Page 108 of Sweet T

“I don’t know what to say.” Evan’s eyes welled for the second time that day. “No one has ever pointed me out in anything before, much less reviewed me.”

“Well, get used to it.” Titus said, skimming down to the summation– “If you think you’re too old, or too jaded, or, perhaps, too ignorant to understand the masterful motifs of a Shakespearean drama, fear not, good people. You are in the hands of Sebastian Collins and his very capable cast. Free your mind and prepare to be enchanted. Not only will you understand the story, you may recognize it.”

“Wow. Wow,” Evan stuttered, unable to articulate much more. Tears spilled.

Pedro reached over and took his hand. “Relax. Breathe.”

“I just–I never. I–” Evan was grasping for words, but they were rings hanging out of reach, and he was on a carousel spinning way too fast.

Tucker spoke for him. “Evan’s parents didn’t encourage his efforts. I would venture to say they never even saw him perform.”

“My mom did. Once.” The change of subject helped released Evan from his verbal paralysis. He sighed. “She said she had a hard time figuring out which one was me.”

Titus grunted.

“To be fair, it was The Music Man, and I was in the chorus.”

“It’s still inexcusable.” Titus reached for Evan’s other hand. “Son, when your child is out there doing his thing in front of the world, you cheer him on. It’s what parents are supposed to do. My daddy was at every single one of my football games, night or day, rain or shine. He knew I didn’t have what it takes to be a professional athlete, but he didn’t let that stop me from dreaming and figuring it on my own. Because that’s what parents are for–to laud, and lift, and support.”

Tucker watched Titus with Evan, seeing again the father he remembered from his childhood–the one that had encouraged him to swim, to play, to dream—long before Javy had come along.

Titus’s eyes went to Tucker. “I’m sorry, son. I have never been more sorry in my whole life. I let you down when you needed me most. Something hindered you and I should have seen it. I should have helped you overcome it. But I was too damn distracted by your stepbrother’s aptitude. I wasn’t there for you when I should have been, and I’m asking for your forgiveness. Please forgive me, son, because I will never forgive myself.”

Sitting there, imploring, Titus looked a little older than his mid-forties. But Tucker’s eyes had filled too, blurring his vision. The man he saw before him was the young hulk in the painting Pedro had commissioned, the one of the four of them in the pool. The man he saw was the father he had lost, now miraculously returned.

And Tucker had never realized just how much he wanted it.

He reached out with both hands and clasped Titus’s. “I do, Daddy. I forgive you. I want you back. I want to be your best man. I love you and P so much, and I want to be there for you both. I will be there for you. Always.”

Titus stood. “Come here,” he said. Tucker went to him, and they held each other.

Evan’s eyes found Pedro’s, and through tears of his own, Pedro offered him a grateful smile.

“Well,” Evan said, voice wavering. “This has been a rather eventful morning.”

“Afternoon,” Titus said, with a weepy smile over Tucker’s shoulder.

Evan grinned. “Afternoon, I mean.”

Tucker and Pedro embraced next. Evan stood, so as not to be the only one sitting.

“It’s a great day.” Titus said, moving between Tucker and Pedro and taking each of their hands in his own. “Hell, a great weekend. Best weekend of my life. I got my son back and I’m marrying the man I love.”

“Doesn’t get any better,” Evan affirmed.

“Yes, it does,” Titus corrected him. “Because I get to see you perform tonight. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hope I don’t let you down. It’s not exactly contact sports.”

“Maybe not. But it reminds me of going to football games back in the day, and I’m ready to cheer you as well. Because you’re family too, Evan. Pedro’s not one to take credit for things, but he’s been telling me all along that you were the key to bringing function back to our dysfunction. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Welcome to the Shepherd clan.”

“Thank you,” Evan said, smiling sheepishly. “I think.”

“Your turn.” Titus went to Evan, squeezing him with such might that Evan giggled with euphoric release. “I mean it. You have a family now.”

Tucker and Pedro joined them in a group hug, and they swayed together as one. When they turned loose of each other, the decorating crew was returning from lunch, heading back through the gate.

“Well, that was good timing,” said Pedro.

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