Page 68 of Wood

We watch her children play with my husband. His shoulders are glistening as he lifts them over his head, water dripping down the shaved sides of his head. I force my eyes away. Christ, he just sucked me off. Why am I twitching?

“I talked with Mom,” Carolyn says softly.

“Don’t care,” I reply stiffly.

“She left Dad, is getting an apartment downtown. She… regrets things, Ben.”

“I don’t fucking care, Carolyn,” I say in a low voice. She winces but says nothing about little ears this time. “I want nothing to do with her. Twenty years of rejection and isolation.”

“She wants to fix things, Ben.”

I turn to her. “It is too late, Carolyn. Twenty damn years. She is not getting anywhere near my man.”

She sighs.

“Ok, Ben,” she relents. “Just think about it.”

A beach ball is now bouncing between the three in the pool. Geoff smashes it down like a volleyball, to the delight of the kids.

“Anything specific you want at the party?” she asks after a bit.

I think for a moment. “Pizza and beer for Geoff’s buddies. Whatever you think for the rest of the guests. Oh, and Geoff loves cucumber sandwiches. Go figure.”

“I gather he likes the game room,” she says with a smirk.

I feel the flush crawl over my face.

“Ahem. Yes, you could say that.”

I never did like her laughing at my expense.

41

GEOFF - EPILOGUE

Guests are scattered in small groups all over our house. I can hear the game room with my buddies killing aliens amidst roars of laughter.

A few golfers are sitting outside around the new round fire pit, soft laughter occasionally punctuated by Todd’s booming laugh. Fiona and her guys are regaling them with stories of Scotland. We decided not to invite Bobby Calloway, hoping his infatuation dies without attention.

The couches and chairs in the living room are covered with glittering gay boys. TJ is slowly uncurling from his spot in a deep, overstuffed chair, a pretty twink working on his eyeliner while Freddie gives a running commentary.

Benjamin races around everyone with Carolyn’s twins in pursuit, his fathers watching with amusement. Marcus is leaning on the railing and watching ducks, removed from the chaos.

Carolyn and I are in the kitchen, organizing another round of cucumber sandwiches and hoagies piled with meat. I’ve become addicted to the fussy little sandwiches, to Ben’s amusement. That he indulges me? I feel loved. I pull a fresh pizza from the oven, ready to eat. Ben rounds the corner from the deck, and I spot his empty hands, so I reach into the cooler for a beer, quickly uncapping it and heading his way. He presses a kiss to my lips before reaching for the bottle, and I press my forehead to his.

“Happy?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“So fucking happy,” he replies.

“Little ears!” Carolyn snaps.

“Geoff?” Benjamin has paused his racing in the kitchen, tiny fists on his hips, face screwed in irritation.

“Hey buddy!” I crouch down to the kid’s level.

“I’m confused and I’m mad at you.”

My eyebrows raise up and I somehow keep my mouth from twitching. “Ok. Tell me why you are confused and mad.”