“Thanks,” Jason said, and he meant it too, because he’d never expected Tim to put a positive spin on him like that. Even now, Kelly was openly reassessing him. William’s expression wasn’t as easy to read, but his lips were downturned. Was he unhappy? Unconvinced?
The line had moved forward enough for them to enter the recital hall. The person who took their tickets gave them each a program and asked them to proceed directly to their seats, since they were already behind schedule. The hall itself was elegant, with wood-paneled walls and low lighting that lent atmosphere. Directly ahead of them and above the stage was a huge organ bristling with silver and brass pipes. Theater seating descended from their high vantage point until reaching the ground floor.
“We’re in the front row,” Kelly said. “One of the perks of being handicapped, although they didn’t tell me about all these damn stairs.”
“I think there’s an elevator,” Jason said.
“It’s fine,” Kelly snapped.
He slowly made his way down each step, swearing a few times. Despite his head being held high, he avoided making eye contact while taking a seat. Jason wondered how new all of this was to him, if whatever had caused him to lose a leg was recent history.
Jason ended up seated between Kelly and Tim, which wasn’t his preference but probably for the best, since it would be less distracting. Or so he thought. Jason kept watching the happy couple out of the corner of his eye. When William reached over to take Kelly’s hand, he felt pressured to do the same. Tim’s hand was on the arm rest. Jason reached for it, but when he got near, Tim grabbed the theater program, keeping both hands on it as he read. Or pretended to. The pages weren’t turning, but he did casually elbow Jason’s arm away.
Fair enough. Jason turned his attention to the stage where a piano and a number of other instruments waited. Above these was an artificially low ceiling that blocked the organ and the true ceiling of the hall from view, probably to improve acoustics. Playing here would be a thrill. Jason didn’t crave an audience, but he would like to experience an environment optimized for sound. As the lights went down, he found himself genuinely excited.
The recital began with a female vocalist accompanied by piano, her voice effectively silencing the audience and leaving them rapt. She was obviously scheduled first to grab their attention, which was good because the subsequent dueling banjos followed by a painfully long accordion demonstration felt more suited to a high school talent show. Before Jason could lose faith, a violin and acoustic guitar duet swept him off his feet again. He was so dazzled by this performance that he didn’t notice the next musician on stage until she started playing. The young woman wasn’t dressed for the occasion, wearing instead a concert T-shirt and ripped jeans, which were a stark contrast to the elegant instrument held before her. This was the cellist William and Kelly had come to support, but what surprised Jason was that he knew her too.
As Bonnie coaxed a baleful tune out of the cello, he smiled to himself. Emma would be jealous when she found out he’d seen her crush performing on stage. He was tempted to use his cell phone to record footage for her. As the song reached a gentle lull, Bonnie cast her eyes over the front row, giving a little nod in their direction and smiling when she spotted someone else farther down from them. Family, maybe. The song demanded her attention again, Bonnie closing her eyes as she expertly stroked her instrument. Jason wondered how different the cello would be from a guitar. If given a day to play with the instrument, could he get such a beautiful sound out of it, even for one moment?
The song increased in pace, sounding like a chase through a dark forest or a coven of witches summoning bad magic up on a hilltop. Bonnie considered the audience again, eyes intense, but this time she looked to only one place. His curiosity getting the better of him, Jason leaned forward casually and glanced down the row. He practically fell out of his seat, because even beneath the pile of styled hair and carefully applied makeup, the face lit up like it was her wedding day was unmistakable. Emma!
Jason leaned back in his chair, eyes still wide. What was she doing here? But it wasn’t hard to guess. Bonnie must have driven to Houston to pick her up, just so she could be here tonight. He doubted very much that Emma had done so with her parents’ permission, or else they would have gotten Ben involved. Besides, Emma was still in the closet. Jason very carefully turned to Tim, making sure he hadn’t seen the same thing. Tim’s attention remained on the stage, a flicker of irritation manifesting when he caught Jason staring at him.
Okay. No crisis yet. As soon as the recital was over, he needed to get Tim out of here as quickly as possible. Bonnie left the stage to a round of applause, a series of performers taking her place. Most of them were exceptional, drawing Jason back into the show. When the lights came up again, he hopped to his feet, ready to go, but Kelly was in no hurry. Not only that, but he needed time to get up all those stairs. Jason could hardly rush him. The lobby was full when they got there, people mingling, having drinks, and burbling with excited conversation.
“We’re supposed to meet Bonnie here,” William said.
“Actually, I could use some fresh air,” Jason said, taking hold of Tim’s arm. “Coming?”
Tim shrugged him off, eyes on the bar. “I need a drink.”
“You’re the designated driver,” Jason reminded him.
“Then I’ll have a very small drink.”
As Tim wandered off, Jason forced his gritted teeth to resemble a smile. William and Kelly weren’t paying attention anyway, searching the crowd for their friend. When they perked up, Jason grew tense. Bonnie was approaching them, Emma trailing along beside her, their hands locked together. He felt a momentary burst of happiness for her before he spun around and saw Tim returning with two flutes of champagne. Like a disastrous cosmic event, multiple forces collided at the same time. Kelly was congratulating Bonnie, William giving Emma a hug, and Tim had put an arm around Jason’s neck, holding one of the glasses near his lips. Then two of these people froze as their eyes met.
“Emma?” said one, sounding confused.
“Uncle Tim?” said the other, sounding panicked.
Then, simultaneously, they both said, “What are you doing here?”
The star of the hour stepped forward to break the tension. “You’re Emma’s uncle!” Bonnie said, offering a hand. Tim’s were both occupied by champagne flutes, so he offered her one. “Oh, thanks.” Bonnie turned to Jason next, observing the arm around his neck. “Hey! Sorry, I didn’t recognize you at first. Wait, you’re Emma’s uncle? The one who can sing?”
“No,” Emma said, looking puzzled herself. “You’re thinking of Ben.”
“And does Ben know you’re here?” Tim asked. “Or your parents?”
Emma looked away. “They think I’m staying at a friend’s house.”
“Which she is,” Bonnie said. “She’s staying with me tonight.”
“No,” Tim said. “She’s staying with us. I’ll call Ben and tell him to come pick you up. He’ll decide what to do.”
“Uncle Tim,” Emma pleaded. “Please don’t! I’ll be home tomorrow morning! It’s not like it’s a school night.”
“You’re fourteen years old,” Tim said. “You’re too young to be on your own in a different city.”
“She’s not on her own,” Bonnie said before shaking her head. “Wait, what? Did you say fourteen?”
“You can’t make me do anything!” Emma said, ignoring her. “You aren’t
really
my uncle!”
“Then I’ll call Ben,” Tim said, digging in a pocket for his phone. “And we’ll see what your
real uncle
thinks of all this.”
“Hold up,” Kelly said. “This is worse than reality TV. Who is related to whom?”
“You know I’m still in the closet,” Emma said, still pleading with Tim. “How am I supposed to explain why I’m here? Think about when you and Ben used to secretly meet.”
Tim hesitated, thumb jabbing his phone before he put it back in his pocket. Then he drank down the champagne in one gulp. “Okay,” he said. “Let’s all just calm down and talk about this.”
“Over dinner?” Kelly said, sounding amused.
Jason thought of the tangle of lies that would slowly be pulled apart under scrutiny. “Maybe we should all just go home,” he suggested.
“You can’t go!” Bonnie said. “It’s my big night!”
“And I’m starving,” Kelly said. “No, I definitely think some food is in order. Followed by what I imagine will be a very enlightening conversation.”
* * * * *
Six people sat at a table, an invisible line dividing them. On one side sat the prosecution—William, Kelly, and Bonnie. Across from them, past the barely-touched plates of Italian food, sat the accused. Jason and Emma were separated by Tim, who had traded his suit of seduction for the mantle of parenthood.
“So basically,” Kelly was saying, “Emma told you, Bonnie, that she was sixteen, when in fact, she is only fourteen.”
“Almost fifteen,” Emma corrected. “Just a few more weeks.”
“Congratulations,” Kelly said dryly. “But ‘almost fifteen’ does not equal sixteen, which you claimed to be.”
Bonnie frowned. “I don’t think she told me her age at all.”
“That was me,” Jason said. “I told you she was sixteen because I thought you wouldn’t give her a chance.”
“Of course she wouldn’t have,” Tim chimed in. “Fourteen is too young to date.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Kelly agreed, smiling like a serpent. “But what I don’t get is if you aren’t her uncle—” He pointed at Tim and then Jason. “—and you aren’t either, then where does this Ben guy fit in?”
“Ben and Tim are—” Emma began, but Tim raised a hand to silence her. “She has an uncle who lives here in Austin. I’m more of an honorary uncle.”
Kelly nodded, not at all dissuaded. “But you and Ben meet in secrecy sometimes.”
“Not anymore,” Tim said. “We used to in high school when we were a couple. Then we broke up.”
That much was true, even if he failed to mention they had gotten back together since. Tim was doing a very good job of not lying at all. Maybe they could still get away with this!
“How odd,” Kelly said. “Bonnie clearly expected Ben to be with you. He’s the one who sings, right? Or can you sing, Jason? That would surprise me because you’ve been very quiet recently.”
Jason stared him right in the eye, jaw clenching. Kelly wanted him to squirm? Too bad. “Tim’s not my boyfriend,” he said.
Kelly rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”
“Emma’s uncle, Ben, is Tim’s boyfriend,” Jason continued. “They’re an amazing couple and are nice enough to let me live with them. And go along with my stupid ideas, like this one.”
Kelly gave William an I-told-you-so expression. “And why would you want to pretend to be with someone when you’re not?”
“Haven’t you ever been single?” Tim asked. “Haven’t you been around other couples, ones you envy because what they share seems so incredibly wonderful that you want it for yourself? And, even though they might not intend to, don’t those happy couples sometimes make you feel small and insignificant, like you aren’t good enough to join their ranks? I know. I’ve been there before, and I didn’t want Jason to feel the same way. He deserves to be loved. I meant what I said earlier about how handsome he is, but it’s his personality that really shines. He’s a survivor. He’s been on his own since he was a kid, he’s worked full-time since he was sixteen, and life
still
hasn’t given him the good things he deserves. But he doesn’t let that make him bitter. From what I can tell, he falls in love way too easily, but that’s not a bad thing. I met a guy like him a long time ago, and I’ve been chasing him ever since. So maybe Jason is single now, but it won’t be long before someone recognizes how special he is.
That’s
not a lie. It’s a prediction. Stick around and you’ll see it come true.”
The table sat in stunned silence at this speech. Kelly looked irritated, Bonnie and Emma were glowing with some sort of excitement. And William… Jason’s stomach sank at the sight of him, because it was clear he wasn’t happy at all.
“I don’t care how old she is,” Bonnie declared. “I was thirteen the first time I fell in love, and the woman wouldn’t even look at me. I have to respectfully disagree with you, Tim. Fourteen is old enough to feel, and dating just means spending time with the person you love. Maybe she shouldn’t be alone in Austin with me, but I’m not going to judge her by an arbitrary number. Emma, you’re mature enough for me. That’s all that matters.”
Emma smiled at her and looked very much like she would like some privacy, which might have prompted her to turn to Tim. “Soooo. About tonight.”
Tim shook his head. “Your father hates me enough as it is.”
“Then it can’t get any worse,” Emma joked. “Besides, he’ll never find out. I swear.”
“Fine.” Tim sighed. “But you’re staying at our house. In the morning, we’ll drive you back to Houston. Jason, you’re the designated driver tonight, because I’m going to need a few beers before I have to face Ben.”
“Deal!” Emma said. Then she leaned forward to look around Tim at him. “Right?”
“Right,” Jason said, and although he was happy for her, he didn’t feel like smiling because William’s face remained troubled the rest of the meal. Luckily Emma had returned to her usual chatty self, Bonnie keeping up with her. This made the table appear lively, even though Kelly seemed bored now that the drama was over. Tim focused solely on his beer. William didn’t say a word, not until they were all out in the parking lot.
“Need a lift to your car?” Tim asked him.
“I don’t drive,” William said. “Neither of us do.”
“Then a ride home,” Tim offered.
William shook his head, but Kelly nudged him. “It’s better than the bus!”
“Bonnie can drive me,” Emma said hopefully. “Ben’s at home, right?”
“Yeah, okay,” Tim said, the beer having mellowed him. He handed his keys to Jason. “Let’s get this show on the road!”
Kelly sat up front with Jason, which was practical since he needed more room for his crutches, but it certainly didn’t feel very comfortable. Kelly kept conversation to a minimum, only feeding Jason directions to where he lived, which turned out to be a large house in a conservative new subdivision on the other side of town. Tim was still enjoying his buzz, chatting to William about his plans to build a swimming pool on their property. They were talking so much that neither noticed when the car pulled over and parked.