Page 44 of Blue Umbrella Sky
“Sure, sure.” Dane stood and stretched too. Milt was still amazed, after all these years, how big he was—a gentle giant. “Plans for tomorrow?” Dane gathered up their empties and the empty cracker box as well, doing a delicate and competent balancing act.
Milt grinned. “Um, actually, yes, but you can come too. Billy and I are going on a hike. I think we’re going to check out one of the trails at Joshua Tree.”
They headed inside. “Let me think about it. There’s something very appealing about just lounging by the pool all day. I’ve got the new Stephen King on my Kindle, and I’m picturing myself with something fruity in a big tumbler, just soaking up the rays. I want Seth to be jealous when I come back with a tan.”
“Well, you’re certainly welcome to join us if you change your mind. Your day doesn’t sound half bad either. Surprisingly, I don’t do that often enough.”
Milt dutifully took the empty box and bottles from Dane and placed them into the bin he’d set up for recycling. When he was done, he gave Dane another hug, planting a kiss on his sandpapery cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here. I only wish Seth could have come too.”
Dane nearly squeezed the air out of him and then let go, laughing. “Ah, it’s good for us to have a little time apart. Good for couples in general.”
“Everything okay?”
Dane waved the question away. “Everything’s great. Me being away for a few will only make him miss me. And when he misses me, I know I can count on a great homecoming, if you get my drift.” He winked.
“Well, give him my love. Notthatkind of love! But you know what I mean.”
“I will. This trip is also a little vetting. Next time I’ll bring him and we can stay longer—maybe at one of those clothing-optional gay resorts I read about.”
Milt shook his head. “You took a long time to come out, buddy, but when you did, you came crashing out.”
Dane had been married to a woman for many years, deep in the closet. He and his new husband, Seth, were now raising Dane’s two teenage kids together, a girl and boy, Clarissa and Joey. They were the kind of family everyone aspired to be—easy, close, always there for one another.
“I had a lot of lost time to make up for. Good thing Seth’s younger than I am.” Dane laughed. “I look forward to meeting this Billy.”
“He’ll be over in the morning.”
“Is he, uh, just a friend? Or is there something more?”
Oh, there’s something more, all right. But if ever the phrase “it’s complicated” applied to a situation, this is it.Milt was simply too tired to get into everything tonight—his being on the fence, Billy’s issues…. “Let’s just say there might be some potential. I don’t know.” Milt yawned. He contemplated asking Dane if it was too soon but held back. What difference did it make what Dane thought? This was his life, for heaven’s sakes. He shouldn’t let himself be swayed by someone else’s opinion, no matter which side Dane came down on. “The bed’s calling. I’ll get you some sheets and a pillow so you can make up the couch. Feel free to watch TV. I have a Roku, so in addition to regular TV, there’s Netflix and Hulu. The sound won’t bother me. Or Ruby. We both sleep like rocks.”
Dane turned Milt and pushed him gently toward his bedroom. “I’ll figure it out. You just go get some sleep.”
“You sure? Linens are in—”
“The hall closet. I’ll find stuff. Don’t worry.”
They hugged once more before Milt and Ruby headed into his room.
Milt plopped down on the bed after kicking off his flip-flops.Life’s certainly full of surprises.He smiled to himself. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was for old connections.
The fact that Dane was someone with whom he could talk about Corky was special. Someone who knew Corky made Milt feel even closer to him again.
Maybe I should just cancel the hike? Hang out with Dane at the pool. I can take him for Vietnamese.Milt lay down, rearranging his legs so Ruby could get comfortable against him.Now, now, that’s not progressive thinking. And maybe Dane’s making his own way tomorrow because he wants to allow you the freedom to be alone with Billy.
But how could Dane know Milt wanted—needed—to be alone with Billy? That tomorrow marked the beginning,maybe, of something.
Milt turned over, punching the pillow under his head to make it conform. He heard the TV click on in the other room and fell asleep to the opening theme of the old Bea Arthur sitcom,Maude. His last thought before drifting off to sleep was that one could find anything on TV these days. It was all there.
WHEN MILTawakened the next morning, Ruby already waited by the door, anxious. Her body was tense, and she stared at him with a kind of pleading in her brown eyes. He glanced at the clock and saw it was already six. He was usually up earlier, five at the latest, to take her outside. The poor thing’s bladder was probably ready to burst. Bless her heart, though, for having mastered how to hold it.
Milt hopped from the bed and took her out. He passed Dane, snoring on the couch, as they slipped out the door. The morning air was chilly, and Milt brought up the weather on his phone. Fifty-three degrees.
He looked over at Billy’s trailer, but it was all dark. And he realized he couldn’t wait to see him.
Ruby finished up and trotted over to him, sat, and looked up. She might as well have spoken. “Daddy, feed me.”
They went inside. Dane was still snoring softly on the couch, one leg on the floor, blankets and sheet in a heap next to him. He made the couch look like a tiny love seat. Milt thought maybe he should give him his bed. It would be a good-host thing to do.
