Chapter Twenty Three
Isabel introduced her astonishingly handsome nephew to the two boys. Recovering more quickly than his boyfriend, Neil shook the man's hand, while saying, "I'm both pleased to meet you and glad you joined us for dinner."
"I appreciate your invitation," Ramon replied with a smile that could capture the heart of any female or gay male.
"Aunt Isabel has told me what fine young men you are, especially you, TJ. She's as proud of you as if you were her son. I know less about you, Neil, but enough to understand you are a talented musician and gifted student."
"Perhaps I should hire her as my agent when I graduate," Neil quipped.
Meanwhile, TJ remained mute, recovering from the shock of meeting a star quality figure with a captivating grin and electrifying personality. The youngster was saved from further embarrassment when the officious host announced,
"The Ryerson Party-of-four table is ready."
After being seated, Ramon's amiable questions permitted TJ to find his voice. Overcoming his shyness, he responded to the man's genuine interest in his school work, sports activities, and career aspirations.
Neil was far more forthcoming, admitting he was searching for a new major and, career after realizing he couldn't succeed as a concert violin soloist.
Ramon was an excellent listener and did little more than ask questions and listen. TJ was impressed his queries revealed a real curiosity and interest -- not at all like his father's cross-examination designed to entrap.
Having established a rapport with their captivatingly attractive dinner companion, Neil felt comfortable in saying, "Enough about us, Tell us about yourself."
Laughing, Isabel's kin said,
The man laughed and said, "Not much to tell. I'm a photographer for a small advertising agency but there's only so much you can do in taking pictures of a car, a toaster or a bottle of shampoo. My real passion is portraiture -- capturing a person's character with the use of light and pose. Unfortunately, those assignments are given to more senior staff. I suppose I'll just have to wait my turn."
"Have you done any portraits?" Neil asked.
"Some. Family, friends, and, of course, Aunt Isabel. She refused to sit for a long time but, eventually gave in. If you'll excuse my conceit, I think I captured her inner beauty."
"There you go again," the embarrassed woman said. "Stop wagging your sweet tongue to make me feel good."
"I speak the truth!"
"And, we all agree! You're a Goddess!" TJ hastily added.
Ramon looked startled and said to his aunt, "That's exactly what my partner calls you -- a goddess! Neither one of us will ever forget how loving and supportive you were when we moved in together!"
The comment was immediately recognized by the teens. However, they did not know that she was instrumental in helping her sister welcome a son-in-law into the family.
Keeping their promise, the two didn't pursue the topic of Ramon living with his partner.
Ramon, however, opened another dangerous gateway by asking, "How did you meet?"
Neil expectedly took the lead by relating how he had been invited to dinner, met TJ, and accepted an invitation to play tennis the next day.
"And, that's how your friendship began?" the unaware man remarked, inching deeper into forbidden territory.
"Yes," both answered in unison.
"But that was only a short time ago! You seem so attached already ... very devoted to each other."
The couple nervously glanced at Isabel while trying to change the subject. Breaking the tension, the perceptive woman stated, "If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to powder my nose. When the waiter asks about desert, please order a cup of tea."
After leaving, Ramon remarked, "I know her pretty well. She seemed disturbed; I hope she's all right."
The two boys exchanged glances. Each knew what the other thought. Neil nodded to his boyfriend to give permission to explain the situation. Uneasy, TJ raised his eyebrows, a nonverbal way of asking, `Are you sure?' and received another nod.
"Don't worry. She's fine. It's just that ... well ... she wanted to let us talk without hearing what we have to say."
"I don't understand!"
Marshalling his courage, with his buddy's silent smiling approval, TJ continued, "The fact is, we're lovers."
"I suspected it from the way you two looked at each other! I think it's wonderful, but why was she upset?"
"She knows we're gay. Because my parents trust her to raise me according to their values, she's duty bound to tell them. On the other hand, she wants us to be happy together. Being a saint, she promised not to tell if we promised to never let her see or hear anything about our secret relationship."
"Of course, "Deniability"!"
"Exactly! We agreed to say nothing at dinner but our conversation was heading "in that direction. She excused herself to let us say what she must not hear."
"I apologize for putting you in an awkward position!"
At that point, Neil spoke up. "No need to. You didn't know about our agreement with her or, for that matter, about us. In reality you are only the fourth person to be aware of our secret. We'll come out publicly when our situation is right."
"I get your meaning. Your secret is safe with me. I'm sure you understand I'm also gay. In addition, I was once in your position, agonizing over my situation for years. Isabel was my confidant and helped me survive. Since you can't go to her, I hope you would consider talking to me whenever you wanted some advice or just moral support."
"Thank you!" Neil enthused with the concurrence of his companion.
The waiter came by with a selection of tempting deserts. However, being full, they limited their order to tea.
Returning to the table, Isabel was relieved to hear the others discussing Ramon's photography, not realizing they had abruptly changed the topic when approached.
"I have an idea, since you're interested in my portraits, why not drop by?"
Since neither boy had shown more than polite interest in portrait photography, each concluded the man was creating an excuse to continue their conversation. Therefore, they answered in unison, "Thanks, we would love to see your work!"
Although suspecting a ruse, the cunning woman was delighted the three wished to get together.
"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Ramon asked. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "If not, you could stop by tomorrow afternoon. And perhaps stay for supper. My partner is a fabulous cook. He's always happy to have dinner guests and I would like to return the favor of your hospitality tonight."
"That's a splendid idea!" Isabel beamed. "I'll be spending the day with your mother. We have some quilts to finish for the women's shelter. I'm relieved that the boys will have a decent meal!"
"Is four tomorrow, okay? If so, you can see my portraits while Jerry makes dinner. My aunt will give you directions to my apartment."
"Fine!" the teens enthused.
"May we bring something? A bottle of wine perhaps? No! Wait. You probably don't want to serve wine to minors. Hors d'oeuvres?"
"Heavens no! The chef is a little eccentric about his menu. He delights in making sure everything fits together. Frankly, I don't understand why pork chops demand apple sauce and not ketchup, but I do know I enjoy all his creations."
With the check arriving, TJ placed his credit card in the folder and the four contented diners finished their tea.
Upon leaving the restaurant, Ramon remarked, "Thank you for a wonderful meal and, may I say, very pleasant company. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. And, to you, my dear Lady, take care of yourself. I love you!"
As they entered the car, TJ declared, "You told me your nephew was nice but he's even better than you said."
"And, good looking?" she asked teasingly, knowing that both had been smitten by his appearance.
"If I was much younger ... if he wasn't my nephew ... I would try to win his heart. But, of course, it wouldn't be possible."
She neither wanted nor, needed, to spell out why the quest would be futile. The three were increasingly communicating with innocent words that disguised the intended meaning. Just before the first sleepover, she had said to TJ, have fun.' Both knew, however, what the fun would be. When she remarked that her nephew had experience,' it was clear what that experience was. When she suggested that they might want `advice,' there was no mistaking why they might seek help. It was rapidly becoming a conspiratorial game -- a challenge to honor their agreement of secrecy while simultaneously exchanging unspoken meaning. All three of them relished both the mental stimulation and the surreptitious means of support.
Back home, Isabel said, "Thank you again. It was a delightful treat." Her smile changed to an almost imperceptible grin, as she continued, "I'm going to retire, I'm sure you'll be fine without me."
The boys beamed back, aware she knew their plans and grateful for her understanding.