The Perfect Family (34 page)

“Jamie, do you want any?” Mike asked.

“A couple, maybe.”

Brian shot a quick look at his brother and Maggie tensed. Would they argue over Jamie bringing Luke? Instead, her older son let the matter drop. However, Maggie couldn’t ignore the reality of who Jamie might have as a guest. The responsibility of parenthood drove her to his room later that night.

“Honey, I know you said you don’t want us to announce your sexual orientation to anyone, but if you’re going to ask Luke to Brian’s party, our family has to be prepared.”

Jamie shrugged. “I guess it’s okay if we tell some of them. Who?”

“Grandma Lucy and Grandpa BJ. Any of Dad’s sisters or brothers who are flying in. And Aunt Sara and Grandma Lorenzo.”

He gave a typical teenage snort. “Wear armor if you talk to the last two in person.”

“It won’t be that bad.”

“Don’t bet on it, Mom.”

So that night she decided to get the confrontation with Sara over with. She sat staring at the phone, thinking about their differences on issues: Sara was still working in organizations to get abortion banned and had participated in pro-life marches on Washington. In the past, she’d devoted much of her time to get two ultraconservative justices appointed to the Supreme Court.

Disconcerted by the knowledge, Maggie nonetheless punched in the number and was glad Sara answered. “Hi, it’s Maggie.”

“Hi.”

“How’s Ma?”

“Still in martyr mode.” There was weariness in Sara’s tone. And a sense of resignation that cut to the quick. “She goes on and on about us ganging up on her. Allison particularly is having a terrible time with her rants.”

“I’m sorry. I’d try to help but she won’t even see me. Right?”

“Yeah. I guess we have to give it time. Is that why you called?”

“Partly. I need to talk to you about something else. Could we have lunch tomorrow? Just you and me?”

“What’s wrong?” Genuine concern resonated in her sister’s voice.

“I just need to see you. We’ll talk then.”

“All right. Meet me at noon at Alex’s by the canal. I’ll make a reservation.”

Mike had come into the bedroom while Maggie was on the phone. He’d removed his shirt and Maggie could see the definition of muscles in his chest. His back was tanned from working in the yard. At odd moments like these, she missed being physically close to him with an acuteness that bordered on pain. She wanted to reach out and touch him, take him into her body.

“What was that all about?” he asked when she hung up.

“I’m having lunch with Sara tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Mike, Jamie will most likely bring Luke to our graduation party. They could act like a couple. Sara would pick up on it. As would my mother, though I doubt she’ll come now that this has happened with Caroline. In any case, people need to be forewarned.”

His face darkened, but he joined her on the edge of the bed and took her hand between his two big ones. The gesture brought tears to her eyes. She missed
this
Mike. “Want me to come along?”

“No thanks.”

“I wish you wouldn’t cut me out of your problems with your family.”

“Have I been doing that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be better.” She held tight to his hand. “
Your
family needs to be told about this, too, honey.”

He let go of her and stretched his big frame out on the mattress, crooking his elbow and resting his head on one elbow. “This will be hard for them. Mom, especially, has a soft spot for Jamie.”

Once again, Maggie bristled when Mike spoke as if there was something wrong with Jamie.

Still, one battle at a time. “Wish me luck with Sara.”

They met the next day. Sara had secured a table in the outdoor section of the restaurant. Maggie arrived first and tried to enjoy the cool breeze that wafted off the water. She watched the ducks glide around in circles, tiny ones following their mama. She’d read once that two weeks after the mother duck had its babies, the mallard took off and was never seen again. Gretta and she joked about the unreliability of all male species, but today the notion was far from funny.

Dressed in a chic white pantsuit, Sara arrived and kissed her on the cheek. She squeezed Maggie’s arm, too, which made Maggie’s throat tight.

A young waiter approached. He was handsome and had an easy manner. Would Jamie find him attractive? “Mrs. Baker, how are you today?”

“I’m doing well, George. Thank you for asking.”

“Can I get you a drink?”

Sara asked for an iced tea and Maggie ordered a glass of Chardonnay.

“You’re having wine at noon?” Sara sounded like a little girl wanting to try her first drink with the big kids. Maggie remembered Caroline’s words about Sara trying to find her place in the family.

“Uh-huh. Go ahead.”

“All right. I’ll have the same.”

They discussed their mother again, and Maggie told Sara about Father Pete and his offer. Both thought calling on the priest was a good idea if Gertrude continued to behave badly. They made chitchat while they sipped their wine and waited for their food. Maggie was hesitant to bring up the issue of Jamie until lunch was over, and truthfully, she was enjoying the camaraderie with her sister. Maybe God had heard her prayers and this wouldn’t be a disaster after all.

Eventually, Maggie set down her fork and braced her elbows on the table. “I need to talk to you about a personal matter.”

Sara’s face was stricken. “You’re not sick, are you? Any of you?”

“No, no. It isn’t that.”

Her eyes widened. “Don’t tell me Mike’s fooling around with another woman.”

“No.” She toyed with the stem of her wineglass. “I assume you’re coming to Brian’s graduation.”

“Of course. Though Ma probably won’t, given the fact that Caroline will be there.”

“Maybe she’ll change her mind.”

Sara’s face was so torn, Maggie was sorry she was going to add to her problems. “In any case, I told you I’d bring the desserts. I’ve found this bakery that makes terrific cakes.”

“I’m sure it will be great.” She hesitated. “Sara, I have to tell you something before then. And I really hope you can support me in this.” She swallowed hard. “I need you to.”

“What is it?”

“At Brian’s party, Jamie may very well have a date.”

Her sister’s dark eyebrows raised. “That’s not exactly breaking news.”

“It is, in a way. Jamie’s going to be bringing a boy to the party.”

“Excuse me?”

“Jamie’s date is a boy.”

“He has a date with a
boy
?” Awareness dawned. Genuine concern filled Sara’s eyes. “Oh, Maggie, I’m so sorry.”

What to say? There was no reason to be sorry? Somehow that didn’t ring true. Maggie was sorry that her marriage was strained, her sons in turmoil, her life in flux.

After she thought for a moment, Sara seemed confused. “But I don’t understand. Why would you allow him to bring a boy to the party? I mean, you’re not
encouraging
him in this, are you?”

“I support my son being who he is.”

“This isn’t who he is, Maggie. This is an illness.” She sat up even straighter, so sure of her views Maggie envied her. “And illnesses can be cured.”

“Being gay isn’t an illness.” She was getting tired of making this argument. “It’s who Jamie is.”

“All right. It’s a sexual orientation, but it can be changed. Surely you believe that.”

“No. And besides, Jamie doesn’t want to change. He’s happy with who he is.”

Sara sat motionless for a moment. Then she said, “He only thinks that now, Maggie. When he tries to live this way, he’ll only find suffering.” On her face was Father Pete’s expression, Judy Johnson’s expression, Lucas Crane’s expression. Even Mike’s. Maggie was bombarded by insecurity. All these people were on the opposite side. Was
Maggie
wrong?

No, no, she wouldn’t think that way! “Let’s not argue philosophy here. I’m really not asking for your approval or your acceptance, though I would have liked the latter.”

“Then why did you tell me?”

“I thought you’d want to be prepared for all this before Brian’s party.”

Sara was silent.

“What?”

“Maggie, I’d feel really uncomfortable if I came to the party and Jamie was there with a boy.”

“Oh, Sara, please don’t stay away. Jamie would know why you didn’t attend.”

“It isn’t just me. My girls would be even more unsettled.”

“One out of ten people is gay, Sara. I’m sure Allison and Laura have been in contact with gay people before. They probably have friends who are gay.”

“Not that I know of. It’s not part of our family values.”

“I think your girls might surprise you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that it was obvious on Easter Sunday that you and Allison don’t agree on everything.”

“Don’t look for trouble in my family because there’s so much in yours.”

Maggie felt moisture well in her eyes at Sara’s disapproval. Maybe she’d wanted her approval after all. And because Maggie’s emotional armor was dented, she couldn’t withstand another attack by her sister.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you,” Sara said. “But I can’t condone what goes so much against what I believe in.”

“Not even for me?”

Sara sighed. “Maggie, I’d be a hypocrite if I went to Brian’s party and saw Jamie like that. I tried to get a gay group banned from Allison’s high school when I was the president of the PTA a few years ago. We only got it delayed—they instituted one this year—but I’m still working against it behind the scenes. I think we have some sympathy from the new superintendent to find a way around this.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about that?” Anger started to mount.

“Because you’re so liberal in your views, I knew you’d disagree with me and I didn’t want to fight with you.” Maggie stared at Sara as her face closed down. “I’ll still get the desserts for the party.”

Scraping back her chair, Maggie stood. She drew some money out of her purse and tossed it on the table. “Don’t bother. I’ll provide what’s necessary for my sons.”

“Maggie, please…”

But she didn’t hear the end of Sara’s comment as she hurried out of the restaurant. Instead of going to her car, she took the steps to the footpath by the canal, thinking a walk would help.

It didn’t. After ten minutes, she dropped down on one of the benches and watched the water flow by her. A crew boat whizzed past with a dozen smiling teenagers rowing it. Staring at the kids, she wondered if Jamie would ever again be as carefree as they were.

Jamie loved Sherwood High. The school had provided him with good friends, great learning experiences, and the opportunity to perform in shows. To give back to it, this year he’d volunteered to head up the Red Cross blood drive held in the spring. Area high schools around Rochester competed to see which district could donate the most pints. Though Sherwood was half the size of some of the major suburban schools, they’d won hands down every year. For months, Jamie had worked hard with the faculty, staff, and the Red Cross administration to make the drive a success this time, too.

Even Brian was upbeat at breakfast. After he’d come to Jamie’s room that night, Jamie knew his brother was trying to mend fences and he appreciated the effort. He hoped it was a good sign that they’d dressed alike in Spartan T-shirts and jeans.

“He’s pestered everybody, Mom,” Brian said as he poured himself a bowl of Cheerios and slanted Jamie a big-brother look. “He’s set up competitions between the junior and senior classes, made bargains with teachers, and enlisted all the secretaries and aides.”

“You mockin’ me?” Jamie asked.

“Nah, I think it’s great that you do things like this for the school.”

“I’m glad the drive’s going so well,” their mom put in. The delight in her voice warmed him. “I’ll be there to volunteer.”

Brian shoveled cereal into his mouth and said around it, “When?”

“Noon. I can stay as long as they need me.”

“Maybe I’ll wait until you come before I let them suck the life out of me.” Brian shivered. “Man, I’m not looking forward to that.”

He had never given blood before because he was skittish, and Jamie had just become old enough to do it. Jamie razzed Brian. Big, brawny guys turned into dweebs when they donated.

“You’ll be fine,” their mother told them.

“How do you know?” Brian asked. “You’ve never done it.” His mom had a genetic anemia problem that kept her from donating.

“I just do.”

Jamie and Brian drove to school together, which didn’t happen much anymore. Jamie had been riding with Luke, but he had to go in early today. And Jamie used to hitch a ride with Julianne, but not lately. Probably never again after their last conversation…

I’m sorry you’re gay, Jamie
. He’d told her right before he and Luke went public.
I know you don’t want to hear that, but I am. It’s morally wrong. I love you still—love the sinner, hate the sin, you know—and I’m praying for you
.