Flash In The Pan - 4. Questions

Prompt 500

What took you so long?

Geoff sighed while holding the phone against his shoulder so his mother couldn't hear.

Why it had taken 'so long' for him to answer – as his mother termed it – was because he had to extricate himself from Tony's embrace, launch himself out of the sofa towards the table at the other end of the room, and grab the landline phone before the answerphone cut in.

“Mum, you ask this every time.”

Doesn't seem to make any difference, does it?

Geoff tried not to let his mother's querulous tones get on his nerves too much. “Mum, every time, I explain that if you phoned my mobile, I'd be able to take your call wherever I am. You wouldn't have to hope that I'm home when you call.” And I wouldn't have to wait in, he added to himself.

His mother sniffed. Don't see why you expect me to pay more to phone your mobile. And, anyway, why should other people know our business?

Geoff rolled his eyes and silently replied to himself – Yeah, our lives are so full of drama and intrigue that the world'll want to listen in…

Tony wasn't helping at all. He was still sprawled on the sofa, watching his partner with a mischevious but sympathetic smile as Geoff negotiated the weekly minefield that was his mother's regular phonecall. As his mother launched into an account of a lunch with friends, Geoff pantomimed rolling his eyes and yawning. He glanced over towards the sofa and saw Tony was looking at him. Their eyes locked and Tony immediately changed his expression to one of 'come hither' seductiveness. Geoff glared at him and gave him the finger, which only made Tony snort with laughter. And, of course, his mother heard.

Who's that with you? I can hear somebody in the background.

Geoff silently prayed for patience. His mother's alleged hearing loss was very selective sometimes. “I've got a mate round, mum. We've been watching the football on the telly and having a brew.”

His mother didn't know about him and Tony, or, in fact, about him being gay at all. The rest of the explanation had been trueish – he and Tony had been watching the match but it'd been so deathly boring, they'd soon turned it off and turned to other, more pleasureable ways of passing the time.

His mother wasn't satisfied with his explanation. It's a lovely day. Why aren't you out in the sunshine with your friends? Or, even, with your girlfriend? A walk in the park would do you good. You don't get enough exercise, you know.

Geoff's face was a picture of consternation at this turn of events. Tony saw and immediately sat up, looking concerned. Geoff repeated back the offending word cautiously, without any particular emphasis. “Girlfriend?”

His mother swatted away his hesitation. Are you telling me, a strapping, handsome lad like you doesn't have a girlfriend? I'd have thought you'd be fighting them off.

Geoff was lost for words. Now wasn't the time for having this conversation. He needed time to plan, to rehearse … He looked for support from his partner. However, his mother obviously considered the question rhetorical, as she continued on with only a momentary hesitation.

I've been telling my friends about you. How I only ever hear about one portion of your life …

This was true. Geoff zoned her out for a few moments, knowing that talking about her friends and their combined 'wisdom' would keep her going, without any input from him.

Conversations with his mother tended to progress along a couple of well-worn routes. His work for the local authority brought him into contact with all sorts of characters. His mother liked hearing about other people and their lives. Not that he ever breached any privacy rules or confidentiality requirements. That, and his orchestral playing were the two main strands, to which were added the weather, gardening, days out, and other current topics which didn't touch on him personally. Not surprising really, given how much of his life was now interwoven with Tony's. He noticed that his partner was looking at him for reassurance that he was OK. Geoff smiled at him and rolled his eyes again.

His mother was still in full flow. My friends certainly think you've got a girlfriend. That's their explanation for you only allowing me access to part of your life. I'm your mother, Geoff. I like to hear about your life and I worry that you don't feel able to talk to me about what's important to you. You hardly ever talk about your friends and what you all get up to. You'd tell me about something as important as a girlfriend, wouldn't you?

Geoff felt uncomfortable, hearing this. His mother led a more restricted life since his father died and he knew he didn't visit her as often as he should. She'd never learnt to drive and her income was much less than it had been. The weekly phone-calls were one way she could vicariously experience his life. But, they'd never been very close – his mother had always given the lion's share of her attention to his father. They'd never got in the habit of exchanging their really personal news, feelings, emotions and such. That's why telling his mother about Tony was going to be tricky. He sighed to himself.

He avoided answering his mother's question about his love life by just ignoring it, and instead, he launched into a description of his most recent gig. By the time he'd finished, his mother was giggling away at the thought of him splitting his borrowed dinner jacket.

They finished their conversation on a much more amicable note than they often did and his mother sounded happy enough with what he'd conjured up. It didn't disguise their growing distance from one another, though. Geoff acknowledged freely that a lot of it was his fault. He put the phone down with another sigh. Tony held out a hand, inviting him back to the sofa.

“Love, you're gonna have to tell her, one way or another.”

Geoff nodded, resignedly and joined him on the sofa. He snuggled up to his partner and felt his insulin pump – today, sited around his midriff, to one side. He had to change the site regularly to avoid infections. “Yes, I know. I'm all she's got by way of family, now.”

Tony looked him seriously. “And if you told her about us, she would gain me, as well. I know we haven't been together that long …”

Geoff kissed him and then let him continue.

“But six months is long enough for me to think that you're the one.” Tender smiles. “It hurts me to think that I'd be excluded from part of your life, as well.”

Geoff looked puzzled. “Why on Earth would you want to know my mother?”

Tony tilted his head slightly and looked questioningly at his partner.

“I like meeting new people, and your mum has the added bonus of being already an integral part of your life, even if you're finding it difficult to talk to her at the moment.”

Geoff was about to reply when his stomach suddenly rumbled loudly, making them both snort with laughter. Their conversation interrupted for the present, they untangled themselves and headed into the kitchen.

A couple of hours later, they were having a brisk walk in the local park. They weren't hurrying but just putting enough effort into the walking to make it proper exercise. Tony was faring rather better than Geoff – he was starting to pant and was finding it more difficult to keep up the pace.

Tony took pity on him and pointed towards the next park bench. “Let's have a breather, We can watch the kids playing in the picnic area.”

Geoff collapsed onto the seat and tried to catch his breath. Tony sat down beside him and grinned at his lover. His smile was sympathetic.

“Your mum was right about that, at least.” Geoff raised an eyebrow. “It is a glorious afternoon to be outside in the park with your boyfriend.”

They both laughed, remembering the earlier phone conversation. They sneaked a quick kiss. Tony continued, “And the exercise will do us both good.”

Geoff grimaced. He knew which of them really needed it. He was too fond of pub grub and take-out meals during the week. The council offices were too temptingly close to a number of different places. Tony's part-time job for the regional heritage trust got him out and about much more. Geoff leaned back against the seat – he was still knackered.

Tony fished around in the pockets of his windcheater. “Here … I'm even prepared to offer you one of my emergency rations.”

He held out a small pack of sweets which Geoff accepted gratefully. Although Tony had made sure he was carbed-up before they left, he always carried emergency supplies with him in case of a hypo. The insulin pump wasn't that sophisticated – its job was to ensure a steady, metered flow of insulin. It didn't know when a hypo was imminent – that was still Tony's job.

They sat close together on the bench, hands touching, and watched the children playing. As it was the weekend, all ages were out enjoying themselves.

Tony nestled even closer and Geoff put his arm around him. They rarely had any trouble when they allowed themselves to be affectionate in public. On the odd occasion they'd had some hassle, Tony was the one who'd made it clear they were well able to look after each other. He never made it a threat – more, a statement of fact.

After they'd been sitting for a while, Tony broke the companionable silence.

“I love watching kids. They take such unalloyed pleasure in things, small things we don't think about. They're always learning, exploring, experimenting – they're curious about everything, anything.”

Geoff murmured his agreement. He was almost asleep in the late afternoon sunshine. Tony heartlessly prodded him awake.

Geoff surfaced and blinked sleepily. “Wha'? …”

Tony took the opportunity to sneak in another quick kiss. “Come on, big man. Wakey, wakey. You and I need to talk.”

Geoff managed to focus on his lover – he looked puzzled. “We do?” He sounded faintly worried.

“Oh, love. Don't worry – we're fine. You know we are.” Tony smiled affectionately at him. “But … there is your mum …”

Geoff scowled, causing Tony to giggle. “Yes, I know. … Also, I realise this'll be a bit out of the blue but … how d'you feel about kids?”

That woke Geoff up. He sat bolt upright on the bench and gawped at Tony before repeating the key word back at him.

“Kids? … Err …” Geoff had the 'rabbit in the headlights' look. Tony gently grasped one of his hands in his.

“Oh, love, please don't look so terrified. It's just watching those kids … I mean, I've got several nephews and nieces but …” Tony sounded so wistful.

Geoff took pity on him and completed his sentence for him. “But you'd love it if we were to think about having children. I take it that's what you're driving at? Well, … quite apart from anything else, you do realise you'd be the enforcer? I'd spoil them rotten.”

Geoff tended to deploy humour in these sorts of situations, but he saw his partner was watching him closely, waiting for a proper answer.

He spent a few moments thinking, and then took a deep breath. “Sweetie, I think that's gonna be quite some way off, don't you? But, the general idea? Oh, yeah.”

Tony beamed at him. “Oh wow … Thank you.”

After a brief silence when they were both occupied with their own thoughts, Tony decided a change of subject would be good – but it wasn't going to be one that Geoff was going to be very pleased about, though.

“OK, let's get back to what you're gonna do about your mum.”

Geoff pulled a face and shivered slightly. It had suddenly got a lot cooler because of the clouds that were bubbling up. He started to do his jacket up.

“I've a better idea. Let's go home, get ourselves settled on the sofa again, and then we can talk about my mum.”

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