“Guys, I have to go.”
“No.”
“Marcel, let go.”
“Stay.”
“Joe, oh my God, what’s wrong with you gu----Joe....Joe stop----Mar----Marcel...oh my God.”
“Boys, stop...”
“But you smell so good.”
“feel so good too.”
“stop....y’all are just......hey....hey Joe, you’re the reasonable-----Jesus Christ!.....”
“Yeah, you like that huh?”
“Oh my God Marcel….”
“Come on Lee, we haven’t been with you in 3 months. Just a little while longer.”
“Oh my god….”
“You’re so wet…fuck….”
“Hey, how come I never got to fuck this ass huh?”
“mmmm….mmmhhhmm….”
“There you go…..fuck Lee….bend over for me….”
“Missed sucking my thumb huh Eloise….”
“Mmmmm…..”
“Fuck…..fuck…”
“This is the sexiest shit Eloise, watching him fuck you….”
“You like that?”
“Mmm…yes….”
“Didn’t hear you Lee….”
“Oh God……yes…yes!”
“Fuck……fuck….”
“Pass her over here….”
“Please….”
“Your ass is next Marcel love”
“Wanna watch him fuck me Eloise?”
“I literally cannot be more turned on right now.”
“Oh fuck….fuck…yes….God….. Harder….”
“That’s right….touch yourself Lee, just like that…so hot…”
“Fuck……”
“Come here….”
“I’m gonna cum….”
“ I’m close….Eloise come here.”
“Aaaaahhhh……fuck….”
“So fucking wet….I wanna cum inside you…”
“Yes….wait no——“
“Ohhhh fuck……aaaahhh………….oh god…..”
I smiled lazily as my heavy eyelids attempted to flutter open. My body was sore, but a good sore. A much sought after sort of soreness.
I yawned loudly and stretched languidly in the giant.
“Ow.”
I chuckled and fully opened my eyes. I was face to face with Joseph who I’d smacked in the face.
That means those arms around me spooning me, the breathing on the back of my neck had got to be—-
I turned my head slightly, only to be met by a mob of dark wavy hair.
Oh how I missed waking up next to——wait what?!
I shot up, Marcel grumbling as his arms fell from around me.
Sunlight was attempting to peer through the heavy curtains.
“Oh my God!” I screeched, flinging the covers back and crawling out of bed. “What time is it? You guys what time is it?”
“Eloise, shut-up. Come back to bed.” Marcel grabbed the pillow and pulled it over his face.
Joseph yawned sleepily as he turned on his back to watch me. “What are you doing?”
“Why did you guys let me sleep!” I demanded as I grabbed my pants and shoved them on. “Seriously I told you I needed to go back home.”
Joseph sat up, the covers dropping to his hips. “Lee you were exhausted.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Marcel grumbled.
I glared at him as I grabbed my phone and froze. I swear my heart fell out my chest. “Wa—wa.—-ONE!....ITS ONE IN THE AFTERNOON!”
“Who needs a megaphone? Not Eloise Perry Grady.”
“Are you guys serious!” I yelled at them as I grabbed my shirt and yanked it own. Panicking dictating my every move.
“Lee, we just didn’t want to wake you up.” Joseph climbed out of bed.
I was mad as hell but my eye still drifted to the fact that even limp as a biscuit, this dude had a serious length on him.
“If I tell you guys I need to go home, then I need to go home. Sleepy or not.” I hurriedly slipped into my sneakers. “And I wish you would have respected that,” I grabbed my purse.
Marcel groaned loudly. “Your parents will be fine one day without you.” He sat up annoyed, the covers sliding down revealing his skinny boy abs and lower to his happy trail.
I whirled around to him.
“Marcel not now.” Joseph whispered quickly.
“I know but I told them I would be there and I wasn’t. Besides my mom called like 10 times already and texted——“ I showed them. “Where are you? Are you okay.”
“Then text her back and tell her you’re with your boyfriends.”
“Marcel….” Joseph pleaded softly.
I seemed to have choked on air. “Wha—-what?” I shook my head in disbelief. “Why the hell would I ever tell them that?” I rushed towards the door as I tried to come up with the most believable story.
Marcel rolled his eyes. “It’s not like it’s this big ass secret—-“
“Don’t….Marcel s’il te plaît pas maintenant.” Joseph shook his head.
“Your dad knows already.” Marcel finished.
Joseph closed his eyes, his shoulders dropping.
I froze, my hand almost to the doorknob before turning around. “What?” I whispered, my heart racing. I didn’t hear that. I hadn’t heard that. He’d said something else. He must have said something else.
Marcel shrugged. “Yeah a couple days ago, he talked to Joseph—-“
I turned my head to Joseph who looked at me sheepishly.
“And he was fine with it.” Marcel continued. “You’re still the only one making a big deal about it.”
“You talked to my dad about us?” I asked Joseph in disbelief.
The blond guy nervously chewed on his bottom lip. “He Uh…he asked—-“
“He asked you what?!”
“Just that…if we loved you, he just…he just wanted to make sure we were sincere in our…our intentions.”
“And you told him we were all together?” I questioned in disbelief. This was not happening. This was not real. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Lee….he was….he wasn’t against anything.”
“I can’t believe this.” I shook my head and grabbed my head. “How could you do that to me?”
Joseph opened his mouth and then closed it. His blue eyes staring at me painfully.
“I told you guys…I told you how it was going to be around my parents…”
“Well excuse me if I don’t want to be your gay best friend.” Marcel sat up.
“Well you’re not gonna be my anything because you fucked it up!” I yelled at him.
Marcel angrily sat up on the bed. “I fucked it up because I don’t want to be anybody’s fucking dirty little secret!”
“Marcel….Lee… let’s….”
“You don’t understand!” My voice cracked.
“We’re fucking adults here, nobody gives a fuck——“
“My family gives a fuck! There’s an order to things. There’s a way things are done, and rules and traditions and expectations.”
“Oh come off it Eloise. The only one who cares is you! The only one worried about rules and expectations and shit is you!” Marcel heaved. “You’re being a fucking coward.”
I inhaled sharply as tears streamed down my face.
“He didn’t mean that.”
“I did.”
“I may be a coward but you’re selfish.” I pointed accusingly at him, tears blinding my vision, ignoring my breaking voice. “All you fucking care about is you and what you want.”
Marcel locked his jaws but straightened up defiantly.
“I need time and you couldn’t respect that.” I swallowed hard. “And I hate you so much right now.” I turned and angrily opened the door, my hands shaking, feeling as if my world had literally just spun upside down.
“Lee! Lee wait....Lee....” Joseph grabbed my hand right before I stepped out.
I shook it away. “I need to go home.” I cried, unable to meet his eyes.
“Lee....everybody’s just a little uptight...let’s calm down....wait one minute okay. I’ll put some clothes on. I’ll take you home.”
I swallowed hard, surprised that I was so tempted to take him up on his offer, but I stared past him to Marcel on the bed. Those green eyes fixated on me in anger. I straightened up and lifted my head. “Don’t bother. I’ll call an uber.” I turned around and walked down the hallway to the elevator without looking back. I knew myself. If I looked back i would crumble.
“Jesus fucking Christ Marcel!” the hotel room door slammed shut, but I could hear Joseph’s voice exploding.
**
“You know I like when you cut them thinner.”
I sighed and cut them again.
“What’s going on with you today?” Virginia asked as stirred the onions and garlic. “Awfully moody and----”
“I just don’t want to talk mom.” I cut her off. “Okay.” I reached out and grabbed the bell peppers. “These too?”
“Ain’t gotta get an attitude with me.” Virginia sucked her teeth. “Anyways are your friends making it to di------”
“I DON’T KNOW!” I slammed the knife down. My mom whirled around in shock. I stared at her just as surprised. “I’m sorry.” I whispered. I resumed cutting up my the peppers. Swallowing back tears.
“You’re being a fucking coward.”
I had just needed time. I just needed time. Why couldn’t he have just given me time. Everything had been going so well. Why was he always like this. Marcel’s way or the highway. He made me so mad. So mad. He didn’t even try to look at it from my point of view. I knew I was a fucking adult. I knew that! But he didn’t grow up like I did. He didn’t grow up in my family! Under my mother’s care! Under her judgmental eyes. I knew what I was talking about. I knew my family better than anybody else. I loved them, I loved them so much, but there was a way of dealing with them. Both of them had it easier. Well, not Joseph but he wasn’t the problem.
Marcel had everything handed to him. He didn’t understand boundaries and rules. He didn’t understand disappointment. He was like a fucking prince. Anything he wanted, he got. There were no taboos in his environment. I hadn’t grown up like that. I hadn’t. Why does he think I followed Tyer Crenshaw’s ass to an island. To get away. To get away and breathe. Fucking Marcel...that fucking annoying---selfish-spoiled, lil skinny ass- painter prick.
I finished cutting the bellpeppers and reached into my backpocket. Even without the vibration, I had developed some sort of sixth sense when somebody texted me.
-just checking up on you. I’m guessing you don’t want to see us since you’ve ignored all my other texts.
I sighed at Joseph’s text.
I looked over my shoulder to catch my mom breaking her neck, trying to see my cellphone. She quickly returned back to her her pot as if I hadn’t just caught her. I walked out the kitchen to go to my room.
-no. I don’t want to see you guys.
-Lee we’re sorry. We came here for you okay.
-you don’t have anything to apologize for. It’s not your words that hurt.
-Marcel doesn’t mean it. You know that.
-He meant every word.
-It’s because he loves you. He just wants to make sure you love him back. He doesn’t want to lose you.
-stop making excuses for him. If he has something to say. He has my number.
I sighed and closed my bedroom door. I went to my desk and took out the ridiculously protected box containing a single pill. I hated how stupidly impossible it was to open this thing. I grabbed my scissors to cut away at it and picked up my phone.
-I don’t have anything to say to you
I felt my anger reviving once again.
-Fine. Fuck you.
-fuck you too
“FUCKING-----UUUGHHHH!” I threw my phone on the bed and angrily ripped open the box. I took out the small white pill and popped it in my mouth, followed by drinking from my water bottle that was always on my desk.
Angry tears ran down my face as I threw myself on the bed and shoved my face in the pillow. I was a coward. A fucking old coward who was still terrified of disappointing her parents.
**
I groaned as I turned in my bed. My eyes blinking in confusion, trying to adjust to the darkness. I picked up my phone, the lit up screen attempting to blind me as a brought the device to my ear.
“What the fuck, you better be dying. It’s 3 in the morning.”
“I’m sorry Eloise. I’m sorry.”
“Marcel, seriously, it’s 3 in the morning.”
“I just wanted you back and I didn’t care how I got it. And that’s wrong. I don’t---I don’t want you to feel like I don’t care about what you need. Or however long you need.”
I sat up. “Is Joseph holding a gun to your head?”
“Basically.” Marcel replied. “And I am sorry...I....hate fighting with you like that.”
I sighed and held the phone to my ear. “Well it’s....it’s not like you lied.”
“No I mean...I know I didn’t lie. I don’t mind you being a coward.”
I closed my eyes. “You’re really annoying.”
“But...I could of said it differently...in my defense, you woke me up and I was tired----”
“Marcel, I’m gonna hang up.”
“I love you Eloise. I love you. Okay and....if....if I push you too much, I’m sorry. I can wait...” he trailed off in a whisper. “Okay...Goodnight.”
The silence on the other end let me know he hung up. I smiled to myself and held my phone to my chest. I had planned on calling him tomorrow morning. The phone in my hand rang again and I answered. “What now?” I asked in false annoyance.
“You wouldn’t be interested in coming back with us on Saturday would you?”
“Marcel!”
“I know! I know....just double checking....just....just making sure. It’s cause Joseph needs to start rehearsing for the Garden night festival. Otherwise we would stay longer. I mean, I would stay but if I stay I might fuck around and blow our cover, but also I want to go home...but I want you to come home with us....okay goodnight.”
I stared at my phone in confusion because he just hung up, not even waiting for me to answer. “Goodnight.” I whispered to nobody in particular.
**
They came the next afternoon and mom acted like she hadn’t seen them in a million years.
“Oh, Marcel, Joseph! It’s been forever. I was asking Ellie how you two were doing. Did you enjoy your sightseeing? Dallas has some nice sites doesn’t it. It’s such a wonderful city, a little bit of everything. Seriously next time you come, we can go to the reunion tower, Ellie told me the reunion tower was under construction so you weren’t able to go. Next time you guys visit, we will go.”
Don’t tell me you haven’t picked up that Virginia Grady could talk a mile a minute.
“That sounds like a plan.” Joseph grinned. “Next time we’ll visit the reunion tower. What do you think Marcel?”
Marcel put his arm around Joseph. “That sounds great.” He replied warmly.
My mom clapped happily. “Oh and Ellie knows of a lot of different other places. She takes her friends who are visiting there all the time. You didn’t show the boys around as much.”
“Haven’t had as much time.” I replied with a sad smile. I looked up at them.
“Oh next time they visit us, then you should.” Mom insisted.
I simply nodded. They were flying out tomorrow and I didn’t want them to go. Or I didn’t want to stay. I didn’t. But it didn’t matter what I wanted. I was torn.
Marcel turned to Joseph. “I’m gonna go get----” He pointed behind him and Joseph nodded.
“Ms. Grady thank you so much for opening your home to us and treating us so warmly.” Joseph spoke up. “Marcel and I are honored to have Lee as----as such a wonderful friend with a warm family.”
Virginia Grady giggled as she shooed away Joseph’s praise. “Any friend of Ellie’s is always welcomed in our home.”
I swallowed hard as I watched her hug Joseph tightly. She looked past him in surprise at Marcel reentering the house. “Oh----oh what's that?”
I wondered the same thing as he carried a huge wrapped rectangular object.
“Just a thank you-----for your hospitality.” Marcel replied as he handed her the large object. “It’s not much but I do hope you like it.”
“What is it?” I asked.
Marcel grinned but didn’t answer.
“Oh, Marcel, you little devil you, come here.” My mom laughed as she hugged him tight. “Oh, what a pleasant surprise. When Paul wakes up, we’ll open it together.”
As he hugged my mom, Marcel’s eyes shifted up to me. He looked away and smiled as he held my mom at arms length. “You have an amazing daughter. She’s a wonderful-----friend. Thank you for creating her.”
I looked down. My bottom lip trembling. I wanted to cry. I wasn’t going to cry. I was not. But I failed as a tear rolled down my left cheek.
“Awww you two boys are pure treasure.” Virginia smiled. “I do apologize, Paul is so tired----”
“Please don’t apologize about that.” Joseph spoke quickly. “We understand. We completely understand.”
Virginia nodded. “He enjoyed y’alls company very much.” My mom turned to me and grabbed her huge gift. “Well, I’m going to go put this in the living room and leave you guys to y’all goodbyes.”
I nodded, but even before she left I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around both of them. “Travel safe okay.” I whispered.
They both nodded. Their arms just a soft brief touch on my back. I looked to Marcel who’s eyes drifted to my lips before he pulled away. Joseph kissed the top of my head and moved back too. I sighed, my heart heavy.
“So...uhm.....”
“I guess....we’ll see you around.” Marcel whispered.
I nodded and hugged Joseph who was closer to me. “Good luck at the Garden Festival. I know you’re going to kill it.”
He smiled at me and quickly gave me a peck on the lips. “I’m going to go say goodbye to your dad really quick.” he whispered. He nodded at us and left.
I smiled brightly at Marcel even though I didn’t feel it. “Excited to head back.”
He sighed and lowered his gaze. “Eloise----” He took a step towards me.
“I think I have an idea what it is.” Virginia said giddily as she came back. “But I will keep my guesses to myself.”
I smiled and Marcel smiled at my mom and took that step back. “I hope I did it justice.”
Virginia wagged her finger at him in excitement. “I told you how much I loved the portrait of the Obamas. I just know you got that portrait for us.”
Marcel simply smiled.
I lowered my gaze and wanted to cry. What was he going to say? Now, I’ll never know. Geez, mom.
**
“Paul, Paul are you ready?”
“Mmhm.”
“Ellie---”
“Mom, just unravel it okay.” I whispered impatiently.
Virginina did a little jig. “Obama’s welcome to our home.” she sang as she tore apart the wrapping paper.
I shook my head in annoyance and smiled as my dad and I watched her silently.
“Lord, can you imagine how envious elder Shanice is going to be once I tell her. She always wants to one-up somebody. Lord, I can tell her that well, you want to know what, why don’t you just come on over for tea and I’ll show you-------”
I stood up and stared at the painting in shock. “Holy shit.”
My mom was too speechless to chastise me.
She was wrong. It wasn’t a portrait of the Obamas. It was a portrait of us. I'm talking a full-blown English Royalty looking portrait. My mom was sitting on a chair seemingly a couple years younger, wearing a beautiful light blue off the shoulder dress. My dad was standing tall and proud by her side in his army uniform and I was on the other side of her in my blue prom dress.
I covered my mouth as tears ran down my cheeks.
My mom looked at me and then back at the painting. Without saying a word she quietly sat down, tears also running down her face. She turned to my father and took his hand and squeezed it. “Oh my....oh my he’s truly talented.”
I looked to my dad and though he didn’t say anything he had a spark in his eye as he stared at himself in the portrait.
“Oh, lord, the Obama’s have nothing on us.” Virginia whispered in awe.
I hugged myself and took a deep breath. Don’t do it. You’re emotional. Don’t. Let it ride. It's okay. No big deal. There's nothing wrong with staying a coward. I took another deep breath and calmed down. Okay....okay it passed. I didn’t lose my mind. I won’t say anything.
**
1 week later
“How you feeling dad?” I whispered, rubbing his head.
The corner of his lips lifted up in an attempted smile.
“Why is it so cold in here?” My mom demanded as she tucked in her husband. “What they want to do , freeze him to death----nurse? Nurse-----yes, can we get more blankets? I mean my husband’s freezing!”
“Uhm....yes...yes give me one second.”
“No, not one second, Now!”
“Mom.” I looked at her in surprise.
She turned to me and scowled. Her eyes shifted in worry to her husband before she resumed her tucking in. “Otherwise they’ll take forever.” she muttered.
She was scared. She was terrified. We were no better off than we were before and honestly, I didn’t think Dr. Pagan was doing a good job of reassuring us.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Grady?”
We both turned to the unfamiliar small guy who entered our room.
“Who are you?” Virginia asked in confusion. “And where’s Dr. Pagan?”
The old man smiled, bringing warmth into his face. “I am Dr. Zephyr, and I am here to make sure your husband walks and talks again.”
Mom scoffed. “Listen doctor we don’t have time----”
“I agree. We do not.” Dr. Zephyr spoke seriously. “Which is why I recommend we move him tomorrow.”
“Move?” I spoke up. “Move him where?”
“Well Miss. My facilities are in Paris. I can prepare all the documentations needed for Mr. Grady. Of course I would -----”
“Paris!” Virginina screeched. “My husband is not going to Paris!”
“It would be in everybody’s best interest if he is under my supervision----”
“I’m sorry Dr.....Dr.... Zep...Dr....” I said not remembering his name. “We have an agreement with our insurance company and this hospital under Dr. Pagan. We’re grateful that you would like to take on my father’s case, but we can’t afford to up and move him to Paris-----”
Dr. Zephyr put his hand out. “I do apologize, I keep forgetting how the American system works. I should have said started off with the fact that 1. I will in fact be your husband’s doctor, it is in your best interest to accept me. And 2. Everything is already paid for. Money is not an issue. Of course we have accommodations for the both of you as well to accompany Mr. Grady. We do not believe in seperating families.”
My mom stared at the new doctor as if he’d grown three heads.
I shook my head. “Wa----what---I don’t----I don’t understand we----we---there must be a misunderstanding----”
Dr. Zephyr smiled patiently. “No misunderstanding, but I will give you two a minute. I was under the impression my assistant had came in here before me as I was talking with Dr. Pagan. But that seems to not be the case. Let me call her in here to clarify any misunderstanding and we will talk again.”
He nodded to us and we nodded back hesitantly and watched him leave.
My mother turned to me and we stared at each other with matching bewildered expression. “Ellie---what’s going on?”
“I have no idea, mom.” I whispered back.