A prompt a week - 44. Tony's First Day of Vacation - Part 2 - Prompt 568

“You’ve got to tell me everything!” Tina squealed as she rushed over to Tony’s side and practically sat on his leg.

“Hey! Watch it. I’m hurt and don’t need any more issues,” Tony hissed at his sister.

Tina smiled at him sweetly, grabbed a pillow off the couch, and proceeded to hit him with it.

“Ouch,” yelped Tony. “You’re a brat.”

“And you’re an idiot. Now fill me in. I haven’t seen you with Dillon in years. So what happened?”

Tony shook his head and looked out the window. “Nothing really happened. We talked.”

“You haven’t seen Dillon in, what? Five years. You two used to be thick as thieves. Then you just stopped talking to each other.” Christina watched her brother’s face darken as he looked at his lap. “Trust me, I noticed when someone sexy stopped showing up to our house.”

“Tina, please.” Tony sat and massaged his leg. “Shouldn’t you be doing homework or something?” He stopped massaging his leg only when the ice pack his sister had given him a few minutes ago, fell to the floor. Gingerly, he picked it up and put it on the coffee table.

“No. Besides, your baby sister needs to take care of you.” Tina leaned back and watched her brother. Suddenly, her eyes got wide and she nearly fell off the couch as she pointed wildly at her brother. “Crap. Why didn’t you say something?”

Tony looked up and froze.

“You like him. That’s it, isn’t it. You like Dillon and you didn’t want to tell him.”

Tony sat in stony silence, blinking, but not saying anything.

“Oh, no you don’t. What happened today? You got hurt and he brought you here to Mom’s house instead of to your apartment. Spill it!”

Tony sat looking at his baby sister, wishing his leg wasn’t swollen, so he could hide from her and everything. Just when he felt the day couldn’t get any worse, he heard the front door open and close.

“Anthony Stephen Kincaid, what’s this I hear about you being hurt and a police officer having to bring you here?” Tony’s mother closed her umbrella as she dropped it into the can she had by the front door. She shook off her coat and hung it up as she spotted her children in the living room.

“Mom, how on earth did you find that out?” Tony asked as his mother walked over and glanced at his knee which was now swollen, as well as being black and blue.

“I swear you should be wrapped in bubble wrap. I love you dearly, but you are the most accident prone person I know.”

Tina giggled.

“Mom,” whined Tony.

“Don’t Mom, me. Mrs. Danvers came in when I was getting ready to leave Sally’s. You know today I go get my hair done. Anyway, Mrs. Danvers said she seen a cop helping you out of his car, and you limped up to my place.”

“Nosey old bitch,” muttered Tina.

“That’s why I don’t visit often, Mom. In this neighborhood, you fart, and five minutes later, I swear everyone knows.” Tony shook his head. “I was hiking and I fell. You know I started my vacation today.”

“Yes, I know. If you aren’t going away, you do realize I could use your help around here.” His mother crossed her arms and looked down at him.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Mom. He is hurt and can’t stand for long. Deputy Sherriff Logan brought him home,” stated Tina as she picked up her water glass and headed into the kitchen.

“Wait? Dillon brought you home? I can’t remember the last time he came over. How is he? Did you two finally make up?”

Tony sat there as a deep blush came to his face. “You know this is why I never tell either of you anything.”

“What do you mean?’ His mother took a seat in her rocking chair.

“It means something happened today between Dillon and Tony, Mom. He just doesn’t want to tell us.” Tina came back into the room, sat on the arm of the couch, facing her brother, as she ate out of a container of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

“What is there to know? I got hurt, and I got a lift to the diner. I figured I’d eat something and then call for a cab home. I get the feeling Maureen called Dillon. She knew we were close growing up, he got my knee looked at, and he drove me here.” Tony purposely didn’t look at either his mother or sister.

“Brother dear, even I know that isn’t all of it.”

Tony sighed.

“You might as well come clean. You know your sister won’t rest ‘til you tell her,” said his mother as she tried not to laugh.

“There is nothing to tell. Dill drove me home. We didn’t talk. All he did say was once he gets off tonight, he’ll take me back to my apartment, and he plans to have a long talk with me.”

“I never did find out why you two stopped talking.” His mother slowly rocked as she looked at her son. “One day he was here, and the next he was gone.”

Tony took the ice pack and put it back on his knee. He knew he was in for a long day.

Tony watched out the window as the small red Mazda pulled up upside his mother’s house. He watched as Dillon got out of the car and headed up the walkway to the front door.

Buzz. Buzz.

Tony went to stand up to get the door as Tina bounced into the living room.

“Coming,” she shouted at the door and giggled as Tony glared at her.

Tina opened the door and Dillon stood there hand halfway to the doorbell.

“Oh. Uh, hi. I thought Tony was trying to ignore me.” Dillon slid his hands into his pockets.

“Nah, the klutz is on the couch. Almost didn’t recognize you without the uniform.” Tina looked Dillon over.

Dillon blushed.

“Jesus. Just let the man in already, Tina. Dillon, I’m on the couch,” called Tony from the living room.

Tina rolled her eyes, stepped aside, and let Dillon in.

Dillon walked in and immediately spotted how swollen and black and blue Tony’s knee was. “Damn, I’m glad we got that looked at.” He walked over to the couch and stared at the large swollen mess,

Tony just nodded. “If you’ll help me to your car, we can get out of here.”

“If you’re sure you don’t want to stay here? I mean, so your mom and Tina can help you out.”

Tony looked up and froze. Tina stood behind Dillon and smiled, bouncing on her feet.

“Nah, Dill. I’d rather go home. Besides, you wanted to talk privately and we can’t do that here.”

Dillon turned and found Tina behind and then heard the stairs creak as Deborah Stanford came downstairs.

“Dillon! I’m so glad to see you. Come give me a hug.” Deborah stood with her arms out to Dillon.

“Hi, Mrs. S. How are you?” Dillon walked over and hugged Deborah.

“I’m good. I see you are here to take grumpy home. I feel like it’s been forever since I seen you last. Can you stay a while and catch up?”

“Mother!” Tony had managed to stand and was using some old crutches from when he’d broken his leg in high school. “I think we better get going. The television weather girl said the rain would be back later and I don’t want Dill stuck in it.”

Deborah sighed. “Well, if you have to go. Just know my door is always open to any of my children’s friends.”

The car pulled up to the parking lot of their old high school. A strong wind whipped the school flag and could be heard as Dillon turned off his car.

The silence was uncomfortable and Tony squirmed in his seat.

“So, now that I have you alone, are finally going to tell me why?” Dillon’s voice was soft and he slowly turned to face Tony.

“Why? Why what?” Tony’s voice cracked, but he stared straight ahead.

“Cut the crap, Tony. We were best friends. I was there for you when your old man died. You were there for me when my sister was killed in that car crash. We did everything together. Birthdays, holidays, vacations, and weekends we were always together. Then the day after graduation you were gone. You fucking left me a goddamn note. A fucking note! You didn’t even have the guts,” Dillon broke and began to cry. He smashed his hand onto the steering wheel. “You didn’t even say goodbye to me. You just took a job out of state for our final summer, and then you started college. You never even seen me when you came home during your breaks. So, why?”

Tony sat there feeling numb. He’d never meant to hurt Tony, but realizing he was gay and falling for his best friend had been terrifying. His greatest fear was Tony would abandon him, and he would lose that friendship. He’d convinced himself that Dillon wouldn’t care and had probably replaced him immediately, after all, Dillon was the social one. Now he was seeing first hand just how this had affected his best friend.

“I couldn’t,” began Tony.

“Couldn’t what?” Dillon stared at Tony. “If Maureen hadn’t called me I wouldn’t have known you were here, you sure as hell didn’t contact me. She said my constant shadow was hurt, leg swollen, looked like a drowned cat, and was sitting at her counter. She handed me an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Finally, a chance to get some answers. So, after almost six years I think I deserve more than a letter telling me you’ve accepted a summer job in Boston, and you’ll talk to me soon.”

“You don’t understand,” Tony’s voice dropped to a whisper, “I’m gay.”

“And?”

Tony turned and looked at Dillon. His friend’s eyes were red and swollen. His face was red and blotchy.

“And what? I’m gay, Dill. Card carrying, man on man, love a guy only, gay.”

Dillon reached out and took Tony’s face and lifted it ‘til he could look into his eyes. Dillon smiled and then slapped Tony across the face.

“You’re an asshole. For Christ’s sake. I’m your best friend! I’ve known you were gay since fifth grade. Is that why you stopped talking to me, Tony? Because you’re gay?”

Tony rubbed his cheek. It didn’t so much hurt, but it shocked the hell out of him. Tony had known he was gay?

“Answer me!”

“Yes. No. Yes. Partially. Why do you want to know?”

“Well, that was clear as mud. Let me ask you a question?”

Tony eyed Dillon carefully. “Ask.”

“All through junior high and high school who did you date?”

Tony sighed. “No one.”

“Okay. And in all that time who did I date?”

Tony started and then stopped. Finally he blurted out, “no one.”

“Good. See, I knew your brain worked. Now, one last question. Why didn’t you date anyone?”

Tony fidgeted in his seat. “Because, I had ….” Tony looked up at Dillon and stopped talking.

“Exactly. So, suddenly, the man I was in love with was gone. I tried to talk to you and called your mother’s house a few times. I had your twelve year old sister telling me you were staying with your aunt and working to afford college. With no warning at all I was here alone and I needed to make some decisions about my future, especially as I was now alone. I applied to the police academy, took some courses from the local college, and became a sheriff. And now you’re back.”

“I didn’t know.”

“You didn’t want to know.” Dillon turned and looked at the storm that was exploding just on the other side of the glass. Lightening brightened the dark skies and struck a tree on the other side of the field.

“I’m sorry, Dill. I was afraid, and a kid, and hell, I didn’t want to lose you, but I couldn’t tell you either,” Tony said all in one breath.

Dillon didn’t turn to look at Tony.

Tony sighed. “Look, I moved to Boston and worked a crumby job and saved every dime for school. I stayed at my Aunt Sarah’s place. When I started college I finally came out. I dated a bit, but couldn’t find someone I really connected with. Each time I came home I did my best to stay away from you. I figured you’d find someone, marry, and all. I didn’t want to see that. It was easier to just let it go. Of course, mom and Tina filled me in on you going to the community college and becoming a sheriff. I was happy for you, Dill.”

Dillon turned back. There were no tears this time. When Dillon spoke his voice was steady and emotionless.

“Happy? The one person I’d trusted and cared for, well, you left one night with no warning. Kind of hard to be happy when you don’t trust anyone. There were a few acquaintances, but no one I could put my faith into like I had with you. I refused to let anyone in. I went to school and came home. I finished at the academy, top in my class. My fellow officers invite me out, but I politely refuse. Mom and Dad still wonder why I don’t date, and more than once they ask why you and I don’t talk. So, all I really want to know is why?”

Tony’s stomach turned. He’d never realized what his decision had done to his best friend. He’d gone on, dated, and made friends, but the wounds he’d inflicted on Dillon had changed him to the core. He’d still cared about people, but now everyone was held at arm’s length.

“Because, Dill, I couldn’t face telling you I loved you and losing you.”

The drive home was done in silence. It seemed forever before they pulled up before Tony’s place.

“Dill…”

“Don’t!” Dillon just looked at Tony and shook his head. “I’m not sure how I feel right now, so just don’t.”

“Okay.” Tony opened the door, reached into the back, and grabbed his crutches. “I’m going to head in.”

Dillon sat and watched as Tony hobbled to his door. He looked in the back seat and spotted Tony’s knapsack. He took a deep breath, grabbed the bag, and followed Tony to his door.

“You forgot your bag.”

“Thanks, Dill.” Tony opened his door and turned to face him.

“Look, this isn’t easy for me. Just heal up.” He handed Tony the bag.

Tony took it and watched as Dill took a step off the stoop.

“Damn.”

“What’s wrong, Dill? Are you ….”

Tony didn’t get to say any more for Dillon had turned around grabbed him and kissed him.

When Tony regained his senses, Dillon was climbing into his car. A moment later, Dillon’s Mazda pulled out of the street.

“My god! I’m going to do everything I can to make this up to you, Dillon. I promise.”