Page 55 of Loving the Legend
“My Sid?” I flip the card over and read the handwritten note.
“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Washington, I pray for your souls to rest in eternal peace. Those who are loved live on in the hearts of those who hold them dear. Though it feels like I’ve known him for a lifetime, I’ve only known your son for a short while, but it’s clear he loves you deeply. It’s said that true friendship is rare. Then, I shall count my blessings daily and cherish the friendship that I have with your son, who I imagine is a reflection of all of your light and love. May peace be upon you.
A friend of your son,
Sidney King.”
The world dissolves into a blur.
Adam removes his glove and swipes his hand across my cheek. “I know, right? What a special heart that one has.”
God, if there was ever a time when someone could point to a moment and say “And that’s when I knew for sure that I was falling for him,” this moment would take the cake.
I pocket the card and wipe my face. I lay the bouquets that I purchased next to Sid’s.
Adam hands me a tissue. “You go first.”
I nod and take a deep breath.
“Mom and Dad, I pray for your souls to continue to rest in peace.” I clear my throat. “The other day, I was thinking about our trip to Paris. It was a spring day, brimming with beauty. Flowers were in ultra bloom, birds were crooning like you, Dad, and the breeze was warm. We spread out a picnic blanket in Luxembourg Gardens. Mom and I were lying in your arms. Paris felt like a planet away from Brooklyn that afternoon. You could feel the joy emanating from us a mile away. Then, Dad, you said in your gentle way‘Mark Twain said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why. I’ve always known my why. It’s to love you both. I’m the happiest man alive.’You brought Mom to tears, and I hated seeing Mom cry, so I started crying too. Mom kissed you, then pulled me close, kissed my cheek and blew a raspberry on my neck. It was her way of saying she was alright. I looked up and saw tears in your eyes. We were a mess. We started laughing as Mom pulled out tissues and started cleaning us up. That memory is one of my most prized possessions. Thank you for the deep love and care that you’ve shown me. There wasn’t a day under your roof that I didn’t feel loved. I know I say it every year, but really, Unc has done an amazing job picking up where you left off. You would be proud of the father he’s become. I hope you’re proud of the choices that I’ve made.”
I wipe my eyes. I turn to Adam, whose turn it is to speak, but he’s crying. I pull him into a hug, and we ground each other for a few minutes. “Oh,” I say, turning back to the graves, “I’m most likely gay, and I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with Sid.”
Adam rubs my back. “Morris”—he wipes his nose—“you were my guardian angel. I still feel your protective presence. Rose,you were the sister I always wanted. You somehow brought our family closer together. There was always a place for me in your home. I miss you both so much, it hurts to my bones. I’m so proud of our boy, Tyler. He’s everything you wanted him to be and then some. He’s sensitive, thoughtful, and warm-hearted. He’s wicked smart and tenacious. I pray for his continued healing and that he may be brave in opening his heart to friendship and love, though I think he’s making good progress there.” He rubs the back of my neck. “He and I keep each other rooted to this earth, and though I’d give anything to have you back, I’m honored to have raised your boy with all the love in my heart. Rest easy, beloved.”
“God,” I sigh, looking up at the blurry sky. Adam hands me another tissue, and I blow my nose again.
We finish the hour exchanging memories and watching other families remember their loved ones.
“Tell me about Ishan,”I ask after I order a curry shrimp roti, and Adam orders jerk chicken and yams with rice and peas. We meandered over to our favorite restaurant for lunch after the cemetery.
“Sure. He joined the fire station last year from Hoboken. You know I avoid younger guys, but man, he was persistent. At one point, Tom pulled me aside and said, “Just give the guy a shot before his distracted lovesick eyes get us killed.” Tom’s Adam’s second oldest colleague after Mitch.
“Dude has it that bad? My unc got game!”
“If by game, you mean avoidance and ambivalence, sure. I agreed to one date. And, well, that was three months ago. We’ve been getting hot and heavy ever since.”
“He’s what, five years younger?”
“Six.”
I wave it off. “We speak every week. Why the secrecy?” We’re usually an open book with each other.
“No secrecy. I just needed to know for myself first.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s—different. The other day I got hit with a splintered plank on my way out of that abandoned building on Fourth.”
I stiffen. “What happ—” The words die in my throat.
Don’t go there.
He’s fine.
Fuck.
“Now, wait a minute, don’t you start. I was fine, with barely any damage. Just a bit of back soreness. The doctor cleared me after a couple of days of bed rest.”
