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Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 2
Ary had thrown himself into organising the concert, but Trevor was becoming suspicious.
All meetings were being arranged and conducted at either the TF Management offices in Chicago, or at Thorn house, his parents and Grandparents home, his house, the one he'd shared with Bobby, was still out of bounds to everyone.
The family dismissed Ary's strange behaviour as him protecting the sacred space he and Bobby shared, Trevor just wasn't convinced.
And then it happened.
There was a meeting scheduled at the TF Management offices, a meeting arranged by Ary, to discuss a proposed running order for the two concert days, but at the last minute Ary had cancelled, citing conflicting appointments, which they all felt was just an excuse, but none could offer a good explanation for his behaviour.
Dillon had traveled into Chicago with Trevor for the meeting, they'd intended on their return journey to visit a new Mall which had recently opened, it was way off the beaten track but Dillon had wanted to have a look around.
Strolling arm in arm, Trevor had been surprised when Dillon gasped loudly, then physically pushed him towards a store doorway, continuing to push him until they were inside a women's underwear store.
Trevor was chuckling at Dillon's strange behaviour.
"Dill you can't be serious, I don't doubt these items might tickle the fancy of a good many men, but unless there's some deep dark secret you've been hiding, I'm doubting this place has anything to offer us".
But Dillon wasn't listening, he was staring out into the Mall though the stores front display window.
Trevor was baffled.
"Dill what are you looking a ......................".
He'd stopped dead mid sentence, his eyes riveted to the couple walking past the store frontage, they were arm in arm, the man was giving a piggyback to a giggling small boy, but it was the man they were both staring at.
Even with the beanie pulled low, sunglasses, and the hoodie zipped up to his chin, there was no mistaking Ary.
Neither of them had said anything for several minutes after the couple went out of sight, until Dillon broke the silence.
"Come on, I want to see them again, I know what I saw but now I'm questioning myself, it doesn't make sense".
As they emerged from the store, the couple were about twenty yards away, still strolling slowly away from them, but now the child was walking at the side of the man, holding onto his hand, on the other side the man's arm was around the girls waist, pulling her in close to him, his head half turned towards her, the profile left nothing to chance, it was definitely Ary.
Trevor started to speed up, intent on catching up to them, but Dillon checked him, bringing them both to a stop, which confused Trevor.
"What are you doing?, I want to catch up to them, find out who that girl, and that child are".
Dillon's answer made him pause.
"We can't, he's never told us about her, he obviously came here expecting to blend in, to not be recognised, think about the way he's dressed, the way they're acting, there's a level of intimacy there that suggests they've known each other for a long time, we can't confront him here, it's not right, there must be a reason he hasn't told us about her, if we're going to confront him it can't be here, it has to be somewhere private, when he's alone".
Trevor hadn't said anything as Dillon altered their direction, heading away from the couple, towards the car park.
The journey back had seen them completely confused, the only thing they were agreed on was that somehow they had to speak with Ary about what they'd seen, except, neither knew how to broach the subject.
As it happened fate brought them a solution.
Ary had paid an unexpected visit to his parents and grandparents after dinner that evening.
Dillon and Trevor, who'd been there for dinner had been quiet, and Ary picked up on their unease.
"What's with you guys, you're unusually quiet, is there something wrong?".
Dillon seemed panic stricken when Trevor replied.
"Yes, I need to speak with you in private".
The family looked worried as Ary and Trevor disappeared into the small lounge and the door closed behind them.
All eyes immediately fell on Dillon who was forced to do something he absolutely hated, he had to lie, saying unconvincingly.
"Don't look at me, I have no idea what that's about".
But Jace his Poppa, called him on it.
"As a child you were lousy at lying, I see you've only gotten worse at it as you've grown older, but if it's something that needs to stay between them, we'll respect that".
In the small lounge Ary was staring at Trevor, he didn't know how to answer, what to answer, the room was getting hot, all he could hear over and over was Trevor's statement.
'We saw you at the Mall today, with a girl and a small boy, who are they?".
Trevor was watching as Ary seemed gripped by panic, in fact he looked about ready to pass out, and then he did, right before Trevor's eyes, Ary started to sink.
Trevor caught him, but he was out cold.
The door of the small lounge bursting open made most everyone in the room jump, and Trevor's words caused panic.
"Mel, Dill, I need you both now, quick, everyone else stay out".
Neither Mel nor Dillon questioned the command, as they disappeared through the door it closed firmly behind them, leaving the rest of the family shocked.
As soon as Mel saw Ary laid on the floor with a pillow under his head she dropped down to check on him, asking the inevitable question.
"What's going on, and don't dare give me any more bullshit Dillon, Ary doesn't just pass out without something serious caused it".
Trevor answered her.
"I asked him a question, I can't tell you what I asked, but it's true, this was the result, you can be assured he's not in any danger, and his health isn't an issue, it's something which should have been easy to answer, but for some reason it wasn't, please don't ask any more, and I'm begging you not to press Ary about it".
Mel looked back and forth between Trevor and Dillon several times before nodding her head.
"Okay, you have my word, and it looks as though he's coming round".
Trevor and Dillon helped a groggy Ary onto a couch with Mel suggesting he should stay the night, which only served to cause him to become agitated again.
"I can't Momma, I have to get home".
Dillon could see the panic in Ary's eyes, he came to the rescue.
"It's okay Momma, we were planning on spending the night with Trev's Dad, we can drop Ary at home, I'll drive his car, Trev can follow in ours, it's no big deal".
Mel watched as Ary's panic subsided saying.
"Okay, I get it, there's something going on which you guys don't want anyone to know about, I'll go back out there and protect your secret, whatever that might be, but I'm holding you to what you said earlier Trevor, Ary's not in any danger and his health isn't an issue, if I find you lied on either of those points you will experience a very different mother in law, one you will definitely not enjoy meeting".
Mel left the room, and a stony silence prevailed for several minutes, until Dillon said.
"Come on, let's get you home Bro".
They set of with Dillon driving Ary's car and Trevor following them.
In Ary's car there was a stony silence, Dillon didn't want to bring the subject up again for fear Ary would go into another panic.
They were almost at Ary's house when, out of the blue he said.
"She's my girlfriend, her name's Erin, and the boy is my son Bobby, he's three years old, they live with me".
Dillon was shocked, and angry, which came across clearly in his reply.
"Jesus fucking Christ Bro, why the hell am I only just hearing about this, what the fuck is wrong with you, I have a nephew I've never seen until today, and then only by chance, tell me why, and don't you even think about passing out on me because I'll wake you up with a fucking tyre iron next time, now spill you moron".
Ary's voice was barely a whisper.
"She was Bobby's girlfriend, they met a couple of weeks before he died, he had her staying at the house, she was utterly distraught, that's why I locked myself away, I needed to help her, then as time went on I found myself falling in love, but it's the guilt, I don't know when it started, but I felt so bad, I fell in love with Bobby's girlfriend, I've been having counselling and Erin's helping me now, I think it's working, but when Trevor asked outright about them I panicked".
They were pulling up to the gates of Ary's driveway as he finished talking.
He quickly added.
"Stop at the gatehouse".
Leaning out of the window he told the security guards that Trevor was following, and it was clear to see they were surprised by his next instruction.
"Let him through, it's okay".
Even Trevor was surprised to be waved through by the gatehouse guards, he'd expected to wait outside the gates for Dillon.
He found them still sat in Ary's car when he pulled alongside, Dillon waved for him to join them.
When he jumped into the back seat he could see the streaks of tears on Ary's face, he'd been about to apologise for upsetting him when Dillon left him totally gobsmacked.
"This fucking idiot has been beating himself up because he fell in love with a girl Bobby had started dating a few weeks before he died, I'm trying to make him understand Bobby will be up there thanking the Lord that he's found love, and the little guy we saw with them today is Ary's son Bobby, so, I think that's brought you up to speed, now let's go meet our soon to be sister in law, and our new nephew".
When they walked into the house Erin was playing on the floor with young Bobby, she jumped up, clearly panic stricken, until Ary's words calmed her.
"Erin, this is my brother Dillon, and his husband Trevor, it's okay, they know, no one else does right now, but to be honest, it's a relief".
By the time he'd finished speaking Ary had walked across the room and scooped her into his arms.
"I think it's time we came out to the family".
She hadn't responded until that moment, but her reply made it perfectly clear how much she loved him.
"Are you sure Ary, we want you to be happy, let's talk about it first, you've been making fantastic progress, I don't want you to get hurt".
Whilst they'd been talking little Bobby had wrapped himself around Ary's leg, he was hiding behind him, peeping out occasionally to see the strangers, Dillon could see he was looking frightened.
"Ary, Erin's right, it's not a decision that needs to be made right now, talk it through, take your time, but as it stands Trev and I know, and I want to officially welcome Erin and Bobby to the family, so I'm going to need hugs, and lots of them".
Dillon and Trevor only stayed an hour, but when they left both hugged Ary last, whispering almost identical messages of support, and promising to call in the following day".
As they talked in bed that night Trevor admitted how difficult it had been to not blurt it all out to his Dad, who had easily picked up on their bubbly state.
When they visited the following day both Dillon and Trevor were surprised to hear Ary and Erin's decision, they wanted the family to know, but Ary had a request.
"Would you explain it to them first Bro, I'm not sure either of us could cope with an explanation without knowing if they'll accept us".
Dillon and Trevor dragged them both into a joint hug as Dillon almost shouted his reply.
"You bet I'll explain it for you, and put the doubt aside, Momma is going to be a mess, we'll be hard pressed to stop her climbing your gates".
Dillon had sent a message to his Momma.
'Apologies it's short notice Momma but, I need all family who can possibly make it present at dinner this evening, it's of vital importance, could we put dinner back by one hour, I have something to tell everyone, it's not bad news, I believe it to be really good, as I believe you will Momma, I'll leave it to you to muster the troops, luv ya Dill'.
Mel had stared transfixed at her cell phone for what seemed like ages, in fact she was still staring at it when Jace walked into her office.
"What's got you so mesmerised?".
She hadn't said anything, just passed him her cell.
He read it and replied immediately.
"This is about that mystery with Ary isn't it?".
Mel nodded.
"Yes, I think it is, but you note, he says it's good news, and he believes I'll agree, so don't be late home, I'm sending a message out now for everyone to be home this evening if possible".
Jace kissed her cheek.
"If it brings Ary back out of his exile I'm all for anything that's needed".
They were in the large lounge of their Grandparents section of the house.
Dillon still marvelled at how many bodies still resided in this property, or rather these four properties.
Looking around the room he saw his Grandparents, Billy, Jay and Jolly.
There were his Momma and Poppa, along with his five younger brothers and sisters (the gremlins).
His uncle's Jo and David, Phil and Tame were also present, all of their children, now grown up, though still living at home, had been unable to attend, but each had thoughtfully sent a message back to Mel expressing their genuine regrets.
Counting Trevor and himself, there were sixteen seated in the lounge, and they were all waiting for him to say something.
"I have something to explain, I'm fairly sure Momma knows a little of who it relates to, I only learned the full facts over the last two days, so I'll get on with it. Just before he died, only a few weeks before in fact, Bobby started dating a girl he was smitten with, her name is Erin. He was planning on introducing her to us at his birthday party, but sadly, he died on the morning of that day".
Everyone could see, reliving that day was causing Dillon to tear up.
Trevor stepped up next to him, taking hold of his hand, giving him a smile, which spurred Dillon on.
"Erin was living at Bobby and Ary's house and she took the news so badly she had what amounted to a breakdown. It was the reason Ary disappeared, he was nursing Erin back to a good place. To cut a long story short they fell in love, which should have been a wonderful thing, but it brought something with it, guilt. Ary felt guilty, he admits, for a long time he couldn't look at his reflection in the mirror without feeling disgust. He's been seeing a counsellor, and with Erin's support he's in a good place right now, but he's still fragile, he still has problems with the fact that in his mind he stole Bobby's girlfriend.
Dillon paused to let them take in what he'd said.
He could see his Momma crying, it was his Grama Jolly who broke the silence.
"Can we meet Erin?".
Dillon's reply was directed first to Trevor, then to his Grama, but it surprised them all.
"Trev, would you do the honours please".
As Trevor left the lounge Dillon returned to addressing his Grama.
"As for your question Grama, you are about to meet Erin, and your Great Grandson, Ary's son Bobby, he's three years old, but can we do it gently please, Momma, Poppa, Grama, Gramps, Trevor has just brought them into the hallway, everyone else please wait, just a little longer".
Mel was the first out into the hallway, she made a beeline for them, enveloping all three into an embrace.
"Oh son, I'm so happy, ignore the tears, you know me, Bobby would be so proud of you, hello Erin, welcome to the family, and you little fella, my first Grandson, hello Bobby, I'm your Grama, can I get a cuddle?".
Little Bobby was giggling and happily reached out his arms to Mel.
It was a wonderfully happy occasion, and yet everyone except little Bobby had tears streaming down their faces.
After the introductions were completed Dillon was heard to say.
"I think you'll need to set a few extra places at the table Momma.
Pil had been listed as a performer for both days of the concerts, but there had been no mention of the fact that on many of None Missing's past hits, he would be taking Bobby's place.
There had been one upset which had almost caused an argument.
Ary had been adamant, he wanted Pil to sing Bobby's song, alone on stage, exactly as Bobby would have performed it.
Pil had tried several times to do it, but emotions got the better of him each time, he couldn't complete the song.
Ary was becoming increasingly frustrated until finally he let rip at Pil.
"For gods sake Pil, it's a bloody song, just sing it".
Pil had been reduced almost to tears and run from the stage.
Trevor had turned on Ary.
"You need to back off, Pil can't do it, it's asking too much, we need to come up with a different way of presenting that number".
Ary had relented immediately.
"I know, I'm sorry, but that number means so much, it has to be just right, if Pil can't do it, how else can we present it?".
Baz had been watching rehearsals from the wings, he'd come with Pil, telling his parents this was one time he refused to be separated from his little brother, and his reply totally surprised both Ary and Trevor.
"Let Bobby do it, as it should be, an empty stage, a single spotlit microphone, the backdrop filled with a picture of Bobby, nothing more, that song is Bobby's, let Bobby perform it".
Trevor had nodded in agreement, so had Ary before he went to find Pil.
He'd found him out in the car park, smoking a cigarette.
"Those things are no good for your vocal chords you know".
Pil's answer saw Ary grimace.
"Just like your shouting is no good for my self confidence".
Ary put an arm around his shoulder.
"I'm sorry cus, the stress is driving me nuts, I shouldn't have shouted, I shouldn't even have asked you to perform that song, I knew I couldn't do it, Trev feels the same, but we think we have a solution".
Pil was interested suddenly.
"What?, it has to be exactly as Bobby would have performed it, nothing short of perfect is acceptable".
Ary nodded before explaining.
"Bobby's going to perform it himself".
He'd gone on to outline the plan Baz had come up with, and Pil agreed, it was a fitting way for the song to be presented.
Bobby would be there with them, in spirit, and in voice.
TBC Allan
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