Chapter 5
Five
I glanced over at Jed, his head lolled back onto the cushion of the seat, snoring lightly.
I squeezed his hand gently so as not to wake him and returned my gaze out the window.
We were too high to see the ground, but the day was bright and clear, and the clouds drifted by in a thick, swirling mass, mesmerizing me.
Moments such as this had become a mixed blessing.
At times, reflecting over the past nine months gave me a sense of peace I had previously never even considered possible.
Other moments were filled with panic and abject terror as I realized how I had relinquished control of my emotions and let my guard down.
My actions were a sure recipe for disaster and more pain.
When this exploded in my face, I had no idea how I would be able to return to normal.
My time with Jed seemed little more than an instant, and yet trying to remember my life without his presence was nearly impossible.
Jed had become the best friend I had ever known.
He made me laugh, even at things that before would have kept me awake at night obsessing.
There were even times when I felt attractive.
Sure, I still didn’t have a six-pack, I hadn’t grown five inches or gotten a tan, but when I was in Jed’s presence, I felt like he was the only man who had ever existed.
Our relationship moved at a dizzying speed that I was sure would send us crashing into the waiting embrace of a hurricane.
Not a single day passed where we had not seen each other.
After the second week, we spent every night in each other’s arms, talking, laughing, debating, and dreaming.
I’d expected Sandra and Christina to voice their concerns about my recklessness with Jed; however, both of them loved him, so they were in complete support.
I was sure I’d give a long lecture to one of my kids if they were making such poor decisions.
I would tell them to be logical, use your intelligence, not your emotions.
As with everything, I rationalized, nothing is ever so simple and clear cut.
Sure, we were already acting like we were married, but in other ways, we behaved more like innocent little children on the schoolyard playground.
While the kisses left me breathless and in a near hypnotic trance, we had yet to take full advantage of what our bodies had to offer.
Jed was relentless in his assertion that we were not going to move too quickly in the sexual arena.
At first, it was a relief and helped me trust that Jed wanted a real relationship.
After several months, I did not feel like we needed to wait longer.
The morning I walked in on Jed before he wrapped himself in a towel after a shower made me even more anxious to take our relationship to a more physical level.
Thinking about Jed lying in bed in his varying assortment of briefs was enough to make me want to wake him up and pull him toward the airplane’s tiny bathroom.
And now, in what was sure to be the cataclysm that would lead to the destruction of all I was beginning to need and depend upon, here I was, over a mile in the air and on my way to meet Jed’s parents.
On Christmas Eve, no less. What had I been thinking?
I had let Jed’s soothing caresses and kisses lead me astray.
That low, calming voice had convinced me to push the warp-speed button on the vehicle to implosion.
Maybe I could scream “fire” or “bomb” and get them to land the plane in the nearest cornfield.
Christmas in a jail cell would be preferable to a holiday of family drama and love festering into ash.
“So, you planning on throwing yourself through the window, or would you rather I call over a stewardess and have her open the door so you can launchrocket yourself through it?”
I looked over and saw Jed’s eyes sparkling at me. I took my hand back and placed it on my armrest. “They are called flight attendants, and launchrocket is not even a word, much less a verb.”
“Who would you correct endlessly without me in your life?” Jed reclaimed my hand and returned it to his lap.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Am I really that obvious? Do you think your parents will see how afraid I am?”
“Babe, you know I am fiercely attracted to your alabaster skin, but I can nearly see out the window through you at the moment. And yes, since my parents are part bloodhound, your fear will be a palpable appetizer for them.”
“Ass.” I flicked Jed’s ear and settled myself in the crook of his arm. “I’m not sure I can make it through this. You don’t realize how much this terrifies me.”
“Actually, I do. I knew when I asked you.” He ran his fingertips over my forearm.
“It means so much to me that you’re willing to do this for me, even though it disorients you.
Besides, I know my folks will love you. How could they not, when they see how happy you make me?
I’m spoiled, remember? Always get what I want.
Plus, you’ll have me by your side the entire time. What bad could possibly happen to you?”
“It is a true testament to your sweetness and my delusions that I almost believe you.”
As we stepped out of the concourse, I searched for the sign pointing out where our baggage claim station was located. I felt a light elbow prod in my side.
“Hey, look over there,” Jed whispered in my ear, gesturing to our left.
I followed Jed’s motion to the left, searching the signs pointing in all directions.
“Not up there. Look at the crowd.”
I scanned the people, uncertain what I was trying to see. No one stood out. No one familiar or particularly conspicuous-looking. “I don’t see what you’re pointing….” My voice faltered. “Oh no. Please tell me this isn’t happening.”
The crowd had parted to reveal a huge red cardstock board with the words, “Welcome to Seattle, Jedediah and Brooklyn! May fag love live forever!” scrawled in inch-thick rainbow glitter.
Under the words, looking most uncomfortable, was a tiny, red-faced, balding man in a brown tuxedo, holding the sign gingerly in his stark white gloves.
His face was flushed, and his eyes darted nervously at the people in the crowd who were staring at him.
Jed began to walk toward the spectacle, but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “Jed, please tell me that is not for us.”
“I’m afraid it is, babe.”
“I thought you said your family would be cool with me.”
“A welcome sign in rainbow glitter isn’t welcoming enough for you? Did you want white Clydesdales too?” I could tell he was barely keeping his laughter in check.
“Jed, I swear to God, I am going to fucking kill you!” I shoved my fists into the pockets of my jacket.
“My goodness gracious, that is hardly any way for a trained youth pastor to speak to God-fearing people.” He gave me a swift kiss on the forehead and ducked out of the reach of my fist as I attempted to punch him in the chest. “Come on!”
I nearly lost my balance as Jed pulled me toward the atrocious sign.
He released my hand only once we were directly in front of the sign.
Jed pulled the small man into his arms, despite the sputtering and protests.
“Carl! It is so good to see you. It’s been too long!
You haven’t changed at all!” He ran both his hands over the helpless man’s head.
“What is this, you growing some of this back?”
“It has been less than a year, sir, but it’s a pleasure to see you too,” the man said dryly. “It appears the Wild West has yet to tame your enthusiastic recklessness.”
“I love you too, Carl!” He released him, and the tiny man immediately began to straighten his tie and smooth his crinkled clothing.
“This is Brooke, by the way. He’s the best man in the universe.
Well, beside yourself, of course.” Before Carl or I could get a word out, Jed continued his onslaught.
“Where are my folks? I thought they’d be here. ”
“They are in the limo, sir, with your luggage. As you well know.”
“Now, Carl, if you don’t want to play with me in my little game, all you need to do is say so.”
“I dare to say, I learned that to be untrue by the time you were twelve.” He tried to discard the sign into the trash, but Jed yanked it from him. “Not that anything has changed since you were twelve.”
“Oh posh!” The sign in one hand, mine gripped firmly in the other, Jed headed toward the exit. “Come on, babe. I can’t wait for you to meet my parents.”
“Did he say limo?” I whispered incredulously.
“Uh-huh.”
“Oh God!” I moaned.
“There you go again with the language. Where is that sweet, innocent boy I fell in love with?” He flashed his ever-brilliant smile and pulled me through the airport doors.
Carl opened the rear door of the limo, and Jed nearly leapt into the backseat.
I walked tentatively over and peered into the car.
Before my mind could register what I saw, Jed had pulled me through the door.
My foot caught the edge of the doorframe, and I sprawled out on the seat on top of him.
“Jed! Cut it out!” The growl came out harsher than I intended.
“I should say so, Jeddy. Let the poor boy catch his breath before you injure him.” I looked up in the direction of the voice.
Sitting primly on the seat opposite us was a stunning woman in a crisp black suit jacket and skirt with an ivory lace blouse.
Her lustrous chestnut hair was swept up in a graceful swirl atop her head, her French-tipped nails perched at her mouth, which was edging up into a playful smile.
In complete humiliation, I threw myself off Jed and managed to position myself upright in the seat. I could feel my ears on fire. Jed, beside me, was attempting to catch his breath from all his laughter. I shot him a murderous look.
“That’s right, never mind him, dear. I am afraid my husband and I have done a disservice to the world with the level we have spoiled our sons.
” She extended a dainty hand in my direction.
“I’m Constance Travazza, Jeddy’s mother.
We are so very glad you could join us for the holidays.
We have heard about nothing else but the amazing Brooke every time we speak on the phone.
It is almost intimidating to meet the legend face to face. ”
“Uh.” I stared at her, wide-eyed. “Thank you for having me. It’s most gracious of you.”
“Nonsense, child. Nonsense! We’re thrilled you could make it. This is Mr. Travazza.” She patted the man’s knee beside her. “I blame him for the level to which our sons have been spoiled.”
I looked over at the man sitting beside her. He was a mountain of a man. It was apparent that all the looks Jed inherited came from his mother. While he possessed no classic features of attractiveness, the man emanated strength and power, both physically and in his bearing.
Despite the uncomfortable expression on his face, he forced his lips into a smile and took my hand in an iron grip. His eyes, however, had a cordial, nearly friendly directness. “You can call me Nicholas.” His raspy voice was even lower than Jed’s.
“He is thrilled to have you here as well, of course,” Mrs. Travazza cut in. “Mr. Travazza doesn’t say much or express his feelings very often. It is just his way.”
Nicholas smiled at his wife. “With you around, my dear, there’s never a need for me to say anything more than absolutely necessary.”
Constance leaned across the space between the two seats and gave Jed a kiss on the cheek and took hold of his hand. “So wonderful to have you home, Son. It has been too long. We’ve missed you.”
Mr. Travazza leaned and clasped his son on the shoulder. “Good to see you, my boy. I trust everything is well.”
“Of course, Father. It is good to see you both. I have been so excited for Brooke to meet my family and for you all to see how wonderful he is! Thanks for agreeing to pick us up in the limo. I know how you hate it. I wanted it to be an experience for Brooke. As well as have the chance to see him squirm.” He pinched my arm.
“Well, of course we used the limo. I don’t understand why your father has such reservations about taking advantage of our more luxurious purchases.” Mr. Travazza simply smiled at his wife as she shook her head.
Jed glanced around the limo, searching. “I really thought Sam would be here. I wanted Brooke to meet him as well.”
Mr. Travazza sighed a deep, indulgent groan. “Tap on the divider.”
Jed turned himself around in his seat to face the tinted glass partition and rapped on the middle section.
The glass slowly lowered, and a grinning face popped through wearing a chauffeur’s cap. “Hey, you big queer! How’s it hanging?”
“Samuel, quit being so vulgar. It’s most unbecoming!” Constance scolded, even as her expression negated the sternness in the words.
I did a double take when the glass lowered. It was as if I were looking at pictures I’d seen of Jed when he was in high school come to life.
Jed swiped the hat off the boy’s head. “What’re you doing, you goof?”
The boy snatched the hat back and jammed it onto his head. “I talked Carl into letting me drive today. I got my license last week!” He beamed.
“Your driver’s license. Not your chauffeur’s license,” Carl muttered from the passenger seat. “And, Master Sam is much mistaken if he has the impression I will be so easily persuaded in the future.”
Sam turned even farther around in the driver’s seat and peered into the back of the limo. “Hi, Brooke. I’m Sam. I can’t figure out what the hell you see in my brother—”
“Language, Samuel!” Constance broke in.
He scowled. “Anyway, it’s good to meet ya!”
I liked the boy instantly. He had the same carefree, flirtatious charm as his older brother. “It’s good to meet you too, Sam. Jed has bragged a lot about you.”
“Well, he’d better. You like the sign I made for you?”
Jed laughed when I momentarily hesitated. “Well, I can honestly say, I’ve never been welcomed in quite that way before.”
“Well, then, mission accomplished!”
Jed peered through the divider. “Hey, Sam, where’s Cassie?”
“Oh, I dumped her last week. She was getting too clingy again. Plus, this way I don’t have to get her a present.” Sam winked at me. “Probably get back with her after Valentine’s Day.”
“Ah, how the Travazza name is disintegrating before my eyes!” Mr. Travazza smiled at his youngest, but the reproach was still distinguishable. “We can continue catching up once we get home. Get underway, driver!”
Sam whirled around with a loud “Whoop!” out the window and peeled the limo from its parking space.