Broken Toys

Chapter 55

"We did good?" Hank teased, elbowing Casey in the ribs. It was Hank's father and his diplomatic connections that had enabled the boys to contact Zeke's parents and make the arrangments to get them to the school in time for the graduation.

"We did good," Casey agreed hopefully as he watched the reunion between Zeke and his parents unfold. A part of him wanted to turn away because it hurt to see someone else have what he wanted so much, but he believed that Zeke needed this more than even he did. And unlike himself, Zeke had a real chance of having it.

"Hey, I hate to do this, but I gotta go. The parents want to go do the photo thing. We'll see you at the house later, okay? Talked Pops into springing for seafood so make sure you're hungry." Hank waved and hurried over to his parents who had been waiting patiently for him, cameras at the ready.

Casey watched as Hank and his family left, then suddenly realized how awkward his position was, standing here alone surrounded by all these families. He turned, intending to slip away quietly when Billy caught his his arm.

"Hey, Casey, look, I'm gonna go with the parental units for a while - take pictures and all that. See you back at the house, okay?" Billy grinned at Casey and hurried away, acting as if he were being dragged, then trading fake punches with his dad. His mother and step-father walked ahead talking and his step-mother minced carefully behind, nose scrunched up delicately as if the whole school smelled faintly unpleasant.

Casey looked over at Zeke and his parents. There seemed to be an invisible line dividing the two adults from Zeke. Zeke was tense and Casey could see that he was struggling to remain calm.

Hesitating just a moment, Casey moved slowly towards the trio, hoping that he had made the right decision. Without a word he stopped beside Zeke, careful to maintain a proper distance between their bodies; it wasn't his place to reveal Zeke's life to his parents.

Zeke looked over at Casey and managed a smile. He reached out and placed a hand lightly on his shoulder, apparently needing the contact, yet not able to make himself vulnerable to these relative strangers.

"Mom, Dad, meet Casey Conner. He's from Ohio too. You won't remember, but I told you about him."

"Casey, it's a pleasure to meet you at last. I understand there will be a party at your house later today." Zeke's mother's hand was cool and soft and Casey felt awkward touching it, as if he might accidently break it in his clumsiness. By contrast, Zeke's father's hand was warm and strong, with a firm, confident handshake that almost made Casey wince.

"Yes, ma'am. I hope you can join us. It won't be fancy, but there will be plenty of food and you can meet the rest of Zeke's friends."

"Will your parents be joining us, Casey?"

"I... I don't think they can make it, sir. Unexpected emergency. You understand." Casey couldn't meet either set of those eyes. Especially not Zeke's mother's - so much like Zeke's, and her smile - there was pain and distance there that hurt Casey and he wanted very badly to turn away into the shelter of Zeke's embrace.

"They know all about that, Case. Don't you, Mom? Dad?" Zeke's voice was cold and it chilled Casey. He was beginning to wish that he'd never thought of inviting these people here, let alone followed through with the idea.

"Zeke..." Mrs. Tyler's voice was seductively soft even when reprimanding and Casey couldn't help but think of his own mother's much harsher voice. Beside him, Zeke tensed even more, and Casey wondered how long it would be before he snapped.

"In fact," Zeke continued, "they probably have an emergency of their own right now. Something much more important and meaningful than being here; lives to save, injustices to document, important people to spend time with." Zeke gestured towards the main entrance. "Go on, you've seen the kid, you can get back to your real lives now."

"Ezekiel!"

"Do not call me that, Mother. In fact, don't call me anything. Come on, Case, let's go home."

"Zeke." Zeke's father was in front of them, reaching out to Zeke, trying to stop him, but Zeke just pushed past him and kept walking. Casey stood, torn between following Zeke and trying to smooth things over with Zeke's parents. After a second's hesitation he dug into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled invitation.

"Here, on the back's directions to the house. Let me talk to him." He hurried after Zeke's retreating form, hoping that the parents would give them some time before attempting to follow. If they followed.

Why did everything he did get so screwed up?

*****

"Mr Conner, there you are" Dean Parker intercepted Casey as he rounded the main academic building, heading for the parking lot. He'd lost sight of Zeke and was hoping that he wasn't stranded at the school.

"Dean Parker, I have to go." Casey was breathing hard, almost gasping with the effort of dodging parents and students in his pursuit of Zeke. He hadn't taken the time to remove his graduation gown and he could feel the sweat sticking his shirt to his skin under the uncomfortably heavy material.

"Casey" The dean started to lean close, then seemed to change him mind. "It can wait. I'll see you at the house this afternoon?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'm bringing a surprise."

"Sir, you don't have to bring anything."

"I know. But I think you'll like this. Now hurry, I believe Mr Tyler is waiting for you."

Casey turned fast and Zeke was indeed waiting impatiently beside his car, a cigarette clutched defiantly between his teeth.

Casey turned back to the Dean to say goodbye, but he had been surrounded by a group of parents and grandparents all shaking his hands and wanting to take his picture with their graduate.

Casey waved to the Dean and hurried off towards the car and his lover, catching just a glimpse of Billy and his familial group. From the looks of things, they probably wouldn't see him at the house for a while - between them they seemed to have more film than Kodak.

"Ready?" Zeke demanded as Casey approached, barely waiting for him to get into the car before roaring out of the parking lot. They rode in silence for a while, not even the radio turned on for distraction. It wasn't until Zeke turned the onto the secluded road leading to the house that he took one hand off the steering wheel and rested it on Casey's leg.

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