Page 33 of Inside Out
“I’m going to need Rome’s help in the kitchen,” Ashley said. “Girls, take Dolly outside. Let her off the leash so she can run around and play in the grass. Keep her away from the pool, okay?”
“Mom,” they both protested. One quirked brow from Ash and they took Dolly’s leash from my hands.
“We miss all the good stuff,” Michele grumbled.
“They think we’re still little kids,” Laurel agreed.
“Before you steal Romeo to gossip away from my prying ear,” Astrid said, “let me give you the gifts I brought you.”
“Okay, Aunt Astrid,” Ashley said with a forced smile while she braced herself for only God knew what.
“First, my dinner contribution.” She pulled out an industrial-size can of sweet corn that she must have pilfered from the kitchen of her nursing home. “That should be enough to feed us all.”
“I’ll say,” Ashley agreed. “Thank you.”
“And I made you these to use in your lovely kitchen.” Astrid pulled out misshapen knitted objects that I believed were potholders, but I couldn’t be sure. If so, the holes between the knit were too big to afford any protection from a hot pan or baking dish. “I went with a neutral yarn because I didn’t know what color scheme your kitchen was.” Chartreuse was considered neutral? I couldn’t keep the wicked smile off my face when I looked at Ashley after she accepted the gifts. Luckily, Astrid couldn’t see the evil lurking on my face.
“They’re lovely, Aunt Astrid. Thank you so much.”
“You’re so welcome, my lovely girl. And for you, Rome,” she said, pulling my attention back to her. “I thought this would keep you warm this winter.” Astrid pulled out a gorgeously knitted, rainbow scarf from her bag. “Every day can be pride day with this bad boy.”
“It’s gorgeous,” I said, unable to keep the shock from my voice. “You made this for me?” Where were all the crooked lines and gaping holes.
“Don’t be silly. I couldn’t knit this well if my life depended on it. I hired that handsome nurse, Kurt, to make it for you. I was going to try and fix you up on a date with him, but I can see I waited too long.”
“Rome, can I please get your help in the kitchen?” Ashley asked.
“Just because the man is gay doesn’t mean he can cook,” Astrid told my sister.
“That’s true, Astrid,” Ashley replied as she headed to the kitchen with the huge can of corn and her potholders, “but this is one gay man who can cook very well.”
I set my scarf on the arm of the couch and leaned forward to kiss Aunt Astrid’s cheek. “This is a lovely scarf, and I’ll wear it proudly.”
“I love you, and I’m so relieved to see you happy again. I can die in peace now.” Most people would’ve been alarmed by such a comment, but Astrid had been saying it for at least fifteen years.
“You’ll outlive us all,” I told her then joined Ashley in the kitchen. Of course, my mother was right on my heels.
“Who is he?” Mom asked before Ashley could.
“How long has this been going on without us knowing?” Ashley followed.
“Whoa, ladies,” I said, holding up my hands. “It’s all too new to really get into right now. Yes, I’ve met someone special, but we’ve only had one date.” And hours of kissing, but they didn’t need to know that.
“You look so relaxed, Rome,” Ashely said softly. “I only want you to be happy. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“I did,” Mom said.
“Make sure you get all the juicy details,” Astrid yelled from the living room.
“Sure thing,” Mom replied. She looked at me and shrugged. “Get talking while we work, or I’ll make things up for Astrid. You choose.”
So, I caught them up on everything that had happened since the beginning of school. I told them all about the play, the amazing staff at the schools, and lastly, I told them about my Julius, as I was already starting to think of him. It was too soon, I knew that, but I was also a man who recognized something special when it happened.
I didn’t linger as late as I usually did because Julius was waiting for me, and I wanted to make a quick stop before it got dark. I pulled into Green Lawn Cemetery and drove the winding road I’d traveled so many times over the past seven years. I parked my car but left Dolly inside with the windows rolled down. I knew she’d be watching me from the window in the back seat.
I knelt in front of the beautiful tombstone and traced my fingers over the letters that spelled Peter Chastain. “Hi, Peter,” I said. “It’s been a while since I stopped by, but you know that already.” After Peter first died, I visited several times a week, but over the years that had changed to special occasions like holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. Peter’s soul wasn’t in the ground; he lived in my heart. “I couldn’t imagine life without you. I’ve muddled through somehow, but I was just going through the motions. And now, well, I want to do more than stumble and scrape by. I want to dance again and embrace life to the fullest. I can only do that because I know it’s what you would want for me. I loved you so much, Peter.” Hot tears rushed down my face. “Loving someone else won’t diminish what I felt for you. I finally understand that now.”
I sat there in the serene setting for a while, reminiscing on some of the happiest times in my life and realizing there was still so much joy ahead of me. Then I got in my car and drove toward the man whose smile and laughter filled me with warmth, whose music stirred my soul, and whose kisses made my toes curl.