Page 23 of A Straight Line

Vic chuckled and nudged me towards the back door.

“Hurry.” He teased.

“Will do.”

As quickly as I could without looking improper, I dashed across the patio towards the back door, hoping the caterer had trays of anything they could bring outside. Maybe if Harry and Bethany had something to chow down on and distract themselves with, they wouldn’t fight as much. Or at least not as viciously. No sooner had I swung open the back door and stepped inside than Denny had slipped into the house behind me. A glance over my shoulder showed that he was smiling like a dimwitted lost puppy—an adorable, dimwitted lost puppy, but still.

Whether it was my intention or not, I shot him an annoyed look over my shoulder as he closed the door behind us. My hope was that he just happened to be venturing into the house at the same time in order to use the bathroom, but he followed me the few steps down the hallway and into the kitchen. He was hot on my heels as I stepped into the room in search of the caterer. I was prepared to deliver the message from Harry to everyone, but inside I found that the staff was already loading up and gathering trays of food to take outside.

The catering business owner, who I suddenly remembered was named “Kristal” was barking orders like a drill sergeant—but in a slightly more affable manner—as her staff went about doing their jobs expertly. Trays of hamburger sliders, plastic serving cups of potato salad and macaroni salad, small plates of French fries, individual bowls with meatballs in a sweet sauce, spring rolls, enormous trays of watermelon, pineapple, and other fruits, a tray of miniature tacos—everything made my stomach grumble, demanding that I partake in a little bit of everything once I had the chance.

I stood there and listened to Kristal give instructions, Denny at my side, looking around in wonder at everything. Two staff members were each assigned long folding tables—that had appeared from somewhere—and were being told to set them up on the gazebo. The rest of the staff would arrange the food “thoughtfully and beautifully” upon them, and then the party guests could help themselves to the food. That announcement made me take notice of the staff member who had a pile of extra plates cradled in her arms, as well as the utensils guests would need.

Kristal and I exchanged glances and nods as the catering staff filed out of the room like the world’s most organized marching band. Obviously, there was nothing I had to discuss with her. She knew her business and how to get things done. Vic had sent me inside for no reason—unless he wanted me out of earshot when Harry and Bethany really laid into each other. It was likely he didn’t want me outdoors, taking sides if the two of them got exceptionally ugly with each other. Either way, I was happy to be away from the party. I had some time to myself, away from others, or I would have, if Denny wasn’t standing beside me.

Instead of addressing the elephant in the room and asking Denny what in the hell he wanted, I made my way out of the kitchen once again. Heading outside wasn’t on my mind, though. The wall of pictures in the hallway was my destination. Denny didn’t take the hint and head back outside, but rather, followed me and stood beside me as I looked at the shrine my uncles had created to their life.

I’m the only guy here his age besides Bird, and he talks to him all day long, I’m sure. I thought to myself as I stared up at the framed pictures. Be nice, Russ.

“What’s all this?” He asked.

“Uh, pictures? The kind they had before smartphones?”

He laughed.

“Harry and Vic did a pretty good job of cataloging their life together,” I said. “A long time ago, I remember there just being a few frames on the table in the entryway there. Now, they have this.”

“It’s impressive.”

“Yeah.”

“Look,” Denny said, “is that you?”

I turned my head to find the picture he had jabbed a finger towards.

“Uh, yeah,” I said, taking in the photo, “that’s Harry, Vic, my parents, and me. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis.”

“Little Russy,” He said. “So cute.”

“That was kind of our family vacations,” I ignored the comment. “At least when my parents were with us. Some tourist-y, educational destination. If it had just been Harry, Vic, and me, it would be Disney World or something. Like that picture over there.”

My finger automatically found the picture of Harry, Vic, and me on vacation in Florida. Denny stepped away so that he could get a better look at the photo. I didn’t have to join him because I knew the photo well. The three of us were huddled together in front of Cinderella’s castle, Mickey Mouse ears on all of our heads. I smiled to myself as I thought of the trip my uncles had taken me on. Even though Florida decided we needed rain during our visit, it was the most glorious three days of my life up until that point.

“You’re really close with them, huh?” He said.

“Yeah,” I said, “I mean, they’ve always been big fixtures in my life. When I was young, I was kind of the child they never had. Then, when I told them I was gay, well, the only time I saw them prouder was when I got accepted into college.”

Denny chuckled.

“Felix never really took me on many vacations,” He said. “My parents weren’t as…permissive, I guess?”

“What do you mean?’

“I think Felix is kind of a sore spot in our family history.” He explained. “The first openly gay man—and a pretty effeminate one at that. There’s still kind of a prejudice and stigma in my family about that. They were never what I’d call supportive of him.”

“Is that why you’re pretty masculine?” I asked. “So you don’t have to worry about your family being supportive?”

“Are you calling me manly?” He turned his head from the photo to grin at me.