Page 73 of Winter Break

“Really well, I think,” Brett said. He stepped up on the riser and kissed his wife.

“Dalt’s at the Three B’s. We’ll fill you in, but I’d like to talk to Turner alone first. If that’s okay.”

“Yeah. Of course, babe.” We watched silently as Mal bundled up and headed north toward the Three B’s before Brett turned around, smiling that smile he generally had when looking at Mallory. It looked very similar to the way I gazed at his brother every chance I got.

Brett cleared his throat and cleared the smile off his face.

“My dad’s a piece of shit.”

“Brett.”

“And I wanted to tell him, like, those words specifically, but I never got the chance to. Dalton started in on him right away. He told him he had to choose because you and Anita are family too.

“He said, ‘Turner’s best friend and his boyfriend are sitting right here, Dad. The boys you raised both think he’s a really good guy.’ I chimed in then with a, ‘Yeah,’ but Dalton was on a roll. ‘The sons you raised, the sons you instilled values in, the sons you taught to know right from wrong, both chose him.’ You, T. He was talking about you.” I smiled at my friend, trying hard not to laugh out loud or maybe cry at what he was telling me. I managed to nod.

“Anyway, Dalton went on like that, and Dad says he understands. Dad also talked about the legal mumbo jumbo and admitted that you own this place fair and square. But, um, that’s not what I came here to tell you. Dalton can tell you and Mal more about that at the restaurant. He was a fucking rock star, standing up to Dad.

“I wanted to talk to you about him, man. About you and my brother.”

“Brett,” I said cautiously, but he put a hand up to stop me.

“The things he said, T. The way he defended you. My brother really cares about you. Like, he’s really …”

“I care about him, too, Brett.”

“When did this happen? How did I miss it?” He left me at the counter to go and flop in the chair. I followed and stood before him. “I always thought it would be him and Austin.”

“Brett. Dude! How many times do I have to tell you, just because you know two gay guys, that doesn’t mean they are destined to be together.”

“I know you and my brother.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one.” I laughed, and it seemed to ease the tension as he chuckled back. “It happened last year, basically,” I confessed. “Though there were moments, I guess, before then,” I admitted. “I tried to fight it, Brett. I really did, but …”

“And you do, right? You really care for him too. You love him?”

“I mean, it’s still new, and we haven’t talked about it. But I do care about him. So much.”

“And you’re not going to hurt him?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“And … he’s not going to hurt you?”

“I don’t think so, Brett. I mean, we still have some things to work out, but as long as your brother wants to be with me, I’ll do everything in my power to make him happy.” I hoped he saw resolve in my eyes. I know I saw love for both his brother and me in his.

“Okay, then.”

“Okay, then?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah, that’s it. You’re happy. He’s happy. And some day, you’ll be my brother for real, Uncle Turner.” He stood while he was saying it, and we hugged for exactly four seconds, Brett patting my back. Then he pulled us apart and punched me on the shoulder. It was an awkward move for me, but I punched him back.

Arm in arm, we walked to the Three B’s.

A year later, on New Year’s Eve, after spending time at a gay club, I found myself outside the building. My building.