by
Mark 'Ponyboy' Peters
Chapter Thirty
'Are you sure you want to do this?' I asked Raffa. 'We can give it a miss if you'd prefer.'
I had picked him up from his place after we'd both gone home after work and showered. Now the sun was setting, and the skies were splashed with colour. Streetlights were beginning to come on and we had just pulled up on the street outside Meaghan and Robbie's house, where I could see mum's car was already parked in the drive.
'Oh no, it's all good. I'm keen, really. A little nervous maybe, but still keen,' he replied. 'I mean, meeting your mum and Olly was okay, they're great, but I might just be a little unsure about your dad, you know, given what's been happening lately.'
'Yeah, I know what you mean. But he'll be fine, I'm sure.'
He nodded, then said, 'Alright then, I guess we'd best do this.'
'We can leave just as soon as you want to, okay?'
'Thanks, but let's just see what happens, eh?'
'Whatever you want, babe.'
Raffa had admitted on the way over that he was slightly nervous about meeting the rest of my family, but now seemed determined to go ahead with it, so we got out of the car and I locked it, then we started up the driveway. Without even thinking I took his hand in mine as we walked. I don't know why, but it just seemed the right thing to do. Even though our relationship was only a new one, tonight was something of a milestone for the both of us, so if we were truly now together then I wanted everyone to know that, even if I knew things might be uncomfortable at times.
So now it was my turn to be nervous, but when I felt his hand squeeze mine and he looked at me and smiled, I just knew that things were going to be okay.
I could hear voices coming from around the side of the house, so rather than go through the house I led Raffa down the side towards the gate into the back yard. The outside lights were on and the hum of voices could be heard when we stopped at the gate, where I turned to Raffa and placed my hands on his chest.
'This is your last chance to run,' I whispered, offering a grin as I did so.
Placing his hands on my hips he pulled me close. 'Didn't I tell you recently that you were now stuck with me? Let's do this. I do really want to meet the rest of your family. How else am I going to find out just what I've gotten into by hooking up with you?' he replied before leaning forward and kissing me, softly at first, but soon gathering intensity.
The next thing we hear is my kid brother. 'Ewww . . . you two. Save that for later!' he exclaimed, which was followed by some muted laughter.
Breaking our kiss and looking that way we found Olly, Meaghan and my mother all peering around the corner at us and smiling.
'Looks like it's showtime,' I whispered, before taking his hand and leading him through the gate, which had now been opened by Olly.
'Hello, Rafael,' mum said to him. 'So nice to see you again. This is Meaghan, Grayson's sister.'
'Nice to see you also, Mrs Porter,' he replied, before shaking hands with Meaghan, even if it was a somewhat awkward introduction.
'I'm please to meet you, Rafael,' Meaghan said, then as Raffa turned to ruffle the hair on Olly's head Meaghan whispered to me, 'He's a cute one!'
Raffa heard this and glanced back at us, grimacing, his face quickly flushing with embarrassment as well.
'Don't pay any attention to them,' my mother said to him, while looping an arm through his and guiding him away from us. 'Come on, I'll introduce you to the others.'
In exactly the same way, Meaghan looped an arm through mine as we followed them into the back yard, where we found my father and Robbie sitting near the barbeque with beers in hand. When they saw us they both stood and shook Raffa's hand as they were introduced to him.
I was anxious to see what my father's reaction might be and made sure I was right beside Raffa as they shook hands, but I needn't have worried, as he was perfectly gracious and welcoming to my boyfriend, just as Robbie also was. Soon drinks were passed around and we were all chatting as if Raffa had been a part of the family for ages, even if at times it may have seemed like he was being grilled when asked about his family or how we had met. Naturally enough it was Meaghan and Robbie who wanted to know all about him, while my father seemed to be far more reserved.
About half an hour later the conversation was flowing, the barbeque had been lit and the steaks were sizzling. Raffa seemed to be showing no signs of being ill at ease with my family, for which I was grateful. It felt as if he had won them over, especially my kid brother, and even my father had been able to have a decent conversation with him. It certainly looked as if any fears I'd had about my boyfriend not being accepted, or about the two of us not being accepted as being together, seemed to have been unfounded and I was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
It was a little while later, just as Robbie announced that the steaks were almost ready, that I heard the squeak of the gate that led into the back yard. I had thought I heard a vehicle pull up at the front of the house not long before that but had also thought I had perhaps imagined it. When I looked towards the gate, however, I was surprised to see someone entering the yard and start coming towards us. I was even more surprised when I noticed that it was Uncle Bryan.
'What the hell?' I said out loud, as I got to my feet. Everyone looked at me then looked where my gaze was directed.
Meaghan was the first to react, jumping to her feet and meeting Bryan halfway across the yard, giving him a kiss on the cheek and hugging him. I immediately looked towards my father and our eyes met. He offered me a smile, then stood up and waited for Bryan to join us.
Dad greeted him warmly, shaking his hand and telling Bryan that he was pleased he could make it. I was next, giving him a hug and asking him what the hell he was doing here before I then introduced him to Raffa.
'So, this is the young man who has captured the attention of my favourite nephew,' he said, as they shook hands.
'What can I say,' Raffa replied. 'The feeling is mutual.'
Raffa was looking directly at me when he said that. Now it was my turn to blush.
'Yeah, I think I can see that,' Bryan added, before moving on to my mother, Olly and Robbie.
With the greetings and introductions done, Robbie handed Bryan a beer, before turning his attention back to the sizzling steaks. Bryan fell into a conversation with mum and Meaghan, and I could see that dad was looking at him, as if he was trying to make up his mind about when he should have a chat with him. Dad looked reluctant to join in, but I knew he would find the right moment sooner or later. There wasn't any hurry.
A few moments later I saw Meaghan turn and ask Robbie something. He nodded, then she came over to where Raffa and I were now sitting.
'Robbie says the steaks are almost done,' she said to me. 'Would you mind grabbing the plates and salads from the kitchen for us please?'
'We'd love to,' Raffa said, as he jumped to his feet, then dragged me upright as well.
'We would?' I asked him.
'Of course. Now lead the way.'
I looked at Meaghan and simply rolled my eyes before I started to be pushed towards the back steps of the house. When we reached the steps, I glanced back at my family and noticed mum and Meaghan both smiling our way. Even dad seemed to have an amused expression on his face as we disappeared inside the house.
Once we reached the kitchen, we found most of what we needed already laid out on the bench. I checked the refrigerator and found two salads in there, so brought those out and added them to the rest.
'We'll need a couple of trips,' I said to Raffa.
'Too easy.'
Picking up our first armload of goodies we headed for the back door and down the steps to deliver it all, before heading back in for the remainder.
'I'm so glad I brought you along,' I said to him. 'I would have had to do this all by myself.'
He grinned at me, then placed his hands on my hips and pulled me close. 'You would have also missed out on this,' he replied, before planting a kiss on me, which soon became more than just a quick peck.
From the backyard a chorus of wolf-whistles and cat calls suddenly erupted from my family, who I hadn't realised had full view of the kitchen through the window.
'Get a room!'
'Save that for later!'
'Boyfriends! Boyfriends! Boyfriends!'
The last one was Olly, of course, who just couldn't help but get in on the act.
Raffa and I turned and looked their way, our arms still around each other, and with our faces turning bright red. I guess our relationship was official now. Hurriedly we picked up the remaining items from the kitchen bench and headed out into the night to face our tormentors.
We were met at the bottom of the steps by mum, who took the tray I was carrying from me. 'Don't worry about this lot,' she said to us quietly.
'It's okay, Mrs P., we won't take any notice of them. We know they're just jealous.'
Mum let out a laugh and as she turned to take the tray across to the outdoor table I heard her say, 'You may just be right about that, Rafael. You may just be right.'
* * * * *
The night proved to be an enjoyable one, with little attention being paid to Raffa and me, although there were a few questions for both of us, mainly about how we met and how long we had been seeing each other. At one point Bryan came over and sat with us and asked us how things were going.
'What do you mean exactly?' I replied.
'Oh, I don't know, just how are things with the two of you? How are things at work? Did that bit of trouble get sorted? What about those guys that ambushed you? Anything happened about that yet?'
'Geez, did you leave anything out?' I said.
'Just taking an interest in my favourite nephew's life,' he murmured.
Raffa reached across and took my hand in his. For some reason I tried pulling back, probably because I was still not totally comfortable with public displays of affection, even after the kitchen kiss, but he held firm. I glanced at his face and he gave a little nod.
'You've got this,' he whispered. 'All these people love you and support you and don't care if you happen to be holding hands with another guy.'
'He's right, you know,' Bryan added. 'You can finally be yourself without any fear of retribution. Even your cranky old man seems to have turned a corner.'
'Have you spoken with him yet?' I asked.
'Not really. Why? Do I need to?'
'Yeah, you do,' I said to him. 'But first things first . . . there have been some developments with my assault.'
'What kind of developments?'
'Two guys arrested. And we think we know who was behind it.'
'So have they been arrested as well?'
'Not sure what's happening about that just yet.'
'Okay then. Let me know if anything happens, okay?'
'Sure.'
'And what's up with your old man? We've never really gotten on all that well together, but he seems different tonight. Something has changed.'
I looked across to where dad was standing beside Robbie at the barbeque. He certainly had changed recently, and it was definitely for the better. I knew I needed to let him open up to Bryan in his own way, so I had to be careful about what I said.
'I know the two of you haven't always seen eye to eye, and we always thought it was simply because you were gay . . . but there's more to it than just that. It's a long story, but I'm sure dad will explain it all.'
'Curiouser and curiouser,' Bryan replied.
I know I had heard that somewhere before but wasn't sure where exactly. Raffa obviously knew, however, as he gave a little laugh.
'Well, it looks like I need to go and have a chat with him,' Bryan said, before getting to his feet. 'Wish me luck.'
'You know you don't need it.'
We watched as Bryan walked over to my father and Robbie and then said something to dad, who quickly looked my way, frowning slightly. A few quiet words were exchanged, before the two of them wandered a little way away from the rest of us and perched themselves on the edge of the back verandah.
I glanced at mum and noticed her standing there with her arms folded, watching them before she turned my way and gave a little smile.
It seemed like we were all making progress tonight.
To be continued . . .
Authors Note:
Hi there. It has been a while since I have posted anything new on Nifty. I guess life gets in the way sometimes.
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