Chapter 49

I had a flashback to the year Brad’s folks had died and the confrontation with Bertha over Brad staying with us. Was she still as homophobic as she’d been then? She’d appeared to accept Andy and me but had refused the invitation to our wedding.

The door opened.

“Bertha.”

“David.”

We hugged, shed a few tears and I introduced Dr. Carbury.

Then I turned to Hank, who was standing, looking a bit embarrassed but also like the fuckin’ stud he was. He was a beautiful man.

“Bertha, this is—”

“I know who this is,” she said. Her eyes narrowed. She appraised him with a sweeping glance. “This is mygrandson’s boyfriend!”

I looked at Dr. Carbury in panic. I opened and closed my mouth like a trout on the bank of a river. I looked at Hank.

He smiled weakly. “Howdy, Mrs. Sturgis.”

“Well, don’t just stand there. Come give your grandmother-in-law a hug.”

* * * *