It was just going to be a simple Spanish fabada bean and chorizo soup from his grandmother’s favorite recipe. Jake hoped for a nice meal and a better time with his widower father. His dad didn’t seem homophobic, but he just didn’t get that Jake was gay. A quiet dinner might clear the air.<br><br>But the trip to the supermarket was a disaster involving a bear and some sausage. Then his dad showed up accompanied by a health aide who isn’t quite what she seems. And the bear shows up, too.<br><br> Stress and rum piles up. Will Jake’s father get a new grandson? Does Jake have a bear in the kitchen and in the bedroom, too? Is this meal one big happy family gathering, or an even bigger disaster?

For Better or For Worse

Larry had to ask, innocently of course, “And do you have the handcuffs?”


“We won’t need to handcuff my dad, will we?” Jesse asked. “He wouldn’t like that.”


Eve said, “Yeah, he’s probably not the kind to enjoy that sort of thing.”


Larry laughed. “Oh, my God! You guys!”


Within half an hour, they drew straws to see which of the grown-ups had to miss out on the fun and babysit me. I think he cheated, but Larry won, or lost, whichever. I was glad. The rest fought over who got to be the police officer, and they all left, with Jesse in tow, to get Jesse’s version of Cat Lady and his clothes. Larry told them to take their time, that he wouldn’t take his eyes off me.


We were in my bedroom before the car left the driveway. We only stopped to put Felicia back out of the bedroom and shut the door more tightly. Otherwise, it was kisses and sighs and love and then a nap, until they came home again, cheerful and triumphant.As were we.


Chapter 14