Page 59 of Reaching Roland

Pete acknowledged him with a dip of his head, then said clearly enough for everyone in the room to hear, “And now I'd like to hear what you did to him. I don’t think Roland would’ve brought him or that his son would be standing over there in the wings waiting for him if your story was the only version of the truth.”

The murmur of voices crescendoed around the room at one of Bart’s own friends speaking to him that way, and Miss Georgina—God bless her—began clapping. One by one, the others who'djoined us, Indie’s friends, his family of choice, joined her in applauding. It brought tears to my eyes.

Kenny tugged on my arm, and I sat back down. “Who was that, Daddy? Was he one of your friends before all of this went down?”

I gazed over where Pete still stood in a standoff with Bart and nodded slowly. “Yeah, I guess that’s one of my friends.”

Finally, Bart took the hint and stormed out. Two of the other guys who I’d grown up with and spent vast amounts of time at my house trailed out after him. I’d always referred to them in my head as Tweedledee and Tweedledum so that was no big loss. Their wives were lovely—them, not so much. The other two, Pete and Fred, remained in their seats with their heads together, talking seriously.

Both Miss Georgina and Cameron had told me that they worried I'd written off all of my friends as acquaintances without really knowing for sure. But there’d been no way to be sure without sharing Indie’s story, and I’d promised him I wouldn't. Maybe acting like only their wives and children mattered to me had been my own self-defense mechanism for blowing up my friend group.

Once Bart was gone, Hutch, Archie’s Daddy and a detective with the Takoda Police Department, stood up, put his fingers in his mouth, and whistled loudly. The room immediately went silent, and he said in a stern voice, “I believe the young man has something to say.” Then he sat back down, and those of us near him chuckled at how enthusiastically Archie hugged his side for gaining Indie the floor.

Indie tipped an imaginary hat in Hutch's direction and said, “Thank you, kind sir.” He gestured at the door where Bart had exited. “Guess he was having a bad night, huh?” he joked.

His silliness broke the residual tension in the air, and he went on to share his heartbreaking story. Avi, one of the co-founders of the Outreach, took over the mic and hugged Indie before he walked off the stage and then gave an impassioned plea for funding. Considering there hadn't been a dry eye in the building by the time Indie reached the climax of the long road he’d traveled because of his father’s homophobia, I didn't think they were going to have any problems with donations tonight.

After the Outreach's part was over, those of us who were there for Indie stood up to leave the members of the lodge to do their thing. Raising my voice just enough to be heard across the tables we’d taken over, I said, “For any of you who’d like to join us to celebrate Indie, I'm ordering pizza at my house.”

I saw several boys look up at their Daddies with pleading eyes, and I knew I'd have a full house tonight. These men indulged their partners even more than I doted on my shortcake.

Indie broke away from Cameron and came straight into my arms. I held him tightly, pressing my cheek against his soft hair. “You did so well, Indie. I'm so proud of you, son.”

He’d done a remarkable job on stage of keeping it together, but his body began to shake violently now that it was done, and his grip loosened as he fell apart. All of the anger and heartache he'd kept at bay for all these years rushed out of him. My son let me hold him for several moments before sliding his arm around his back, and Indie turned into him without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, Oz appeared at my side. “Don't you work tonight?” I asked him.

“Yeah, there was no way I was missing this. I had to show support for Indie. He's one of my favorite servers.”

Indie sniffled and turned his tear-streaked face toward us, while staying pressed into Cameron's chest. “What are you talking about? I'm one of your favorite people, period.”

“If you say so,” Oz said, teasing.

At that point, Miss Georgina joined the hug with Cameron and Indie, and the three of them held each other, supporting each other.

“I saw you five rode together,” Oz said. I nodded. “Since you're going to be mobbed with a house full of hungry people soon, do you want to give your keys to Cameron, and I'll give you and Kenny a ride home so you can prepare?”

Cameron peeked up and nodded at me, so I pulled my keys out of my pocket. “Here, Daddy,” Kenny said and passed them over to Cameron.

“We'll see everyone back at the house,” I said, following Oz toward the door. It was only then that I realized why he’d made his offer. There was a line of people respectfully waiting to speak with Indie. My heart swelled with pride once again. That kid was amazing, and he’d go on to do great things.

Once we were outside, I heard, “Roland.” Pete and Fred strode toward me with purpose. Kenny went to step away, but I kept him firmly tucked into the crook of my arm. It didn't matter that they hadn’t followed Bart out like meek little lambs. If theycouldn't handle me being with Kenny, there still wouldn't be any room in my life for them.

Oz stepped up on the other side of me protectively, and I grinned. Like Indie, I knew this guy liked me. I nodded to the two men. “How are you guys doing?”

Pete stared at me steadily, but Fred's gaze bounced between me and Kenny.Fuck him if he doesn't like my choices.

“Is this why you stopped talking to us?” Pete asked. “You found out what Bart did to his son?” I nodded, and Pete rubbed the back of his neck. “You could’ve told us.”

“You should’ve,” Fred said.

I shook my head. “It wasn’t my story to tell, and Indie wasn’t ready until now.”

Pete sighed. “I get that. Fuckin’ Bart.”

“I hate that guy,” Fred added.

Surprised, my eyes widened. I’d always gotten along with Pete the best, but Fred had only been tolerable when Bart wasn’t around. Then he was short-tempered and impatient.Oh shit.I suddenly remembered how Bart had tortured Fred in high school. It wasn’t until Fred started dating Amy, one of my wife’s circle of friends, that Bart chilled out. How had I forgotten that? “Am I missing something?”

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