu Dhabi were pretty good?” comes another question.
“Pretty good,” Vincent replies for me. “He finished in the top ten. Other than Lars, that was the best finish for a rookie in Montague Racing history. He even managed that after witnessing David’s crash.”
“Lars and David have one of the best relationships in F1. How do you get on with Lars?” A voice from the back of the room asks.
“Lars is a phenomenal driver. I remember watching him when he was in F2. I’m super excited to be racing with him next year. I know I'm going to learn a lot. It also helps that he’s a super nice guy, too,” I reply.
“How do you feel about racing with openly gay men?”
I have no idea where this question came from, but I hear a gasp from some of the audience. Yeah, it’s one of those questions that everyone wanted to ask, but nobody was brave enough to ask.
“Otis, you do not have to answer that question,” Charmaine says.
“No, it’s okay. I will answer it,” I respond. “Last time I checked, who a person loves doesn’t affect their ability to drive a car. Would you have asked me how I felt driving with a straight team? No. So that question doesn’t need to be asked now.”
“Otis, does that mean you’re gay?”
Seriously, who is asking these questions?
Vincent and Charmaine are on their feet, trying to spot who is asking all of these questions. But whoever it is, is hiding in the shadows. I might have been nervous getting on this stage, but I was not going to let someone badmouth my team.
“My sexuality has nothing to do with how I drive a car, and should have no relevance here, but since it was asked, I identify as none of your business. Stop looking for stories that aren’t there. We are an F1 team that happens to have gay drivers. That’s not newsworthy. That is just life.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I think, on that note, it’s time to call it a day. We thank you for your time today, and we look forward to seeing you at the start of the season.”
Getting up from the chair, I walk over to the edge of the stage, and wait for the berating from Vincent, or Charmaine over what I said.
“Well done, Otis,” Charmaine finally says. “You had those guys eating out of the palm of your hand. I don’t think that I could’ve scripted a better answer to those questions. I was so pissed, and you were sitting there all cool, calm, and collected.”
“Oh, I was pissed, too,” I confirm.
“Oh, if that was you pissed, you’re going to be a dream to work with,” Charmaine says.
“Otis,” No, no, no I don’t want to deal with him now, but I still turn around to look at him.
“Hey, Jasper.”
“That was quite some speech up there. I’m not sure I would have been able to hold my tongue,” Jasper says.
“Growing up, I’ve had a few gay friends, and had to witness them being asked stupid questions, just because they dated someone of the same sex. So, I promised myself that I would always defend people’s right to love who they want.”
“I wish everyone thought like you.” And there is a wistful tone in Jasper’s voice that I have never heard before. I want to know what caused it. Has someone hurt him in the past?
“I’m an ally through and through.” Giving him a smile, but unusually for Jasper, he doesn’t return it. His mind was occupied with something else.
“We need more people like you,” Jasper says, as he pulls me into a hug. The smell of his aftershave fills my nose. I try to ignore the butterflies that suddenly appear in my stomach. I’m straight, I tell myself, or at least, I thought I was. Watching Jasper walk away, I’m suddenly not so sure.
The End.