Chapter 24

New Year’s Eve.

Mike pushed out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. “That’s it, everything’s ready for tonight.” Unfortunately there’d be no champagne to see in the New Year, but he’d get the ball rolling on the liquor license the day after. He’d already completed the paperwork. Until then, sparkling apple cider would do just fine.

Well, kinda.

Jim came into the office. “There’s coffee in the lobby if you’re interested. And we’ve finally got a moment to go through this morning’s mail.” He smiled. “We’re still receiving donations, y’know.”

Mike shook his head. “This town is incredible.”

“But it’s not just P-town,” Jim told him. “That video on Facebook really started something.”

“Oh my God!” Ashley’s voice rang out.

Mike jumped up, and he and Jim hurried into the lobby. “What’s wrong?” Mike demanded.

Ashley stood by the fireplace, a slip of paper in one hand, and what appeared to be a letter in the other. “I’m sorry. It said Nick’s Place on the envelope, so I opened it. Then I saw your name was underneath.” She gaped at him. “You’re not going to fucking believe this.” She held up the slip of paper.

He looked closer and frowned. “A check? Only people my parents’ age use checks nowadays.” Except that wasn’t fair. He recalled his dad being so proud when he’d paid for his gas using his phone.

She bit her lip. “Funny you should say that. Because it’s from your parents.”

Shock reverberated through him. “What?” He snatched the check from her hand and stared at it. Sure enough, there was his dad’s familiar scrawled signature. Then he registered the amount.

“Ten thousand dollars?”

What the everlovin’ fuck ?

“There’s a letter too.”

He took it from her trembling hand. By now the others had arrived, and he was vaguely aware of Jim telling them what was going on. He gazed at the letter, recognizing his dad’s handwriting.

Mike....

I know you were angry with us when you learned Nick was dead. I think you’re still angry, which is why you’ve stayed away. I’m glad you’ve been in touch since you moved, though. But it feels as if there’s a rift between us that shouldn’t be there.

I think it’s time I explained a few things.

Your uncle Nick stopped visiting us seven years’ ago. That was on me, I’ll admit it. But you deserve to know why.

Growing up, Nick and I were thick as thieves, but when we were teens our interests diverged. He was more into fashion and stuff. I was into what I considered more manly things, fixing cars and the like. Still, he surprised the hell out of me when he went into the military, because I didn’t think he had it in him. But I was so proud of him.

Once he got out, however…

All I can say is, he’d changed.

We didn’t really talk much after that, but when he started coming around as you got older, I couldn’t help but notice how you were desperate for his attention, and all I could think of was how he was going to fill your head with that stuff he was into.

See, the problem is, I’d expected you were going to grow up to be like me. You know, all sorts of manly hobbies, baseball, things like that. And for the most part you did. Then you came out, and, well, that explained a lot of things. And I was fine with that. I am totally okay having a gay son.

Mike’s throat seized. It was the first time his dad had said anything like that. Then he smiled at the that explained a lot line. He went back to reading.

But then Nick bought a place in Provincetown. I went to see him when he first moved into it, and although it was a great house, I thought he’d bitten off more than he could chew. Then I visited one time and… Okay, there’s no other way to put it. I was shocked by what I saw. He was in his fifties , for God’s sake. He had no right to be putting on dresses and wigs, and prancing about in high heeled shoes, a man his age.

You’d just had your twenty-first birthday. I took a long, hard look at you. I was happy for you to have hobbies like sports and stuff, but drag was one hobby I wanted you to stay clear of. I felt Nick was a bad influence…

Mike sighed. So Ashley was right after all. He resumed reading.

So I told him he was no longer welcome in our home. I told him not to have any more contact with you. I even kept back the Christmas and birthday cards he sent to the house. I felt like I was sheltering you from that side of him.

It never once dawned on me that you could have more than one type of hobby.

Okay… I need to bite the bullet.

Your sister’s been following the Facebook page for your group, and she found the show you all put on.

Yeah, I’ve seen it.

“Oh, fuck,” Mike croaked. “My dad saw the clip of the show. He saw me perform. The shit is really going to hit the fan now.”

Sam frowned. “Why? He gave you ten grand, didn’t he?”

Mike shook the check at him. “Sure he did. And this is probably him telling me not to come home again.”

Sam patted his back. “Honey, don’t assume anything until you’ve read the whole letter.”

Mike scanned the page until he found where he’d stopped reading.

I don’t know why Nick started doing drag. I thought it was weird and twisted. Another part of me believed he was sad and lonely, and this was just him acting out. But what I saw on that stage? That was a celebration of Nick’s life, and the smile I saw on your face? I’ve never seen anything to rival it. So I guess what I’m saying is… I was wrong. I let my stubbornness keep me from my brother, even after he died. I should have been more open, more willing to hear him. You’ve opened my eyes, son, and I swear I’m going to do my best to make things right. This check is a start. Please put it toward Nick’s Place, a gift from a brother who loved him, but not as much as he should have.

I love you.

Dad

Hot tears trickled down his cheeks. Oh Dad.

Sam put his arms around Mike and held him. “I’ve got you. Is it that bad?”

Mike wiped his eyes. “No, it’s not bad at all. But it does mean a change of plans.” He looked into Sam’s eyes that were filled with concern. “Tomorrow, we’re going to take a little trip.” He smiled. “I’m going to introduce you to my family. Because they need to meet the man I love. And then as soon as we can arrange it, we’ll invite them all to stay here, so I can show them my new home.” He gazed at the others with a smile. “My new family.”

The End

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

And if this is the first K.C. Wells Christmas story you’ve read, then keep scrolling…