Heartless (18 page)

Mom's hearing?"
"No. Nothing like that. You've got to stop automatically
thinking you're to blame for things, but that's a talk for another
day. No, you need to know that Mia's parents will be at the
hearing. I think you should meet them."
"Oh. More grandparents."
"They're good people, Parker."
"Okay, Daddy."
Ray cleared his throat. "That's another thing. I like being
called 'Daddy,' but you don't have to call me that. If you'd be
more comfortable with, 'Dad,' I'll understand."
Parker was quiet for a long moment. "No. I want to call you
'Daddy,' if you're okay with it. I don't care if some folks might
see it as childish. I've never had a daddy, and I finally do. It
means something to me."
Glancing at his son, Ray clasped Parker's shoulder with
affection. "Then we're both happy."

The local prosecutor, a state prosecutor, and a federal
prosecutor attended the hearing for Mia Godchaux. Also
present were three different psychiatrists: one for the
prosecution, a psychiatrist for the defense, and a non-partisan
psychiatrist appointed by the judge. Ray shook his head since
the makeup reminded him so much of Latrice Descartes's
bench trial. Still, he'd hired Mia a high-powered attorney. Four
other people besides the judge and the court reporter were
present: Ray, Parker, and two older people Parker assumed
were his grandparents.

Before the hearing began, Ray took his son to the couple.
"Parker, you need to meet these people," he said. Ray put his
hand on his son's shoulder. "These are you grandparents,
Vivian and Lester Godchaux."

Parker inhaled sharply. The older bald man with pale
brown eyes extended his hand. "Hello, Parker. It's nice to meet
you. Your mother hasn't been in contact with us for over
eighteen years. I'm sorry I never knew about you until Ray
came and told us. He thought it best to wait until you were out
of the hospital to meet you."

Parker shook the man's hand. "Hello, sir." Parker turned to
the woman. "Ma'am."
The older woman who looked a great deal like her daughter
reached out and caressed Parker's cheek. She whispered,
"You're a very handsome young man. Mia must've been
absolutely insane to keep you a secret. You're our only
grandson. Mia's brother, Sheldon, has three girls. They live in
Texas. We don't see them much. I would like the chance to see
you often if you'll give it to us."
Parker looked at Ray for assurance. Ray nodded.
Parker said, "I'd like that, but would you mind at first
visiting me at Daddy's house?"
"No," said Lester, "that would be appropriate."
"What would you like me to call you?"
"You decide," Lester said, "but Sheldon's girls call us
'Gran' and 'Pop.'"
"That'll be fine," said Parker. "May I ask why you're in
court?"
"As Mia's parents, we'll need to sign the commitment order.
You're not old enough," his grandfather explained. "It's the best
thing for her. Mia was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder when
she was thirteen, very young for such a diagnosis, but she was
having severe mood swings and some violent outbursts. We
took her to a doctor. I think she's had a complete psychotic
break."
"Lester, she never told me she had a problem," Ray said.
"I'm sure she didn't." Lester gave a sad smile. "She stayed
in a state of denial. We had a hard time keeping her on her
medication. The reason she only brought you to visit us a
couple of times while you two were dating was probably
because she was afraid we would've told you about her
condition."
Ray nodded. "I wish I had known."
All heads turned as chains rattling grabbed their attention.
Two guards escorted Mia into the courtroom. She wore the
garish orange prison-issue jumpsuit and her hands were cuffed
to a chain around her waist, which in turn connected to another
chain joined to shackles on her feet. Parker tensed all over at
the sight. He shivered as the air grew colder. Ray steered him
to a seat, rubbing his arm for heat.
Judge Poulan entered the courtroom. He announced
himself. "Everybody come to order. This hearing is very
informal, but let's get down to business.
"Mr. Saxon, you cost a pretty penny. Who hired you on
Miss Godchaux's behalf?"
"An anonymous benefactor, Your Honor."
"Liar, but let's move on." He pointed at the bailiff. "Turn up
the thermostat. It's like an iceberg in here." He turned back to
the attorney. "You're pleading diminished capacity, correct?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"We'll see."
The aging jurist's crustiness made Parker squirm. Ray
patted his son on the thigh. He whispered, "He's all talk. He's
actually a very nice man and very fair. Don't be afraid."
"Shrinks, let's talk," the judge droned on. "I've read your
reports. It seems you're in agreement. You all think Miss
Godchaux is completely out of touch with reality and has been
so for quite some time. Am I right? If not, say so now."
None of the psychiatrists dissented, so Judge Poulan moved
forward. "Prosecutors, this woman has apparently murdered
seven people, kidnapped two, and almost killed one of them.
One of the dead people was a United States Senator, and
another was a judge. Yet, all of you have agreed to have her
committed to a mental institution. Why? Somebody talk to
me." He plopped the folder he held on the wood with a loud
slapping sound.
The federal prosecutor, Chandler Slesinger, spoke for the
prosecutors. "Your Honor, this woman isn't a sociopath, a
psychopath, yes."
"Explain the difference for the record," said Poulan.
"A sociopath has no conscience." The prosecutor looked
toward Mia. "Unlike Miss Godchaux who has shown remorse,
albeit convoluted. She has had a total psychotic break after
several minor breaks in the past.
The United States Constitution
does not allow the execution of the mentally ill. Miss
Godchaux
is
mentally ill. Therefore, the best place for her is a
facility for the criminally insane."
"Hmm," mused the judge. "Lester Godchaux, you're the
defendant's father, are you not?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Lester started forward.
"Talk to me from there." He waved his hand in a shooing
motion as if raking something from an invisible shelf. "This is
informal. No need to take the stand, but still be truthful. Tell
me about your daughter."
"Mia was diagnosed as bi-polar when she was thirteen."
"Thirteen?" Poulan fairly shouted.
"Yes, sir," Lester went on. "We were told it was young for
onset, but not impossible. I think she has been in a down-hill
spiral ever since. She basically vanished, Your Honor, for
eighteen years. We haven't seen her or heard from her in that
length of time. She had a child and never told anybody about
him." The grandfather caught his grandson's eye. "She has been
using heroin for God knows how long. The other things—I
don't know any other way to describe her except insane."
"So, you're willing to sign this commitment order?"
"Yes, sir."
"Hmm. Mother, too?"
"Yes, sir," Vivian said.
Poulan nodded. "Three signatures are usually required. Can
you get a third?"
Slesinger offered a document. "I have here a signed and
notarized affidavit from Miss Godchaux's brother in Texas."
The judge held out his hand, and the prosecutor handed
over the document. The jurist scanned it and nodded before he
spoke again. "Chief Reynolds."
"Yes, Your Honor?"
"Ray, what the hell?" Poulan held up a piece of paper.
"You've recommended the nuthouse, too. Why?"
"Your Honor, Mia Godchaux is my former fiancée and the
mother of my son." He placed a protective hand on Parker's
head. "I can't be impartial in this case. I'd like to strangle her
myself, but in trying to be unbiased, I think the best thing for
Miss Godchaux is a mental facility where she can get the help
she needs. I'm not ready to give up hope that she can one day
be complete."
"Hmm. Yes, your son. Parker?"
"Yes, sir?" replied Parker, eyes wide and voice shaky. His
experience with judges had never been good.
"Relax, son." The older man's voice softened considerably
when addressing the minor. "Why are you here? This woman
almost killed you."
"She's still my mother, sir. I love her." At those words, a
muted th…thump, th…thump, th…thump sound as large wings
made everyone look around.
The judge knitted his brow but continued to question
Parker. "What would you like me to do?"
"Send her somewhere so she can get well. She can't get
well in a normal prison, sir. That would just make her worse.
She would be dead in weeks." He looked toward Mia. "Putting
her in prison would be the same as signing her death warrant. I
think I heard the prosecutor say that
The United States
Constitution
prohibits the execution of the insane. Is my
mother insane? Yes. She thinks I'm dead. She thinks she killed
me. I guess that was the final straw."
"Hmm," sighed Judge Poulan. "I only have one more
person to question. Miss Godchaux, what should I do with
you?"
Mia stared into space. Her attorney said, "Your Honor,
Miss Godchaux hasn't spoken since she shot her son."
"Really?" Skepticism dripped from the judge's tongue.
"That's not quite true," said Parker.
"Parker, do you have something else to say?" asked the
judge.
"She'll talk to me, but she thinks I'm an angel in Heaven."
"I see." The official quirked one eyebrow up. "Try to get
her to talk to you for me, son."
Parker went to his mother and squatted beside her. He
grimaced as his incision hurt. He said gently, "Mom."
Mia turned toward Parker. "Parker. My beautiful baby."
She started to cry. "Did God let you come see me again?"
"Mom, do you know where you are?"
Mia looked around. "I'm going to Hell, Parker. How could
God ever forgive me for killing my baby?"
"Mom, where's Ray?"
"Ray? I love Ray. I'm gonna marry Ray. Do you know
Ray? His eyes are just like yours."
"Mom."
"Parker? My beautiful baby. I'm sorry. I love you. I'm
sorry, baby. I killed you."
"It's all right, Mom. I'm all right."
"You're in Heaven. My beautiful baby. Did God let you
come to see me?"
"Yes, Mom, and He told me I can come to see you any time
I want to."
The judge said, "Parker, that's enough."
"I have to go now, Mom. I'll see you soon."
"My beautiful baby. I love you."
"I love you, too."
The temperature in the room moderated.
Parker sat down beside Ray and put his face in his father's
chest and wept. Ray held him tightly and let him cry as he shed
tears of his own.
The judge's next words were choked. "Mr. Saxon,
diminished capacity does not describe your client. I'm signing
this order to have her committed to the state facility for the
criminally insane. I want her transported immediately from this
room. I want her in shackles and tied to the seat if possible. I
believe she
has
completely lost touch with reality. However, I
want every precaution taken just in case this is an act worthy of
an Academy Award. I do not want a repeat of the escape of
Latrice Descartes.
"Mr. and Mrs. Godchaux, come and sign this form." He slid
a document forward. Lester and Vivian shambled toward the
front of the courtroom.
"Ray, get your son out of here. That
child
has been through
too much to see his mother taken away in shackles. Seeing her
brought in here was bad enough." Poulan huffed.
"Parker, you put every adult in this room to shame. Your
capacity for love and forgiveness is extraordinary. Go from this
place and become the man God has intended for you to be. I
agree with your mother. This day I have looked into the face of
an angel. I would've ruled Miss Godchaux, not diminished
capacity, but stark raving mad for keeping you a secret and not
shouting proudly to the world, 'This is my son!'" He banged his
gavel.
"This hearing is adjourned."

Mia Godchaux did not escape. She did not even attempt to
escape, but just put her head back on the seat and went to sleep.
Parker Reynolds visited his mother the first Saturday of every
month for the rest of her life. Mia did become lucid and aware
of the things she had done, but she never left the mental health
facility except on four occasions under heavy guard: Parker's
three graduations and Parker's wedding.

Parker Reynolds began a new life the day he left the
courthouse. For the first time, he felt free to really live. On the
drive home, Ray could only wonder why God had seen fit to
bless him with two angels—his wife and his eldest child.
Parker and Ray entered the house to questioning faces.

"She's already on her way," informed Ray. Then, he told
the family all that had transpired.
Larkin put her hand on Parker's head. "Are you all right,
honey?"
"Yes, Momma, I'm all right."
"What did you say?"
"Yes,
Momma
, I'm all right."
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
"Absolutely, if you don't mind."
"Oh, I would love to be your momma." She stifled her tears
and hugged him close.
"Well, I think we should celebrate," announced Ray. "Let's
go out to dinner. Parker, call your appendage and tell her we'll
pick her up at six."

The Reynolds family plus one dined at an exclusive Italian
restaurant, Mama Rosa's Italian Eatery where Ray and Larkin
had tried to celebrate their anniversary. Once again, Parker
experienced a first as Ray poured every member of the dinner
party a glass of champagne. The children and Larkin's, because
she was pregnant, was about two swallows, but the fact that
Ray thought a champagne toast by everyone was appropriate
surprised Parker. Ray explained to him later that he believed
making a sip of wine or beer or even a taste of a mixed drink
completely taboo to kids only increased their desire to
experiment. On the other hand, if kids saw alcohol used
appropriately, even an occasional buzz in celebration, then,
they learned to use it appropriately. Ray did stress that never
ever should a person drink and drive. That is why he only had
the single glass of champagne to toast a new life for Parker
Greg Reynolds.

The New Year brought school back. Parker had a lot to
make up to be able to graduate in May. Additional time in the
afternoon at school and extra time with his mentor became a
daily arrangement.

Parker applied himself and showed that he could have been
an honor graduate if he'd had opportunity before his senior
year.

Spring break gave Parker his first trip to Biloxi and a week
with Albert and Dorothy. Ray's parents took all their
grandchildren—Parker, Christopher, Courtney, Patrick, and
Trista, and they invited Sheena—deep sea fishing. His first
three days on the ocean in the charter boat, Parker turned green
and nauseated. A retired nurse, Meemaw took care of him.
Ginger and ultimately Dramamine alleviated his seasickness
and he was able to enjoy the last two days. Parker caught
several sea bass and a couple of grouper. His first day of
actually fishing provided dinner for the evening. The
grandchildren returned to finish the school year invigorated and
sporting tans.

After spring break, the only divergence from the normal
routine was prom week in April. Parker, who had grown three
inches and gained twenty pounds since Christmas, and Sheena
Johnson made a picture perfect couple with Sheena in a jadegreen, strapless, satin formal that hugged her curves but had a
slit up the back to make walking easy and Parker in a black
tuxedo with a jade-green cummerbund and bow tie. Parker
complained that the bow tie was nerdy until Sheena said he
was the most handsome man ever, especially since he had
gotten a haircut and style.

At prom Parker was annoyed that several guys asked
Sheena to dance. Her friend, Dana, grabbed Parker's hand. "Oh,
quit sulking and dance with me."

"I'm not a very good dancer."
"Just move. Look at these people. Nobody is very good."
Parker laughed and danced with Sheena's friend. Dana

pouted and pointed. "She's the best dancer here. Dare you to
dance with her."
"Dr. Fairchild?"
The girl nodded and had a mischievous grin on her face.
She's trying to embarrass me
, Parker thought.
"She's a little roly-poly, but she can dance. I've never heard
of her dancing with a student," Dana said as Sheena walked up.
"What are you up to?" asked Sheena.
"Nothing."
Parker laughed out loud. "Watch this. I bet I get a dance."
Sheena reached out to stop him and glared at her friend.
Parker tapped Dr. Fairchild on the shoulder. "May I have
this dance?"
Dr. Fairchild glanced around the room and noticed the
stares. She whispered, "Which one of them dared you?"
"Dana. She said you never dance with a student. Want to
prove her wrong?"
Giggling like a young girl, Dr. Fairchild said, "You
are
Ray's son. Yes, let's dance."
Every conversation stopped when Parker led his principal
onto the floor to dance. Dr. Fairchild waltzed around the room
with him and whispered in his ear, "I was actually prom queen
forty-three years ago."
Applause greeted them when the dance was done. Sheena
snagged her man. "Oh, my God! You're a first!"
"Maybe a last." Parker grinned and danced with his date.

With prom over, on May twenty-second, one week after
Parker's eighteenth birthday, Dr. Rona Fairchild joyfully called
Parker Greg Reynolds to cross the stage and receive his high
school diploma. There was no gold cord like Sheena's but there
was a diploma and applause and a family celebration afterward.

In the courtyard for pictures, Mia Godchaux's police escort
ushered her to her son. For the first time ever, Parker saw
neither anger nor cloudiness in her eyes.

Mia smiled softly, but sadly. She reached out the hand that
was not cuffed to her escort and touched Parker's cheek. "I'm
so proud of you, my beautiful baby," she said as tears dripped
down her cheeks.

"Mom, don't cry," Parker said tenderly. He put his arms
around his mother, and she put her free arm around him. Still
crying she said, "I love you so much. Please, forgive me."

"I already have, Mom," assured Parker, wiping the tears
from his mother's cheeks.
Mia looked at Ray. "Ray, I'm so sorry. I hope one day you
can forgive me, too."
"I'm trying," answered Ray.
Mia looked toward Larkin. "You must be Parker's Larkin.
Thank you for taking care of my son."
"You're welcome, Mia," replied Larkin.
Sheena came up. Parker put his arm around her. "Mom," he
said, "this is Sheena, my girlfriend."
"Hello, Miss Godchaux," Sheena said. "It's nice to actually
meet you."
"She's beautiful, Parker," Mia said. To Sheena she said,
"Parker's a good boy. He has a lot of love to give. I'm glad he
has a girlfriend like you."
The officer said, "It's time to go."
Parker asked, "May we, please get a couple of pictures? It'll
only take a few minutes."
"I can't uncuff her. It would mean my job."
Mia said, "Thompson, you can just be in the pictures, too."
"What?"
"Good idea," Parker agreed. "That way nobody gets in
trouble."
"Oh, okay," the officer said with reluctance.
Ray snapped a few pictures of Parker and Mia with her
escort; of Parker, Mia, and Sheena; and of Parker, Mia, and
Lester and Vivian Godchaux. Thompson refused to take off her
handcuffs and smiled as if he were a part of the family. Mia
hugged Parker once more before the officer took her back to
the mental health facility.
The rest of Parker's family and Sheena's family returned to
Mama Rosa's Italian Eatery for a private party. Lindsay and
Larkin compared abdomens, and the party came to an abrupt
halt and made a quick change of locations as Lindsay's water
broke three weeks early. Shortly after one A. M., there was a
new life added to the family as Lucy Mariah Parks debuted.
Ray teased Dupree, "Don't you want a boy?"
"I love my ladies," answered Dupree, "but maybe one boy."
Dupree looked at Lindsay.
Lindsay gave her husband a dirty look and then grinned.
"We'll try once more in a couple of years, but, then, that's it."
"All right, baby. I won't argue," agreed Dupree.

The next month was extremely eventful. Sheena received
her acceptance letter to Harvard. Parker was distressed because
he was going to Louisiana State University. Sheena assured
him Harvard was not that far away. He had to content himself
with holidays and summers, especially when Sheena suggested
dating other people while they were at college. This would be
the test of a lifetime. This would prove if theirs was true love
or puppy love.

June twenty-second arrived very early. Larkin woke her
family. "It's time."
As the family waited, Ray held his wife's hand for the third
time as she willing allowed herself to undergo major surgery to
bring a new life into the family. They had agreed that with the
birth of this child, Larkin would have a tubal ligation. At fortytwo, this would be her last child. At 8:13 A. M., Larkin, Ray,
and family welcomed Cherie Veronica Reynolds. From the
way she flailed at the air, Ray laughed. "Hello, Firecracker! I
bet you make my life interesting." He chuckled. "Well, even
more
interesting."

There was already a slight nip in the air as Sheena Johnson
moved into her dorm at Harvard University. She went up a few
days early so she could visit historical Boston and the
surrounding area before beginning classes. Donning a sweater,
she followed the tour map all over the area immediately after
Terry, her father, kissed her good-bye.

As she rode the tour bus through Lexington and Concord,
the sandy-haired man with caramel-colored eyes who sat
beside her commented, "You look fascinated."

"It
is
fascinating," Sheena replied with a pleasant southern
drawl. "I'm used to lots of Confederate history, but to follow
the footsteps of our founding fathers is indescribable."

The man laughed and offered his hand. "Alex Burlington.
I'm a damned Yankee who's pleased to meet a real southern
belle."

Sheena shook the man's hand. "Hardly a southern belle.
Just a lowly freshman at Harvard. Sheena Johnson. Nice to
meet you."

"You seem very mature and independent to be a freshman.
I'm a first-year law student from Vermont. Where do you call
home?"

Louisiana."
"
Au contraire, ma chére
. Senator Robert LaFontaine was
from there. He had many interesting cases that I'm familiar
with, and my father knew him. He visited our home on a
couple of occasions. Did you know him?"
"Not personally, but my boyfriend's father was his college
roommate at LSU."
"What a small world." Alex twisted in his seat to be able to
face Sheena better. "So, you have a boyfriend? Where is he?"
"LSU."
"Ah. Is this a done deal, or are you free to have dinner with
moi
?"
Sheena eyed the man beside her. He was good-looking. His
sandy hair and caramel eyes topped a good six-foot frame that
weighed around one-ninety. He wore a tan sweater and jeans
that showed he was muscular. She replied, "I love Parker, but
we decided to date while at college. You should know I have a
black belt and have broken the nose of a man bigger than you
when he tried something inappropriate."
"I am duly warned. The dinner offer still stands. I'll take
you to a real Boston pub."
"That would be interesting. I accept."

Parker Reynolds settled into his dorm at Louisiana State
University. Ray left him to acclimate himself after carrying
numerous boxes and items to the fifth-floor room. Shortly after
Parker claimed the bed by the window and began unpacking
his clothes in the closet and chest of drawers that was built into
the wall on that side of the room, another freshman and his
father bumped through the entrance. Parker hopped to hold the
door open for his new roommate.

"Thanks," said the older man as the two deposited luggage
and boxes.
"Need some help?" Parker asked. He offered his hand.
"Parker Reynolds from Eau Boueuse."
"Nice to meet you," said the older man as he shook Parker's
extended hand. "Jonas Marchant, and this is Dexter."
The boy offered his hand. "My friends call me Dex. I'm
from Shreveport."
Parker and Dexter shook hands. Parker said, "Good to meet
you. You need some help with more things?"
"Yeah. I've got a multi-disc stereo and a microwave. I see
you've got a TV and a fridge. We should be fine." The three
went back to the Marchants' car to unload the rest of Dexter's
things.

Dexter is a little dorky
, Parker thought.
His voice sounds as
if it's hardly changed. He's smaller than I was when I came to
Eau Boueuse. He can't weigh more than a hundred thirty
pounds and might be two inches taller than Sheena. Mr.
Marchant has blond hair and blue eyes. Dex looks like his dad,
but he's pasty. He must avoid the sun like the Plague.
Parker
couldn't help but think
with that platinum-blond hair and
almost translucent eyes touched with blue, Dex should be
Dixie. Damn! He would make a pretty girl.
Parker sighed.
Stop
it. Don't jump to conclusions. He seems pleasant. Get to know
him.

Once all the items were unloaded, Mr. Marchant left the
fellows to get acquainted. Both continued to unpack and
arrange his side of the room. Parker put pictures of his family
and Sheena on the desk beside his laptop. He turned around to
see Dex lining up shoes on the floor of his closet.

"What's that?" asked Parker.
"Shoes."
"Yeah. Pumps. Heels."
"Okay, we better get something straight right off." Dex

stood and glowered at his roommate. "I'm gay."
"Okay. I'm not." Parker pointed to Sheena's picture. "That's
my girlfriend, Sheena. She's at Harvard."
"She's pretty," Dex said. "She must be real smart."
"She is. Do you have a…a boyfriend?"
"Yeah. He's on the football team, but I'm not supposed to
tell anybody because he's not sure how his teammates would
react."
"Still in the closet?"
"Sort of. I'm here because he is. He's a junior. I'd rather be
in New Orleans. They have a higher population of 'our kind.'"
He made finger quotes.
"Your kind? Are you a cross-dresser?"
"Sometimes. I'm not a transvestite. When we go out, he
likes me to look like a girl. With my size, it's easy. I don't dress
like a girl all the time. You're safe with me, Parker. I have no
interest in you like that."
"Good." Parker plopped onto his bed. "I have a question. I
can accept that you're gay, and you can tell me to mind my
own business, but why are you dating someone who wants to
hide you?"
Dex looked at Parker strangely, dipping one almost white
eyebrow along with the same side of his mouth in a half-frown.
"I never considered that."
"Wouldn't you rather have an open and honest
relationship?"
"I would, but he's scared of public perception. It might be
the twenty-first century, but some things are still taboo,
especially in the world of the jock."
"What about how you feel?" Parker kicked off his shoes
and sat cross-legged on the bed.
"I'll think about that," Dex said. "You surprised me. I
thought you'd be packing and moving out."
"I was here first."
Dex laughed. "Have you ever had a gay friend?"
"Not a close one. I know a few gay people."
"Up for the challenge?"
"Sure. Let's just develop a signal if either of us wants to be
undisturbed."
"Good idea." Dex scowled. "You gonna cheat on your
girlfriend?"
"I'm not planning on it, but we agreed to date other people
while we're in college."
"You shouldn't have any trouble getting a date."
"I think that was a compliment." Parker grinned.
"It was."
"Thanks. What will you be studying?"
"Don't laugh," Dexter said as he threw sheets onto his bed.
"I won't."
"Interior design."
"It fits you, I think."
"How about you?"
"Criminal justice. I'm gonna be a cop, hopefully a
detective, like my dad. He's chief of police now in Eau
Boueuse."
"That's nice. My dad is still coming to grips with my
sexuality."
"My dad would have a hard time accepting that, too."
Parker laughed. "He found out about a year ago that his old
college roommate had the hots for him. It bothered him."
"Dad's real straight, huh?"
"Yeah, but tolerant, if there is no danger to his family."
"That's good. Maybe he won't make you move out. You
seem like a good sort."
"He would allow me to make my own decisions about that.
Are you gonna pledge a fraternity?"
Dexter laughed long and loud, and then plopped onto his
own bed. "No. They don't accept people like me easily. You?"
"Yeah. Delta Tau Delta. I'm a legacy."
"You'll get in. Just don't tell them about your roommate.
Just say I'm a G.D.I."
"A what?"
"God Damned Independent."
"Gotcha."