Authors: Eden Winters
“Zoo,” Jay corrected with a grin.
“Okay, the
Zoo
provides me with plenty of good customers. I don’t care what you do in your personal life, and regardless of
what that bigoted piece of shit might think, lots of other people in this town feel like I do. I just want you to do me one favor, okay?
Michael glanced uncertainly at Jay before answering, “Sure. What?”
“I don’t mind you boys sitting out here making eyes at each other or even holding hands, but if it goes further than that
you’ll take it somewhere private, right?” The waggling of his brows took the sting from his words.
Jay smiled and replied, “I think we can manage that.”
“Fair enough. This is a family restaurant, after all. Now how would you boys like some dessert?”
After the owner walked away Jay and Michael returned to their seats, waiting for the ice cream their host insisted was to die for. Michael warily glanced
around at the other diners who, thankfully, had returned to their own tables and their own meals.
One or two exchanged shy glances before looking away. Two young women smiled at them and, while pointedly maintaining eye contact, placed their hands on
their own table where they could be seen, quite deliberately lacing their fingers together.
Michael returned their smile, thanking them for their silent support. As the lunch crowd finished their meals and made their way towards the door, some
averted their eyes, some softly mumbled, ‘Hi,’ or ‘Hello,’ and others made a point of stopping by the table to
voice their disagreement with Crawford’s opinions.
When Jay and Michael finally stood to leave, they did so hand-in-hand, earning themselves a giggle and a wave from the lesbian couple.
Chapter Nineteen
A warm and clear Friday evening followed the kind of Alabama day Michael had lived for as child, the kind that signaled the approach of summer with all of
its promise. There was nothing quite so symbolic of the oncoming season as the young men and women he’d braved the great outdoors to be here for
today. Down below the bleachers where he sat with his mother, sister, and grandparents, one hundred and seventy-three young adults would soon be
experiencing one of the biggest moments of their lives. Although Michael was antsy and nervous about being outside and in such a large crowd of spectators,
he’d sworn that his irrational fears weren’t going to rule him, especially not today of all days.
Angie smiled and squeezed his hand. She seemed energized by the flurry of activity going on around them, and had spoken to so many people that he was
beginning to suspect that she might very well know everyone in town. Dressed as she was in a flattering sundress, she drew plenty of appreciative male eyes
her way. Michael smiled, patting the jacket he’d brought for when the sun went down and she suddenly discovered it was still too early in the
year to be so scantily clad after dark.
Quietly snuggled close to his other side, his mom inspected him, looking for signs that he wasn’t enjoying himself. He didn’t know what
she’d do if he began showing signs of panic, and the frustrated little kid that still lived deep within was halfway tempted to test the notion,
but he reined in that impulse. She was concerned about him because she loved him and he had no reason to be annoyed about that. Hopefully, she, like Angie,
would soon learn to relax and stop worrying so much.
On the other side of his mother, Grandma and Grandpa were lost in conversation with someone sitting on the bleachers in front of them. He watched them for
a few moments, how they interacted with each other and how even a casual brush of fingers against the other’s hand seemed to be a form of
intimate communication. The thought warmed him that, even though he never witnessed his mother in a happy relationship, he had learned how to have a
meaningful one from the two of them, and, hopefully, how to make love last.
Turning away and studying his surroundings, Michael willed himself to remain calm, reminding himself that nothing could harm him here. All was well and he
was going to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime event in his lover’s life, feeling privileged to be a part of it. The news that the
graduation ceremony was going to take place outdoors had caused him some apprehension, but as Angie’s pinning wouldn’t take place until
the next day, she offered to come with him and hold his hand. He’d taken her up on the ‘come with’ part, grateful for the
support, knowing she’d be here to watch Jay and Terry graduate, anyway.
There’d been a few tense moments upon their arrival just as Michael was leaving the parking lot. Who should he come face to face with but
Crawford Shiller? But instead of the mean, gloating expression the man usually wore, his blood-shot eyes had widened, he’d stammered
incomprehensively, and then turned and quickly hurried away. The purple and black bruising around his left jaw was most gratifying. Michael should be
ashamed of himself for enjoying another’s discomfort, but couldn’t help a moment of triumphant at scoring a direct hit against the man
who had caused so much hurt and self-doubt. Thank goodness Mom, Grandma, and Angie were in the ladies’ room and didn’t have to see
Crawford. Grandpa appeared ready to step up to the plate if necessary, but thankfully, it hadn’t turned ugly. Seeing the man flee had been good
for Michael’s soul, and marked the beginning of closure for the young, frightened kid he had once been. It wasn’t over yet, but it was
a definite step in the right direction.
The women had rejoined them, none the wiser, and they found reasonably good seats in the rapidly crowding stands. The deep blue sky darkened around the
edges as nightfall and the opening ceremonies approached. Man, but it was so good to be back in Alabama, a place Michael had dearly missed without even
realizing how much it meant to him. His original plan to regroup and leave fell by the wayside. The last few weeks had Michael thinking that maybe settling
down and making a life in Cookesville wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Of course, it wasn’t just him anymore, any major decisions would
require input from his partner. Partner. He had a partner.
The sun started to set and the lights along the edges of the football field began to glow a soft fluorescent green, brightening as they came up to full
wattage to light the way for the coming festivities. Conversation faded and then ceased entirely when the familiar strains of
Pomp and Circumstance
filled the air. Every eye trained on the doorway from which football stars normally emerged. Cap and gown clad hopefuls made
their way across the field to rows of gray metal folding chairs. Michael craned his neck to catch a glimpse of his lover.
Even in the shapeless ‘one size fits all’ navy blue robe, Jay’s height and ebony hair set him apart from those around him,
making him easy to spot in the long procession. Those deep, piercing eyes swept over the spectators and Michael hoped that they would find him, though he
knew it unlikely with so many people filling the stands. He watched Jay turn away and stand before a chair, waiting for the others to take their places
before being seated.
When the group assembled, a hush settled over the darkening stadium. Even the sounds of the nearby highway seemed muted. All was still and quiet, as though
the very evening held its breath in anticipation. A low murmur thrummed through the crowd when a gray-haired gentleman slowly made his way to the podium of
the makeshift stage. After the obligatory microphone testing that always preceded such events, the man, whom Michael knew from the crumpled program in his
hands to be Dean Myers, began the evening.
“Family, friends, faculty, and students. I’d like to welcome you tonight to a most momentous occasion in the lives of these young
adults.” A loud throat clearing brought a smile to the old man’s face and he added, “And those young at heart.” He
grinned down at a gown-clad student with snow-white hair.
The Dean continued the preliminary introductions. “We are here to witness many years of hard work coming to fruition as these students enjoy the
rewards of their perseverance. I’d like you to join with me in a round of applause for this fine group of scholars that appear before you
tonight.”
Starting quietly and building to thunderous levels, the noise frightened Michael at first until he focused on smiles and laughs. A happy moment. Nothing
here to fear. He sought and found Jay and breathed easier, focusing on why he was here, and for whom, and blocking out any negatives. Though her eyes
remained on the field, Angie stopped clapping and slipped her hand into his.
Abruptly the sound ended with a wave of the Dean’s hand. “Without further ado, I would like to introduce a great student among many
great students, who has distinguished herself both within the halls of academia and in the community, where her leadership skills and unfailing compassion
have made her a pinnacle of this community that adopted her as their own. I give you Avery University’s Engineering Technologies Class of
2010’s Valedictorian, Kimberly Ann Delacroix.”
More applause greeted the slender figure of a dark-skinned young woman as she mounted the stage and made her way over to the Dean. “I just love
her complexion,” Angie sighed, rubbing her milk white arms.
After a too-lengthy speech, in Michael’s opinion, the part he’d been waiting for began with the calling of Terry Abramson. Terry, in
all his toothy, arrogant glory, danced across the stage to accept his degree. He shook hands with the Dean and Valedictorian before exiting the stage,
smiling, waving, and moving the tassel on his cap from right to left, acknowledging his graduated status.
One by one the students crossed the stage to receive their honors, some somber and serious, others laughing and joking. A tall, well-built black man
grabbed Kimberly and swept her into an impromptu tango, ending with a dramatic dip that cost her her cap. With a chivalrous bow, the man retrieved the
errant mortarboard and returned it to Kimberley’s neatly braided hair. He blew a kiss as he backed away. Even from a distance Michael could see
the young woman’s blush.
“Wasn’t that cute?” Angie gushed, clinging to Michael’s arm. “They’re engaged, you know. Her
daddy’s a big deal down in Mobile and her parents didn’t like it much, but I think Jamal’s engineering degree changed their
mind.”
Yeah, he could see how that could happen.
As more and more students made their way to the stage, Angie provided a brief history of the ones she knew. When the O’s were called, he counted
down, waiting, watching. Finally, the moment arrived. Michael held his breath, anticipating the next name. Based on Angie’s sudden gasp, he
wasn’t the only one surprised when the Dean called, “Javier Aidan Ortiz Gallagher.” Javier? Jay’s given name was
Javier? Jay was such a common name in the South that it never once occurred to him to ask. And he really should know the name of the man he wanted to spend
his life with.
Narrowed green eyes met Michael’s as Angie hissed, “I didn’t know that was his name, did you know? I mean, everything
I’ve ever seen said Jay Ortiz.”
At his bewildered head shake, their combined gazes moved on towards their mom, who appeared equally shocked. Gramps laughed. “I knew.
He’s named after both his grandfathers, but the Irish side of the family butchered his name, asking ‘What happened to the J? It starts
with J; you should be able to hear it.’ So, he got called ‘Jay’. And tacking his mother’s family name to the end of
his is a cultural thing, or so I’ve been told.” The old man looked far too smug to know something they apparently didn’t.
“Amazing the things that come up when you’re working on fence lines.”
Michael divided his attention between listening to his grandfather’s explanation and watching the fluid movements of his lover. Jay grinned when
he approached the duo waiting to bestow his degree, but merely nodded, smiled, and paused to receive their well-wishes. A relatively low-key performance,
typical of a man who saw no need for grandstanding. As he prepared to exit the stage, Jay stopped, turned to the audience, and raised both hands in
triumph, pure delight shining from his features. The crowd had been warned not to applaud individual students, to wait until the end, but a few catcalls
could be heard, as well as shouts of “Jay, Jay, Jay!”
The bright grin slowly faded into that little boy smile Michael loved so much. Jay reached into the top of his gown and removed something hanging from a
chain around his neck. He reverently clutched the mystery object before returning it to the safety of his gown. He exited the stage and returned to his
seat.
Michael looked right and then left, puzzled by the knowing expressions on the faces of his mother and sister. Okay, he had no idea what that was about and
wasn’t sure he wanted to know, though he had a feeling they’d tell him later.
Now that what he’d come to see was over, he glanced at his watch, eager for the ceremony to end. Who knew there were so many P’s
through W’s in one class? Much to his surprise, being there wasn’t overwhelming like he feared it would be. Parts were even enjoyable,
especially seeing Jay not only graduate, but graduate with honors. Michael couldn’t be more proud. In fact, he was most anxious to tell the man
face to face.
Jay had assured him that he didn’t have to attend if he thought it would be uncomfortable, but this was a once in a lifetime event, a crowning
moment in his lover’s life. It didn’t matter how bad Michael might have felt, he was where he needed to be. His therapist agreed with
the decision, stating that it was important to have goals to work toward and, in Raff’s opinion, Michael couldn’t have picked a more
worthwhile goal.
And now the ceremony neared the end. The band played the commencement theme and caps sailed into the air amid whoops of laughter and screams of joy.
Michael hesitated but a moment before joining the throng crowding out onto the football field in search of their loved ones.
It seemed that everyone was wearing an indistinguishable, shapeless blue gown. Angie pulled him into the fray, laughing and obviously enjoying herself.
Occasionally she stopped to congratulate and/or hug someone before grabbing her brother’s arm once more and hurrying toward their common goal. He
nearly ran into Terry, literally, who laughed and gave Angie a big hug before arranging his features into a more thoughtful expression. Terry smiled and
shook Michael’s hand, leaning in to speak privately.