Challenges

Part XXVIII

***Modern Day***

Justin had spent the day piddling around the house, reading a book, playing on his laptop, and watching TV. The night before Jason had called him and they had spent several hours on the phone talking.

Justin was bummed that he wouldn’t be able to see Jason till the following Friday due to work, but the upside was that he would get longer stretches of time with him when he was off work. Of course he was also concerned he was jumping the gun with the relationship, and that it would burn out just as quick as it heated up.

“Justin!” his mother came into the living room. “Your brother will be here soon. Clean up this living room.”

He got up and started to pick up the book and laptop he was working on, and straightened up the cushions. He took his stuff back up to his room. It was just his brother, so he wasn’t sure why he had to make the house look nice for him. He used to live here after all.

Justin walked back down the stairs and found his dad putting another leaf on the dinner table to extend it.

“Why are you doing that?” Justin asked, counting the chairs. There was an extra chair.

“Your mother is playing matchmaker.” His father said, clicking the leaf into place. “She invited a woman from the church to introduce her to Eddie. She thinks he needs to settle down finally.” He sighed and looked at Justin. “She needs to leave the poor boy alone.”

Justin opened his mouth but nothing came out. This was not good. “Um, I will be right back.” Justin went to the living room and grabbed his phone and then headed back up the stairs dialing Matt’s number.

“Come on.” He whispered as the phone rang. “Pick up.”

The voice mail picked up. “Damn it.” He said under his breath, and dialed in Lori’s number.

“Hey Justin.” Lori said, “We are just pulling up.”

Matt looked out his window and saw the car drive up.

“Hey,” Justin said, willing himself not to sound dramatic. “I just wanted to warn you that mom had someone coming over to introduce Eddie.”

“Hold on.” He could hear her tell Matt and Eddie about the set up.

“Mom!” Justin could hear Matt say loudly in the background.

“It’s okay.” Eddie responded, but not as clear. “I will humor her.”

“Thanks for the warning.” Lori said. “See you on the inside.”

Justin hung up and went back downstairs just as the front door opened and Matt came in, bristling with anger.

“Mom?” He called out.

“In the kitchen dear.” his mother responded back.

Matt headed to the kitchen, bypassing Justin totally. Lori followed close behind giving a shrug as she passed Justin.

Justin walked to the door to see where Eddie and Chris were. Eddi was standing at the steps of the porch, not sure what to do.

“I told you,” Justin said leaning against the frame of the door. “You are always welcome here.”

“I know.” Eddie said blushing. “I just don’t know if I want to go in there right now. Matt is pretty hot.”

“Well he cares.” Justin said, walking outside and onto the porch. He looked around. “Where is Chris?”

“At Steven’s house.” Eddie rubbed his arm. Justin thought he looked like a little kid at a new playmate's house.

 “Come on, let's sit out here for a bit.” Justin chuckled.

He motioned for Eddie to follow him to the big bench swing that was hanging at the end of the porch. Sitting down, they sat in silence for a while. Justin was trying to see if he could hear anything coming from the house, but it was silent.

“I hope I didn’t cause a problem.” Eddie said, looking down at his hands.

“Naw.” Justin said, shaking his head. “When Matt gets riled up at mom he usually has his say.” He frowned. “Well to an extent. Dad will only let things go so far.”

“I knew this day would come.” Eddie said. “I am running Matt’s life.”

Justin jerked his head at Eddie and saw that he was trying to hold back tears. “What?” Justin said, grabbing Eddie’s hand. “You have been great for Matt. He is happy. Lori makes him happy. You make him happy!” Justin felt ashamed for how he had always behaved. This was a side he never saw. “Dude, he tackled me for you!”

“See I got you two in a fight from the beginning.” Eddie said, tears falling down his face.

“I deserved it.” Justin said. “I was being selfish, and stubborn, and I didn’t want to accept things as being different.” Justin finally understood what Lily was trying to tell him so long ago. “I never accepted it because I was too wrapped up in the past, and what life was to be like for Matt once he was married. But,” Justin reached up to wipe some of the tears off Eddie’s face. “I was so wrong about it all. You care for him, and he cares for you.” He looked back at the house. “He is actually going to bat for you against our mother.” Justin smiled. “And he only does that when he loves you deeply.”

***

Justin and Eddie walked into the house and made their way into the kitchen. Matt was standing at the center island with his hands on the counter. His mom was at the stove putting the last touches on dinner. His father  and Lori were sitting at the kitchen table just watching the interaction.

“I wish you would have asked before you had invited someone over for dinner.” Matt said. Apparently they were still on the issue of just inviting someone over.

“I didn’t know I had to ask.” His mother responded calmly. “It is my house after all.”

“But it is Eddie’s life.” Matt said with exasperation. “You don’t know what he likes.”

Justin coughed a bit to let them all know they had entered.

“Hello dear.” Justin’s mom said as they walked in with a smile. “I am sorry I seemed to have got my son all worked up.”

“Sister Leary.” Eddie smiled as he sat down next to Lori. Justin sat next to his dad.

“All I am saying is that Eddie needs to find a nice lady to settle down with.” She shrugged. “You work him too hard.”

Lori coughed a bit on the water she was drinking, and picked up a napkin to cover her mouth. Justin knew she wanted to laugh at that comment.

“Are you okay?” Justin’s mom asked Lori.

“Yes.” she coughed some more. “I just swallowed wrong. I will be fine.”

“I do not work him that hard.” Matt said, ignoring the double meaning.

“Thank you for introducing me to a friend of yours,” Eddie interjected, attempting to diffuse the situation. “But I am fine. Really I am.”

“But dear,” his mother continued. “You need to settle down and find someone to take care of you.”

“He has someone to take care of him, mother.” Matt said between clenched teeth. Justin raised an eyebrow. This had really stung him for some reason. “He has me!”

His mother didn’t bat an eye. “I know he has you. You are his boss, and a good friend. And Lori too.” She grabbed the bowl of salad and potatoes and walked towards the dining room. “But he needs a companion.”

Matt leaned over the island and put his hands around his mouth and nose, and looked at Lori shaking his head. He was getting frustrated.

“Where is Chris?” his mom came in again, acting like nothing was wrong.

“He is at a friend's house.” Lori offered up.

“He is getting so big.” She laughed. “If you’re not careful you will be having to fight off the girls with a stick.”

“I am sure.” Lori sighed. That was for another day.

“Mom…” Matt started in again, but the doorbell went off.

“That must be Sheila.” his mom said, clapping her hands. “We will continue this later.” She walked out the room.

“Dad?” Matt looked at his dad.

He just shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry son.”

A few moments later his mom returned followed by a young woman. Justin was impressed at the taste her mom had in finding someone for Eddie, even if it was the wrong gender. She had long black hair, about Lori’s height, but she wasn’t as athletically built as here.

“This is Sheila Martinez.” his mother said. “This is my oldest son Matt, his wife Lori, my younger son Justin, and their friend Eddie.”

“Nice to meet you all.” She blushed as she looked at Eddie.

“To be clear,” Justin interjected, “I have a boyfriend.”

“Justin!” his mother admonished him.

“Wow.” Sheila said. “That is good to know.” she laughed.

“See.” Justin said. “She is good with it.”

“Come let's sit down to eat.” His mother ignored the comment and directed Sheila into the dinning room.

“Nice.” Lori whispered as they followed them into the dinning room.

“Thought she might run.” Justin shrugged. “This generation is so accepting.”

They giggled.

“Lori and Matt, you can sit here.” his mom was arranging them. She was going to make sure that Eddie and Sheila were sitting next to each other. “Justin, you can sit next to Lori since Chris isn’t here.” She pointed to the other two seats on the other side, “And Sheila and Eddie can sit there.” She smiled as if she were proud of her logica arrangements..

“I want to sit next to Eddie.” Matt interjected.

“Thats…” his mom started to say something.

“It’s fine.” Lori said with a grin. “I prefer it anyway. Easier to look into his eyes.”

A fine tuned marriage, Justin thought to himself. That was quick thinking. He wondered if they had done this before.

“If that’s what you want.” his mother sighed.

They all sat down, and Justin sat next to Lori. Eddie sat in the middle between Sheila and Matt. He looked like he was about to faint.

His mother had made an excellent dinner for the evening. Pulled pork, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, and homemade yeast rolls. His mom was an excellent cook.

“Your mom tells me you work for Matt?” Sheila asked after they were all situated and started eating.

“Yes.” Eddie swallowed the mashed potatoes he had in his mouth hard. “I am over marketing.”

“Impressive for someone so young.” She smiled. Justin assumed this was her way of flirting.

“What do you do?” Eddie asked to be polite.

“I am working on my doctorate degree.” She responded. “So I'm still a full time student.”

“What in?”

“Mechanical engineering.” She laughed. “Boring stuff.”

“That seems like Lori’s area.” Eddie grinned. “She is the engineer in this family.” He stopped and turned red as soon as he said it. He realized he may have made a mistake.

“I didn’t know you were all related.” Sheila looked surprised. “Sister Leary told me you were just a family friend.”

“Eddie has been coming to family dinners for the past several years.” Justin’s mom interjected. “He is pretty much a member of this family by now.” She smiled at Eddie. “And I do consider him as an adopted son.”

Eddie seemed to relax. His mom had diffused the situation without even knowing it.

“So,” Justin said, attempting to change the tone of the dinner, and save Eddie, “where are you from?”

“California. Northern part.”

“Wow.” Justin said. “That’s where my boyfriend is from. He lives in Seattle now, but grew up in LA.”

“Justin!” his mother hissed. “We don’t need to hear about your escapades.”

“It’s perfectly fine.” Sheila said laughing. “I am okay with it. To each their own.”

“How open of you.” Eddie said.

“No impact on me any.” She took a sip of her water. There was a cold tone underlying the comment. “LA. Isn’t that where you served your mission?” She looked at Eddie.

“Yes.” Eddie nodded his head. “Justin and I both served there. How we met.”

“We are companions.” Matt said, trying to make a point that seemed to fly over his mothers head. “In fact, I met Jason, his boyfriend, while on the mission.”

“Did you really?” Sheila asked. “How odd.”

“Actually,” Matt continued, “I had asked Justin to write him a letter. He was going through a hard time, and I felt that maybe hearing Justin’s story could help. Fast forward, and they end up on a plane together, and then spend three days on a date together.”

“I really don’t think we need to talk about this.” their mother interjected. “I think this conversation should be about getting to know Sheila and Eddie more.”

“I agree.” Matt said. He put his fork down and turned a bit to face his mom. “Eddie is a great guy. He is kind, carrying, compassionate, and loyal. He is the best friend I could ever ask for, and he has been very supportive to Lori and I in our times of need. I am so lucky that he is in our life. I am so lucky he is in my life too.”

“Wow.” Sheila said. “That is high praise.”

“Yes.” his mother said. “Very good indeed. I think he will make someone a nice husband.”

“Mom.” Matt said again, speaking through his teeth. “Eddie doesn't need a companion. I am his companion.”

“Of course you are.” His mother shook her head. “You were companions on a mission. I know that bond continues. But he needs a wife.”

“He doesn't need a wife.” Matt said. “I am his companion. I love him.”

“Well of course…” his mom started.

“Mom!” Matt shouted. He grabbed Eddie and swung him around and kissed him deeply, much like he had kissed Lori at the airport those many years ago. Eddie relaxed and returned the kiss back.

“Matt!” His mother squealed. She looked at Lori who was silently eating some of the pork. She shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t have anything to add to it. “What are you doing?”

After a few moments Matt let Eddie go.

“I told you.” Matt said calmly. “I am his companion.”

“B...b...but…” she stammered out. She couldn’t form a sentence. “What about Lori?”

“I love Lori too.” Matt said, reaching across the table. “I love her just as much as Eddie.”

“You can’t!” His mother was entering hysteria. “She is having your child! What about Chris?”

“I think I better go.” Sheila said standing up. “Thanks for the dinner.” She headed for the door. Lori got up to follow her.

“What about Chris?” Matt responded not seeming to care that people have already left.

“What example does this show him?”

“That his father has two people that he cares about?” Matt offered. “He has been around Eddie since the beginning.”

“It will make him think this is acceptable behavior.” She pointed at Justin. “First he has the negative influence of Justin, and now you? The boy will be lucky to find a girl at this rate.”

“He probably won’t.” Matt responded with a glint in his eye. “He has already expressed that he likes boys more than girls.”

His mother looked like she was about to explode. “This is all your fault!” She pointed at Justin. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you stay in this house!”

“Edith!” his father shouted at the end of the table. “Enough!”

“This family is falling apart and you just want to sit there.” She now had turned on his dad.

“Leave them alone,” he said calmly. “They are happy. Who cares who they are with, or how they love.” he turned to Lori. “Are you happy?”

“Very.” She walked over and hugged Matt around the neck.

“Are you happy son?” He looked at Matt.

“Very.” He put one onad on the arm that Lori had around his neck, and another hand on Eddie’s arm.

“Are you happy?” He looked at Eddie.

“Yes sir.” Eddie squeaked out.

“And you?” He turned his attention to Jusitn.

Justin mulled the question over in his mind. The thought had been heavy on him for the last few days. He had come to terms with his past, and accepted things that he had been running from for a long time.

“Yes,” he finally said. “I am, for the first time in a long time, happy.”

“There you go.” his father said. “Just let these kids have their life.”

His mother wanted to retort, but she was not going to challenge their father, at least not in front of them. Her being a traditionalist was also going to keep her from having her say at the moment. Justin knew that later there would be a fight taking place at some point.

***

The rest of dinner was awkward, but it went for the most part smoothly. Justin figured he would have been the target for the cause of this. But it was okay. He finally felt a level of peace in his mind that he had not felt since those early days that he and Matt had their first conversation along the river.

“Are you going to stay here?” Matt asked as he opened the driver side door to climb in. Eddie had climbed in the back and was stretched out looking tired. The night had been tough on him.

“I will be fine.” Justin responded, chuckling at Eddie. “He is wiped out.”

“Yea.” Justin looked down on him. “I think it was more stressful for him being caught in the middle. I should have done this a long time ago, and without him here.”

“You had to protect him.” Justin put his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “That’s what you do for the people you care about. You did it for me and you did it for him.”

“Yea.” Matt pulled Justin in for a hug. “Are you sure you will be fine here?”

“I have had years of practice dealing with this.” Justin laughed. “I will be fine. I will come by tomorrow night as my plane leaves at 9:00 on Monday.”

“Love you.” Matt whispered in Justin’s ear.

“I love you too.”

***

Authors Note:

Thank you so much for reading and sending in your comments. I enjoy reading them, even when they are critiques, and I respond to all of them. If you have such comments, please send them to sockingsaw@hotmail.com

Also, if you can, please consider donating to Nifty as they allow for people like me to be able to express themselves.

Matt