Page 98 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Congrats, bro. Booyah.” Joe put his fist up for Christopherto bump.

Christopher shook his head at Joe. Not the time. Not evenclose to the time. So Joe bumped fists with Lee instead and went back to hisfood, shoveling it in like he suspected he might not get his fill if he didn’thurry.

“Wait a minute. What’s this?” Sammie Mae echoed, her voicequavering. “You talked to your Gran about this… this…man you’refriendlywith, but you’ve been keeping it a secret fromyour own mother?”

Christopher shot Gran an annoyed glance. “Mom, it’s a newthing.”

“Of course he’s ashamed to confess to us how he reviles theword of God and flaunts his commandments—”

“Oh, lawd save us all,” Gran murmured.

“Preferring to roll in his lusts and sins like a pig inexcrement. A dirty sodomite. A pig infilth,” Bobfinished.

The kids were gaping at Bob, who was growing redder by thesecond, sweat pouring down his forehead and his eyes bulging. Then they lookedback to Christopher and waited, and he realized they expected him to respond.And he realized that hewantedto respond, becausehe wouldnotlet Bob talk about him in front of thekids like that.

“I’mnotashamed of who I love,or how I express that love,” Christopher said, fists clenching and heat roaringthrough him so that he felt sweat prickling all over as he fought to remaincomposed. “I just hadn’t planned to talk about it today during ourspecialfamily meal.” He shot Lee a look. “Thanks, kid. Ithought we had an understanding.”

Lee shrugged and smirked an apology, but he was clearlystill pretty excited to see what was going to happen next.

“Anunderstanding?” Bob said. “Areyou keeping secrets for him, Lee?”

“What? No, sir.” Lee looked flabbergasted to have Bob’sfrothing rage directed at him.

“Boy, he’s a sinner.”

“Ain’t we all sinners, Grampa Bob?” Lee asked.

“A sodomite isn’t just any sinner. Do you know what thatword means? It means he—”

“Bob, shut up.” Joe said. “Lee’s my kid and I’ll damn wellteach him what it means.”

“He should know by now, what with the devil lurking in thisfamily,” Bob ranted.

Joe wasn’t done. “But let me start out by saying what it don’tmean. It don’t mean Christopher’s a bad man, and it don’t mean we don’t lovehim.”

Bob snarled at Lee, “If he’s trying to tempt you into hislifestyle—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Bob. I’m gay, not a pedophile!”Christopher exclaimed.

The gasp that went around the table was hilarious exceptthat it wasn’t, because Christopher hadn’t meant to curse or yell. He’d meantto try to brush it under the table and find a way to get the meal back ontrack.

“Mama, Bob, you both need to just take a breather now.”Jackie’s voice was shaky, but she put her hand out and covered Christopher’sfingers with her own. “Christopher is still one of God’s children, and it’s God’sgreatest commandment tolovehim.”

“I don’t have to love him while he’s sinning in my face!”Bob barked.

“He’s not sinning in your face, you ignorant jerk. He’seating turkey!” Jackie cried.

Christopher blinked at her and then looked at Joe, who wasstaring at his wife with his eyes full of hearts and an expression of pride.

“Yeah, turkey,” little Sarah Beth said.

Lee nodded. “Turkey. And green bean casserole.”

“I want pumpkin pie,” Aaron, the youngest, piped up.

“The number of prayers I’ve sent up for his soul! And hecomes to my house fresh from sin and eats at my table? He comes here and smileslike a wolf in sheep’s clothing seducing these children into believing that—”

“And I’m out. I didn’t drink enough whiskey for this shit.”Joe stood, throwing his napkin on the chair. “I’ve just about had enough.Jackie, you can get leftovers from your mom tomorrow. Christopher, don’t sithere another second, bro. Get up and fucking leave.”