Chapter 2
Mrs. Provost began telling one of her stories, about her and her sister, Barbara, in their early years. Meg and Martin grinned in anticipation, knowing what was coming. Their mother got into her stories so much that when she reached a particularly funny event, she would start to laugh. She laughed so hard that she was gasping, with tears streaming down her cheeks, while she tried to continue telling her tale. Of course, that started the others laughing, not because they understood the story, but because their mother was in hysterics, and unable to talk coherently. They laughed because her laugh was so infectious, and it was hilarious to see such a normally proper lady falling apart. Things slowly settled down to a level of calm where they might resume eating, when she snorted, burst out into raucous laughter again, and they all lost it. Oh, dinner at their parents’ house was never dull.
They got through the main course and Meg went to help bring in dessert. Snow pudding was Martin’s favourite dessert of all time. It had the consistency of meringue, but made with egg yolks, and served with a custard sauce. It was light and creamy, the way a feel-good type of food should be. It was also loaded with calories, which motivated Martin to put in extra time at his gym. As they enjoyed dessert, Martin decided to bring up the important subject.
He planned to come out at work, but before the world knew he was gay, he felt it only proper that his loved ones should know first. Even though he’d thought over how to approach the subject during the drive, his mind went blank now.
“Martin, your private life is none of our business, but we were wondering if you have anyone special in your life at the moment? Should we, perhaps, set another place at the table when Christmas rolls around?”
“Actually, no, Dad, I’m not seeing anyone.” Megan snickered and he looked over to see a smug expression on her face.
“Not yet anyway, right big brother?” Martin was the eldest of the Provost children, by six minutes. He and Megan were twins, born on September 28, some twenty-seven years ago.
Martin rolled his eyes. “Don’t even think about trying to fix me up with anyone, little sister. Besides, you would probably get it wrong.” He smiled at the puzzled look on her face. “I guess this is as good a time as any to let you all know that I’m gay. I figured it out quite a while ago, but didn’t think it was important to tell anyone since I wasn’t hunting for a partner. I spent all my time and energy building my business. Now, it is important, because I plan to come out at work. There is someone who is being harassed because she’s lesbian, and I decided I should show some solidarity.”
The table fell silent for a few moments. Martin’s parents glanced at each other, then at him. “Martin, you’re our son, and we’d love you no matter what. Including you being gay, and just so you know, when you do meet a nice man as your partner, he would be welcome here anytime.”
He got up, walked over to his mother, and kissed her. “What about you, Dad, are you fine with what I just told you?”
His father stood, came around the table, and hugged him. “Your mother knows me well enough that she could speak for both of us. You are our son, and we love you. We raised you kids to be tolerant, and we tried to live our lives to put actions behind our words. Now, who wants more coffee?”
When Martin turned to Megan she was quiet, her lips pinched so tight, they were almost white. He was surprised. “I take it you don’t feel the same as them. I figured, of the three, you would be the first to be okay with it.”
Meg got up and walked to the living room. Their mother started to get up to go to her, but Martin shook his head. “Let’s give her a few minutes to think, and then I’d like to talk it over with her.”
When he finished his coffee, Martin went to the living room, while their parents went off to the kitchen to clean up. “So, what is your issue with my sexuality? I’d really like to try and understand how you feel.”
Megan looked at Martin as if she didn’t recognize him. “All my girlfriends think you’re the most handsome man on the planet. At least a few want to sleep with you, and at least one wants to date you. What do I tell them now?”
“Megan, if you can put aside the gender I am attracted to and think for a moment, your job isn’t to fix me up with anyone. I met most of your friends, and like them as people, but even if they were guys, I wouldn’t date any of them. I have my own preferences, and for you to try to hook me up with anyone would be as bad as me deciding that you aren’t capable of finding love on your own.”
She frowned. “I knew you wouldn’t understand. What am I supposed to tell them?”
“Nothing at all Megan, tell them nothing about me. I live far enough away that it shouldn’t even be an issue. I get a feeling you’re more concerned with how they will feel about you than me. Just accept that I can’t change, and didn’t turn gay to irritate you. I have to head out shortly, but I’d like to know we’re good before I leave.”
Megan turned away from him, so he stood, and went to the kitchen. “I really enjoyed the dinner, but I have to get back. I have an important meeting in the morning for a big contract I landed.” He kissed both parents, got his coat, and headed out. He turned to Megan. “Love you, little sister. Nothing will change that. Good night—see you tomorrow evening.”
During his two-hour drive back home, Martin couldn’t help but wonder why it was so hard for his twin to accept him for who he was. He put on music and tried to get mellow. As he got nearer to the coast the mist began to roll in, but not a pea-souper as sometimes happened. He went around a corner, and his headlights reflected off a For Salesign, with a big Sold!overlay. He smiled, thinking how close he came to buying the place. He fell in love with it when he did a walk-through with a real estate agent. The thing that struck him first, was a built-in deacon’s bench in the main hallway. The place was absolutely beautiful. But he became so busy with projects that he didn’t have time to get organized to prepare an offer. So, now it was a non-issue. It was then that a large half ton truck came barreling around a curve, and drifted over into Martin’s lane. Before he could react, there was the glare of headlights, a sickening crunch of metal, plastic, and glass, and then blackness.