Chapter 33

“Now, Daddy? Can I tell Uncle Quinn now?”

“Okay, pumpkin.”

“Val is staying with us for a few days!”

“Valentine Duchesne?” I asked softly.

“Yeah,” Cisco said. “His parents are coming out to see him tomorrow, and Bryan doesn’t trust them, so the meeting will be on neutral territory.”

“Hmm.”

“He’s a good kid. I don’t know how any parent can toss away their child like so much trash just because he’s gay.”

“Neither do I. The best solution to treatment like that is living well, I imagine.”

“Uncle Quinn! Uncle Quinn!”

I turned in the front seat and smiled at her. “What else do you have to tell me, sweetheart?”

“I like Valentine. I’m going to marry him when I grow up.”

I glanced across at Cisco. He was smiling.

“No can do, pumpkin,” he said. “Val has a boyfriend. You’ve met Paul.”

“Oh, yes.” She frowned, giving it some thought. Then a smile blossomed on her face. “Okay, they can have a little boy, and I’ll marry him.”