Page 97 of Out of the Shadows
“That’s not really what she does, Michael.”
Ridiculous, stupid old bastard…
“Whatever she does, I’m sure she performs it beautifully and with her enchanting feminine grace. But I understand you’ve postponed your wedding? I wouldn’t hang around, you know, Miss Geraldine Laferty is something of a catch. Nothing serious, I hope? The postponement I mean?”
Finally admitting to myself I’m gay, you mean? No, Michael, not serious at all. But it’s none of your bloody business.
Next to me, Cosmo stiffens.
“No, not postponed. We actually called off our engagement.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that, please excuse my obtuseness. I hadn’t realised… I haven’t seen Daniel for quite some time, so I’m taking the opportunity to catch up,” Michael says, switching his attention to Cosmo. His smile, if it can be called that, is stiff and pinched looking “And who may you be?”
“My name’s Cosmo. Cosmo Stern.”
“And how do you know Daniel?”
Cosmo’s tension is almost palpable and I don’t trust what he might say. I jump in.
“Cosmo’s a friend of mine, Michael.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really. I’m Daniel’s — friend.”
Cosmo’s eyes are dark emeralds, hard and cold. Everything about him is tense and coiled tight, and ready to snap.
Oh, Christ. I need to defuse this somehow…I already know the time for that is past, yet I have to try.
“I see.”
“Michael, Cos—”
“Good god. At an event like this, where there are children present. Have these men no shame?”
Michael’s frown is so deep his face almost caves in on itself.
Both Cosmo and I turn, following his gaze.
“You can call me old-fashioned if you want, but I believe people should keep their private lives private. Especially if those lives are abnormal.”
A couple of guys, early forties maybe, walk hand-in-hand. They’re laughing, they look happy and carefree. One has a baby strapped to him in some kind of papoose, whilst the other swings the hand of a child of about three or four. They’re a family, out to enjoy the fête and have a good time, just like everybody else here.
Cosmo swings round. “Old-fashioned? You’re a fucking dinosaur.”
Michael’s mouth forms a tight littleOof surprise, but instantly it’s overtaken by angry affront.
“There’s no reason to speak to me like that, young man. I have my views, and I will not be stopped from expressing them.”
“Well, I believe people should keep their private views private. Especially when they’re nasty, vicious, and blatantly homophobic.” Cosmo leaps to his feet, stabbing his forefinger towards Michael. His face has leeched of all colour, and he’s shaking. “I think you’re veering dangerously close to uttering hate speech, don’t you?”
His voice has risen and around us people are stopping and heads are turning. I jump up and squeeze Cosmo’s shoulder, but he throws me off.
“Please, can you both calm down.”
“I believe it’s your friend who needs to calm down, Daniel. I know his type.”
“Yeah, and what’s that? What’s my type,Michael?”
