Chapter_38_Gershwin

The three of us sit at a round table under a yellow umbrella in a corner of the garden as I explain my dumb zip-lining accident.

“So, yeah, it’s nothing. Just sprained,” I say, trying to downplay it.

Wyatt has a shocked, sympathetic look on his face. He rubs my back, making me feel a little better.

“But aren’t you supposed to land safely when you zip-line? It’s not like you were parachuting.” Wyatt senses there’s more to the story, but I’m not about to tell him I’d been drinking in front of his long-lost dad.

“I just landed weirdly. It’s a minor fracture.”

“I thought you said it was a sprain,” Wyatt says with mild confusion.

“I did. But then I upgraded it to a fracture, which is more accurate. It’s fine.”

“From now on, I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Wyatt jokes.

“Maybe we’re better as a team,” I say to Wyatt as he pulls me in for a hug.

This man, who I presume is Wyatt’s dad, feels slightly embarrassed, out of place, watching us. It’s my window to redirect the conversation.

“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you,” I say to Richard. “I’m glad you’re not a complete monster.” For a moment, the three of us aren’t sure if what I just said is wildly inappropriate or funny. We all lightly chuckle.

“I’m just happy you’re making my son happy,” Richard says, beaming to finally share this moment.

It’s striking for me to hear Richard refer to Wyatt as his son. I’m sure it’s going to take a minute for Wyatt to call him “Dad,” but it’s a nice step to reconciliation.

As impending dads ourselves, we’re all too aware of the meaning of that word. I fish for Wyatt’s hand under the table and give him a good, supportive squeeze.

Another man appears in our little corner. He arrives with a smile and a large brown bag.

“Gordon! Grab a seat,” Richard greets him as they give each other a smooch on the lips. It’s a beautiful thing to see two older gay men have affection for each other and—

OH MY GOD.

I’m just putting two and two together. The wind is knocked out of me.

Is Wyatt’s dad gay? And this is his husband? What is happening right now?

Wyatt glances at me with a slight smirk, communicating to me that he’ll explain it all later. I can’t help but think of how Wyatt’s mom is going to react to this whole meeting.

After Richard introduces his husband, Gordon, confirming my suspicion, Gordon takes out some sandwiches and the four of us split a late picnic lunch.

I want to stare at these two. I need to gawk. I suppress my urge to yell, “You’re gay?!”

The main topic of the day has been set aside for a moment while we enjoy our food, the beautiful afternoon sun and each other’s company.

“I guess we both needed a little backup,” Richard says to his son about their partners, now sitting comfortably by their sides.

“Did you bring the box?” Richard asks Gordon.

Gordon takes out a small keepsake wooden box and hands it to Wyatt.

“What’s this?” Wyatt asks.

“Just some things I’ve been wanting to give you. Since I wasn’t even sure if your mom was getting my letters, I didn’t want these to get lost in the mail. You can open them later.”

Wyatt seems touched. He smiles appreciatively, but at the same time, he’s clearly conflicted and overwhelmed.

The faint strands of music start to play. Richard motions for all of us to check out what’s happening.

The four of us walk, crutch and wheel around a line of bushes to find a small group of the community’s residents have set up chairs to enjoy live music.

Violins, cellos, flutes, even a conductor.

I put my arm around Wyatt to let him know I’m here for him during this wild ride. Richard and Gordon stand next to us, an imperfect, strange new family that will take some time for healing. But for now, we all listen to the beautiful little symphony play George Gershwin’s “The Man I Love.”