Chapter Twenty-One
Michael
“As far as I’m concerned, you can make this stuff every night.” I twisted my fork into the pasta, lifted the overstuffed utensil to my mouth, and smiled. “I love it.”
Terra’s ability to prepare a fabulous meal was second to none. She dismissed it as no big deal, but to me it was a huge deal. It was one more thing that reminded me of being a part of a family.
She grinned a prideful grin. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I told you the last time you made this that it was my favorite.”
“But, you say that with almost everything I cook,” she said with a laugh.
“Everything you cook is remarkable.”
“Thank you.”
I eagerly ate what was on my plate as if I were starving, and then looked up to find that Terra had only eaten a small portion of her meal.
“Do you want more?”
Her carbonara was exceptional, but if I wasn’t careful, I’d be overweight in no time. I patted my stomach. “I better not.”
She poked her fork at her food, appearing uninterested in eating. “You’re far from fat.”
“And I want to stay this way.”
I took a drink of wine and watched as she continued to pick at her food. It seemed she was more interested in making designs with her noodles than eating them.
I cleared my throat. “Is everything okay?”
She looked up. She didn’t need to respond. There was something bothering her, and her expression did nothing to hide it.
She lowered her fork. “I want to tell you something.”
“There’s nothing off limits in this relationship.” I chuckled. “Well, almost nothing.”
She let out a sigh. “I’m just going to say it.”
“Okay.”
“Peter’s gay.”
It was something I already knew, but felt the need to act as if I didn’t. After a short pause for effect, I shrugged. “Okay.”
“That’s it? Okay?”
“Cap’s heterosexual,” I said.
Her eyes narrowed. “Huh?”
“Cap’s heterosexual.”
“Um. Duh. I know that. I said Peter’s gay.”
I took a drink of my wine, and then leaned forward and met her confused gaze. “People get too hung up on what someone’s sexual orientation is. The point I was making is this. Peter is gay. Cap isn’t. As far as I’m concerned, they’re the same. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, pansexual. Who cares? I’ll tell you who cares. Assholes care. Assholes make a big deal of it. I’m not an asshole.”
Her eyes widened. “So it doesn’t bother you?”
“Bother me?” I laughed. “Does it bother him that I’m straight?”
She let out a laugh. “I’m sure it doesn’t.”
“Then why should it bother me that he’s gay?”
“I just—” She took a drink of wine, and then smiled. “He told me today. I didn’t know. I mean, I always thought he might be, but I didn’t know. I asked him if I could tell you, and he was afraid you’d freak out.”
I nodded. “I can see that. Most see me as an asshole. It’s a facade, though.”
“You’re not an asshole,” she said with a laugh. “You’re intimidating. Most people in their right mind are intimidated by you.”
“I’m a nice guy,” I said.
“You are, but no one gets to see that side of you.”
I thought about her response, and couldn’t help but agree. I probably was intimidating to most people. “Agreed.”
“So. What do you think Dad will do when he finds out?”
The manner in which Anthony mentioned it left me to believe that Peter’s sexuality precluded him from being in charge of the family business for one reason or another. In my mind, his simple knowledge of Peter’s being gay supported his acceptance of it.
“I think your father loves his son, and nothing will ever change that.”
“Really?”
I gave a nod of reassurance. “Absolutely.”
“Okay,” she said, dragging the word along as if she were leading into something else. “Let’s assume you’re right. Would you be interested in being present when Peter tells my parents?”
“Sure.”
Her eyes shot wide, and she sat up straight. “He wants to tell them at Sunday dinner. If we’ll be supportive, that is. That way it’s a fifty-fifty split.”
I let out a laugh. “I think you’ll be surprised.”
“I’m so excited,” she blurted.
“I’m excited for Peter to reach a point that he’s no longer hiding who he is. It’s going to be liberating.”
“Thank you,” she said.
I arched an eyebrow. “For?”
“For being you.”
It was the first time I’d been thanked for being myself, at least that I could recall. Hearing it caused my heart to swell just a little.
And, for that instant, I came to realize just a little bit more what it was like to have a family.
And, to be included in any and everything a family offered me.