Curtis calls us to come up to his office one Saturday afternoon. He's in a panic when we get there. Normally one of the permanent crew is around to accommodate tourist drop-ins, but they are all off today. Curtis has come in to personally conduct a group of state legislators through the facility, and a busload of high school science teachers has called for a tour, too.
"Tor, I hate to bother you and Drew, but the idiot that's supposed to coordinate all this hasn't shown up, and now these people are piling in on me. If you'll take the teachers, I'll be in your debt."
Tor shrugs. "We weren't doing that much, so why not? I'll do the tour and Drew can take the slide presentation."
"That's a relief. Teachers and politicians at the same time! I sometimes wonder if my job's worth it. I'll get the politicians started and you can follow with the teachers. Drew, will you do both presentations?"
"Okay by me."
"You can stay as you are. If anybody complains, it's their fault for coming without notice."
Tor's got on ragged Bermudas and I've got on the most disreputable pair of cut-off jeans I own and a ragged T-shirt. I'm using the peg-leg as well. I scrounge up a couple of lab coats so Tor and I don't look quite so rough, though it would be like Curtis to point at us and tell the politicians that if this place had the funding it needs, the employees could afford to dress better.
The politicians are a snap. They aren't interested in the slide presentation, they just want to poke around the building and boat. But when Tor ushers in the teachers, he whispers, "Give 'em the works, babe, and let me get some rest. I've already answered so many questions my tongue's hanging out."
As soon as the first slide comes up, they start popping questions, some of which I have to get Tor to answer. They have a sense of humor, too. Someone has slipped a slide of a gorgeous girl in the tiniest bikini I've ever seen in the tray. I know who did it, because this is the tray of slides Carl uses with the students, and he likes to joke. I change the slide quick as the machine can and keep going. They even demand the other set of slides we use for casual visitors like the politicians. They explain the purpose of the institute and give information on the type of work and research going on.
I know how Tor feels when I've finished, but they have been such a great group and a lot of fun that I'm sorry to see their bus pull down the drive. The bus has to swerve to miss a big Cadillac that whips into the drive and comes to a stop by the door. A thin sour looking man gets out and looks around.
"Hey! You two come here."
Tor shrugs and we walk over slowly. When we get to his car, he snaps, "Where's Curtis?"
"I should think Dr. Curtis is at home by now," Tor drawls.
"You work here, don't you?"
"Off and on."
"Then take this stuff to my office." He points to a pile of boxes in the backseat.
"What office?" Tor asks.
"I'm the public relations officer. I'll be working directly under Dr. Curtis. Why aren't more of the staff here? From the looks of you two, you'll never get my things in the office."
I know Tor's getting hot, so I pick up a small box and hand it to him, and pick up another small one and follow the guy into the office near the entrance. He, naturally, hasn't carried in a thing. Tor and I dump the boxes on his desk and walk out.
"Where're you going?" He calls.
"Home," Tor yells back. "The institute closes at noon on Saturday."
"You're going to bring in the rest of my things!"
"Like hell! You want 'em, you get 'em yourself."
Tor grabs my hand and pulls me out of the building, leaving the guy yelling, "You haven't heard the last of this. I'll have you fired. This isn't an institution for the handicapped."
Now it's my turn to grab Tor. He's trying to get loose so he can go back and bust the guy one. I manage to get him to our boat and settled down with an icy beer to cool him off.
"I'm going to get that sonuvabitch," Tor growls.
"He does come on kinda strong."
"Humph! He needs a pin in that over-inflated ego of his. No wonder Curtis said he had doubts about him. I wonder if he's as smart as he thinks he is?"
"I doubt it. Look at Curtis and Langford. They're smart, but they're real people, too."
"If he hadn't been such an ass, I'd of helped him. Screw him! What's for dinner?"
"Nothing. When Curtis called I forgot about going to the market. We'll have to go out."
"Good. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Our favorite place on the beach to eat is a small restaurant on one of the fishing piers. The food's great and it's easy on the pocket instead of being one big rip-off like many places in a resort area. Another reason we like it is that catering to fishermen, we don't have to dress up. They're used to Tor and me, anyway.
We're moving along as best we can in the heavy traffic when a big car passes us. The idiot drives as if his is the only car on the road. Tor has to jam on the brakes when the guy pulls in front of us in a space I'd swear isn't big enough for a VW.
"You miserable sonuvabitch!" Tor screams.
I look up and agree, recognizing the guy from the institute. Not half a block further and without giving a signal, he whips off in a left turn into the parking lot of the fanciest restaurant on the beach. We've heard about it - it's one of those nuveau cuisine places where the prices are ridiculous, the food lousy, and the portions so small a canary would die of starvation.
"Figures," Tor snaps.
"Yeah. I hope he gets ptomaine."
Our place isn't crowded and soon as we hit the door I hear somebody call, "Come join us." It's Curtis.
We slip into the booth across from Curtis and he introduces us to his wife. She has a sweet smile, is gentle and soft spoken, which makes me like her immediately. Tor must, too, because he's talking more than usual.
"Anyone come in after I left this afternoon?" Curtis asks.
"Yes, sir. I think it's your new man." Tor replies.
"What do you think of him, or didn't you meet?"
It must be Mrs. Curtis' presence, because Tor just shakes his head and says in a flat voice, "We met."
When Curtis looks at me, I shrug.
"I can see he's going to be a real winner," Curtis sighs.
"How?" His wife asks.
"Tor and Drew are dead give-aways. I'm surprised Tor hasn't said what he thinks in explicit language."
Tor turns red. "But . . . "
"Don't mind Dave, Dr. Torrence, he loves to tease. I'm quite used to swearing. Dave does quite a bit of when he has a problem, which seems to be fairly often these days." She smiles as she says this.
Dinner is great as always. The Curtises walk out with us and extend an invitation for drinks and dinner at their home sometime soon.
We both steer clear of the institute for several days, so it's not until the following Thursday when Tor needs to check a reference and some chemicals that we walk up. The door to the new man's office is partly open and we hear him giving one of the grounds men hell about something.
". . . this place has got to be kept immaculate. Another thing, that damn houseboat has to go."
"But that belongs to . . . "
"I don't give a damn who it belongs to. Get it moved. That's all."
It's Gary who comes out muttering, "Sonuvabitch!"
He gives me a shrug when he passes us. I'm surprised he doesn't stop, but goes directly to Curtis' office door and knocks.
After Tor's found what he needs and we're on the way out, Curtis comes out of his office looking unhappy.
"What's wrong?" Tor asks.
"Dwight Dowing. He's been here four days and half the staff have already threatened to quit. I need to . . . "
"You two come here right now."
When I turn, Dowing is standing in his office door. Curtis turns in his direction, too.
"Oh, Dr. Curtis, I didn't see you. When you've finished talking to them, I want to see them. In fact, I think you might be interested in knowing that he," he points to Tor, "was particularly insolent when I arrived Saturday."
"Really?" Curtis says calmly.
"Yes. I don't think some type of disciplinary action would be out of the way. We simply can't have that sort of people working here if we're to develop the proper image."
"Would you mind stepping into Dowing's office with me for a moment?" Curtis asks us.
The guy gives us a smug look and waves Curtis to a chair, leaving us standing, but Curtis tells us to sit down then takes over.
"First of all, Dowing, these two, as you put it, don't work here, much as I'd like that. They participate in our activities and use our facilities with my express permission. This is Dr. Greg Torrence and his brother Drew who are working on a book that will be an accepted reference in the field of marine biology. It has already been accepted for publication by the university's press. Drew has an established reputation among the knowledgeable for his superb photographic work. Therefore, I do not expect to hear men of the Torrences' qualifications referred to as 'you two' again.
"I also heard you yelling at Gary about the houseboat. It belongs to the Torrences and is docked here at my invitation. It will remain where it is as long as they wish to stay."
By now most people would have apologized or at least had the grace to look ashamed, but not Dowing. We get those beady eyes focused on us with a 'I'll get you later' look.
"I was in error, then, but the way they were dressed when I arrived . . . "
"I'm well aware of how they were dressed, because I interrupted their work to have them help me. I believe enough has been said." He motions for Tor and me to leave with him.
Outside, he shakes his head. "See what I mean about problem? I'm giving him two weeks to straighten out or leave. Try not to let him bother you."
We try to follow Curtis' advice, but little things keep grinding away at us. This morning Gary was on the dock mending the fenders while the research vessel is out. We slept in, so we yell across for him to come have a cup of coffee with us. We're sitting on the deck enjoying the break when Gary let's out a heavy sigh. "Oh, shit. I might of known."
"Clark, what do you think you're doing?" We hear Dowing yell.
"I'm on my coffee break."
"If you can find the time, you might finish those fenders and cut the grass out front. There are several other things on the list you haven't found time to do either."
He scowls at Tor and me. "I suggest that you not interfere with the institute's personnel any more than necessary." He stands staring at us until Gary sets down his mug and goes back to work.
"He's going to be trouble, Drew." Tor says when Dowing's gone. "If he keeps on Gary's ass and bugs us much more, I'll talk to Curtis. I know we're here because of him and Langford, so we can't complain, but Gary would be hard to replace. He needs the money, too."
Nothing else happens for a few days, then Curtis comes aboard in a sweat. "I hate to bother you guys, but I'm in another jam. Tom's sending a group of students for a week of orientation. I need you to take them as a separate class until Carl and I can finish up with the group we have now. They'll be here sometime this afternoon."
"Go ahead, Tor. I can work on the indexing."
"I need you, too, Drew. Four of them are Joynes' people. They're going to have to work in the darkroom and John's not qualified for the work Joynes wants them to do. He specifically asked for you to work with them."
"Sure."
When Curtis gets in a bind like this, we don't mind pitching in. Besides, a break from our work will help us look at it a lot more objectively when we get back to it.
Tor and I are waiting for Curtis to bring the group to the small classroom, but it's Dowing who escorts the group in. He motions us to one side. "What are you doing here? You have no business in here when a class is to convene."
"We're taking this group for Dr. Curtis," Tor snaps.
Dowing purses his mouth. "I should have been informed. Very well." He stalks down the hall.
This is going to be a great group to work with. I can tell just from the questions they ask. The period is over before Tor's finished, so my part will be delayed until tomorrow. I did get a chance to tell the four I'll be working with to wear old clothes because of the chemicals.
They turn up in shorts and T-shirts which is fine. We're in the darkroom and I'm showing them how to use the auto-processor and the enlarger filter pack for the type of work I've been doing. I've switched off the lights and just opened a pack of photographic paper when the door opens and the lights flash on, blinding me.
"What stupid sonuvabitch did that?" I yell.
"What are you doing in here?"
When my eyes adjust to the light, I see it's Dowing standing in the door looking at all of us suspiciously. I push past him to see the warning light still on.
"Didn't you see that damn light?"
"Yes," he snaps back.
"Then why'd you open the door?"
"I heard voices. What are you doing in here with students and the lights out?"
"What the hell you think I'm doing, having a gang bang?" The kids burst out laughing. "This is a darkroom. If you ever open that door again when the light's on, I'll kill you."
"See, here, you can't talk to me that way."
"I'll talk to you any damn way I please, you stupid bastard." I might have said more, but Curtis walks up.
"What's the matter, Drew?"
"He opened the door and ruined a whole pack of photographic paper, that's what."
"I'm sorry, Drew. I should have told him about the darkroom. Go back to your class. You won't be interrupted again."
The kids are still snickering over my temper tantrum, and it's so close to lunch time there's no need to try to finish, so I let them go. I'm waiting for Tor to finish his lecture when Dowing walks by.
"I regret interrupting your class, Dr. Torrence." It's an apology in words only.
"My brother is the PhD. I'm the photographer."
Having been caught out by both of us, Dowing sights in on everything we do. He's careful not to interrupt us, but Tor and I are sure he's waiting his chance for revenge. He sits in on a couple of Tor's lectures and sends me a note asking to observe a working session in the darkroom. I start to say no, but I decide to see if he can make anything out of it, so I give him permission with the stipulation that he has to stay until I turn the lights back on. I'm surprised when he agrees.
These guys have already had Joynes' introductory photomicrography and darkroom classes, so they don't need basic instruction. I give them each a set of two slides, one mounted, one live, to shoot, develop, enlarge and print in color. Since I'm grading this exercise, there's lots of activity and swearing because these four guys are competitive. Dowing sits on a lab stool watching as I get them started working on their exposed film in the darkroom. Once they're ready, I switch out the lights and move over next to him to get out of their way.
"How can they tell what they're doing in the dark?"
"It's learned."
"Aren't you supposed to be giving them some type of guidance?"
"Not for this. It's a graded exercise."
One of the guys drops something that bangs against the floor and yells, "Shit!"
"Anything?" I call.
"Just a tray. It was empty."
"Good. Keep working."
"Surely it's risky to turn beginners like this loose on equipment this expensive."
"They're not beginners. They've all had Dr. Joynes' class in basic photomicrography. I'm to see they get practical experience. Each of them has a set of slides related to their fields."
"I wasn't aware that you're considered better at this than Dr. Joynes," he says in that prissy voice.
"Hey, Drew! I need some help." One of them yells.
I can feel Dowing's frown at the use of my given name. Another mark in his little black book.
After asking them about film and paper, I turn on the lights so I can checkout the guy's problem. It's a good time, so I look at Dowing and motion toward the door with my head. He gets my meaning.
By early afternoon the guys are finished, so after they clean the darkroom I give them the rest of the day to run over to the beach while I examine their shots and grade them. Their work is generally competent, except one shot screwed up through sheer carelessness. Just to make sure, I ask Tor and Curtis to have a look. We differ on the one I choose to give the highest grade. It's not that exciting a shot, but it's darn difficult to get, especially in the time limit I set for them.
Because the prints and my comments are going directly to Joynes, Curtis suggests I put the shots up on the bulletin board in the lobby so the kids can see them under good lighting before I mail them. I'm pinning them up when Dowing sticks his head out, frowns, and slams his office door.
The group leaves on Friday. It's unusual to have them for such a short time, but this is an orientation for those who will be coming back for full classes and work on the research vessel. Tor and I have enjoyed them and the break from our work, but the book awaits.
It's a surprise when Curtis comes down Tuesday afternoon and cages a drink. "I got a letter from Langford and Joynes today. Their departments have gotten some extra funding for next semester and they've asked me to see if you two would consider doing some part-time teaching of the students they send here."
"How much?" Tor asks.
"You'd be taking those classes Langford and Joynes want each of you to teach. You'll be paid hourly as adjunct professors. I know it will slow down your own work, but we want avail ourselves of your talents for the time being."
"We'll talk it over, but I don't see why not."
"Good. I'll get with them on your contracts."
After Curtis has left, Tor looks at me. "What do you think, babe?"
"It'll be some money coming in, and we can use that. It'll make me feel better about using the institute's equipment, too."
"Might even give us some ideas about things we should include in the next book regarding student research projects. Langford said we should make it usable as a text." Tor grins at me. "This will give us a chance to see how much we like real teaching and not involve us in campus politics; they can be deadly. Anyway, you've got to finish your PhD before we have to sweat the tenure rat-race, if we stay with it. A few books to our credit won't hurt."
When we've signed our teaching contracts, Tor gets a letter from Langford and I get one from Joynes telling us how happy they are we'll be teaching. Joynes notes that he's sending me a few problem students. He's kidding, of course, because any student he has problems with is washed out in his introductory class, but I know they're not going to be handpicked like the four I just had.
Dowing must be paranoid, because while everyone else has been congratulating us, Gary tells us he's dead against our being hired. Even John tells us that he heard Dowing tell Curtis that we're the last people on earth the institute needs. I guess it's because we didn't bow down and kiss his royal ass.
There's a little mystery going on, too. Several times Tor and I have thought we've heard someone outside our houseboat at night, but when we've turned on the exterior lights and looked, we've seen nothing unusual. I know it's not Gary or any of the other guys checking on the institute's boat, because they usually come along early and sometimes stop for a cup of coffee. They always let us know when they're around.
Curtis gives us a call to pick up our subject assignments and rosters, so we can prepare for our classes. When we're in his office, he says, "Both of you sit down." I begin to worry when he gets up and shuts the door.
He sits back down and speaks so reluctantly Tor and I look at each other. "I have to ask you a very personal question to satisfy a suspicion that's been raised by one of the staff. Are you homosexuals?"
If he'd hit us with a club we couldn't be more stunned. How have we slipped up? Gary is the only one who knows and we know he wouldn't tell anyone.
When we don't answer immediately, Curtis picks up the phone. A minute later Dowing walks in with a smug look.
"Tell them what you've told me," Curtis demands.
"There's nothing to tell. I've seen them holding hands and even kissing each other."
"My family is very close," Curtis says. "Whenever we're together I hug my brother and he hugs me. How can you be sure this isn't normal affection?"
"I've seen them in bed together in a perverted act. It was disgusting."
"How did you manage that?" Curtis asks in a tone that would put anyone listening to him on guard.
"Since Clark is careless about his duties, I walked down the dock one evening to check on the boat. I happened to see them through the window of their boat."
Tor and I look at each other knowing he's lying. We keep the drapes at the windows on the dock side of the boat pulled to cut out the afternoon sun, especially if we're using the computer. The only way he could have seen us was to have come on board and deliberately look through the windows on the outboard side, because they are set high to give us more wall space.
"You may go, Dowing."
I'm squeezing Tor's hand to keep him from exploding. Dowing gives us a look of triumph as he leaves.
"I'm sorry. I know he has to be lying, but I wanted you to hear it from him."
Tor squeezes my hand back. "He's not lying, Dr. Curtis. Drew and I have too much respect for you and Langford and Joynes, to involve you in a scandal, so we'll say thanks for all your kindness and move on."
Curtis looks totally confused. "But I never suspected. How did Dowing find out?"
"He's been after us ever since he got here, so he'd use anything he could find and make up the rest. To see us, he'd have to come on board and go to the outboard side. Now that you know, I hope you won't judge us too harshly." Tor pulls me up. "If it's not asking too much, we might ask you for a reference as to our technical qualifications if we can find a job after we finish the book."
"Wait a minute! Where do you think you're going?"
"Under the circumstances . . . "
"Circumstances my ass. Don't be so stupid, Torrence. I know several professors at the university who are gay, and I haven't seen them fired. I won't deny I'm shocked by all this, but I don't want you to do a thing before I have a chance to think this out. Give me a few days and let me talk with you again."
"If you want."
"I do. Now get out of here and let me think," he says kindly.
Tor and I walk back to our boat praying this isn't the end of everything. We like it here. Curtis has been great to us, and Gary's a good friend.
Tor and I try to work, but it's no good, so we take the car and spend a couple of days exploring the areas of the beach we haven't had time to visit before. Now that the tourists are mostly gone I manage to take a few pictures, but while fall is our favorite time around the water, neither of us really sees anything. The ocean is still warm enough for a swim, but the one time we go in we're out before we've hardly gotten wet. At the end of the second day we agree that we might as well be back home and not wasting our money.
When we walk around the building from the parking lot, we see the lights on our boat. Tor breaks into a run with me following as fast as I can. When he jumps aboard, the door opens and Gary stands there looking at us. Tor and I relax. We never lock up when we're away for a day or two, because there's always someone around the institute to keep an eye on things.
"I kinda figured youall 'ud be back tonight."
"You had us worried. We couldn't figure why the lights were on." I say.
"I wouldn't of if it hadn't been necessary."
"We know that. What happened?" Tor asks.
"It's kinda involved."
"Okay. Let's go get something to eat and you can tell us."
I'm ready but Gary holds back. "I ain't dressed to go nowhere."
I nudge Tor because I know Gary helps out his family and doesn't have the money.
"We're just going to the pier. Drew and I aren't dressed either. Our treat."
Gary folds up in the space behind the seats in the Triumph and doesn't say anything until we're in the restaurant and given our orders.
"I went down to your boat cause I seen him poking 'round it this afternoon."
"Who? Dowing?" Tor asks.
"Yeah. He just opened your door and walked in. When I got there he was goin' through the stuff on your desk. I asked him what he was doin' and he said you'd called and asked him to send you some papers. Then he said if I didn't mind my own business he'd fire me."
"That sonuvabitch!" Tor says loud enough that we get some looks from the next table.
"I was goin' to tell Dr. Curtis, but he was gone, so I went back and told him to get out or I'd call the sheriff, so he did. I stayed 'til you come just in case he come back. I hope I didn't do wrong."
Tor's shaking with anger, so I tell Gary, "You did exactly right, Gary, and we appreciate it. If he tries to have you fired, let us know and we'll talk to Curtis."
"Don't make no difference, cause I'm quittin' Friday."
"You find a better job?" Tor asks.
Gary shakes his head. "I don't 'spect I'll get one as good, but I've had all I'm gonna take offen him."
"Drew and I have, too, but don't quit yet." Tor looks at me. "I said I was going to get him and I am."
"How?" I don't like Tor's expression.
"If nothing else, I'll use what I planned for Vince."
I grab his hand and whisper. "I won't let you. It was bad enough before. I'm tired of running."
Gary looks at us. "He found out, didn't he?"
"Yeah. He sneaked aboard and looked through the window one night." I tell him.
Gary shakes his head. "Ain't nothin' worse'n a sneak. Did he tell anybody?"
"Curtis."
"Uh oh. What's gonna happen to you all?"
"We don't know. Curtis said he wanted to think it over. That's why we left."
Poor Gary. We've added to his problems now. None of us do more than pick at our dinner. When Tor gets tired of pushing it around his plate, we leave, dropping Gary off at home. Tor gets out a bottle of vodka and starts drinking. This really scares me because he can get mean when he drinks. I'm not afraid for myself, but for what he said at dinner. I reach over and pick up the bottle.
Tor grabs my wrist in the hook. 'What'cha think you're doing?' He snarls.
"You're hurting me." He turns me loose. "I know we've got problems, Tor, but I need you. Don't drink."
I put the bottle away and Tor sits nursing what's left in his glass. At last he drains it. He puts the glass in the sink and walks a little unsteadily towards me, pulling me to our bunk.
"I'm sorry. I know you're worried, too, baby. We've got to stick together if we're gonna survive."
I pull off his shirt and begin to knead his shoulders and back, feeling the tension gradually disappear. He kisses me and pulls me down beside him.
"I love you, baby."
"I love you, too, Tor. You're all I've got."
I snuggle up against him and finally sleep.
Someone knocking on the door wakes us. Tor slips on a pair of shorts and goes to answer while I switch the coffee maker on.
Curtis comes in looking apologetic. "I'm sorry if I woke you."
"It's okay. I guess we were worn out from everything." Tor tells him.
"I'd like to talk to you for a few minutes, here where we can have some privacy."
"Okay. Coffee's on. Let us get washed up."
Curtis takes a seat at our small table while Tor and I get a shave and wash our faces.
Once the first cup of coffee is in us so we're conscious, Curtis begins. "I hear you had a visitor."
"How'd you find out?" Tor asks.
"I have sources. I must confess that the reason I came down this morning was to see for myself if what Dowing said was true. I stood on the dock and tried to see in, but as you said, Torrence, I had to go outboard to see you in bed."
Tor scowls.
Curtis holds up his hand. "Wait a minute, Tor. I wasn't snooping. I wanted to check Dowing's assertion that he saw you by accident. Obviously, he's lying, but I wanted to be sure."
Tor's scowl vanishes. "I should have known you'd have a good reason."
"I wanted you to know I had done it, that's why I woke you. Ever since you told me, I've been trying to understand. The psychology department at the U suggested some reading and I got some more material from the counselor assigned to the gay students. I don't suppose you would consider this just a phase in your lives."
"No way. We've been together eight years. It may have started as mutual dependence, but it's real love now." Tor blushes slightly. "I know you can't understand, but we consider ourselves married. You've been reading the wrong books."
"Just one source suggested it. The others bear out what you've said."
"Have you made up your mind about us?" I ask.
"Yes, I have, Drew. I'd like you and Tor in my office in half an hour, and please wear something better than jeans."
Curtis leaves us staring at each other. Tor finally says, "I guess we'd better dress and go hear the verdict." Suddenly he slaps the table hard enough to rattle the mugs. "Damn it! I was happy here."
I hug him, sharing his disappointment. "I was, too."
An uncomfortable looking Gary is already in Curtis' office when we get there. I can't help wondering if Curtis has found out he knows about us and thinks he's gay, too. It's all so complicated and we don't want Gary hurt for our actions.
Curtis comes in with a serious expression and doesn't speak, so I prepare myself for the worst. Tor sees my look and shifts his chair next to mine so he can hold my hand.
A moment later Dowing comes in. When he sees us, he sneers. "Holding hands. How sweet."
Tor drops my hand, but before he can jump up, Curtis says, "Shut your mouth, Dowing, unless you can find something intelligent to say."
Dowing looks shocked, but he sits in the chair next to Curtis' desk, after he turns it so he can watch Gary, Tor, and me.
Curtis clears his throat. "There are several things we need to discuss which concern only the five of us. They are not pleasant, but they must be resolved for the good of this institution. I shouldn't have to remind any of you that what is said in this room is to go no further, as it directly affects the personal lives of some of us." He gives Tor and me a glance, then turns to Dowing. "Have you something to say at this time?"
"Indeed I do, Dr. Curtis. Please bear in mind that the good of the institute is upper most in my mind also. Therefore I suggest that you immediately discharge those three." He nods toward us.
"On what grounds?"
"Surely you don't countenance perverts on your staff."
Instantly, Gary's on his feet. "Wait a damn minute! Who you calling a pervert?"
"I wasn't referring to you, Clark, unless you've been seduced by those queers. You're simply lazy and incompetent."
"Shit!"
Curtis jerks his head in Gary's direction and Gary sits down again. "We'll concern ourselves with Clark last, Dowing. Now, I believe you said that you have seen the Torrences in rather compromising circumstances."
He looks shocked. "You can't possibly have forgotten what I told you last week?"
"I haven't, but I want you to repeat your charges for the record."
"Of course. As you could easily see, they were holding hands when I came in and I've seen them kissing in a passionate way."
"Where?"
"On their houseboat, which is another thing I'd like to bring up."
"One thing at a time. So you saw them kissing. It's rare but not unheard of for brothers to kiss."
"Ah, but you forget that I've seen them in bed in a disgusting act."
"How?"
"I told you I went down to check on the research boat and saw them through the window. You would think they'd have the decency to close the curtains at least."
"And you're certain it was them?"
"Of course. There was no one in the other bunk."
"I see." Curtis turns to Gary. "Were you aware before this that Tor and Drew are homosexuals?"
Gary winces at the word. "Yeah. I've knowed near ever since they come here. So what? They don't bother nobody."
"You spend a lot of time with them, I've noticed." Dowing says.
"Ain't none of yer business who I spend time with!" Gary retorts. "They been good to me and I learned a lot."
"I'm sure," Dowing says cattily. "If you'd been doing your job instead of hanging around with queers you might not be getting fired."
"Be quiet, Dowing. Extraneous comments are out of place." Curtis snaps. He turns back to Gary. "It didn't upset you to find out they sleep together?"
"I guess maybe a little at first, but after I seen how much they love each other and don't bother nobody else, I figured it weren't nobody elses business."
"Have you ever seen them out of order here at the institute?"
"They act just like brothers would when they ain't on their boat. I been out with 'em some and I ain't ashamed none to be seen with 'em."
"Have you ever seen anyone hanging around their houseboat?"
Gary gives Curtis a sharp look. "One or two of the students have been down to get help from Tor or Drew. Only one ever stayed inside for long, but I was on the dock so I could hear 'em talking about how to do some of the stuff Drew has 'em doing in the darkroom. I been there lots."
"By invitation?"
"All but yesterday."
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Dowing squirm.
"Why did you go then? Didn't you know they were out of town?"
"I knew they was gone. I keep an eye on their things when I know they's gone. Anyway, I saw him . . . " he points to Dowing, who turns pale, "go inside, so I went to see if they was back."
"Were they?"
"No, an' he was goin' through their papers and stuff. I asked him what he wanted and he told me some lie 'bout Tor wantin' some papers. He said he'd fire me if I didn't get out."
"Is that when you decided to quit?"
"Mostly. I ain't workin' fer no sneak."
"Who are you calling a sneak?" Dowing howls.
"You! Anybody goes in somebody else's house when they ain't home and goes through their stuff ain't no better'n a thief."
"You went in," Dowing fires back.
"Yeah! An' I stayed 'til they come home agin."
"That's enough!" Curtis says. "Is there anything else, Dowing?"
"I should think what I've told you and the slanderous accusations that have been made on my character would be enough." He's quivering with indignation. "But if you need more, I regard the Torrences as a disruptive influence on the operation of this institution."
"Do you question their competence?" The look Curtis gives Tor and me keeps us quiet.
Dowing's answer is reluctant. "No."
"Does anyone wish to say anything else?"
Tor opens his mouth, but I squeeze his hand and he shuts it without speaking.
"Tor, will you and Drew and Gary wait outside, please."
We go out in the lobby and stand looking at each other. There isn't anything we can say. We're startled when Dowing catapults out of Curtis' office, slamming the door as hard as he can. He yells at us, "Damn you cocksuckers!"
He might have said more, but Curtis opens his door and calls us back in. "I'm sorry I had to put all of you through that. I know it was rough, but I wanted to give Dowing enough rope to hang himself officially. I take full responsibility for what's happened. If I'd been on top of things as I should, it would never have gone this far. Gary, I hope you'll reconsider and stay on."
"What about him?" He jerks his head toward the door.
"I've ordered him to leave as soon as he packs the personal things in his office. It's obvious to me now that he's been the cause of our troubles, rather than any of you, as he would have had me believe."
"What about Tor and Drew?"
"I'm waiting for their answer."
"You still want us after all this?" I ask.
"What the hell do think this session has been about? If I tore up your contracts, Langford and Joynes would fly down here and nail my carcass to the barn door. I spent some time together with them at the university yesterday and we're in complete agreement. If you two perform as competently as you have in the past and remain as discrete, we not only want you, we need you desperately. Joynes was livid at the thought of losing you, Drew. He also said to tell you that as long as you're here, you have no reason not to take that last course. He's arranged for you to do most of it by correspondence with him and a few sessions with me."
"Great." I stand and hold out my hand. "Thank you for all of us, Gary, too."
"And I must thank you for your patience. I know the waiting was difficult. Now I've got to find someone to replace Dowing and you can be damn sure I'm not going to let the personnel office have the last word this time."
Outside, Gary stops us. "Thanks."
"For what? Tor and I thank you for being on the ball and catching him with his hand in the cookie jar. If you hadn't, we'd be long gone."
"I didn't do nothin' but what seemed right."
"We're all dressed, so let's make up for that dinner we didn't eat last night."
We quickly settle back into a pleasant routine of work on the book and lectures. To give me the extra time to do my course work, Tor's taken over most of the cooking, when he doesn't buy take-out. He admits he's not much of a cook, but as he says, I'm the one who got the practice as a kid. We note that Gary has begun to whistle while he's working, a sure sign he's happy.