Page 59 of Galen's Redemption
“Tom! I’m glad you made it.” Robert tightened his grip on Galen’s hand and pulled him along. When theygot to where Tom stood, he stopped. “Tom, this is Galen. Galen, my brother, Tom.”
Tom held out a hand. “Good to meet you, Galen.”
“Thank you.” He shook with Tom. “It’s my pleasure.”
The passenger door opened, and this time it was Brian. It tore at Robert to see how thin Brian had gotten.
“Brian. It’s nice to see you.”
He dipped his chin. “It’s good to see you as well. May I have the honorof meeting your guest?”
“Of course. This is Galen, and that’s Tom’s husband, Brian. He’s definitely the better half of the duo.”
Brian grinned, but it was more a pained grimace.
“You doing okay?” Robert let go of Galen’s hand and moved around the car. “Need some help?”
Tom was there in a heartbeat. “I’ve got him.” He hefted Brian up and cradled him to his chest. “I specifically told you towait for me to come get you.”
“I can walk.”
“No, the doctor said you should be in a wheelchair. Your bones are fragile, and until the treatments start working, you need to be careful.”
Brian gave a loving smile. “They’re trying to make me comfortable. That’s all. We already know they said it wasn’t going to help in the long run.”
Tom turned his head away, and Robert could see the sheen oftears. He hated that they were going through this. He went back to Galen and put an arm around his waist.
“Come on. Let’s go inside.” Robert turned to Tom. “Do you want us to wait for you?”
“No, we—”
“Yes, please.” Brian glared at Tom. “Please don’t treat me like a baby. I don’t want to ruin tonight.”
“You won’t. I promise. You know good and well Mom is going to—”
“That’s your mother. She’sallowed. You’re not.” He put his head on Tom’s chest. “I need you to be strong, okay? Do it for me.”
There was no doubt Tom was holding back tears. Robert had never in his life seen anyone more deeply in love than Tom and Brian. Knowing the end of the road was coming up fast had to be terrifying for both of them, but Brian leaned on Tom, trusting him to be there when the time came to let go.
No one spoke as they headed up the walkway and toward the house.
GALEN WANTEDto cry. His emotions were a jumble, and he didn’t know how to handle them. First Andy saying he was going away for a few weeks, and then meeting Robert’s brother and husband, who was dying? He wasn’t sure what to do. What he’d said to Robert was the truth. Everyone always left, no matter if it was walking awayor dying. Why would anyone want to put themselves through this kind of pain?
When Robert opened the door, the scents of a Mexican restaurant assailed Galen’s nose. Spiced beef, corn tortillas, beans, salsa, and so many other smells mingled together. Marco sat on the couch, with Andy at his side. As soon as Andy saw Galen, he started to get up, but Galen shook his head. He sat once more, obviouslydispleased.
The moment Tom and Brian came around the corner, the room erupted into a cacophony of greetings. An older woman, who Galen assumed was Robert’s mother, rushed over to them and kissed Brian on the cheek. He leaned against Tom, chatting to them both. Where Tom’s expression was one of pain, his mother’s was one of compassion. She looked up and spotted Galen, whispered a few words toTom, then glided across the room toward him and Robert.
“Oh, good. Almost everyone is here.” She kissed Robert on the cheek. “Your father’s working on a project in the garage, but he should be along any minute. Now, who have you brought with you?”
“I’m guessing you already met Marco and Andy.”
She nodded.
“This is Galen Merriweather, and this is my mother, Rachel Kotke.”
“Thank you for havingme in your home, ma’am.”
“I’m glad you were able to come. It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”
