Refugees - 15. Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Two months later, Robert and David were once again invited over to their family’s homes for dinner. Robert tried to keep under wraps that they’d gone to the wedding, but Serena knew all about it. She was good for secret keeping though. She knew her brother was gay from the time they were children, yet said nothing. She let him handle it himself.

Mark and Cassie invited the duo over. Mark hugged them both hello while Cassie finalized dinner.

“Come on in, boys. Have some cheese and crackers while we wait.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Man, it’s freezing out there, think I’ll go sit by the fire,” David announced.

“I will too. I haven’t been warm at all this month!”

Mark sat back in his easy chair. Luke ran into the room. “Hi Robby! David!” Both men smiled and hugged the little boy.

“Hey, sweetie! How’s my li’l bro?”

“Fine. I made a picture for you, lemme go get it.” Luke scampered from the room. David and Robert laughed.

“He’s such a doll.” David remarked.

“Yes he is. He kept me sane enough after things happened with you-know-who.”

Mark knew the name that was implied. “Don’t mention that name in this house, boy. He’s dead to us.”

Robert rolled his eyes. “Dad, it doesn’t matter anymore. He’s happy and married again, just leave him be.”

Mark rolled his eyes. “Whatever. As long as he leaves you alone, I’ll be happy.”

Robert looked over at David and they shared a shocked look. Robert stood up and faced his father. “Are you saying you don’t even want me to associate with him at all? Dad, I’m twenty-eight years old! I think I can choose the friends I want to have!”

Mark stood up from his chair. His 6’1 frame didn’t tower over his son, but was still intimidating. “You listen to me. No man who breaks my son’s heart twice will be allowed into this house! I hope not yours either.”

Cassie poked her head in. “Dinner’s ready!”

“Coming. Don’t you agree with me, Robert? That man should be out of your life altogether. Come on now, let’s go eat.” Mark left the room. Robert felt David’s arms wrap around him.

“I can see his point-of-view….”

Robert wrested himself loose. “Well I can’t! That crap happened a long time ago! Phillip moved on, and so have I! Why can’t he just let it go?”

David tried to reach for his lover’s arm, but Robert had run off to the dining room.

Dinner was tense, with little conversation. It livened up again with the return of Luke. He’d brought the picture he’d drawn of David and Robert together. They both fawned over it and Robert kissed his little brother in thanks. Mark talked to his wife and youngest son.

“Hey, where’s Serena?”

“She had a date!” Cassie exclaimed happily.

“A date? Good for her! She didn’t tell me.”

David leaned over. “You were probably pre-occupied at the time. It was around the tenth.”

“Oh… yeah. Thought so. Hmm, well, I wish her luck! She’s had enough suitors come and go.”

Cassie nodded. Her long, black curled hair spilled over her shoulder. “I agree there. She’ needs to settle down and find the perfect man. Like you did!”

Robert smiled and brushed David’s hand. “That I have.”

“Have you two made any future plans yet? Wedding-wise?”

“Uh, no, but we have an idea of what we want. We found a great hall we want to use.”

Mark’s ears perked up. “Oh, where’s that? How’d you find it?”

“Oh, a friend referred us to it. It’s not far from here. Great setup, especially for pictures.”

“Which friend referred you to it?”

Robert averted his eyes. “Uh, just a friend. You know how we gay guys are, Mom. We all network.”

Mark scowled and threw down his fork. “It was that god-awful Phillip, wasn’t it?” Robert groaned.

David tried to cover for them. “Sir… it’s just a hall!”

“You stay outta this! This is between my son and me! Come on boy. Get up. We’re gonna go talk.”

Cassie stood up. “Mark, stop it! You have to get over this too! It’s obvious he has!”

“No! I won’t let this go. You stay out of it too, Cassie. Come on, Robert Christopher. To the den.”

The dreaded den. This is where all of the horribly serious conversations took place over their lifetimes. Robert wished Serena were there to help him out, but no such luck. David wasn’t invited; it was just Robert and his father.

“Okay, tell me you’re not talking to that scoundrel again. You have to tell me that!”

Robert swallowed hard and caught his breath. “Dad. I hate to tell you this, but he’s in my life again. By choice!”

Mark grabbed his son’s arms. “What the hell are you doing hanging around him again for?”

Robert gasped. “Let go of me!”

Mark let go but kept the man at bay. “Why would you do this? Why would you let him even speak to you after the hideous things he’s done?”

Robert felt his face heat up; he could tell how upset his father was. “I forgave him. The moment I moved in with David, things ironed out for me. We… were invited to their wedding. We went!”

Mark’s eyes grew to saucers. “You actually went to see them at their wedding?”

“Yes. It was beautiful. It was hard, I’ll tell you that, but we were there.”

“I bet you two were the talk of the hour.”

“That we were. Dad, the point is I’ve let him go. We’re going to try to be friends.”

Mark laughed aloud. “You know how absurd that sounds? That asshole and his slut of a husband?”

Robert narrowed his eyes and shot an irritated look at his father. “Quit calling them that! Yes, my heart was broken. Yes, I was hurt! It’s over with now! He’s happy, I’m happy! David and I are practically engaged. I’ve moved on! I have a history with the man where we were just friends before. It can happen again, I know it!”

Mark shook his head. “You’re absolutely delusional. Does David go along with this?”

“Yes. He’s on my side. Remember he was involved with Andrew! He has a personal stake in this as well!”

Mark shook his head again and walked a short distance away. “I can’t help you out this time if something bad happens again.”

“Dad, stop it! Nothing’s going to happen! We’re friends! That’s it! We made up even long before their wedding.”

Mark’s ears perked up. “Oh? When was this?”

Robert sighed. “Andrew was attacked, last fall. He was nearly raped. We went to visit them.”

Mark pounded his fist on his desk. “You saw that family? All of them? I thought I told them to stay away from you forever, and for you to do the same.”

Robert rolled his eyes and sighed. “Let it go, Dad! Yes, I had a long, painful past with them. You used to like Phillip before all this crap started years ago.”

“Yes, I used to like him. He asked for permission to marry you, but I couldn’t do it. He was bad news from the beginning, but you didn’t listen to me. You paid the price, didn’t you?”

Robert grunted in exasperation. “But it’s over now. He moved on, he made his choice. As for that visit, Mr. Marnier was home. We brought them a fruit basket and cleared the air a bit. Dad, please. Let this go! It’s better for you and all of us if you just think of me with David and happy. We have friends, yes. They may be Phillip and Andrew, and even little Andrea. But they are tied to us! We can’t hate them anymore.”

Mark rushed past his son. “Sorry your friend was attacked; son, but I’ll tell you one last thing. You may have a big heart, but I’m not that naïve!” He exited the room and ran upstairs. Robert didn’t follow.

David approached Robert from behind and hugged him. “That didn’t go well, I take it.”

“You take it correctly. He was furious I even spoke to Phillip again!”

David pursed his lips. “Well, I can see that point of view.”

Robert stepped back in surprise. “You can understand that? Why?”

“Honey, he broke your heart, twice! Your father just wants to protect you!

Robert let out a hot breath and backed away. “I know he is, but it’s like he’s banning me from him. I can’t ban him!”

David was taken aback. “You don’t still love him, do you?”

Robert fell silent.

David’s eyes misted over. “Oh my g… you do, don’t you?”

Robert reached for his lover’s hand and kissed it. “Not like that. I just hate being told who to associate with and who not to. I tell you, I’m not in love with him anymore.”

“Are you sure?”

Robert dropped David’s hand in frustration. “Dammit, don’t make me answer to you too! Come on, we’re outta here. Mom, we’re leaving!”

Cassie ran out from around the corner. “What? But I just put dessert out!”

“I can’t be here right now. Ask Dad all about it. I’ll call ya tomorrow.” He hugged his mother good bye and kissed Luke’s hair.

“Come on, David. Let’s go.”

An hour later, Robert’s phone rang. It was his father.

“Father.”

“Son, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to protect you. That… man did horrible things to you.”

“I know he did. I lived through them! I’m over it now! We went to the wedding and we survived! Can’t you just let it go?” There was a long silence. Robert felt his breathing pick up. “Dad?”

“I suppose I can. If you can prove to me that you are, then I’ll let it go.”

“Deal. Now, can we please just drop it?”

“Done. Sorry, son. You forgot your drawing, by the way.”

Robert slapped his forehead. “Oh no! I’ll pick it up tomorrow on the way home. Tell Luke I love him and Mom too. I love you too, Dad.”

“Same here, son. You just be careful. David’s a good man.”

“I know he is, trust me.”

“Well, good night.”

“Night, Dad.”

David walked into the room. Robert caught his hand. “That was my dad. He apologized.”

“Really? What’d he say?”

“Just said that he’d let it go if I could prove I’m over Phillip. I took the bet. I am over him!”

David kissed him. “I’m glad. I must admit, I had my own misgivings.”

“I know you did. I’m sorry. Why don’t we get under the covers here and see if we can melt those away?” Robert kissed David soundly and pulled him closer.

“Sounds good to me.”