No, I smile as I think about, Hadley was our biggest cheerleader.
“Honestly Hads? I’m just glad Marky and I ended things sooner rather than later. I mean, I do wish it had been before we announced our engagement to all of our family and friends, but better now than later.” I attempt to laugh, but the sound falls flat.
“Do you want me to come up to the cabin? I don’t mind.” I can hear the concern in her voice.
“No, that’s sweet, but I just want to take some time away from everything. Be alone.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“But can you watch the store for a couple of weeks? So I can just focus on myself right now?”
“Absolutely. And your mom mentioned that she has some instructions from you about the visiting author next month. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks, Hadley. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Hadley pauses and I can tell she’s bursting with questions. Before I can make an excuse to get off the phone, Hadley goes into full gossip mode. “But did Marky tell you why? This is all so mysterious, and it’s so unfair to you.”
I tune out Hadley’s slew of questions, knowing that she’s practically talking to herself as she asks them. I look out the living room window. Wow, it got dark fast.
“And did you know that busty redhead at the party is Marky’s friend from college? I bet that’s who he’s been seeing.”
“Hmmm?” I respond absently.
“But also, I think it’s weird how late he was to the party the other night, you know? Like where was he? Oh and did you know that…”
Outside, the wind has started to pick up, rocking the tall trees nearby. Within seconds, it starts pelting rain.
“Hey Hads, it looks like there’s a storm brewing up here, so I may lose connection.”
“Okay no worries. But then when I did see him the other week…” Hadley prattles on.
Outside, there’s a sudden burst of lightning followed by a loud roar of thunder. In that instance, the rain seems more like a river busted loose than actual rainfall. The trees sway harder against the gusty wind.
Suddenly, I no longer hear Hadley’s incessant chatter.
“Hello? Hey, Hadley?”
The line went dead.
As if in response to my thought, lightning cracks again followed closely by a boom of thunder, louder and closer than before. I shriek, scared by the loudness of the world outside.
In an effort to comfort myself, I get up and quickly lock all the doors and windows, as if this would help in the battle Mother Nature is raging outside.
I stand next to one of the living room windows and peek outside, trying to gage the severity of the storm. With another solid crackle, lightning strikes a third time and suddenly, I’m engulfed in complete darkness.
6
Matt
I’m on my third cup of coffee this morning when I finally decide that I need to take some kind of action or I’ll lose my damn mind.
The night of his engagement party, Marky showed at my house late, drunk, and blubbering. Like any good parent, I’d helped my son to the couch, but I’d also been completely shocked by his puffy eyes and red face. Had he been crying? There were some hickies on his neck, so maybe he’d been making out with Cora.
Oh shit. Cora. The hottest thing I’ve ever seen and also my soon-to-be daughter-in-law.
But all that went down the crapper within a few hours because that very next morning, over bacon and hash browns, Marky told me everything: that he’s gay, he and Cora broke up, and that the wedding is off.
That was three nights ago.
I sip my coffee, wincing at its heat. I set the steaming cup down on the counter, determined not to let my lack of focus cause the hot beverage to injure me. I cross my arms and stare out the kitchen window, dwelling on this new information.
On the one hand, I’ve suspected for years now that my son is gay, and his sexual orientation really doesn’t bother me. But what does bother me is that he didn’t feel like he could tell me for all these years.
I shake my head, sad for Marky having to go through all of that alone.
But then my thoughts switch to Cora, and everything Marky just put her through.
Honestly, I confess to myself, I am disappointed in him, too.
Not with the fact that my son prefers the company of men. No, but with the fact that he should have said something to Cora well before now.
Or at least before I dropped thousands of dollars on that engagement dinner.
I sip the scorching hot coffee again and wince. Dammit that’s too hot. I sigh, and decide to let myself sift through the hard truths about the whole mess.
It’s not about the money, not even a little. I’m a wealthy man – I could host dinners like that every week and still be comfortable. Plus, I was happy to pay for the party, especially since it meant so much to bring everyone together to celebrate the lovebirds.