Page 32 of Something Like Forever
“Oh!” Ben said, pullinghis hand back long enough to consider the ring. “Ha! No, we’ve beenmarried for about a year now.”
“Different state?” the manasked, taking one of the bottles to pour himself a refill. Then heoffered to do the same for Ben. The wine was red, so close enough.He nodded and held out his glass.
“No, we got married inTexas. Second time for me, actually.”
“Really?” the man said.“Doesn’t that beat all! How did you manage? Let me guess, you’refriends with the governor.”
“Nope,” Ben said. “I justrefused to let anyone tell me if I could get married or not. Imight be not able to give myself the legal right, but that’s notwhy most people get married. They do it out of love, and so didI.”
“Can’t argue with that,”the man said, holding up his drink so they could clink glasses.“Still, I’m relieved it’ll be easier for anyone not as brave asyou.”
“Thanks,” Ben said, takinga sip. “And me too. I’m glad today happened.” He practicallycounted under his breath in anticipation of the nextquestion.
“Do you think you and yourhusband will pay a visit to the courthouse? Just to make itofficial.”
“I don’t know that we needto.” Sometimes it was easier to be honest with a stranger. “Weworked with a lawyer to make sure we have all the legal rights weneed. I’m happy that everyone else can get married, but I’m notsure there’s any point for us.”
“Then again,” the old mansaid. “I know from personal experience how legal documents, such aswills, often need to be updated. Better to have a nice tight knoton any legal loopholes, if you know what I mean. You said you weremarried once before? To a different feller, I assume.”
Ben nodded.
“There’s your reason!” theman said, looking pleased with himself. “When you marry yourcurrent husband, it’ll be more legitimate than that first marriagebecause the federal government recognizes this one. Just think howgood it’ll feel to call your ex-husband to tell himthat!”
Ben managed to laugh outof politeness, when really his insides had twisted up. He couldn’tthink about it now though. He needed to get away. “I better takethis beer to my husband before he changes his mind and marriessomeone else.”
The old man laughed, wished him the best,and turned to find another conversation partner.
Ben rushed from the kitchenand out of the house, needing to breathe in fresh air.Just think how good it’ll feel to call yourex-husband to tell him that!He tried toimagine sitting in the office at home and explaining to Jace’sphoto that he was getting married, for real this time, and thatalthough what they had together might have been a promise, itwasn’t legally binding. Ben would be more married than before. Helaughed without humor, then pressed his back to the house, slidingdown until his rump hit the cold stones of the front porch. He setthe beer next to him but kept the wine in hand. He would need it toface this revelation. His hesitation didn’t have anything to dowith his love for Tim. Instead it was more about how it would makeJace feel. If he was even out there. Ben liked the idea of anafterlife, an immortal soul, and a nice friendly god in the sky.But he didn’t know if any of that was real.
Either way, he would stillhave to live with himself. Ben liked how things currently stood. Hehad two great loves, and he was married to them both. That wasbalanced. Healthy. Setting either of them above the other wouldn’tfeel right.
The front door opened. Timpoked his head out. The rest of him followed when he spotted Ben.“You okay?” he asked. “I was worried you got lost and wandered intoMarcello’s basement or something.”
“I just needed some air,”Ben said. “It’s all a little overwhelming. Wait, Marcello has abasement?”
“Uhhh,” Tim said, wincingslightly. “No?”
Ben laughed and shook his head. “I don’twant to know. Here.” He handed Tim his beer, then kept his handextended so he could be pulled to his feet.
“We can go,” Tim said. “Iknow you wanted to have a nice quiet day at home.”
“This is a specialoccasion,” Ben said. “I want to celebrate with you and showeveryone how beautiful marriage can be. Just in case there are anydoubters.”
“Marcello already offeredto marry anyone who’s interested. He’s filling out one of thoseonline ministry forms right now.” Tim offered his arm. “Ready tomake it official?”
Ben didn’t hide his horror.“I love you, and we have a lot to discuss, but if we let Marcellomarry us, we’ll probably find out later that hereallymarried us.”
“Oh like we’ll be marriedto him?” Tim laughed, then looked concerned. “We better get insideand warn the others!”
“Or just watch,” Ben said,accepting his husband’s arm.
As they went indoors, hereassured himself that nothing had changed. Two husbands, twoweddings. The rest they would figure out later.
* * * * *
Ben walked down thehospital hall, feeling especially proud. He loved his profession asa speech therapist. Helping people learn to speak again, whetherthey were recovering from a stroke or dealing with a disorder,always left him exhausted but satisfied. His theater work was fine,but it didn’t make him feel like he was changing lives for thebetter. He could do that here, and today was extra special becauseof the young man at his side.
Jason noticed his smile,too nervous to return the gesture. Instead he puffed up his cheeksand blew out a gust of air. “Will we have time to practiceagain?”
