A few days before the last weekend in July, Tommy calls us to say he and Mike will be home that Friday afternoon, because Andrea's parents have taken a cottage at the beach for a week and invited Carol to join them. Tommy wants us to meet them. Kids are one thing, but adults, particularly potential in-laws whose life-style is far more formal than ours, from what Tommy has told us, are another.
I tell Tommy to hang up and let me call him back on the cell phone and to have Mike ready to answer their room phone. I'll make it a conference call so we can all talk. Tor gets on the cordless the minute I've dialed both numbers.
"What did you have in mind as a way for us to meet Andrea's parents, Tommy? It'll have to be Saturday night because that's change-over day for the cottages, and I'm not having you guys driving past midnight on Sunday."
"I don't know. I just thought you and Tor should meet them." He seems a little nervous.
"What you want? Some kind of party, a dinner?" Tor asks. "We can have them here for drinks, then take them to dinner, or if you guys will help Drew and me, we can eat here."
"Where do you propose putting eight people at a sit down dinner?" I ask.
"Are you crazy? This is the beach and it's summer. I'll set up the grill and we'll eat outside."
"I doubt they're relaxed enough for that. You remember what Andrea said about her mother."
Mike laughs. "No sweat, dad. I met them when they came up to see Andrea. They seemed okay about things."
"They're bound to be looser at the beach than at home. What do you say, Tommy?"
"They don't drink, so you can't do that. I know Andrea and Carol will like a cook-out. Maybe her daddy will, too. I don't know about her mother." He's silent for a moment. "Let's do it. Just cause they live so swell, I ain't ashamed of nothin', and Andrea really likes it there."
"Mike?"
"Damn right. Carol already said she wanted to come back. If Andrea's mom can't take us like we are, then tough."
"Can I ask Stephan and Luc? Andrea's mom asked me who my friends were." Tommy says.
"Why not? We'll make it a real party." Tor exclaims. "I'll ask Dave and Martha. That way there'll be another woman to talk with Mrs. McDonald. Martha talks easily to anyone."
"Good, idea. I was thinking we needed another woman around." I'm relieved.
Hell, if Andrea's mother wants to meet Tommy's friends, she might as well see 'em all at once. I hate formal entertaining anyway. "We need something better than burgers."
Tor grins at me. "I'll borrow Dave's grill and do some steaks. Some baked potatoes and a salad ought to be enough. Ice cream for desert. Sound okay, Tommy?"
"That's nice. Thanks."
"Okay, but I'm going to put you guys to work, so I want you home Friday as soon as you can get here." I tell them. "Mike, that doesn't mean you're to get a speeding ticket or cut class."
"Would I do something like that?" He sounds aggrieved, but I know him too well.
"Damn right, you would! So watch it, Lead Foot." Tor says.
Mike laughs as he hangs up.
"Let me know if Luc and Stephan are coming," I tell Tommy.
"Okay. Thanks, dad."
Tor complains, as usual, but I can tell from his smile he's looking forward to this. Fortunately, some time back Gary put us on to a woman who does cleaning; we hired her immediately. A typical islander, she does her work well, talks little, so the house is no worry. I'll leave getting the steaks to Tor, and I'll shop for the rest.
Since the fourth of July fell wrong for the kids to get more than just the day, we haven't seen them for three weeks. It's no surprise when Mike calls and says Luc and Stephan will be coming with them.
I hope the steaks are as good as they look. Tor managed to find a butcher shop that cuts its own meat, so these are not the usual super-market gamble. He's also splurged on several bottles of a decent wine, and I'll make iced tea. I had luck, too, finding all the items I wanted for a salad, and some baking potatoes that look perfect. I got a large container of sour cream and some fresh chives to mince and put in it.
I know the boys will want to hit the beach Saturday morning, so when they arrive about four Friday afternoon, I send them to Dave's to pick up his gas grill, and a couple of card tables with folding chairs Martha suggested we use. Tor already has our grill cleaned and ready to go.
By some magic, the boys all return from the beach about one. I give them sandwiches and tea for lunch, then get them started setting up tables and chairs. Stephan gets to put citronella candles around in case the gentle breeze turns and mosquitoes decide to crash our party.
I make the boys put on decent knit shirts with their shorts, though Tommy is a little reluctant to wear shorts, until Tor and I tell him that's what we'll be wearing. The McDonalds might as well get used to the idea of seeing four amputees who are not ashamed of it, nor of the devices that make them mobile.
Dave and Martha arrive first, then I see a huge black Lincoln town car pull up in the drive. The girls are out of it the moment it stops, to be hugged and kissed by Mike and Tommy. Mr. McDonald is not the rotund banker type I had envisioned, but a thin stately man dressed in slacks and a sports shirt. His hair is as black as Tommy's, though touched with gray at the temples. He's smiling as he greets Tommy, then Mike. Mrs. McDonald is as petite as Andrea, and wearing a nice flowered dress more suitable to a formal garden party than a cook-out. She's stiff as Tommy introduces Tor and me, then the Curtises. She looks startled when Tommy introduces Martha as Doctor Curtis, then I see her rigid expression thaw slightly as she realizes every adult here has a doctorate. It doesn't take Martha more than a moment to engage her in conversation.
Mr. McDonald is quite personable and expresses delight at eating outside on such a lovely evening. "I would like to do this sort of thing myself, but Margaret would never hear of it. It's been years."
When offered a glass of wine, Mr. McDonald asks Tommy if he's drinking his usual sparkling grape juice, then says he and Mrs. McDonald will have the same. I'm a little surprised, but happy I have several bottles on hand. He assures Tor and me that he has nothing against wine, but he's delighted that Tommy doesn't drink, "Since," he says with a wink, "we Indians don't seem to handle alcohol too well."
Tor serves the steaks from the grills, and everyone serves themselves for the rest. I'm not surprised when Mike, Tommy, and their girls take one table, but Tor, Andrea's father, Martha, and Luc take another, leaving me to sit with Mrs. McDonald, Stephan, and Dave.
"I must commend you and Doctor Torrence for taking an unfortunate boy like Thomas into your home so readily," she says when we're seated.
"Tommy is a joy to us. I would hardly say he's unfortunate."
"I was referring to his legs."
"He did have a hard time until he got his new ones, but now he seldom thinks of them, just as I don't often think of mine."
"Apparently not. I'm surprised to see so many disabled at a small gathering."
"Tor and I are not incapacitated at all."
"Nor am I," Stephan quickly adds. "We're no different from anyone else, but a lot of people don't understand that. That's why Luc and I are so lucky to room with Tommy and Mike."
She fixes Stephan with a steely eye. "I wonder. Lucas' parents are rather upset at his choice of a roommate."
"You know them? "I ask.
"We see them socially. Mr. Wade is a prominent attorney in Charlotte. They are hoping Lucas will soon come to his senses and find other accommodations."
Stephan shakes his head. "Luc's fantastic, and we're not splitting up."
"Gertrude certainly won't welcome you in her home."
"That's okay by me. Drew and Tor always make us welcome here, and my parents like Luc a lot."
I'm next, for she looks at me and says, "May I ask about Mike's mother?"
By now I'm pissed at her attitude. "I haven't the foggiest. Tor and I adopted him when he was ten."
Her eyebrows raise. "Indeed! Why would two brothers care to adopt a child that age? I should think you would have married and had children of your own."
"Because that's impossible." I feel Dave give me a warning nudge with his foot. "If you must know, Tor and I are not brothers. We're a couple."
"A what?"
"A couple. In case you don't understand, we consider ourselves married."
She gapes like a fish out of water, then grabs her glass of grape juice and drains it. "I never!" She gasps.
"You won't find nicer people anywhere," Dave says. "Both Drew and Tor have been excellent parents to our godsons. They are also highly respected scholars. Tommy was quite fortunate they recognized his needs, and Martha and I are proud of the way he and Mike have turned out."
"How can you say that when such a relationship is an abomination?"
"It is? I don't remember hearing that in church, which, I might add, the Torrences attend fairly regularly."
"You do?" She looks shocked.
"Certainly. Dave and Martha think it important for the boys, as do I. Mike is an organist and often plays for Mass, as well."
"I suppose I should be thankful for that much, at least. But that doesn't make up for the dreadful influences that Thomas must endure at home and at school." She folds her napkin and stands. "You do understand that Henry, the girls, and I must leave."
We all stand. "Of, course," I say.
She marches over to the next table and says, "We're leaving, Henry."
He looks up in surprise. "Don't you feel well?"
"No. Not after I found out the sort of company we're in."
"What do you mean by that?" He says, scowling at her.
"You know very well. Men who cohabit and corrupt children."
"Oh, Jesus, Margaret, are you on one of those kicks again? Go sit down and stop making an ass of yourself."
"Uh, oh," I hear Andrea say, then giggle.
"How dare you speak to me that way?"
"Because you're full of it, Margaret." He reaches in is pocket and holds out a set of keys. "If you're determined to leave, go ahead. But I'm having a wonderful time with delightful people and I'm staying. I'm certain one of the boys will be kind enough to give me and the girls a ride home."
She grabs the keys from his hand and stalks off. "I'm very sorry Margaret is on one of her crusades. I apologize profusely," he says.
"Think nothing of it," Tor replies. "We are an unconventional family, but we make no apologies for it."
"Nor should you. Until just now I haven't enjoyed myself so much in years." He looks at Tor and grins. "And now I'll have that glass of wine, please. A large one."
Dave and I pull our table up against Tor's. Stephan squeezes in next to Luc, and we begin to enjoy ourselves again, especially when Mr. McDonald says, "You are very lucky to have found friends like these, Luc."
"I certainly am, sir. It wouldn't have happened if Steph hadn't been rooming with Tom."
"I understand you are quite a special young man to Luc, Stephan. I'm glad you have each other."
Luc's mouth drops open. "You are?"
"Of course. We have several gay employees at the bank, and they are among our most reliable people. They all bring their partners to bank parties and behave with perfect decorum, which is more than I can say for my wife when she has a bee in her bonnet. Margaret spent an afternoon with your mother earlier this week, Luc. That's the only plausible excuse I can offer for her disgraceful behavior tonight."
Luc rolls his eyes. "I might have guessed."
"Don't let it get to you. If you're happy together nothing else matters. Remember, 'This above all: to thine ownself be true ... '"
"And it must follow, as the night the day thou canst not then be false to any man,' Luc finishes with a smile.
Henry claps his hands a couple of times, giving Luc a broad smile. "Bravo! Another lover of the Bard. I'll be looking forward to some good talks with you."
Without Mrs. McDonald as a wet blanket, everyone mellows out and parties until rather late. Tommy drives Henry and Andrea home, followed by Mike and Carol in Mike's car. Luc, Stephan, and the Curtises help Tor and me clear.
While we're having a last cup of coffee together, Martha shakes her head. "I'll never understand people like Margaret McDonald. Had I sat at the table with her I might have prevented this, but after talking with her earlier I just couldn't bring myself to do it."
Dave looks at her in amazement. "But you never have a problem with people, darling."
"Not those with open minds, but hers is solid granite. Henry is delightful, but living with that woman must be hell. Thank god, Andrea takes after him. The poor girl seems to take it all in stride."
"I just hope this doesn't come between her and Tommy. They're already planning on getting married as soon as he has a job and she graduates. It's going to be hell having in-laws like her, but if she thinks she's going to deprive Tor and me of the pleasure of our grandchildren, she has another think coming."
Dave and Martha leave before Tommy and Mike return. When they come in, Tommy is shaking his head. "I'm sorry, dad. I didn't know it was gonna happen like that."
"Don't worry about it; it's not your fault, babe. Henry is a fine man."
Tommy smiles. "Yeah, he sure is."