Broken Memories

Chapter 8

Melanie Marcus had just moved her last box into the dorm when she met Miranda. Within minutes they were best friends and had planned to attend the Alpha Gamma Keg party that weekend. It was there that she met Darryll and began the road to coming out.

Darryll was a junior studying pre-law and they had an instant connection. Melanie was quick to accept his invitation to dinner the next night and spent the whole next day getting ready. She was busy putting on her makeup when Miranda stopped by.

“Hey, Mel, what’s up?”

“Just getting ready for my date.”

“You’re not seriously going to go out with Darryll, are you?” Miranda stared at her friend in the mirror and shook her head.

“He’s nice.”

“He’s fucking strange. Haven’t you heard the rumors about him?”

“What rumors?” Melanie asked only half listening.

“Well there was that rumor that before he came here he’d been kicked out of Columbia for raping some freshman.”

“If he was kicked out of Columbia, Penn State wouldn’t have accepted him and if he’d raped a girl, he’d be in jail, not college. You’re just jealous that I have a date and you don’t.”

“I could’ve gone out with William Stone tonight, but I’d rather just stay in and read.”

“Well, not me. I’m going out for a free steak and a movie. I’ll see you when I get back.” Melanie brushed past her friend, grabbing her purse and heading down the stairs.

“Be careful,” Miranda yelled down after her.

When Melanie stepped out of the front door of the dorm, Darryll Matthews was leaning against the building, whistling.

 

***
 

Brian sat at his computer trying to focus on getting the Eyeconics ad finished before taking some time off for Debbie’s funeral. He was stuck and couldn’t figure out exactly how to sell the new line. He flung the file across the room in anger, barely missing Cynthia as she opened the door.

She looked him and shook her head. “That’s not going to help.”

“Fuck you, Cynthia.” He was not in the mood to deal with her or anyone else today.

“I love you too, Bri, but um, your mother is here.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? What the fuck does she want?”

“I’m guessing that she wants to see you since she asked for you.”

“Tell her I’m not here, or I’m fucking someone or that I’m fucking dead. I don’t care what you tell her, but if you let her back here I will fire you, and then force you to live with the old bat.”

“She’s your mother, Brian, be nice.”

“She’s a homophobe and I’m better off without her.”

“I’ll show her in,” Cynthia said, ignoring Brian’s threats.

It was only a few minutes before Cynthia was showing Joan in and offering her some coffee. She smiled at Brian and left to get Joan’s coffee.

“Mom,” Brian said. “What did I do to deserve a visit from you at work?”

“I came to express my sympathy for Mrs. Novotny’s passing. And to ask when the funeral is so I can be sure that our lady’s group at church can send flowers.”

“Tomorrow. Her funeral is tomorrow at Clore’s.”

“Oh, in the chapel at the funeral home, how sad. I guess it’s appropriate, though.”

“You mean because all us fags will be there? Surely you know, mom, that we can step foot into a church. I recall going once with you and meeting that interesting priest.”

“Yes, Rev. Tom, he’s still there and still visiting regularly. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through the last few years without him. He’s such a nice young man. I can’t for the life of me figure out why he hasn’t married.”

Brian covered a laugh with a cough, got up from behind his desk and walked around to sit on the edge right in front of his mother.

“Ok, you’ve paid your condolences, time to go, mom. I’m sure there’s a bottle of wine missing you somewhere.”

“Brian, quit being rude, I taught you better than that.”

“Of course you did, mom. You taught me manners, you just forgot to teach me how to let myself be loved.”

“That’s enough.”

“No, mom it’s not. I have a man who loves me and I can’t allow myself to let him. All because of your fucked up parenting. I just push him away, and sooner or later I’m going to push and he’s not going to come back.”

“I don’t want to hear this.” Joan stood and headed for the door.

“Well, guess what, mom?” Brian stepped in front of his mother stopping her from opening his office door. “You’re gonna hear it. Your son is gay; it’s high time you get used to it. It’s not going to change, EVER. And you know what, mom, you stopping by might actually have made me realize just how much I love Justin and don’t want him to leave again. So for once in your life you did something good for me. Thank you, mom.”

Brian turned his back to Joan and listened as she left without a word. Sitting back in his chair he began trying to figure out how to open up and tell Justin how he felt.

 

***
 

He stood just outside of the funeral home, waiting for them to leave. It seemed to be taking forever and he was anxious to get home. He had big plans for tomorrow night and he had to make sure that everything was perfect.

He’d spotted her just outside that loudmouthed waitress' house and his heart had started to pound. She’d come back just as he knew that she would when he’d planned this all out. Soon she’d pay for what she did to him. Maybe he’d have a little fun with her pretty blonde wife first. Maybe he’d hand deliver her heart straight to the bitch. Yes, it was only a matter of time before he exacted his revenge.
 

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