Ryan
I had never expected a phone call like that. We would tease each other on the phone back in high school, but it never got quite so heated. I liked how Tucker had taken charge and directed the action. But most importantly, he had told me he still loved me. It wasn’t stated outright, but I wasn’t going to analyze it.
Time stood still since that call, and yet it dragged on. It made no sense, but that weekend was very slow and also a blur. Sunday came soon enough and I was anxious and scared when it did.
I made my famous crawfish pie—well, famous to me since I had no social life—and I also bought a bottle of wine. I was out to impress.
When I drove up the Lee driveway, I noticed neither Tucker’s car nor his truck was there. Either he hadn’t showed up yet, or he got a ride after all.
I got out and walked to the front door with the pie in one hand and the wine in the other. I didn’t have to ring the bell because the door flew open. Mama Lee was standing there with a big ol’ grin on her beautiful face.
“If it isn’t the miracle man?” she said in greeting before dragging me inside. “Wait up. Where’s Tucker?”
“He isn’t here?”
“No, I thought he was coming with you.”
Pops stuck his head out of the kitchen and said, “Tucker just called and said he was running a few minutes late. He’s driving himself. Can you believe it?”
This was news to Mama Lee. “My word. Tucker has come so far since he’s been here. We can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve been doing for him.”
Jack and Eric made their way to us from the living room and took the items I had brought. They both gave me a sideways hug before going off to set the things in the kitchen. Everyone was smiling.
Mama Lee then suggested, “Let’s go sit outside while we wait for Tucker. I have nothing left to do in the kitchen, so we can take a breather.”
We all followed her out the back door onto the lovely deck where lounge chairs had been set up. We took our seats to the left of the fully loaded table.
“So, how are things?” Mama Lee asked.
I smiled and looked off wistfully, already lost in thought with her question. “Quite nice, thank you.”
Jack laughed hard. “Dude, Mom wants to know if you two are dating again.”
I coughed. Hard.
Everyone laughed.
I looked around at Tucker’s family in shock. “Uh, I, err…”
Pops began, “We know, son. We figured it out when you guys were seniors.”
Then Eric added, “It’s okay. We’re all cool here.”
I asked, “Does Tucker know you know?”
Mama Lee and Pops looked at each other, then they turned and looked at Eric and Jack. They all began laughing lightly. Jack finally answered, “Well now, you see, that’s a good question. And the answer is, we don’t know. We never really talked to him about it.”
“We were getting ready to one night when you guys were in high school, but then you two broke up,” Mama Lee added.
Pops shrugged. “Then he went off to college and we never had a chance to truly talk to him about it. It just always seemed understood. That he must have known we knew.”
“Knew what?” Tucker asked as he walked out onto the deck, Morgan by his side.
Everyone’s attention turned to him. He stood there looking as handsome as ever, with a huge dimpled smile, and a carefree expression on his face. He walked over to a reclining chair and slowly sat down with the help of his cane. Morgan laid by his feet.
I decided to throw it out there, because someone had to. “Well, Jack said your mother wanted to know if we were dating again. And then we discussed how they knew about us and whether you knew that they knew.”
His eyes widened and he coughed, much like I did moments before. “Uh. Okay?”
Then his family started coughing. Everyone was coughing from embarrassment.
“So are we dating again, Tucker?” I asked him.
Everyone waited for his answer.
Tucker seemed to take the question in. “Do you want to date again, Ryan?” He smirked. “No pressure or anything. It’s not like my entire family is watching and waiting for your answer.”
Then everyone turned and looked right at me.
I smiled. “Yes, Tucker. I would love to date you again.”
Then everyone turned and looked back at Tucker.
“Well, all right then,” he concluded.
Mama Lee jumped up, brushed her hands together, smiled, and said, “Now that we’ve cleared the air… How about some help bringing the rest of the food outside from the kitchen?” She was looking right at her husband, Eric, and Jack, who were all still staring at Tucker. “Now!” she said, and the three jumped to her command, stumbling over each other as they tried to get to the rear door.
Tucker and I looked at one another and then burst out laughing. We laughed so hard we were almost to the point of tears.
“Was that weird or what?” he asked me.
“I’ll say.”
“I’m sorry if they embarrassed you. I guess I should have spoken with them about things a long time ago. I just never got around to it. I always suspected they knew.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad we all cleared the air.”
“I remember when you came out to your family. They didn’t take it as well. Maybe that’s why I always put off telling my family. How are your folks doing anyhow?”
Yeesh, I didn’t want to think about that. Still, I answered, “They’re fine. I see them during the appropriate holidays, but that’s about it, really. I don’t think they ever approved. They’re not as open-minded as your family. I guess I’m lucky they still invite me to holiday gatherings.”
“Man, that sucks. I’m sorry, Ryan.” Tucker reached out and touched my hand.
“Your family didn’t seem to notice Morgan, huh?” I reached down and pet her head.
He looked down at her. “How funny. Guess they were too distracted by the question of our relationship status.”
“Poor Morgan. She’s such a good dog, they didn’t even see her. She’s so quiet.”
Tucker tapped his finger on his lips, thinking about something. “I have an idea… Let’s go over to the table and sit. Morgan will be by my side. If they still haven’t noticed her by the time they sit to eat, then I’ll ask Morgan a question and get her to do her talking thing. That should get their attention!”
“I love it! Let’s go to the table.”
We both got up. I noticed Morgan was right by his side, heeling perfectly. He used the cane to stand up, but not to walk to the table. I couldn’t help myself as I checked out his muscular ass while he walked. His limp wasn’t too bad today, which was a hopeful sign that he was getting better.
Tucker sat at the end of the table in the same spot as last time, so I took the same seat I sat in. While we were waiting, I filled the seconds with some small talk. “I brought over a pie.”
“Oh, I love pie. What kind? Apple?”
I smirked. “No, silly. Crawfish pie.”
“Now that sounds like a pie,” he said exuberantly.
“I hope you like it.”
“I know I will.”
Tucker’s family came outside bringing several dishes, one of them being the pie I made. His mom was carrying it, and she walked over and put it in front of Tucker. She winked at me before she went to take her seat. His brothers and dad sat down, and started passing along the food. Wine already filled our glasses.
No one noticed Morgan laying at Tucker’s side. So after everyone had plated their food with a bit of everything available, Tucker turned to Morgan and asked her, “Say, Morgan. Did you want something to eat?”
Morgan stood up and replied with a saucy ‘ar-roo-roo-roo!’
The table went silent before everyone started laughing and talking at once. “Oh my god!” his mom said.
“Holy shit!” Eric yelled.
“What the… Where’d she come from?” Jack asked.
“What a cutie pie,” his dad said. Everyone had spoken at once.
His mom stood up and walked over to Morgan. “Did I forget to say hi to you, sweet girl? We were a little bit distracted when you showed up.” She petted Morgan’s head. “How rude of me!” She laughed and oohed and ahhed over Morgan. Morgan licked her hand in a friendly greeting. “I’m going to get you a water bowl and something to eat. Would you like that?”
Morgan answered her with an ‘ar-roo!’
“Oh my god! I love her, Tucker. You guys did great! Look at her shiny black coat and beautiful eyes! She almost looks like a black wolf, doesn’t she?”
Tucker smiled and gave Morgan a rub. “She does, huh? Yeah, I’m kind of partial to her.”
Mama Lee turned to me. “You changed Tucker’s life in so many ways, you know that?”
I blushed. “Uh, thank you?” I couldn’t help but be embarrassed by all the praise.
She turned back to look down at Morgan. “Okay girl, I’ll be right back.”
Morgan woofed and wagged her tail.
The rest of Tucker’s family came over to meet Morgan, one by one, and then returned to their seats. It was fun watching everyone’s reaction to her.
Mama Lee had food and water in front of Morgan in no time. It was a wonderful brunch. Tucker seemed really relaxed. I only saw him reach for his non-existent hat once. I wasn’t sure what set him off when he did that, but he didn’t seem aware that he had even tried.
After brunch, we all gathered into the living room, stuffed. No one had room for dessert. We sat around talking about Morgan, a little about how I trained dogs, and a lot about the crawfish pie.
Apparently the pie was a success. I was told on no uncertain terms that I was expected to bring something from then on to the brunches, because everyone loved the pie. I told them I would be honored to.
It was fun hanging out with Tucker and his family, but all that was on my mind was our last phone call, and Tucker coming over to my house tonight. I was nervous and excited. I decided to say my goodbyes and allow his family some time alone with Tucker. I would get my quality time with him soon enough.
“I hate to cut this short, but I have some things I need to take care of.” I turned to Tucker’s mom. “Brunch was amazing, as always. You outdid yourself.”
I stood up, then his family started to stand with me. “No, no,” I insisted. “Please. You guys just hang out here. I can let myself out.” I made eye contact with Tucker.
He winked.
I smiled.
“Thank you so much, Ryan, for your delicious pie and for helping Tucker find and train such a wonderful dog,” Pops said as I was walking away.
I turned back and said, “It was my pleasure. Really. Later all. Bye Morgan.”
Morgan woofed from her position at Tucker’s feet.
With that, I let myself out. I stood outside the Lee home for a few seconds to catch my breath. It was hard being around Tucker the last few hours—very hard—after that hot phone call. Damn.