Tempted - First & Forever Stories

Casey asked, “Speaking of parents, did you finally tell them you two are a couple?”

I nodded. “We did a conference call with all four of them this past week. We’d planned to tell Eden’s parents when they were here, before we found out they couldn’t be bothered to attend the wedding.”

He asked, “So, how’d they take it?” Casey adjusted the collar of the Hawaiian shirt he was wearing with a blazer and jeans. He’d gone with his usual dress-up outfit, while Eden and I were both in suits. I wondered if he’d use any of his windfall to invest in a new wardrobe, though I somehow doubted it.

“It was pretty awkward,” I told him. “Everyone was shocked at first, since they all thought Eden was straight. But then they tried to pretend they were supportive.”

“That’s probably because neither set of parents wanted to seem awful in front of the other pair,” Eden added. “It was actually smart to tell them all at once.”

I nodded. “I could tell Dad disapproved. He actually seemed pissed off, but he tried to pretend he was okay with it because he had an audience. And I don’t think that was about Eden, specifically. I’d never introduced our parents to a boyfriend before, and neither had you, Casey. I think what really upset Dad was, like, my sexuality going from an abstract concept to reality, if you know what I mean. He was never going to be happy about any guy either of us brought home.”

My brother asked, “Are you okay? I know how much Dad’s disapproval can hurt.”

“I’m fine.” He looked skeptical, so I said, “No, really. I mean, sure, it stung a little, but that’s it. It’s taken me a long time, but I really don’t need his approval anymore.”

“Wow. That’s a hard thing to let go of,” Casey muttered.

I thought about it before saying, “It helps to know I have a lot of people who love me no matter what, including both of you, and George, and Nana, and my friends. Dad’s never really been in my corner, but that’s okay, because it’s actually pretty full.”

Eden kissed my forehead and wrapped his other arm around me, and I snuck a glance at Casey to gauge his reaction. He really didn’t seem to notice, or care.

My brother claimed to be totally over Eden and thrilled we were a couple, but I was pretty sure it was still a work in progress. He did seem happy though, and he loved his new place and his colorful collection of housemates, so I felt good about that.

Just then, a waiter stopped by with a tray of champagne. We all took one of the delicate crystal flutes, and Casey raised a toast. “To George and Flora, and to the two of you, who’ll undoubtedly be following in their footsteps with a wedding of your own before too long.”

Eden and I grinned at each other. Then I added, “And to you, Casey. I have a feeling your own Mr. Right’s going to show up any minute now.”

My brother muttered, “From your mouth to God’s ears,” and we all took a drink.

The reception wound down in the early afternoon. Before we left, the three of us made plans to get together for dinner with George and Flora the following week. Since it wasn’t easy for George to travel with his back pain, they’d decided to spend their honeymoon in a suite at one of the city’s fanciest hotels. That seemed like a brilliant idea to me.

My car was parked down the block, and when we reached it Casey said, “If I squint, that monstrosity almost looks normal now, Seth. Almost.”

I’d recently had it painted dark blue. It was still obviously a few cars cobbled together, but now it looked less like a patchwork quilt. The thing ran great though, so I’d decided it was worth the cost of a paint job.

“Be nice to Bernice,” I said, as I unlocked the door and slid behind the wheel. “She’s sensitive about her looks.”

Once we were on our way across town, Casey leaned in from the back seat and said, “Okay, real talk, Eden. I think I should endorse the check George gave me and hand it over to you.”

Eden turned to look at him. “No, you shouldn’t. Why would you even suggest that?”

“Because he’s your grandfather, and this should be part of your inheritance.”

“George wanted you to have that money,” Eden said. “It meant a lot to him to be able to do that for you.”

“And I appreciate it so much, but I also feel guilty. I don’t deserve it.”

“I don’t feel like I deserve his house, either,” Eden said. “You know what it must be worth in this totally over-inflated housing market? But all three of us need to be gracious and accept these incredibly thoughtful gifts. If we don’t, we’ll hurt George’s feelings.”