13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Zahir
T he short drive to the Fulton household passed in a blur. As I drove up the steep hill, I cursed my ingrained training to keep two hands on the wheel at all times. I much would’ve rather been holding Andre’s hand. Or at least resting a hand on his jiggling knee.
He wore jeans and a button-down shirt. How did he get it wrinkle-free? Must’ve hung it in the bathroom and the steam helped.
Right, like that’s what you need to be focusing on.
I’d chosen a polo shirt in a stark white. I rarely wore this, because I always seemed to attract stains. Still, totally worth it for today to look fresh but not too dressed up. I wanted the focus to be on Andre—not me.
Demetrius and family lived in a cozy neighborhood in Mission City—very close to Cedar Street Elementary school where Alaina attended French Immersion. Grade seven? Eight? I couldn’t remember. Keegan attended Mission City Collegiate—just down the road .
Their house had a lovely porch with four comfortable-looking chairs.
All the better to sit and enjoy this family-friendly neighborhood.
Foster and Arnav lived just a few houses down.
A lovely lesbian couple—Stephanie and Taryn—lived next door.
They had newborn twins. I always loved saying hello to them.
I parked in front of Demetrius’s house and cut the engine. “You okay?”
Andre met my gaze. “I suppose? I have to be? It’ll all work out?”
Demetrius stepped out onto the porch.
“He’s eager to see you—take that as a good sign.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
I took a chance and grasped Andre’s hand.
He sighed. “Yeah. Okay.” He released my hand and opened his door.
I hustled as fast as I could to get out and round the hood so I’d be close when the brothers met again. I understood they were half-brothers, but the resemblance was so strong, I’d have sworn they were full blood kin.
Demetrius cleared his throat. “It’s good to see you again.”
Andre’s hands were shoved in his pants’ pockets, and he just nodded.
“Perhaps we can head inside? The sun’s hot today.” Demetrius gestured toward the open front door.
“Yeah. Okay.” Andre stepped forward.
“I’ll grab Daphne.” I opened the back door, unhooked her from her harness, attached her leash, and helped her out of the SUV.
She lunged for Demetrius who crouched to offer his hand for inspection.
“Gizmo and Gus not around?” I grinned.
“In the basement with Jai and the kids. Jai took the day off, and Keegan came home from camp with him as well.” Demetrius faltered. “No pressure to meet them, okay?”
Andre nodded. “They’re here to support you?”
“Well…yes.”
“I like that you’ve got family to support you.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “I have someone as well.”
“That’s great.” Demetrius offered me a huge smile. “Special people are important in our lives. Uh, come this way.”
Andre stepped inside first, and I followed. The house was full of light but still a bit darker than the brilliant and dazzling light outside. I turned to Demetrius. “Shoes off?”
He chuckled as he closed the front door. “With two teenagers and two dogs? Nah, you’re good.” He gestured. “Why don’t you come into the living room? We don’t spend much time in here, but we do love the room.”
I headed into the space, which had a light-brown sofa, two high-backed gold-colored chairs, a beautiful wood coffee table, and several strategically placed lamps. Before I could decide what to do, Andre grasped my hand and pulled me over to the sofa where we sat.
“Can I get everyone drinks? Water or soda or juice or—”
“Water. Please.” Andre forced out the words. Almost like they caused pain.
He was okay yesterday. But that was on his territory.
Or at least neutral ground. Clearly today he was back to nervous.
“Me too as well, thank you.” I tried to convey gratitude to Demetrius as he nodded and headed out of the room.
“That’s an interesting painting.” I pointed to the painting of a family of deer above the mantel.
A gas fireplace would make this room cozy on a cold winter’s night. “I wonder if it’s a Tessa Carlyle. ”
Andre grunted.
“Sorry. Well-known artist in these parts. Not important.”
“But it is to you.” He met my gaze. “Why don’t you check?”
Because I’m afraid if I release your hand that you’ll bolt for the door. He looked like a deer caught in the proverbial headlights.
“Three glasses of water with ice.” Demetrius entered the room carrying a small tray that he put on the coffee table. “I sliced some lemons and limes earlier—just in case.”
“Lovely.” At that point, I released Andre’s hand and faced him. “Do you have a preference?”
He nodded. “Lemon is healthier.”
“Perfect.” I tried to convey calm, all the while struggling with the tension in the room.
Demetrius put a slice on the rim of Andre’s glass and handed it to him. “I’m a lemon person myself, so we have that in common.” He winced. “Wrong thing to say, right?”
Andre didn’t reply.
“I think it’s natural for you to look for commonalities. The difference between nurture and nature is one that’s always fascinated me.” And now I’m rambling. “I love lime.”
“Great.” Demetrius put a lime slice on the rim of my glass and handed it to me. He put a lemon on his and then sat, giving me a glance before settling his gaze on Andre. “Whatever you want to say, just say it, okay? We talked yesterday, and I’m sure you’ve got questions.”
Andre shifted. He sipped his water, then put it on the coffee table on top of a coaster.
I didn’t miss the slight tremor in his hand.
Daphne pawed at his leg.
“Uh— ”
“Dogs are allowed on the furniture.” Demetrius smiled. “No keeping our two off.”
“Thanks.” Gently, Andre lifted Daphne onto his lap. He took a deep breath as he settled back. “I suppose I should go first—given I’m the one who showed up unannounced on your doorstep.”
“You’ll always be welcome here. That’s been the truth since I got your text. I wanted to fly to Toronto, but you said you’d be coming here. And here you are.” He gestured to me. “And I’m glad you’ve got a friend.” He hesitated—as if he was going to say more, but then not.
“Friend is exactly the right word.” I sipped my water, put the glass on a coaster on the coffee table, and settled back—close to Andre. But not touching.
He reached for my hand while petting Daphne with his other hand.
I gladly gave it.
Andre swallowed. “I’ve been thinking about our father. About what he did to us.”
“Would you have confronted him?” Demetrius scratched his jaw.
“Honestly?” Andre squeezed my hand. “I thought I might—until I found out he was dead. I don’t want to go see his grave or some shit like that. Sorry.”
Again, Demetrius waved him off. “Teenagers. They’re not allowed to swear, but they’ve been exposed. I want to keep them wrapped in bubble wrap forever, but that won’t work.”
“I don’t know a lot about kids.” Andre hesitated. “But I want to.”
I considered adding I had little experience, but that felt intrusive. Another conversation for another time.
“Kids are complicated. I didn’t plan to have them—after having raised Imani and Malaya, I felt tapped out.
Then I met Erlene who had these two amazing young kids.
I just sort of fell into the role with them—her having lost her husband and all.
And then I married her when she got sick, and I adopted her kids.
Turned out to be the right thing to do because the goddamn cancer came back and the end was so fast.”
Andre winced. “Yeah, I get it. From everything I’ve sort of understood, you’re a great dad.”
I appreciated he didn’t use stepfather .
Demetrius saw Alaina and Keegan as his own—even as the world questioned it.
What with Demetrius being Black and the kids being white.
He’d had to fight a lot of prejudice and people questioning whether a Black man should be raising kids of another race.
Obviously, I called bullshit on the whole thing.
“Trying my best.” Demetrius offered a smile. “So…” He sort of shrugged. “We’re so glad you’re here. I wish you were closer so we could slowly get to know each other. Everything feels rushed—like we’re under a time pressure.”
“I’ve got a bit of time.” Andre shrugged. “But I don’t want to monopolize you.”
Demetrius shook his head. “I’ve got work settled for a few days. Keegan and Jai are the two who don’t have much time.”
“Maybe we should see them then?” Andre bit his lower lip.
God, pup, you’re doing so well. Just breathe. I wanted to reassure him. And to also point out that if he wasn’t up to meeting the rest of the family, that would be okay. That I was certain Demetrius would understand.
Demetrius held Andre’s gaze. “Are you certain?”
Slowly, Andre nodded. “I don’t have much else to say about me right now.”
“I doubt that’s true. And I really hope you’ll come back—or that I can come and see you before you leave.”
Andre swallowed. “Yeah. Okay. I would like that. ”
“So I can go get everyone? Or do you want to meet them one at a time?”
We waited while Andre appeared to think that over. “It’s okay all at once.” He gazed at me for confirmation.
I nodded. I could run interference if he needed it—but I didn’t believe he did.
“Great.” Demetrius headed out of the room.
“Keegan, Alaina, Jai.” I grinned. “As well as Gus and Gizmo.”
Who were, in fact, the first to arrive. The miniature schnauzers came barreling into the room. Gus, who had the purple collar, made a beeline for me while Gizmo, in her yellow collar, headed to Andre.
She came up short when she spotted Daphne. Then she started yapping.
Gus, not to be outdone, joined in the cacophony.
Daphne, for her part, leaned over to greet her friends. She might be slow to accept strangers, but she loved other dogs. These two in particular.
Once greetings had been exchanged, Gus had his paws on my thigh and was gazing up at me wistfully. “No treats today, buddy.”
Gizmo leapt onto the couch and began licking Andre.
“I’m so sorry.” Demetrius strode into the room. “I thought the kids had tight grips on them, but my two scamps went right through my legs.” He scratched his jaw. “I probably should’ve just called them—they usually come back—but I didn’t want to frighten you.”
“All good.” I scratched Gus’s ears. “Hello, friend.”
Jai’s soft laughter carried across the room.
Andre’s gaze shot to him. “Uh, hi. I’d get up—”
“But Daphne looks content and Gizmo’s busy giving you kisses.” Jai smiled and spoke with his soft voice. “It’s okay to tell her no .” His light-brown skin glowed in the sunlight, and his dark-brown eyes shone.
“I’d never.” Andre gazed at me. “I love dogs. I just never had them as a child.”
“I didn’t either.” Jai pursed his lips. “My parents would’ve lost their minds. With some mutt dirtying their home.”
Snippets of Jai’s family life before he’d come out of the closet had filtered back to me.
So different from his friend Arnav. Who’d been accepted as being gay, while Jai’s parents hadn’t taken the news kindly.
I didn’t know the actual reason for the estrangement—but Jai made it clear he didn’t have parents anymore, and that was just fine with him.
He had a family of his own, and that found family was the best thing ever.
Alaina stepped into the room first. She waved. The sunlight streaming in from the front bay window caught her blonde hair, and her blue eyes sparkled. “Uncle Andre. So nice to meet you.”
“Yeah.” Keegan entered the room next. He had the same fair coloring as his sister. “And wow, you really look like Dad.”
“Yes, the resemblance is remarkable.” Jai stepped forward. “I suppose you know all our names by now. Cute how our dogs ensured they got introduced first.”
I chuckled. “They know how to make an entrance. Same as Daphne.”
“We’re so glad you brought her.” Alaina nearly bounced with enthusiasm.
“Gus especially likes her.” Gus was Alaina’s while Gizmo was Keegan’s.
Jai had explained they wanted the kids to each learn responsibility and wasn’t it perfect the shelter had a bonded pair of schnauzers just looking for a home?
“She’s glad to be here. Today, though, is about you meeting your uncle.” I wanted to subtly remind Andre of his role. He’d understood from a theoretical perspective, but obviously not a practical one as he continued to stare at the kids.
“We’re really excited to meet you.” Alaina was always the most outgoing of the family.
Keegan never appeared to mind sitting back a bit to let his sister take the lead in some things.
“Uh, thank you. It’s nice to meet you too. It’s been clear to me, from the beginning, how much your dad loves you.” He pivoted his attention to Jai. “All of you.”
“Us meeting was serendipitous. Like we were meant to be a family. And now you’re here. I hope I’m not being presumptuous.”
Andre bit his lower lip.
“I think it might be overwhelming after having been alone.” I caught his eye before returning my attention to Jai. “I know I would be totally overwhelmed if I suddenly discovered I had family. It’s great that everyone is so accepting.”
“Oh, are you gay like me?” Keegan stood a little taller. “Oh, uh, bi like Dad.”
“Keegan.” Jai’s tone was soft.
“Crap.” The teenager winced. “I know better than to ask. That might out you and you might not want to be.”
“But you’re excited at the idea of having another gay relative?” Andre slowly nodded. “Yes, I’m gay like you.”
“And me.” Jai stepped a little closer to Keegan.
“I’m the boring one.” Alaina rolled her eyes. “Girls are nice, but I don’t want to, you know, kiss them.”
“That might change when you’re older.” Demetrius smiled. “You might meet someone. Or you might just stay the way you are. Either way, we love you.”
His daughter beamed. “You guys are the best. ”
“Speaking of the best—” Jai grinned. “Who’s up for burgers and hot dogs?”
The teenagers shot their hands up immediately.
Demetrius chuckled, then caught Andre’s gaze.
I also looked the young man’s way.
Slowly, he nodded. “I haven’t had a hot dog in forever.”
“Jumbo.” Jai continued to smile. “With lots of condiment options.”
“That sounds lovely.” He pivoted his attention to me. “If that’s okay?”
“Perfect. I can’t think of anything more perfect.”