Pride Goeth...

Chapter 6

“So, sweetie, have you given any more thought to the PRIDE parade?” Emmett asked as he set a popover down in front of Richie. Emmett had met his foster son in front of the Rainbow School and they had walked together to Emmett’s Place. Those walks were quickly becoming one of Emmett’s favorite things. He and his son got to chat about everything, and nothing, as they walked along. Now it was snack time and a chance for a little more alone time between the man and his foster son.

“Not really,” Richie said taking a bite of the delicious pastry. “What’s there to think about?”

“Like whether you want to go,” Emmett said sliding into the booth with Richie.

“I thought you said we were going.”

“I said I thought it would be good for you to go to the parade. I didn’t say you had to go. I don’t want you doing anything you don’t feel right about. I usually attend the parade in one guise or another. I think it would be a revelation for you to see what happens at the PRIDE parade. I’m hoping you’re planning to attend.”

Richie chuckled.

“What?” Emmett asked.

“You sounded so formal, like an invitation from the Queen.”

“You are getting an imitation from a queen,” Emmett replied with a big grin. He batted his eyelashes at Richie and smiled coyly resting his chin on his clasped hands.

Richie laughed louder. “I wish I could be like you.”

“You do?” Emmett asked in surprise.

“Yeah,” Richie said his face sobering. “You get to be exactly who you want to be. Nobody tells you that you can’t dress however you want. Nobody throws you away because they don’t like what you do.”

“Nobody’s ever going to do that to you again, Richie,” Emmett said pulling the boy into a fierce hug. “Not as long as I’m alive anyway. I promise you.”

Richie felt tears well up in his eyes and he managed to squawk, “Thanks.”

“Honey, PRIDE is when you get to be exactly what you want to be,” Emmett added with a nod of his head.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s when gay, bisexual, tranny, cross-dresser, all get to be exactly what they are. They don’t have to hide or pretend during PRIDE. It’s very liberating.”

“It is?” Richie asked with a frown.

Emmett nodded. “That’s why I asked you if you’d given any more thought to the parade. If you feel like dressing up, and I do mean in a dress, for the parade, then you should.”

“I should?” Richie asked in surprise.

“That’s what PRIDE is all about.”

“And nobody will get mad at me?”

“Not a single, solitary soul,” Emmett said squeezing Richie’s hand.

“Will…will you come with me if I do?”

“Of course I will, sweetie,” Emmett replied with a toothy grin. “I’d be honored to march the parade route with my new son.”

“Will you dress up with me?”

“You mean in female attire?” Emmett asked with a faraway look in his eyes.

“Yeah.”

There was a long pause as Emmett seemed to have zoned out. Richie studied this strange man who gave him permission to be whatever he wanted to be. Emmett accepted him exactly as he was. He wanted him to be what he was. As the silence continued, Richie hoped he hadn’t said something wrong by asking Emmett to dress up too. “Emmett?” he said as Emmett continued to be somewhere else.

“Oh, sorry, honey,” Emmett said shaking himself out of his reverie.

“Where were you?” Richie asked with a frown. “If … if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Remembering.”

“Remembering what?”

“When I first came to Pittsburgh from Hazelhurst, Mississippi, I met a lady named Godiva. She was the one who told me it was all right … no, not just all right … to be myself, mandatory to be myself. She said that there was no happiness, no worth in covering up what we are. I had never been able to cover up what I was, but Godiva made me proud of who I was. That’s the most important lesson in life, in my humble opinion, especially for people like us. I’ve never forgotten what Godiva did for me. I want to do the same for you. I want you to be proud of who and what you are. I try to be a friend to everyone and a champion for just causes. That’s what the parade celebrates in our community … along with a few other less noble elements,” Emmett added with a little chuckle. “PRIDE is meant to be fun. It puts the gay in gay. I’d be honored to dress up and march with you in the parade, Richie. It will be my tribute to Godiva.”

“Where’s Godiva now?” Richie asked in a small voice. He thought he knew, but he needed to hear it.

“She died a few years ago.”

“I … I kind of thought she had,” Richie said softly. “It sounded like that from the way you talked about her.” Emmett nodded. “She was a man, wasn’t she?”

“Honey, she was the best man or woman I ever met.” Emmett smiled at the memory of his first meeting with Godiva when he was the scared little hick from Mississippi, newly come to the big city.

“Even better than Mr. Brian?” Richie asked with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Emmett laughed out loud. “Brian Kinney would have a fit if he ever thought he was put in the same category as Godiva. He’d never be caught dressing up in women’s clothes.”

“What about Mr. Justin?”

“Hm, that’s a different story,” Emmett said thoughtfully.

“Does he?” Richie asked his eyes getting very large.

“Oh heaven’s no, at least not often. And not that anyone knows about. But he does make a wonderful Marilyn Monroe,” Emmett felt compelled to add.

“Huh?”

“It was a long time ago … one Valentine’s Day.”

Richie chuckled. “You do have interesting friends, Mr. Emmett.”

“Please, don’t call me mister,” Emmett said staring into Richie’s eyes. He wanted to be so much more than a mister to this boy.

“Sorry, I forget sometimes.”

“If you ever feel like calling me ‘dad’ I’d be open to that.”

“I … I don’t think I’m ready for that,” Richie said hesitantly. He didn’t want to make Emmett mad at him.

“That’s okay, but remember that when you are, I’d be mighty proud to be called that.”

Richie nodded. “Emmett,” he said choosing the word carefully.

“Yeah.”

“I think we should dress up for the parade … in honor of Miss Godiva.”

“You do?” Emmett asked with a grin that threatened to split his face in two.

“I do. I think I’d like that.”

“And I know I would,” Emmett replied pulling Richie into a bone crushing hug.

 

*****
 

“John-boy, I think you have a visitor,” Gordon said as he looked over John’s shoulder indicating the lady standing at the edge of their construction site. The Anderson Construction company had been working non-stop at the reconstruction of the newly combined primary and high schools that would be state of the art in their corner of the world. Both John and Gordon were inspecting the progress so far; they were very pleased.

“Damn,” John muttered to himself.

“That isn’t...”

“Yes, she is.”

“I thought she was in California.”

“She’s baaack.”

“Why? Doesn’t she know about you?”

“Yes, but I think she thinks she can turn me away from the dark side.”

“Ah. And does she have a chance?”

“Are you shitting me?”

“Yeah, I am, but Johnny, don’t forget that we’ve been friends for a hell of a long time. I remember before, during and after. And I remember the way you spoke about Samantha. Even years after you broke up, no other lady could live up to her. Why did she come back?”

John took a deep breath before explaining to Gordon what his former girlfriend believed.

“Is there a possibility that Grace could be your daughter?”

“It’s possible,” John admitted with a grimace. “We’re waiting for the results of some tests. But that doesn’t explain why Samantha’s here.”

“Maybe she’s heard something.”

“I guess I should go over and talk to her.”

“Seems like a good idea. It’s almost time for lunch, so why don’t you invite the lady to have a bite,” Gordon said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Are you trying to get me in trouble with Bobby?”

“John-boy, I would never do anything intentionally to drive a wedge between you and Bobby,” Gordon said as he took hold of John’s upper arms and looked into his eyes. “You are my best friend and I love Bobby like a brother. I also respect him; he has made you very happy.”

“Your point?”

“My point is ... I don’t have one. Just be careful. Desperate women can do desperate things.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” John said with a sigh. “I guess I better offer to take the lady to lunch,” John added as he dusted himself off and loped over to Samantha.

“Hi,” Samantha greeted John with a pensive smile.

“Hi,” John returned her greeting then placed a chaste peck on her cheek “Do you have time for lunch?”

“Yes, I do. You’ve made wonderful progress on the schools,” Samantha said before she got into John’s SUV.

“It’ll go faster when school’s out for the Summer,” he commented as he started his truck then automatically headed for the café. “You haven’t heard anything yet from Dr. Morrison, have you?”

“No, but he did say it could take several weeks before we know for sure.”

“It doesn’t really matter either way. Even if we find out that I am Grace’s biological father, from what you’ve told me she loved Warren. He was the only father she ever knew. At best, I could only be her friend.”

“I know.”

“Then why pursue it?”

“I just have to know,” she mumbled weakly.

“All right, honey,” John said as he patted her hand.

“Do you hate me?”

“I could never hate you but, Samantha, if you think I would ever leave Bobby for you then I have to be honest, I won’t. He and Patrick are my whole life.”

“I realize that. I saw your mother.”

“My mother?”

They pulled up in front of the café, parked then got out of the Navigator.

“It’s so beautiful today. It’s a shame to be stuck inside.”

“Let’s get our lunch to go, and we can eat it in the park,” John suggested. Samantha agreed.

Within the hour they were sitting at a picnic table in the local park.

“What did you and Claire talk about?” John ventured as he bit into his sandwich.

“About you, mostly. She caught me up on your life and told me about your brother. I’m sorry to hear about your father.”

John winced. “I never knew him. You can’t miss something you never had.”

“That’s not true. A child deserves two parents that love him.”

“From what I hear Jack wasn’t the loving type. But that’s all water under the bridge and I have Brian and his family. They’re my family now, me and my mother's. My life is good.” John hesitated for a moment but had to ask. “Why did you leave?”

“I really didn’t want to go, but my father sent me to this private girl’s school. I had no choice.”

“I suspected as much. He didn’t want you hanging around a bastard son.”

“No John! I never thought of you like that.”

“No, you didn’t, but half the town did. This isn’t the big city; we’re still a backwater town even in this day and age. Old prejudices still exist here. My mother and I didn’t always have it so good. But things change.”

“That’s for sure,” Samantha said without thinking. “Oh, I’m sorry and I didn’t mean...”

“I know what you mean. We’re not those two kids anymore, Samantha. I’m not the same man. We can’t go back.”

“But can’t you try?”

“No, I can’t and it’s unfair of you to ask,” John said suddenly very angry. “I have to get back to work. Can I drop you off anywhere?” he asked curtly.

Sensing that she had crossed a line, Samantha said, “No thank you, I can walk home from here. It’s not too far. The exercise will help to clear my head.”

“I’ll call you if I hear from Dr. Dan,” John said as he took their trash before leaving.

Samantha watched as John bundled up the garbage, threw it in a nearby garbage can then strode to his SUV. She sat for a while before walking home.

 

*****
 

“What are you doing, lambskin,” Lindsay asked as she walked into the living room of their house.

“Just thinking about Ray,” Gus said with a sigh. He really missed his boyfriend since he had gone back to New York after the Memorial Day weekend.

It was getting close to PRIDE Week in Pittsburgh. Ray was going to be coming back for the Pittsburgh PRIDE. Gus couldn’t wait to spend some more time with his boyfriend. And then later on Gus would spend the New York PRIDE week with Ray and his family.

“You miss him?” Lindsay asked.

Gus nodded. “It’s hard being so far apart.”

“You’re still so young,” Lindsay said with a fond grin.

“Oh Mom,” Gus said rolling his eyes. “I’m technically an adult, not some little kid.”

“You are not too old to spank,” Lindsay replied with mock severity and then a genuine laugh at the look her statement had produced on Gus’ face.

“You’ve never spanked me.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” Lindsay said as she gave her son a kiss then a pat to his butt.

“Oh Mom,” he whined as he returned her kiss.

“I love you, honey. I don’t like that you and your sister are growing up much too fast.”

“I can’t help it.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“Are you and Mama going to the parade?” Gus asked changing the subject.

“I’m sure we will be. Your mama wants to march with the equal marriage rights group.”

“Me and Ray just want to watch.”

“Ray and I,” she corrected. “And you and Ray just want to ogle the boys.”

“Your point?” Gus said with a smirk so like his father’s.

“Why I ever asked Brian Kinney to father my child, I’ll never know.”

“Because he happens to be one hell of a stud,” Gus answered with a straight face then made a discreet exit. It was time to call Ray. “Hey, stud,” Gus said into his phone with a big smile when he had placed the call.

“Hey, big boy,” came the retort. “I think I’ve got everything organized to come to Pittsburgh. You meeting me at the station?”

“That could be arranged.”

“We gonna get to stay at the loft?”

“Yup, cleared it with Pop.”

“I can’t wait to see you,” Ray replied his voice softening.

“Me too,” Gus said as he glanced down at his crotch. Other parts of him were very happy about Ray’s visit to his fair city as well. “See you soon, stud,” Gus drawled.

“Yeah!”

Gus knew it was going to be torture until Ray’s bus arrived from New York.

 

*****
 

“Leda, are you ever going to come in for dinner?” Jamie called out their back door. Leda was in the carport tinkering on her new all terrain vehicle. She was standing in the middle of automotive parts and covered in grease.

“Be right there,” Leda called back.

“I thought they had mechanics to do all that.”

“I am a mechanic,” Leda said as she finally entered their cottage.

“Ugh, you’re filthy and I think your deodorant quit on you a few hours ago.”

“Is that a hint that I need a shower?”

“More than a hint, it’s a suggestion. Dinner waited this long, it can wait a little while longer. Why are you in such a rush with this new contraption of yours?” Jamie asked as she followed Leda into the bathroom. She took Leda’s dirty clothes as Leda peeled them off of herself, so she could wash them separately.

“I want to see if I can get a working model ready for PRIDE,” she replied from the shower stall.

“I thought Brian’s campaign boosted your sales of your bike,” Jamie remarked as she sat on the edge of the tub.

“It did, better than I hoped. More than half the dykes will be riding a Lethal Bike and many of the men too. I’m just hoping this little three wheeler will interest the younger crowd. Maybe you’ll consider riding it in the parade.”

“Maybe. Your robe is on the door,” Jamie said as she got up to get dinner on the table.

“Okay, thanks. Jamie?” Leda said as she stuck her head out of the shower to catch her lover before she left.

“Yeah?”

“Have you given more thought about us having a baby?”

“Yes I did.”

“And?”

“And we can discuss it at dinner.” Leda nodded as Jamie left the bathroom.

When she finished washing her hair, Leda got out of the shower, dried off then joined her partner at the dinner table.

“You haven’t changed your mind about wanting to start a family, have you?” Leda asked as she served herself.

“No, not at all but I got the impression that you were serious about asking Brian Kinney to be the sperm donor. I have to be honest; I’m not all that happy with the idea.”

“I didn’t think you would be. There’d be a lot of baggage to get over if we went that route.”

“Which means...?”

“I did some checking. Apparently Kinney had cancer many years ago. More than likely the treatments left him sterile. He may have taken precautions prior to treatment but I’m not prepared to ask him about it. And then there’s Mel and Lindsay.”

“I like them but I really have no desire to be that closely linked with them. I like having our own friends and family.”

“I know what you mean.”

“So we’re in agreement? We choose someone else to be the donor?”

“Let’s make that someone else a sperm bank. We can then choose objectively,” Leda stated.

“I love your logical mind,” Jamie said with a smile as she passed the peas.

“And I love you,” Leda said as she spooned a generous helping of peas onto her plate.
 

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