I've Always Loved You - 6. Back Off!

Amy Diaz had come with the Power of Attorney forms. I asked both Mark and Della to be witnesses as Mike signed the paperwork so it could be filed. Mark being a lawyer helped give the paperwork more merit. Della was more than willing to sign. Now, I could officially have a say about Chet.

Mike and I agree that I should do the movie coming up. Mark was there also when I signed the contract in our dining room to do this movie with the options of me having a say on the dialog and music used. My music was not the only songs they intended to use, but I was given the say about which ones.

Mark, Mike and I sat in the living area where I did sign, but I was curious. “This movie…” I said to Mark. “Why are they giving me this sort of control?”

Mark gave a sly smile that told me he had used managerial position and his ability to negotiate as he gathered the contract to send back. “Is there anyone else that knows music and what sells better? I don’t think that many could.” He shook his head and waved at the script I was still studying. “This Marti Cummings modeled this character with someone in mind, but the story of the struggle was more important.” He sat back once we had completed all the signing at the various places needed. This was Mark’s job, knowing what should be done legally. I did trust him to make the best choices for me. He did care about me, but it was security for him as well. As my manager, if I did well, he did well. He earned a bit more than the traditional ten percent, which he deserved. He chuckled. “This is a marriage if you will. Her character and story where the name isn’t you, but now, it is you now.”

I frowned. “I see.” I thought a moment. “Why?”

Mark chuckled. “You still don’t see it, do you?” He sat forward looking at me. “You are so…focused on the music and performing.” He held his hand up. “And that’s good, but you need to see the draw you have.” He shook his head. “You have a message that…though not a new message, you present it in a very new and appealing way. Your music is entertaining and you are entertaining.” He looked at Mike waving his hand slightly at Mike. “When I say this…it just is, okay?” He looked back at me. “You’re damned good looking. You can sing and dance and create music that makes people listen. The story is less about one man, but it could be you. This is a win, win.” He waved his hand at the script. “Even the title is negotiable. It’s not set. This could be about you. The timing is unbelievable. You wanted people to hear you.” He smiled. “The world is now listening. You shouldn’t be surprised.” He smiled at me. “You are this…wholesome face to the world about us. The guy next door and a new face to those like us.” He looked at Mike. “And you, too.”

“Me?” Mike asked surprised.

“Absolutely.” Mark nodded. “Almost every song on the first CD was about you! You have been Eric’s focus for a decade! You proposed to him and it was fed through the internet to millions of people. People are behind you. They want to see this work with you two.”

I still had concerts to do and that meant I wasn’t just sitting home to take care of Mike and Chet. I will admit to being busy with other things because of the two new additions in my life and it did put a new spin on my musical career. Attempts to keep things prioritized was going to give that some control. Fridays and Saturdays were the nights I usually performed. I didn’t like the separation, but I had to work, besides, I loved it! The fact that I loved what I did and could do what I loved and made money was priceless.

It was when I got back on a Sunday after I had sung in Atlanta, I was greeted by Mike who was glad to see me, but I could tell there was something. Kissing me and hugging me, he and I walked in our home.

“I saw the feed of the concert.” Mike grinned. “Mark told me how to access that.” He nodded. “You’re getting better and better at entertaining the crowds. How many were there? Five or six thousand?”

“Eight thousand five hundred and thirty-six.” I corrected. “Many straights there, too now.”

“Wow.” Mike chuckled. “They have to find you bigger arenas or a stadium.”

“I look forward to it.” I stopped him and forced him to look at me. “Now tell me what happened?”

Mike looked surprised a mere second and then nodded. “You could always read me.” He sighed as he led and we sat on the sofa. “I…we had a visitor this weekend.”

“Someone from the church or Atkins?”

“Johnny Hilton.” Mike nodded.

I had met him a few times years ago. He was the younger of Wynona’s two sons from her previous marriage before Manfred. “Okay.” I turned to look at Mike. “He has no visitation rights at all. Did you let him see Chet?”

Mike smiled. “No.” He leaned in and kissed me. “I’m not his only parent.” He shrugged. “Even though you say it’s our house and all that…and I believe you, but I used that official reason I’m not an owner to say he couldn’t come in until I talked to you.”

“This is Wynona’s and Manny’s doing,” I growled. “I still say they are trying something.”

Mike nodded burying his lips in my hair at the side of my head. “Most likely.” He sighed. “The part I question is, why now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Johnny and Ronnie, Wynona’s sons, weren’t that much a part of Wynona’s life after her marriage to Manny. He was ten years old when Wynona married Manny. Shortly after Sherry was born he moved in with his father in Indiana. He’s forty now, married to Marylou and three children of his own.” Mike said thinking. “I saw him maybe three or four times the whole time I was married to Sherry.”

“Is he alone?” I asked. “He wants to see Chet?”

“No, Marylou is with him. He said he wanted to see Chet.”

“There is no telling what Wynona has told him,” I said. “He’s still in Fort Worth?”

“He’s coming again tomorrow.”

“I think we should call Amy in the morning. I don’t think Johnny’s a threat, but we’ll…” I smiled, “just have a friend over when Johnny comes to visit.”

Fortunately, Mike had told Johnny he was in class and that Chet wouldn’t be home until after his school, so Johnny was coming that afternoon. I still had things to do and there were people coming to record, but they were on the other side. Amy Diaz was coming and so was Mark Hill. There was always safety in numbers. Amy arrived looking like a professional, nice business power suit and Mark, well, he could dress a little threatening. How? I don’t know, but his face could tell you to back off with the stern former marine stance. Of course, that suit he wore was not cheap and he looked sharp.

I walked over to Mark. “I remember that suit. Isn’t that the one you always wore to negotiate or something big?”

“What!? I never wear the same suit!” Mark said and looked down at himself and grinned. “Well, I will be representing you and Mike. I didn’t want to appear to be a pushover.”

“You are never a pushover, Mark,” I said shaking my head with a chuckle and hugged the man. “Thanks for being here.”

Mark smiled, but looking at me, his face took on a little hurt. “I’m so sorry.”

I knew what he was talking about, but…he sounded sincere for the first time. “For what?” I wanted him to say it.

“I really screwed up, didn’t I?” Mark looked at Mike who was talking with Amy. “I had you and…I lost you.”

What could I say? He did! “Well, let’s be perfectly honest here,” I said with a tight smile. “I did love you…and I still do, but…” I pointed at Mike. “If we were still together when he called, I would have gone even if you and I were still together. His pledging his love, I would have left you. You know I’ve loved him for a long time. It would hurt both of us.”

Mark nodded smiling a little more. “No regrets?”

“Sure, I have plenty of regrets,” I admitted. “I regret you wouldn’t commit, but Mark…” I put my arm around his shoulder, “I am so grateful to you. You are the reason I am what I am. I owe you so much. I’m also grateful you couldn’t commit.” I waved at Mike. “I have Mike now.” I looked Mark in the eyes. “You are a good man, Mark. I saw that on the first day. You have a good soul. If you let yourself feel something more…I think you will find someone special for you. Value them more than just their attraction. Love the person.”

“You taught me to see that is possible,” Mark admitted. “I just hope I can see it when they get here.”

Chet came home from Dilworth walking in with his usual explosive manner. Wearing his school blazer again with the tie loose, but his shirttail was in this time! He saw everyone there and immediately slowed down. He looked at me and Mike questioningly.

“Dad, PopE.” Chet said quietly but held the unspoken question in his voice.

“Your Uncle Johnny is coming over.” Mike walked over to Chet as he came closer.

Chet looked uncertain. “Okay. I haven’t seen him since I was little.”

Mike pulled Chet closer and came to me. “I know. He is family though. He came by Saturday and wanted to see you. I told him to come today.”

“Why?” Chet asked simply. “I mean, why does he want to see me?” I chuckled at his response. He was sheltered, even this sheltered eight-year-old knew there was more to this.

Mike looked at me, then over to Amy. He shrugged and looked back at Chet. “Why not? He is your mother’s brother.”

“Okay.” Chet shrugged smiling at Mark and waved. “Hi, Uncle Mark.”

Mark’s mouth dropped open as he was a little shocked and looked at me and Mike pointing at Chet. Again, the unspoken question, he was asking if we had instructed him, Chet, to call him that.

Mike chuckled shaking his head and I grinned patting Mark on the arm. “No, he did that on his own. He sees you for what you are. He knows you’re part of the family.”

“Okay, when Mr. Hilton arrives,” Amy said to us. “Full disclosure. You will introduce each of us and why we’re here. Okay?”

I got Chet something to eat at the kitchen counter as we waited.

It was half an hour later before the doorbell rang. I looked up as Mike went to the door and greeted the two at the door. He waved them in, coming in with them.

Johnny Hilton was approaching middle age. The man I remember…vaguely was thinner and younger. Marylou, like her husband was a little heavier. Not fat, but they both enjoyed eating, so it seemed. Johnny still had the dark hair but was losing a little on the top. Marylou had lighter brown hair. They walked in looking at the house’s interior, while Marylou’s face was unchanged, Johnny held surprise. Whatever he was expecting to see, this wasn’t what was there.

“You, of course, remember Eric?” Mike waved to me as I came into the living area.

Johnny nodded and came over, extending his hand which we shook. “I do.” He held his arm out to Marylou. “I don’t know if you knew Marylou.”

“I don’t believe we met,” I said nodding to the woman who wasn’t coming over and I wasn’t approaching her. I was getting the image of some matron with the purse and older lady hat. She didn’t have that, but…

“These are friends of ours,” Mike said pointing to Mark and Amy. “This is Mark Hill, Eric’s manager…and lawyer.”

Johnny looked a little surprised but shook Mark’s hand.

“And this is Amy Diaz.” Mike introduced. “She’s also a lawyer.”

“Chet’s lawyer,” Amy stated to be clear as she shook Johnny’s hand.

Now, Johnny was looking very uncomfortable. “Chet’s lawyer.” He repeated.

“Yes,” Amy said. “In view of recent events, these two hired me to protect Chet. That’s what I’ll do.” She said firmly.

“And I will protect Eric and Mike,” Mark added.

Chet came in and stood in front of me. It was natural. He trusted me.

Mike walked over to Chet and me. “I don’t like unanswered questions. So, I will ask you. Why did you want to see Chet? You barely know him.”

Johnny looked from Amy to Mark and then to us. “Mom.” He said as a simple explanation.

“Wynona,” Mike said nodding. “She sent you?”

“To do what exactly?” I asked.

Johnny sighed. “She told Marylou and me some things and well…we were to check things out.” He explained.

“And what things did she tell you?” Mike asked as his eyebrows knitted together.

Johnny looked frustrated and shrugged. “How different he was when she came here. That he was distant and being raised by…” he stumbled on a word and stopped.

Mike waited a minute and nodded. “…by two fags?” He completed.

“Wynona was never in this house,” I said. “I wouldn’t let her or Dr. Johnson in here. Chet was taken to the hotel to meet with his grandmother. He was distant.” I touched Chet on the shoulder. “Chet saw his grandfather shoot his father which was pretty traumatic. Both his grandparents…in Chet’s own words were, they lied to him about Sherry’s death.”

“He didn’t trust her anymore.” Mike nodded. “What did you expect to find here?”

Johnny shook his head. “I don’t know, but Mom was going on about getting him out and…” he waved at the neatly kept house (which I couldn’t take credit for) and the nicely furnished house, “I didn’t expect this.” He said. “I saw the house was big, but it’s not all your house, this is a duplex.”

I nodded. “Yes, but I own both sides. I have a recording studio and work on that side.” I pointed to the door that led there. “We live on this side.”

Mike frowned. “Your mother and stepfather seem to think we’re having some wild life in front of Chet.” He shook his head. “Look!” He waved at the house. “No rainbow flags hung, no drugs or alcohol around. No wild people in and out.” He looked at Chet. “He’s never seen a drag queen or a flamboyant gay man or dyke…” he looked at Amy. “Sorry, he has but..”

Amy waved Mike off. “It’s okay. I am a dyke.” She said simply making Marylou and Johnny look surprised. “He forgets.” She pointed at Mike.

“Yes, well we don’t all look the same,” Mark said.

Marylou and Johnny looked startled at that!

Mike laughed a little. “Chet’s been to a gay rodeo and seen gay cowboys.” Mike patted Chet on the shoulder. “He’s going to school. He’s doing well. He now knows what a dinosaur is! He’s thriving for the first time in his life!”

“Your mother doesn’t want for Chet to know things about the world,” I said and waved at Johnny. “You were taught about the world! All your mother knows is that Mike and I said we love each other. She doesn’t understand that.”

Mike shook his head. “No, she won’t understand. She doesn’t want to. I do love Eric. He loves me. We truly do love each other.” Mike pleaded with Johnny to hear him. “Who is she to tell us we shouldn’t? Don’t tell me who to love or not to! I love him!!”

“There are millions of us in this state, probably this city. Millions more in the country and millions and millions more in the world! In every country, every culture…we are everywhere!” I added. “Yet, we fight to have the simple right to marry who we love.” I put my arm around Mike. “We are getting married! Chet is fine. He is thriving. He went to Disneyworld and saw thousands of children, like him, that have a parent or parents that are gay!”

Mike came a little closer to Johnny. “Please, just leave us alone. I beg you. If you want to see Chet…” He moved Chet up next to him. “Here he is. I’ll show you his room and answer any question you have. Just get his grandmother to back off!” Mike pleaded.

“You won’t take Chet,” I said firmly coming again beside Mike and putting my arm around Chet’s shoulder possessively and pointed at Mark and Amy. “They will fight you or anything your mother tries and they will win!”

“Te dije que intentarían otra cosa.” Amy said saying she knew they’d try something.

“Yes.” I nodded. “But it won’t work.”

“No.” Mark smiled. He understood what Amy said. “It won’t work. We won’t let it work.” He came and stood with Mike, Chet and me.

“If she persists in this course of action.” Amy coming to join us saying to Johnny and Marylou. “I guarantee, they will lose Chet. Not by what I can do, because Chet will leave on his own. He already doesn’t trust his grandparents with good reason. Do this and they will lose Chet forever.”

Chet was looking from his father to me and back at his Uncle Johnny and then to Mark. “I don’t understand, Uncle Mark. What is everyone so worried about?”

Mark wasn’t answering that but turned to Mike.

“They are afraid we’ll make you gay, son,” Mike said simply.

“Aren’t you?” Marylou asked. Even Johnny frowned at her for saying that. He knew better.

I heard Mark sort of growl as he moved slightly toward Marylou. I stopped him from going over or saying anything. I looked at her. “I see you’re following the logic of the uninformed. I will say that’s just ignorance. I don’t believe you are stupid.” I said. “No one can be made gay or straight. We have Psychologists and Psychiatrists to back us up with evidence. Documented cases. What do you have?” I looked at Chet. “We can’t make you anything, Chet. You are what you already are.” I added.

“We’ll show you the house. Show you anything you want to see.” Mike said. “When you do, report to your mother and tell her to BACK OFF!!” He said loudly. “Please. Chet is my son and I will raise him.” Then he took my hand. “Sorry, Eric…we will raise him. My husband and I will. You are his family, too. If this keeps up…” he left the statement unsaid.

“You’ll take him away.” Johnny nodded looking at the house. “Yes, I can see you can.”

Johnny met Marylou from Charleston, at the same church Wynona and Manny attended. They corresponded and got married, but Johnny wasn’t stupid. He was a computer programmer and lived in Maryland now.

We did show them around the house. We showed them Chet’s room and even Mike’s and my room. Chet was a boy and his room showed the little cluttered way of a boy. I even showed the other side and showed them were Della was working with someone to record their song. As it ended, Marylou was still distant, not wanting to hear or understand anything, but Johnny was looking a little embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, Mike,” Johnny said he smiled. “I work with a few that are gay. We get along just fine. When Mom married Manny…he was not what I wanted as a father, that’s why I went to live with my real father in Indiana. I have no problem with you being gay…” he chuckled. “Surprised, but I have no problem with it. I think the fact that you two became a couple so soon after Sherry’s death made Mom upset.”

Mike looked a little frustrated. “Sherry and I ceased being a couple of years ago. The marriage ended a while back.”

Johnny nodded. “Okay. Well, Manny is just so…” he smiled.

“Ignorant?” Mike asked.

Johnny nodded. “That’s a nice word, but I was going to say a big stupid marine, but…he makes Mom happy. I’ll talk to her. I hope I see you later.” He shook Mike’s hand and was about to leave and turned. “You’re Cuban?”

Mike nodded. “I have been all my life.”

Johnny looked at Mike trying to see something that told him Mike was Cuban. Johnny nodded and simply said. “Huh.”

Mike closed the door and looked at Mark and Amy. “Thank you. I get the feeling they might back off now.”

Amy smiled coming up to Mike. “You are a great family, Mike.” She hugged him and then swatted him. “I am a dyke!”

“I just forget!” Mike chuckled. He turned to Mark. “And you…” he grabbed an unexpecting Mark in a hug. “Thank you, Mark. Even if it was just for Eric.”

Mark returned the hug with a smile and shook his head. “It wasn’t just for Eric…” he gave a grudging nod. “Well, it was at first for Eric, but I did it for you, too.” He broke from Mike and grinned at Chet. “And him.” He chuckled as Chet hugged him, as well.” He looked at me. “I’ve not had family in a while. Thank you for including me in yours.”

Okay, my ex-boyfriend was hugging my future husband and that same ex-boyfriend was being hugged by my future son. Things couldn’t be better.