Chan has taken Evan to meet his family, but he's a little concerned that things will not go well. Is this the right time to mention they're going to be living together? See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers have been up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Chan knew Evan was clearly not at ease. Not that he
showed his discomfort by anything he said or did, but Chan could tell. They
might not have been dating very long, but Chan was pretty good at interpreting
Evan’s body language. Today he seemed a little stiff at times and not his usual
self.
Seated together on the sofa, Chan watched Evan from
the corner of his eye as he conversed with Chan’s mother, who sat in a nearby
armchair. Ever the dutiful hostess, she asked questions about what it was like
to be a state trooper, and listened attentively to everything he said. She’d given Evan the tour of the house when
they arrived, while Chan’s siblings noisily claimed their brother’s attention.
Well, the noise was all Kamal and, to a small extent, Laksha. At eleven, she
was rapidly becoming a young lady, although at times she forgot herself and was
as rowdy as her brother. Madhu was her usual quiet self, content to sit on
Chan’s lap and smile, while clutching her favorite stuffed animal, a small gray
wolf she called Kela.
No, Chan could see that Evan and his mother were
getting along famously, and Evan had had no problem with Balji, despite the
circumstances under which they’d met. The problem appeared to be Chan’s brother
and sisters. The trouble had begun when Kamal asked who Evan was and called him
a kancha. Chan would have to explain the term later,
when they were alone. Not that it was disrespectful, it was simply a nickname
for someone who was strong and muscular looking. At least he hoped Kamal hadn’t
meant it disrespectfully. Maa had
warned Chan’s little brother to behave but he’d repeated the question once they
were inside the house.
“That gentleman
is Evan, and you will be respectful.”
Chan had lightly tapped the tip of his brother’s nose and given him a stern
look. “He is a good friend of mine. A very good
friend.” He wasn’t sure his brother would even understand the concept of
boyfriend. Friend was a starting point.
“Just asked a question,” Kamal grumbled. He darted a
quick scowl toward Evan before quickly looking away.
Why was his usually good-natured well-behaved
brother acting this way? Chan hoped whatever it was, he wouldn’t keep it up.
With an exasperated sigh, Laksha pulled her little brother
aside and whispered something in his ear. Kamal’s eyes widened and he glanced
between Chan and Evan in apparent confusion. “Girlfriend?” he asked in a
dubious voice.
“I said
boyfriend,” Laksha said in an aggrieved voice.
“How do boys have boyfriends?” Kamal wouldn’t let
the subject drop.
“The same way girls do,” Balji said smoothly, taking
his son’s hand and turning toward them. “You are very welcome here, Evan.
Please, make yourself at home. You, come with me.” He tugged at Kamal, leading
him away from everyone. Probably for a private lecture about manners and
guests. And maybe boys who have boyfriends.
Chan had never had a conversation with his brother
in regard to his sexuality, had never seen a reason to do so, since he’d never
been in a lasting relationship. He certainly had a reason now. Perhaps he
shouldn’t have waited until he had a significant other to come out to his
siblings. But then Kamal was only seven. Chan would discuss the subject with
his mother. She would be able to give him guidance on what to do, he was sure.
After a most enjoyable lunch, Laksha had helped her
mother clean up and then retreated to her room, phone in hand. Some of Kamal’s
friends had come to the door, and he had run off to play with them. Madhu had
been put down for her afternoon nap, leaving the four adults to enjoy tea and
cake. Chan’s mother had made a delicious carrot cake that melted in the mouth,
one of his favorites. He was very touched that she’d gone to such trouble,
especially with the short notice she’d been given.
“I’m sorry for Kamal’s behavior,” Balji apologized
to Evan. “He’s usually much better mannered. I’m not sure what has gotten into
him today.”
“No need to apologize,” Evan assured him. He took a
drink of the butter tea Chan’s mother had made. “This is very delicious,
Aarti.” She had told him to use her first name shortly after they’d arrived.
“Yes, it is,” Chan echoed.
“Thank you,” his mother said. She fixed her gaze on
Chan, almost expectantly. What was she waiting for, he wondered. She couldn’t
possibly know about his news… could she? Although she did have a disconcerting
way of knowing about things before he ever brought them up. When he’d come out
to her as gay, she’d exchanged a knowing look with Balji… almost as though
they’d discussed that very subject.
He took another bite of cake to distract his
thoughts, then almost choked when his mother asked, “Do you live far from Chan,
Evan?”
“Actually, I live just a little way from here, if
you’re familiar with the Floral Crest Apartments?”
“Oh yes, those are very lovely apartments.” Again
with that knowing look. Chan felt his cheeks warm. “Don’t you think so, Chan?”
Chan threw a glance toward Evan, but he seemed to be
oblivious to his mother’s machinations. Of course, wouldn’t he be? He barely
knew her or the way her mind worked.
“Yes, it’s very lovely,” Chan said. He reached for
his tea to give himself something to focus on but managed to slosh the hot
liquid over the sides and into the saucer beneath. Evan moved quickly. He
lifted the cup and soaked up the tea with his napkin.
“Evan and I are going to live together there.”
Did he just really blurt that out?
to be continued
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