CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX #2
“In any case, not only is my client an exemplary student, but he is also a compassionate and dedicated member of the church. All throughout high school he was the student president of the Teens for Christ club. Furthermore, he is a gifted musician, having played for several religious festivals and fundraisers. Recently, he has been volunteering at an LGBTQ center as well as dispensing aid to immigrants.”
As Mr. Salvatore spoke, I watched Matteo’s parents for any hint of emotion.
I was surprised by the little chin wobble from his mother as she looked down.
The lawyer went on, sure to detail every accomplishment and award Matteo had ever received.
I squeezed his hand. I was an interloper listening to the high and low points of his life from other people when it should have been him telling me these things.
But he’d trusted me enough to let me into the ugly part of his life.
“I submit to this court an account from Larry Davis, an accredited and decorated piano instructor that taught my client for several years. He has shown musical talents uncommon for a young child and deemed a prodigy. Yet, those talents went ignored by his parents, and his promise retarded. I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point.
” He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“Your honor, I’m confused as to why we are here.
My client has proven himself to be a bright student, compassionate soldier of Christ, and a contributing member of society.
So I cannot fathom why the Fernandezes seek to deny him his inheritance except for the simple fact that he is gay. ”
The other lawyer objected, but the point was as clear as shattering glass. All they could do was sit there and look like the terrible and negligent parents they were. The two lawyers argued it out for several minutes and I was glad Mr. Salvatore was on Matteo’s side.
“Are you resting, counselor?” The judge asked.
“I’d like to finish with this,” Mr. Salvatore said as he hit some buttons on a remote control.
He got up and killed the lights as a video started playing on the screen attached to the wall.
It was a phone-recording of Matteo at the Walnut Room playing piano, his sweet music filling the sterile conference room.
When it cut off, Mr. Salvatore started speaking.
“I’m not a religious person, but the gift my client was given has made me rethink that position. ”
Things ended faster than I’d expected. Technical details were discussed such as Matteo agreeing to talk to a psychologist once a week for two years to satisfy the court.
I zoned out, focusing on Matteo. I wanted to tell him how beautiful he was, how he’d opened my eyes, that he deserved so much more than he’d been dealt.
“Wait, can I say something?” Matteo blurted out. He leaned into his lawyer who seemed reluctant to the idea.
“You understand that anything you might say could affect my ruling,” the judge said. “And that you will be addressing the court?”
“I do, your honor. I'll be brief,” he said and nodded at something Mr. Salvatore whispered. He took a deep breath and reconnected our hands under the table. “I haven’t spoken to my parents in three years. I was certain when I got to see them today, I’d feel anger.
I should be angry. But I’m just sad because it hurts my heart that for all my father’s devotion to God, he’s forgotten the most important lesson of all—To love.
I want him to know that I will pray he finds his way back to love.
That was my grandmother's greatest gift to me.”
He quoted Bible verses about loving neighbors and caring for the less fortunate. When he was finished he passed me a smile, a glimmer of the man I knew shining in his eyes. I was so proud of him for standing up to his parents.
“Okay, if no one has anything else to add, we’re going to adjourn. I’ll review the evidence submitted and take into consideration everything I’ve heard and make my decision promptly.”
The lawyers shook hands and Matteo quickly scrambled for the exit and to the safety of the corner we’d hidden in earlier.
I cupped his face in my hands, the tears glittering in his eyes. “I’m proud of you, Matty.”
“I didn’t think I’d be able to speak,” he said and dried his eyes. “I thought I’d be too scared.”
“Because you’re a tough cookie,” I said and kissed his forehead.
“What does that even mean, anyway?” he grumbled.
“Old person lingo. It means you’re awesome.”
Mr. Salvatore joined us. “The finish line is in sight. We should hear from the judge in a few days, but I don’t want you stressing and worrying.
The case is over. Everyone in the room, even the reporter, knows they didn’t have a case to begin with.
This whole circus was a formality made possible by whoever your father is in bed with. ”
“Thank you, Mr. Salvatore,” Matteo mumbled. I imagined he wasn’t going to breathe until the judgment came down.
He touched him gently on the shoulder. “Go home, relax, and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
He turned on his expensive heels and walked off with purpose, likely to win his next case.
“I need a few hours to myself,” Matteo said. “I’m okay, I promise, but I’d like to play the piano and unwind for a bit. I’ll take an Uber.”
I didn’t want to leave him alone. I was desperate to hold him and tell him sweet things until I was sure he believed every word. But the last thing I wanted to do was smother him. “Alright. You know where to find me.”
Leaving without him was difficult but I found my way home and slipped into comfortable clothes.
I decided to float around at the club. I’d scheduled myself off tonight but with Matteo gone and nothing to do except wait for him, I figured the time would pass more quickly if I did some work.
And it did. Eight o’clock came and went and Matteo sent me a text to let me know that he was okay.
Matteo: I don't want you worrying. I’m upset but I’ll be fine. I just need to play for a little longer.
Me: play your piano, brat. When you’re ready, come home and U can play me.
Matteo: I’ll make you sing.
I grinned widely. Because it was a Wednesday night, the Adonis closed at eleven.
By a half past the hour, the bar was shut down and the floors mopped, and trash taken out.
I sat hunched over the bar counter, staring at my phone, and trying to formulate a response.
I wanted to tell him that I was in love with him right this moment but doing it over texts wasn’t right.
A clap on my shoulder made me jump and I gaped up at Jere. I rasped, “Why are you still here?”
“Was being extra,” he said. “The bathroom door hinge was loose, so I fixed it.”
“Oh… Thanks.” I didn’t know what else to say. I came to realize the hearing had reopened all kinds of old wounds for me.
“I…wanted to ask you something.” He fidgeted and scratched the back of his head. “Ronnie is going to be Danny’s groom’s maid and he said I need a best man. Only one I can think of to ask is you.”
I blinked at him widely for a moment and it was impossible to fight the smile that pulled at my lips. “Fuck, Jere. I’d be honored.”
He nodded, a slow smile dimpling his cheeks. “Marriage never meant much to me before. But I’m looking forward to our wedding. Whenever I think about it, my stomach gets all twisty and tumbly.”
“Because you love each other.” I bumped his arm with mine. “I’m so happy for you two. Now get out of here and go be with him.”
“Oh, Danny wants to know if you’ll be bringing a plus one?”
I licked my lips and briefly entertained the idea of Matteo and I attending the wedding together. “Maybe. I’ll get in touch with him soon and let him know.”
Jere left with a light step. That was the look of happiness, wasn’t it?
With nothing to do and missing Matteo, I moved over to the DJ’s setup and scrolled to my favorite playlist on the computer.
As the speakers blared a hopping remix of Eric Carmen’s “Hungry Eyes”, I came to stand in the middle of the dance floor.
A whirlwind of sadness and hope swirled inside me.
Matteo had helped me reconnect with myself and I realized I could have both sides of my coin. I didn’t have to lock myself away.
The music soaked into me and I moved my body, remembering what it was like to be a young gay man on the top of the world.
I turned to find Matteo standing in the door jamb leading to the back of the club, looking achingly beautiful with the spotlights coloring his skin.
I curled my finger, signaling for him to come closer.
He slipped his backpack from his shoulder and approached. I pulled him close to me by the small of his back, our hips meeting, our eyes connecting.
“Just feel it,” I said over the music as we grinded against each other.
His body fit perfectly against mine, our skin and muscles smoothing each other like sandpaper until our souls touched.
He smiled something beautiful and as I took his lips, he slipped his hands down to cup my ass.
We danced like nothing else in this fucking world mattered.
Neither of our shitty parents nor the crushing weight of loneliness.
As long as we had each other everything else was moot.
I love you, always and forever.