“I think it’s time he finds someone,” she said.
“Missy is also of an age at which she should be married,” Mrs. Jenkins interjected. “I have to agree with Mrs. Sinclair. Our children need our guidance to be happy.”
“You see, Ronan. Rory has a nice young lady here. There is no reason—”
Rory cut her off. “Mother, I don’t want to talk about it.”
His parents, brother, and sister-in-law looked at him. Rory‘s hands flew to his mouth. He had disobeyed her. The ultimate sin in their house. This would not go well.
“You watch your tone, young man. I’m still your mother.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry,” Rory said, his face focused on his plate.
He looked up to see Mr. Jenkins and his father share a glance.
“Maeve, it’s Sunday lunch. We should talk about joyous things,” his father said.
“I’m trying to make it happy. I don’t see why discussing our son’s future is unhappy. At thirty-five years old, he should be married with children by now.”
“He’s not a child. He can make his own decisions,” his father said.
Mr. Jenkins and Duncan shifted in their seats. The tension in the room grew thick. Rory sat there listening to them talk as if he wasn’t there. His family often discussed what he should do with his life, who he should marry, and what career he should have. No one ever asked Rory what he wanted.
His mother perked up. “I have banana cream pie.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious,” Mrs. Jenkins said.
“That was a great lunch. Why don’t the men head out for a stroll and let the ladies have some pie and talk? We’ll come back for pie,” his father said.
“That sounds good, Father,” Duncan said.
“Yes, sir,” Rory said.
“Okay, we’ll save you each a slice.” Mrs. Jenkins smiled.
Rory, his father, Duncan, and Mr. Jenkins headed to the park where Rory and his father had had a heart-to-heart. The spring sun warmed his face.
“I’m sorry for the way my wife is acting,” his father said.
“It’s not your fault,” Mr. Jenkins said. “Mary is just as bad. She is trying to push Missy into marriage with every bachelor she can find.”
“Dad, can I talk to Rory alone?” Duncan asked.
“Of course.”
Duncan led Rory to a bench and turned to him.
“You don’t want to date girls.” Duncan didn’t phrase it as a question.
Sweat broke out on Rory’s forehead. “What do you mean?”
“We’re brothers. I’ve known you my whole life. You’re not going to sit there and tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about. You know how you feel.”
What did he feel? He had lust in his heart for someone he could never be with. No matter how much it hurt to be apart from Bernard, he couldn’t pursue him.
“It doesn’t matter what I feel. It’s better to be alone than to be in an unhappy relationship with someone I don’t love. That’s it.”
“So, you’d rather be alone and sad than be with someone you love?”
