Camp Echo - 15. Chapter Fifteen - Parents and Family.

“Hi, Max. It’s Nate.”

The voice at the other end of the line seemed agitated.

“You okay? Is something wrong?” Max felt nervous.

“Well, yes and no. It’s complicated. I need to speak to you, but not now. Not on the phone.”

“So let’s meet up.”

“Yeah, in half an hour. Can you make it?”

Max was not going to say no. This was important.

“Sure, where?”

“Outside the tube at Highgate station, I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay, I’ll be there.”

Max put the phone down and hurriedly collected his things. Aeriol was just getting up, he told him he was going out to meet Nate and would be back later, but wasn’t sure when. Aeriol nodded and waved whilst occupying himself with the kettle and a mug of coffee.

For once he was lucky, reaching the bus stop just before the bus. The doors folded open and he boarded, going upstairs and taking one of the unoccupied front seats. Fifteen minutes and he was there, looking out of the window, he didn’t see Nathan. Max clambered down the stairs and off the bus, turning to walk up to the lights and around the corner to the station entrance. Bright streaks of sunshine pierced the shade and gloom of the morning, but did nothing to add any warmth to the cold.

Apart from people making their way into the tube entrance, there was no one else around, no Nathan. Max stood there looking back up the road, watching the traffic lights change and the traffic moving. There was nothing he could do except wait. He walked back up the street, turned and looked towards the woods. He had no idea which direction Nate would come from. Half an hour suddenly seemed to stretch for an eternity. He was sure he’d been waiting much longer than fifteen minutes and fifteen minutes on the bus, where was he?

He thought he heard someone calling his name, but the traffic noise masked nearly everything, this was a busy main road. Max saw him when the lights changed and before the flow of traffic turned the corner. Nate was on the opposite side, waving. They crossed and met in the middle of the junction, before turning back to regain the far side pavement.

“Sorry,” Nate blurted out as he tried to recover his breath.

Max looked at him and smiled.

“I ran nearly all the way,” Nate gulped in a breath of air.

“I’d have waited,” Max told him.

They stood a moment surrounded by the traffic and assaulted by the noise.

“Let’s walk,” Nate said. “It’s too noisy here, we need to find somewhere we can hear each other.”

Together they walked back up the hill in the direction Nate had come from.

“You live up here?” Max asked.

“Yeah,” was all Nate replied, without being more forth coming.

Highgate was a chic part of North London, up and coming, is what they called it. Which meant property prices were high and it was a sought after area, but not on the same level as Hampstead itself. If you couldn’t afford Hampstead, which you would have to be very wealthy to live there, then Highgate was the next best choice. It made Max wonder just a little bit more about Nathan.

“Where are we going?” Max glanced at Nate as they walked side by side along the narrow pavement.

“There’s a little coffee shop, tea room, not too far.”

That made Max smile. He pictured little old ladies in their Sunday finest sipping tea and delicately eating fruit cake.

“Yeah, alright,” Nate returned his smile. “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s open and we can talk there.”

Max simply continued walking next to Nate until they arrived at the place and Nate pushed open the door with a jingle from the little bell. Inside was a tiny space with three round tables, the wooden counter and multiple shelves behind stacked with what looked like different teas. Max spotted, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and English Breakfast. There was another section further along with coffee beans and a large grinder. The aroma was a fantastic mixture of smells, the strongest being freshly ground coffee.

Nate ordered two coffees, without asking, and they sat down at one of the tables. It was then, Max noticed the staircase with its little arrow and panel: ‘First Floor Salon.’ He listened to the sounds of the freshly brewed coffee percolating through the machine, which finished by hissing and spluttering. The lady behind the wooden counter brought over their coffees and set them down on the counter.

Max looked at his coffee, then lifted his eyes and regarded Nathan. “Well, what exactly do you need to talk about?” He gave his pleasant, hopefully reassuring smile.

“I told my parents and my brother.”

For a couple of minutes there was silence, only the traffic noise from outside filled the void.

“About us?” Max asked, after the news had permeated through his conscience.

“No, about the dog I want to adopt.”

Was this Nate’s attempt at lightening the atmosphere, or was he annoyed? Max wasn’t sure, he’d never been in this type of situation.

“What did they say?” He almost held his breath, realising how important the next answer would be. What the consequences might be, what they would do.

Nate grinned, which came as a relief for Max.

“You look worried?”

“Of course, I’m worried. I rushed to get here. Waited for ages for you to arrive. Now I need to know what happened.”

Nate looked at Max and his grin became a smile.

“I rushed here too, remember. Anyhow, everything’s okay.”

“Everything? What exactly?”

“I told my parents I’d met someone. A guy. You.”

Max looked intently at the boy in front of him. Scrutinising him.

“They’re cool. They told me that they were only concerned for me, my welfare.”

“But you said you always had to get home and they wouldn’t let you stay anywhere overnight. I thought they were like on your back about...”

“Yeah, well they were, are, kind of,” Nate interrupted. “But only because they were worried.”

“Worried?” Max frowned.

“I guess they didn’t want me, you know, falling into the wrong company.”

“Well,” Max sighed. “I’m pretty sure I fall into their definition of the wrong company.”

“Perhaps you do. But you’ll either have to put on a good act or just talk about the good stuff.”

“The good stuff?”

“Yeah, you know, like you have a job. You're independent, making your own way in life. What you want to do. That kind of stuff.”

“Why do I even need to think about that?”

“Because,” Nate sipped his coffee and peered over the rim of the cup at Max.

“No. Fuck. You aren’t gonna say what I think you’re gonna say.”

“Depends what you think I’m gonna say, doesn’t it?”

“Your parents...”

Nate put his cup down.

“You got it!” He laughed. “They want to meet you.”

Max gulped. “Like meeting the boyfriend?”

“Yeah, I suppose. They wanna check you out. My little brother too!”

“What will I say?”

“I don’t know, but you’ll think of something. Just be yourself.”

Max wriggled in his seat.

“That won’t work at all.” He leaned across the table and whispered, “So I tell them their son is the cutest boy I’ve met and I want to fuck his brains out.”

Nate sat back and smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. That won’t work.” He laughed again.

“So when?”

“Ah, when? Actually, you’re invited for Sunday lunch.” Nate twisted his wrist and looked at his watch. “That’s in about four hours.”

They sat there for a long moment just smiling at each other.

“Well, I guess I can do it. But you have to come home with me. Help me choose what to wear.”

“Is that all?” Nate smirked, finished his coffee and stood up. “Let’s go then.”

*****

“Listen guys, you are all invited to my parents place. We’re going to have a party weekend. Saturday through Sunday. In two weeks.”

Jules looked around the room. It had been a while since everybody was together, but this Sunday was turning out special.

Nads stood up and put her arm around Mayaan who was standing next to Aeriol. “We’ll definitely be there. We can all go together.”

“That’s you, Nads, Alex and me,” Aeriol grinned.

It seemed somehow that Aeriol had got back with Alex and they all looked enthusiastic about visiting Jules.

“Okay well you can all stay over. So I’ll see you then. And you’ll get to meet Thomas.”

“Jules, who’s Thomas?” Max asked.

“That’s what happens when you’re out all morning. He was my best friend from school.” Jules turned to pick up his things. “I’ve got to go. Got a train to catch. Parents and all that.”

“See ya, Jules. Take care.” Aeriol handed him the last item of luggage, which he hooked over his shoulder.

The guy looked like a Yeti, with bags hanging down on both sides, a woollen hat and the two day beard he was either trying to grow or just couldn’t be bothered to shave.

“We’ve gotta go too,” Max looked at Nate. “How do I look?”

“You'll do,” he replied and kissed him on the cheek.

“Okay girls let’s settle down and roll one up.”

Aeriol pulled Alex down with him onto a bean bag and Nads and May took the sofa.

“You two really have to go now?” May looked across at Max.

“Yep, we’ve parents to meet too.”

Max and Nate followed Jules down the stairs and out into the midday sun, which although there, was still not doing much to raise the temperature.

“So I guess I’ll find out where you live?” Max grinned.

“Oh, shit! I forgot to say,” Nate glanced at him.

“Forgot to say what?”

“We’re eating out. My parents booked a table at some posh restaurant in Hampstead.”

“Nah, you’re joking.”

“Yeah, I’m joking.”

Max grabbed him around the neck in a head lock and ruffled his hair.

“Whatever happens, I think I love you.”

Nate stopped dead, turned and faced Max.

“You do?”

Max kissed him, right there in the middle of the street. There wasn't anyone around, but he hadn’t bothered to check.

“I do,” he replied, and it echoed like a marriage vow. The significance of what he’d just said was not lost on Max.

*****

“Yeah, you said posh.” Max stood looking at the entrance.

La Gaffe was a five star hotel and well known restaurant, it was not as intimidating as he had imagined. He was getting the impression that Nathan was from a well off family who lived in Hampstead. Of course, the two went together, but made a stark contrast to a part-time job at the Whole Earth Cafe in Archway Road.

“My dad loves Italian! Come on, let’s go in.”

As soon as they entered the restaurant they were stopped by the Maître d’ “May I help you, gentleman?”

Max got the impression that this guy, in his crisp black suit and tie, was a sort of rich man's bouncer.

“We’re joining Mr Collins,” Nathan replied. “My father.”

A smile changed the visage of the elegant bouncer, who transformed into another creature entirely.

“This way. Please follow me, Sir.”

Sir, what the fuck! Max thought, but he followed Nate and the Maître d' through the restaurant to a table at the rear on one side. He glanced around at the ornate decor and plush furnishings. The rest of the family were already seated at the table. Nathan’s father stood up, followed by his wife and Nate’s younger brother, who was staring at Max.

“Dad,” Nate announced. “This is Max.”

Nathan’s father extended his arm and they shook hands.

“David,” he smiled. “My wife, Ann.”

Max received a delicate handshake from Nathan's mother, who seemed to look at him in a way that made him feel like he was being examined.

“Nice to meet you,” she said. “And this,” she placed her hand on the shoulder of Nate’s brother, “is Martin.”

Martin also extended his arm and shook hands with Max. There was a probing look in the young boy’s regard. Max wondered how old he was, fourteen, fifteen, he wasn’t sure.

Everyone sat down and Nathan’s father opened the conversation. “So what is it that you do, Max? For a living?”

Max had to force himself not to smirk because the first part of that question simply took his mind off in a whole other direction, but he restrained himself. However, glancing across the table at Martin he saw the boy smiling and was sure he got the possible double meaning.

“At the moment I’m working in a warehouse in Kentish Town. It supplies organic produce to shops and restaurants.”

“Are you by chance a vegetarian?” Nathan’s mother piped in.

Max smiled, “Not really by chance, Mrs Collins. No, more through practicality.”

“How would that be?” Mrs Collins replied.

“Well, you see, when I left home and started sharing. I share a flat in Muswell Hill. The others were into whole foods and vegetarian meals, so I sort of joined the gang. Plus, it’s a whole lot cheaper.”

“It’s not a philosophical choice then?” Mr Collins asked.

“No, Sir. Purely financial. But I do think it has its merits.”

All the while this small talk was going on, Martin was scrutinising Max. Then when the opportunity arose, a short pause in the conversation, he jumped in.

“Where did you two meet?” He asked, with a sly grin.

Nathan’s mother looked at her son, but didn’t interrupt. Perhaps she too was curious to know how they met.

Max was winging it now. “I met Nathan,” he glanced at Nate, who was sitting perfectly still, next to him. “At home. I guess that sounds kind of odd, but he’d met up with Aeriol, May, and Nads. Aeriol is the guy I share with and May is sort of his girlfriend, or was. And Nads, Nadia, is a friend of May. Well, anyhow, they got talking to Nate in the cafe in Archway Road and all ended up back at the flat.”

Martin seemed to be looking even more intently at Max. He sort of screwed up his eyes.

“So you’re like boyfriends?”

Max looked straight into the boy's eyes. “Yes, that’s right.”

“And...”

“I think that’s enough,” Mrs Collins interrupted.

At the same moment the waiter arrived and was handing her the menu.

Max didn’t think that Nate’s little brother was against him, just maybe, curious, and protective of his older brother. Which was cute in a way, it showed the two brothers were close and cared about each other. He was sure Nate would be just as interested in finding out about his brother’s girlfriend or boyfriend.

After the initial barrage of questions which included the usual, where did he grow up? What did his parents do? Were there any brothers or sisters? Nathan’s father posed the question about what did he want to do? Meaning, that Max wasn’t going to spend the rest of his life working in a warehouse, organic or otherwise.

Max thought about his answer. During the meal he’d got to like Nathan’s parents, and his brother. They’d drank a glass or two of wine, and he was feeling relaxed.

“I have always wanted to explore another culture,” Max replied. “I would very much like to spend a month in North Africa, Morocco. I’ve read up on it and I’ve been putting some money aside. You see, it’s the nearest place to visit that is a completely different culture on another continent.”

Nathan's parents looked at each other. Nate looked a little surprised. Understandably, it was the first he’d heard about it.

“Wow, that’s a great plan,” Martin replied, enthusiastically.

“Perhaps, it all depends. Now I’ve met Nathan,” Max put an arm around his boyfriend, well I’ll have to see what he thinks.”

“You should both go together,” Martin continued. “I’d love to go.”

Max welcomed the support from Martin, but at the same time he wondered what Nate thought about the idea, and what his parents thought.

As dessert was served, Nathan’s father smiled, and told Max that the spirit of adventure was probably intrinsic to all young men. He’d read the boy’s own yarns as a youngster, something that embodied the aspirations of youth, to face challenges.

So it seemed to Max that the meal had gone very well, incredibly well. Not only were they a nice family, but Nate’s parents, or at least his father, weren’t opposed to what he might like to do. Perhaps the only question that remained, was what Nate thought about it?

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