Page 96 of Out on a Limb

“It’ll be just a few minutes more,” Ron said, his eyes pleading.

Poor Ron.He was perfect for Doug because he didn’t fight back. Walker used to play that role well. He had lost his fight after years with Doug. He had gotten used to being told he was wrong. But he was right. He knew it. He felt it in his bones. Doug had to be put in his place.

He was going to be the obnoxious twenty-two-year-old so unbelievably sure of himself.

He reached the top of the stairs and beelined to the closed door with light flooding out underneath. The sounds of Hobie splashing echoed down the hall.

“Ron,” he swiveled around and held out his hand. “I got this.”

Ron seemed to give him a good luck nod and retreated downstairs to his PBS special.

Walker opened the bathroom door without knocking. Hobie played with Legos in the soapy bathtub while Doug sat on the toilet with a towel on his lap. He bolted up as soon as he saw who was at the door.

“Dad!”

“Hey, buddy.”

“I thought you were waiting downstairs. We’re almost done,” Doug said with a hint of worry.

“My time with Hobie started sixty seconds ago, technically.” Walker hopped up onto the sink counter to sit, which he knew made Doug boil with rage. “I think Ron should help Hobie get dressed and packed up. We need to talk.”

“About what?” Doug crossed his arms.

“Something you did.” Walker eyed his son, who was no longer playing with Legos. There was a much more entertaining show to watch. He didn’t need the past dragged out in front of Hobie. That was something he and Doug could agree on easily.

Doug called for Ron, who joined them in the hall seconds later. Doug cast daggers at his husband, the failed gatekeeper. He led Walker into their bedroom, which had double doors at the end of the hall. It was almost as big as their whole senior year apartment.

“What do you want, Walker?”

“I want to talk about graduation.”

“Cameron’s?”

“Ours.”

“I could ask my mother to mail me her VHS copy from her camcorder.” Doug kept his distance from Walker, which wasn’t hard in a room this size. Was this all Doug wanted? A big house, a rich husband, and a life that existed just to make others envious?

“I got that job in New York, and I turned it down for you. You gave me that puppy dog look and told me you loved me. I loved you, and you played me.”

“I never made you stay. You made that decision yourself.” Doug’s calm tone only caused more rage to build up in Walker.

“You had me wrapped around your finger and knew what buttons to push. I put my life on hold so we could be together. I did it all for you, and then you left to live happily ever after in your castle.” He gestured to the McMansion Monstrosity surrounding them.

“Where is this coming from?”

“You manipulated me!” Walker yelled. To hell if Hobie heard. He should hear this. “Then you cast me aside like the fucking heartless human being you are. I gave up my future for you!”

Doug wiped off his not-amused smirk and put on his game face. He still knew how to fight. They both did. It was like riding a bike for them.

“I won’t let you do this again,” Doug said.

“Do what?”

“Rewrite history.”

“We both know what happened. I got the job in New York. You got rejected from NYU and wanted to stay here. So I stayed.” Walker’s hands slicked with sweat. His heart pounded in his ears. The ceiling fan lapping above them wasn’t helping.

“Is that how you think of me? That I’m this evil mastermind?” Doug shook his head. “You made your own choices. You ruined your own future. And if anyone was used in this relationship, it was me.”