North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 3 Meeting The McKenzies

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Mitch agrees to go to the McKenzies Family Reunion and takes Tony with him and introduces him to the family.

Meeting The McKenzies

I could drive a tractor at twelve, a car a year later, legally a few years more, but driving Tony's car made me nervous. Tony didn't seem stressed about it, but I did my best. I was almost too cautious. He had me adjust the mirrors and seat, even the steering wheel, then hit a button on the console to save those settings. My settings.

We had a nice dinner at some restaurant downtown, but it was Friday night, so there were a lot of people on dates and various things.

I woke as the alarm went off. Hitting the clock, I silenced it and got up with a struggle. My hip was hurting. The hip I had been shot in. Grandpa could tell when it was going to rain when he had an ache, now I could too. I stretched my leg and did some squats not realizing I was being watched. Tony and I didn't usually wear anything to bed, it was easier after we'd had sex to just go to sleep.

"That's some interesting movements," Tony said a little muffled from under the covers.

Looking back, I smiled at him. "Well, I have to," I explained going back to my stretches. "My hip was pretty well destroyed. The ball and socket were shattered and I have a replacement. If I don't it'll hurt much more." Then feeling my hip loosen up, I went over to him. "I need to shower and get to work." I kissed him gently. "What are you doing today?"

Tony shrugged as he stretched. "Go see Nick. It's Saturday, so nothing's open for me to find work. I'll just take it easy." Then he pulled me down on the bed with him. "But you have time for a little love?"

I grinned. "I'd love to, but it's gotta be quick."

"We'd better not waste time then." He kissed me passionately.

It was a nice way to start a day.

As I showered Tony came into pee. "I'll make dinner tonight."

I pulled the shower curtain back. "Another Italian meal?"

Tony shrugged. "Is there anything else?" He grinned. "You won't be disappointed."

At work, it was just a daily routine. People were checking out and the front desk was busy. I had to help at times. Supervise the housekeepers and instruct what needed doing that was not usual, as in more than just making up beds and vacuuming the floor. Then a florist came in about 2 pm which I really didn't notice other than who they were. We often got deliveries for guests celebrating anniversaries and various occasions.

"I have a delivery for Mitchell McKenzie." The man said to Tracy. She as a young woman going to the College of Charleston that helped at the front desk.

I raised my head as Tracy pointed to me. "I'm Mitchell McKenzie."

The man smiled at me. "This is for you." He brought over a half dozen red roses! Not a full bouquet, but they were pretty. He handed the vase to me and his clipboard which I signed thinking. He didn't. But he did. I grinned as I looked at them, but looked at the little envelope. Opening it I pulled the card.

T loves M. Sniff me.

Smiling at what I saw, I raised the card to my nose. On it was the clear smell of Tony. It wasn't just his cologne, it was, but there was the definite scent that said, Tony. I guess I was smiling much bigger than I realized. Tracy was smiling at me enjoying my happiness.

"From someone special, apparently," She commented. She knew about a man in my life. Most everyone at the hotel had heard the gossip. I told Tony the news would spread faster than any memo or email.

I nodded. "Very special," I said softly. Tony was right, Italian men, especially this Italian man, were very romantic.

She smiled. "I can tell. You're a lucky man." She said enviously.

I didn't break any laws getting home. Not more than usual. Speed limits were viewed to me as more of suggestions. I pulled into my driveway and walked in the house and sniffed. Now, it wasn't Tony, but this wonderful aroma of something...I could smell garlic and bread...I walk in the kitchen where Tony smiled at me.

"Welcome home, Tesoro." He kissed me. "That's darling in Italian."

I was never that big on pet names, but when he used it, it was very nice. "Tesoro. That's new." I looked at a huge pot as it boiled. "Are we having spaghetti?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "The first practical lesson, in Italian families, it's not spaghetti and spaghetti sauce. It's macaroni and gravy." He grinned. "No, this is baked ziti with sausage."

I nodded enjoying our contact. "Got it."

Tony smiled. "I know you do. Once the ziti is done, I need to bake it. That will take about an hour, maybe less." He pointed to some bread he had ready. "Garlic bread will go in towards the end to be hot." Then he looked at me cautiously. "You do like sausage, don't you?"

I nodded. "I do." Then brought him back for a longer kiss. "Thank you for the roses and the card."

Tony blushed again. "So, it worked?" He smiled. "Was my scent on it?"

I nodded. "It was. I caught it right off."

Tony sighed with relief. "I wasn't sure. Where I rubbed that card..." he waggled his eyebrows. "You said the strongest scent was in my pubes, so I rubbed it there."

"Not in the florist's shop I hope."

He gave me a guilty smile. "Anything for love." Then he shrugged. "No one saw me." Then he shook his head. "What is it you smell? I smelled it and got nothing."

I chuckled. "Of course, you didn't. It's your scent. Everyone has a scent. You'll notice it at first the first time with someone. Or even a family. You walk in a house and that smell greets you. A unique blend of smells. Most people stop smelling it after a few minutes. For some reason, yours doesn't."

He nodded. "Is it sweet or...what?"

I thought. "The best way to describe it is...rich. It's not sweet, and definitely not sour. A smell sort of like...well, it is what it is! Musk. Your musk. It's a deep rich smell. Very nice."

Tony nodded. "I hope so." Then he grinned. "You'll be smelling it a long, long time."

"I plan to enjoy it."

Dinner was wonderful. He was a good cook. As we cleaned up he and I talked about everything and nothing. I was learning about him as he was learning about me. Our conversations were becoming more personal. During our first dates, I learned about his life in Manhattan, the shows he liked and went to. Movies and music he liked. Now he was telling me more about himself and his family.

"Do you have a passport?" Tony asked as he washed a pot.

"Is that your way of saying I need one?"

He nodded. "It will be easier to get in and out of the United States."

"Where have you been?"

He smiled. "England, Paris, and Italy, of course. Even Australia once. I'd love to show you Rieti, that's where my family came from."

"Where's that in Italy?"

"Northeast of Rome a few miles. The midsection of Italy. What about your family?"

I grinned. "Outer Hebrides. Scotland naturally, though there were McKenzies in Ireland as well. It's a group of islands, pretty large ones, northwest of Scotland."

Tony grinned. "Meaning I'm the one from the South, you're from the North."

I shrugged. "We were closer to the Arctic Circle." I rubbed his arm. "That explains why you're darker than I am." He was dark, but he looked like he had a good tan.

He looked at his arm. "I'm not that dark."

My eyes widened. "You've seen my ass. It's lily white! My people didn't develop that pigmentation yours did."

He chuckled. "I like your ass." He wrapped his arms around me, one of his hands came down cupping my backside. "Very nice shape."

I grinned. "All of you is a nice shape. I noticed that last Sunday. Those jeans you wore on Monday confirmed it you have a great ass."

"Want to see it now?" He grinned.

"I insist." I grinned. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the bedroom.

The following day when I get home, Tony was reheating what we hadn't eaten the night before. It tasted even better! He said the flavors married. Whatever.

Tony looked at me cautiously. "There's a message for you on your machine." As we ate. He was wiping up the sauce...sorry, gravy...with a piece of his garlic bread.

I looked at the answering machine most didn't bother with having now. The only ones I knew would leave a message were my parents. "Did you hear it?"

He nodded. "It was kind of hard to miss. There's a reunion coming up in June."

I grimaced. "It is every year. Every year they ask me. Every year I refuse."

Tony nodded. "But they are your family."

"I certainly can't leave you right now."

He sat back a little. "You don't have to. I'd go with you."

"I wouldn't put you through that."

He sighed. "Through what? Being rejected? Will it be because I'm gay, Italian, Catholic, from New York? What?"

I nodded. "All of the above."

He smiled. "Don't you want contact with them? Imagine their reaction when they see me." He said a little evilly.

I chuckled. "That would almost be worth it." Then I shook my head. "I wouldn't do that to you."

He took my hand. "I'm a big boy. I can handle it. Maybe if they see who you're with, they might cut you some slack. I'm a nice guy."

"Baby, you're a very nice guy, but they won't see that," I argued. "All they'll see is that you're not one of us."

He grunted with a nod. "They'd know about me. Just think about it." Then he brightened. "Tomorrow, I need to take my car to the dealer here."

I looked surprised. "Why?"

"It's a Mercedes. It is under warranty. It needs an oil change and tires rotated, all that shit and they have to have the records from New York."

I grimaced. "Like having a child and medical records."

"It is," He grinned.

I shrugged. "It's my day off."

"Which I intend to spend with you. Tuesday, I'm going to see some people I had sent my resume to."

"Okay," Then I grinned to him. "Did you see Terry?"

He grinned but shook his head. "I didn't go."

"Didn't go to church!?" I couldn't imagine him doing that. He was so...devout.

He shrugged. "It wouldn't be the same if you weren't there. She'd ask me about you and me. I couldn't tell her that we've moved in together without you."

"Next Sunday, we tell her."

"So, I guess going to New York is okay at Christmas?" Tony asked, but his eyes had a pleading look.

"New York," I repeated.

Tony nodded. "You know, big city on the coast in the north. Where this Italian Yankee came from?"

I chuckled at him. "I'm the obnoxious wiseass, not you."

He chuckled back. "It must be rubbing off." He took my hand. "We'll stay with Kathy and Al. Louise and Mike will be staying at Mama's and Papa's with their kids. Nick and I had planned to stay with Kathy before I met you. They have room." Then he was again looking pleading. "I'd love to show you New York. We'll fly up and spend the holidays there."

I nodded. "Sure. If we're doing this relationship thing, we might as well face the music."

Now he was grinning larger. "I'm going to show Rockefeller Center, take you to see the Rockettes." Then he said excitedly. "You get to see MY neck of the woods!"

"Your neck of the woods," I repeated. "Where'd you hear that? I don't think you used it up there."

"One of Nick's roommates says it all the time when referring to where Nick and I came from." Tony waved it off. "You'll love it, I swear."

I smiled. "How can I not? It grew you!" Hugging Tony to me, my hands through his hair. God, I loved this man!

Monday started lazily. For both of us. Until his phone rang. He reached across me to the bedside table.

"Is there a reason your phone is over here, not over there?" I said as he grinned, knowing he was giving me full exposure to his armpit and scent.

"Yes," Tony grinned. He checked who was calling and flipped his phone on as he rested on me. "Hello?" Then I enjoyed the fact that he remained on me as he listened and spoke. "We'll be there this afternoon. Thank you." He flipped it shut. "We got the condo." He said matter of fact. "We're going to get the keys this afternoon."

I grinned pulling him in a kiss. "You are a tease! You know when you do that I want to touch you."

"That's the point! It's not a tease. A tease is tempting you with something to make you want and not give what that is," He chuckled settling down on me. "I want you to! I'm telling you to." He said simply. "Touch me!"

What better invitation could I have? I did! He had talented fingers so I encouraged him to touch me, too. He was very good.

It was later that day when I saw him as a true Italian. We were at the Mercedes dealership while he was getting his car looked at. There were other customers there, but there was an older woman sitting waiting for someone to finish...whatever. She was in her sixties, but a younger man, about thirty-something turned and spoke to her. In Italian! The South was changing and there were many here from all over. Her hair was grey and the young man's hair was black but not like Tony's black hair, but it was clear he was of Italian descent.

Tony got up and approached her. "Posso portarvi qualcosa? C'è un caffè che è abbastanza buono."

The woman looked up surprised at Tony. "Tu sei Italiano!?"

Tony smiled and nodded. "Sì, ma sono nato e cresciuto a New York City."

The woman smiled bigger. "New York City! Mio marito è stato sollevato nel Queens. Mi ha portato da Roma."

Then it was two friends, who never met having a pleasant conversation. I smiled at Tony when he looked over to me. I needed to learn to speak Italian! Then the other man walked over and they all three started to talk!

One of the salesmen came over as he heard them chatting. "What is it they're speaking?"

The old me came to the surface. "Mandarin Chinese!" I shook my head. "I don't speak a word other than a simple thank you and other words, but I recognize Italian when I hear it." I frowned. "You've never traveled out of South Carolina, have you? Or even heard it on TV?" I smiled at Tony's happy interactions. "I'm eager to learn."

We drove to Essex and Tony got the key and had me wait upstairs at the door. The elevator dinged and Tony came rushing out jingling keys as he came. "Of course, there will be an inspection I insist on before we sign, but it's ours, baby!" He didn't push me aside, but reached around me and unlocked the door. Then pushed me inside. Then he slammed me against the door kissing me hard his hands traveling over me.

"I love you, Mitch McKenzie," Tony said hoarsely. "Thank you for loving me. My life wasn't making sense in New York. I come here, meet you and then it just...changed! It is making sense again! I adore you, Mitch. I promise I'll do whatever needed to make us happy. To make you happy."

I smiled at him panting a little. "I am happy, Tony. You love me. I love you. All I need is you." I wrapped my arms around him, bringing his warmth closer. "All this..." I pointed to the condo. "...is nice, but you are the more important part of us. We are an us! I love you."

Tony's face just lit up. "I know you do. It's in your eyes when you look at me. No one's ever looked at me like you do. I hope you can see it on mine." He looked with such longing.

I nodded. "It is." I kissed him in a deep, consuming kiss as I heard a zipper lower. But not mine. "We'll have to bring lube next time." Then I chuckled. "Unless you're okay with cowboy lube."

Tony looked confused. "Cowboy lube."

"Two hunky cowboys on the range didn't always have lube," I grinned. "They used spit."

"Oh," Tony said, then shrugged. "What the hell?"

In case I didn't say it before, Tony wasn't a small man. His cock could grow to a size some would give pause, but lube worked fine as he made love to me. Spit worked; it was just felt a little different. My cock wasn't as fat as his was, but he liked it fine. Both of us looked at each other afterward.

"Lube." We said for the same time.

Tony made a phone call to have his furniture brought down that night. The next morning, I was going back to work. He was slipping his suit jacket on. This was a sharp suit, double-breasted and dark black. The red silk tie set it off perfectly. I shook my head. He was gorgeous!

"I gotta go," I said urgently heading quickly for the door feeling my arousal growing.

Tony looked alarmed. "Wait! Don't I at least get a kiss?" Tony asked.

"Not looking like that! I'll wrinkle the suit!" I touched the door, then stopped, moaned, and walked back toward him. "Closing my eyes won't help! I can smell you from here!" I grumbled. He was turning me on! "Shit." I walked over to him and grabbed him in a passionate kiss. Then let him go as he was smiling at me. "You come by the hotel afterward. I'll take a long lunch." I said firmly. "Bring lube!" Then sniffed my sleeve. "You're all over me now. I'll be fighting a boner all day knowing it was you that did it." I opened the front door hearing him laughing. "Set the alarm!"

"I'm not sorry!" I heard him say loudly.

Closing the door, I couldn't help but smile. "Neither am I." He had been damaged when the attack came that day in the towers. But not just his body, his mind. I wasn't lying when I said I was aroused by his scent. Whether or not that's believed as possible physically or if it was all in my head, it didn't matter. It worked. I needed to be careful, he needed to know I wasn't just attracted by his looks as if that weren't enough, but aroused by him. Granddad, Mom's father, told me time and again. Look at the person, see their heart. Looks are fleeting, nice, but they can go quickly. If there's nothing else there won't be anything else. The marriage is doomed when based on looks alone.

It was business as usual at the hotel. My being happy didn't hurt. There were the looks others gave, and then it was about 3 pm when Tony walked in. He didn't look that happy. He was fine, but I could tell it hadn't gone well at wherever he'd gone. He smiled at me as I came out to the lobby to greet him. Naturally those at the front desk, one a guy was smiling seeing who it was. I had said before, there were a lot of gay men in the hotel industry and I'm more surprised to find one that's not. They were just confirming to themselves what they'd heard was true.

"Ciao, Tesoro." Tony greeted with a warm smile.

"Hi, yourself," I smiled at him but looked in his eyes. "It didn't go as you wanted, did it?"

He looked frustrated. "Oh, I could have taken the job, but really..." he shook his head. "...these people here know nothing about business or investments."

I shrugged, "But you do," I said confidently. "According to you, we'll be fine a while. You can afford to be picky."

He chuckled looking up at those that were trying not to look like they were looking but were. "Here's something for the rumor mill." He leaned in embracing me tightly, then kissed me with meaning and passion. "I love you."

I grinned at him in the embrace. "I know. I love you."

He nodded. "I know." Then he stretched his arms to relieve a kink there. "I need to work out." He frowned. "I've neglected it since I came here. Is there a gym you recommend?"

I nodded. "Down the hall." I pointed in the direction of our in-house gym.

He frowned. "That's for guests."

I nodded. "It is, but we're allowed to use it. Alan is okay with it, as long as it's not crowded, which it almost never is. There are free weights, treadmills, stationary bikes, weight machines..."

"You're sure he won't mind?"

I grinned. "He's gay. He'll probably watch."

He smirked. "I don't care if he does. He won't see much." Then he looked at me closer. "I'll bet he watches you."

I shrugged. "He might." I pointed to the wall at the camera. "He can see from his office all the public areas. Including the gym."

Tony smiled. "Well, we can't today. We're meeting with Ms. Cunningham this afternoon. We have papers to sign."

"Why are you saying we? It's your condo."

Tony frowned as his eyebrows grew closer together. "Okay. Listen. It's not just my condo, it's our condo. You're a part of us. Your name is going on the deed."

I held my hands up in surrender. "Okay." I smiled. "We'll sign."

Tony smiled again. "Now, when is your lease up at that wonderful house in that great neighborhood end?"

"September."

He nodded. "When we're ready, we'll move in. We can pay till it's up, but we'll be moving shortly. My stuff is arriving next Wednesday. We'll get it set up." He kissed me again. "Some of that includes some workout equipment, the Nordictrack all in one and some free weights. We won't be using this gym long. What time should I come in?"

"People check out by twelve and most don't check in until after three," I said. "Somewhere between there is fine."

He smiled. "I'll bring my workout clothes."

"You can bring mine. We'll do it together."

He looked around. "Is there somewhere we can do something together now?" He grinned. "Your office maybe?"

"Let's go. I have an hour lunch coming." I grinned.

"Good."

We signed the papers. I found out Tony had put a good chunk down but was financing a good bit. He grinned at me. "We're improving our credit scores." I was now part owner in a condo. It wasn't my first purchase property wise, but the most costly. And I didn't pay a cent! Closing costs and other things were just bothersome to me. But we waded through it. Then inspection had shown som ae things that needed tending before we moved in, which Tony made sure, by contract it was to be done by the next Wednesday.

True to his word, Tony showed up at the hotel with his gym bag, wearing sweats. Not just ordinary sweats, of course. A designer something I didn't care to know about. He was poetry in motion when he worked out. I knew my boss was watching. He liked it when I did my roman chair setups and the leg press. I accused him once of having the camera able to do a crotch shot, he was unhappy a week! What was wrong with that? He was a healthy man, Alan, so why not? Everyone looks. I just gave him someone else to lust over.

We had a mover come and get my things from the house and move them to the condo. We at least had something to sit on, cook on and sleep on. The couch was ugly but comfortable. We'd have it recovered later. I transferred my number to the condo and set up my computer in the bedroom. I didn't want to, but I looked at Tony. "Okay," I said reluctantly. "I'm sending an email about the address change, and while I do that, I'll agree to go to the family reunion."

Tony looked confused. "What happened? I know what you've told me, but...aren't Scottish families close?"

I sighed. "We're supposed to be. I knew nothing about the families' history. Not from them at least. No one ever talked about the Clan or where we were from. I found it out myself." I got up going to a trunk. Opening it, I pulled the kilt out. "This kilt has my family pattern on it. There are several, but this one has what I was told is the family pattern. It's supposed to tell the family line." I shrugged. "The McKenzies seemed to have little knowledge of their own line. I researched it. I thought it was important. They didn't agree." Then I grinned. "I've been to several Highland Games, even participated in the march. I have some cousins that were interested and caught up in this. I'm still learning." I frowned. "There's a lot I don't know, but I think history is important. The McKenzies in this part of North Carolina are strange."

Tony nodded. "I agree. Why are they like that?" He sat beside me. "You say they don't love."

I nodded. "They stick together. They are really sad. It's like any positive emotion, a compliment is a sin. Even being happy is sort of unwelcome." Then I laughed, but sad from the memories. "Love? I don't think they saw that as important either. They knew sex. As my many aunts and uncles prove by being here. Dad didn't seem very invested in the marriage." I grinned. "He was persistent. He proposed three times."

Tony frowned. "That means your mother said no twice."

"She should have said no three times."

Tony was shocked. "I'm glad she didn't. You wouldn't be here. At least he did it in person. Great Grandpa purposed by mail." He grinned.

I grinned. "That's not very romantic."

Tony shrugged. "He made up for it, but as I'm told. He saw her, fell in love and was serving in the military. He sent her the proposal and ring. She accepted. Then they got out of Italy when the threat of World War II began, my grandfather was just a baby when they came over."

I smiled at him. "You are romantic." Then I climbed over him straddling his middle. "You warned me. You are irresistible." I pulled on his shirt bringing it up to reveal his hairy chest. "Very." I began running my fingers through the hairs, enjoying how the tickled as they went and kissed him passionately, which he returned willingly. And then the pound on the door disturbed us.

"Damn it," Tony muttered getting up as he moved me aside. He adjusted his pants quickly. "Don't forget where we were."

I chuckled as he went to the door. Opening it, Nick came in. I don't want to say he just came in. He sort of burst in. I would find out as the years would pass that's what he did. Always.

"So, this is it?" Nick asked smiling at his Dad, then me. "The love nest. Love central."

"It was about to be that again until you showed up," Tony griped.

Nick didn't even stop. "I'm sure you'll get back to it again. No harm done." He clapped his hands as he looked around. "So, where's my room?" He asked and took the stairs two at a time.

"You have an apartment!" Tony shouted, but he was smiling. "I pay for it!"

"Come on, Dad!" I heard his son say. "This is so much better!" I could hear him going from room to room as he quickly looked around. "I'll take this one. The one with its own bathroom." Then he came down smiling. "You're going to deprive me of a place to study quietly?"

Tony shook his head, but he was still smiling. "You'll have to ask the owner." Then Tony pointed at me. "He's one."

"I can come over sometimes, right? Maybe do laundry." He said enthusiastically. "That's what parents do. Isn't that right?" He was grinning as he said it. Then looked around. "You need furniture." His nose turned up seeing my couch. "Some thrown out."

Tony grabbed his son in a hug. "It's coming next Wednesday."

I grinned as I watched Nick hug his father back. Nick was a good guy.

"Of course, you're always welcome," I said. "The washer and dryer are one of those high-efficiency deals with all those buttons. I'm still figuring it out. It's like launching the space shuttle."

Nick chuckled. "I'm getting a degree. I'm sure we can figure it out." Then he smiled at his Dad. "I'm glad things are going so well, Dad. You look extremely happy."

Tony nodded. "I am. Now, how about some pizza?"

"Are you ordering it?" Nick asked.

"We're Italian! I make it." Tony groused. "You've been poisoned since you've been here. Order pizza." Tony said with disgust. "Not in this house." He walked into the kitchen area. "I'll heat the stone."

"How are you making the dough?" Nick asked. "Doesn't it have to rise?"

Tony opened the refrigerator and held a ball of white in a plastic bag. "They have these in the grocery store. Premade dough. All I do is stretch it out."

Nick grinned.

My eyebrows rose. "The stone?"

Tony grinned. "A good pizza stone has to be heated. I got one the other day. You'll learn." He said as he dug what he needed out.

Nick chuckled and came over, plopping beside me with a big smile. He said to me quietly as his father was whistling as he moved. "Really, I won't be over that much. I just wanted to confirm this was a good thing. It clearly is." He grinned back at his father. "This is the man I knew growing up. Thanks for bringing him back."

I smiled back. "He came back on his own. Then again, I never knew anyone other than what you see now."

Nick shook his head. "I say it's because of you. I was serious when I said he was so serious and sort of....gloomy...since September. Now he's not. The only real change is you're here. You gave him a reason to come back."

"I was also serious. This is also your home. He's your father. You'll always be welcome here."

Nick smiled. "He was a father at my age. Yet he still put himself through school. He's an amazing guy." Then he threw a chummy arm around my shoulder. "So, what do I call you? Dad? Pop?"

I chuckled. "I'm only thirteen years older than you. How about Mitch?"

Nick was beaming. "Nah. I'll think of something. You're a step parent. Don't worry, I won't ask for an allowance." Then he bounced up and went into the kitchen to harass his father. I grinned as I watched the two work together, joke and Nick did harass his father. Except that Nick was thinner than Tony, that was more about age. They were so much alike. The kidding and harassment was something Tony ate up. The smile never went away as his son kidded him about many things. It had to be tough raising a child as young as Nick had been, but he loved his son. That much as certain. Then I joined them. I didn't want to miss being a part of this.

On Sunday, Tony and I walked in the church. Early enough to mingle with people. He and I went into the office of the church. Terry was assembling things she was going to use during the service but looked up as she saw us and smiled.

"What?" She asked.

"We need to give you our new address," Tony said taking my hand.

Terry, being the pastor smiled but asked the question. "You're sure about this? It was pretty fast."

I shrugged. "I had what I called relationship whiplash it was so fast and it very unplanned."

"We clicked," Tony shrugged. "You saw that day one."

Terry nodded.

"We're from two separate worlds, but I love him," I told her. "I know things about his past."

"I know about his," Tony added. "We're still learning about each other."

"Jay and Bruce went on their first date...and technically still are. They never separated. Even fifteen years later!" I said.

"He's met my son..." Tony said.

"He's meeting my family next month...." I said glumly.

"...and mine in December...."

Terry was nodding as we spoke but held her hands up. "Guys!" Then smiled walking over to us. "You're already completing each other's sentences. I could see things were pretty intense between you two Sundays ago. You're both adults, not teenagers, if it works, that's wonderful." Then she took our hands each hadn't taken with each other. "As your pastor, I just have to caution you." Then she nodded. "The honeymoon period is great, isn't it?"

"Honeymoon?" Tony asked.

"We're not married," I said. "We can't marry."

She rolled her eyes. "Neither of you is stupid. The newness of a relationship is what's called a honeymoon period. It can last a few days or even years. That time when you can't keep your hands off each other."

Tony grinned and scratched his ear. "Yeah, that is pretty awesome." Then he grinned at me. "Do you want to tell her how you can smell pheromones?"

"I have to now," I muttered.

"I think it's great!" Tony defended with a smile. "He calls it my musk, but..."

Terry nodded saying quickly. "I've heard of it." She shook her head but smiled. "I'm just so thrilled things are working for you." Then she was a pastor again. "You know lust and love are often blurred with people."

"Yes," I said. "But we're enjoying it for now."

Tony nodded. "Well, he is hot." He said logically.

Terry laughed again. "Two different worlds? I don't see it. In fact, you seem perfect for each other. If they are, which as I understand about your backgrounds, it seems different enough, but you make them fit. I wish you both the best for the future."

The furniture did arrive and now I was feeling uncomfortable again. He said himself he had been rich. He said he wasn't anymore, but what I saw being taken off the truck was pretty damned nice! He had paintings! I mean real oil paintings. We spent a while as the men unloaded and we told them where to put them. He had two bedroom suits and I shrugged. His was going to be our bedroom's suit. What I was, and shouldn't have been, was his office equipment. Desk and chairs sure, but his computer. It was state of the art. His computer CPU had two nineteen inch screens attached. He used that to keep up the DOW and markets, the stock exchange and all that. He was a consultant for stocks and investments. That's how he made his living before. And not one, but two plasma high definition TVs. One was huge! The other was still a good size, but for the bedroom he said. His workout equipment went into one room to be our gym. Sorry, Alan.

"Mitch," Tony said cautiously, but he knew I might have a reaction to what he was going to say.

I frowned knowing the tone. "What?"

"If you say no, I'll be fine, but..."

"What?" I said again a little irritated.

"Can we possibly have Bubba...painted?" Then he hurried on. "It's a classic! What year is it?"

I rolled my eyes. "He's a 1963 Ford."

"See?" Tony said nodding. "It's almost forty years old. It is a classic. We could have it painted, a little body work, he'll look great!"

I frowned. "You're embarrassed by him."

"No," He said a little too quickly but then sighed. "Okay, a little. He's a part of you. I'd never change you. If you say no, I won't bring it up again."

I sighed again. "Bubba and I go back a long time."

Tony nodded. "I know. He's very important." Then he grinned, "but think about him! His feeling of self-worth. All shined up and pretty again, he'll even run better I'll bet. So much better than he did when slopping cows or stuff like that."

I chuckled. "Slopping cows?" I asked. "How exactly do you slop a cow?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm not asking you to give him up."

I grinned. "Fine."

"Good!" Tony said excitedly. "You can take him to a man I spoke with. He'll have it ready for going to the family reunion."

"You sly...." I smiled as I approached him and he began backing away. "You had this whole thing planned."

He nodded, "Yeah, sort of." He held his hands up but was grinning. "I had to ask you."

"Prepare to be attacked," I grinned and charged him.

Tony let out a little yelp but didn't back away. I lunged my shoulder in his midsection, lifting him up and carried him to the bedroom where I threw him on the bed, pulled his pants open and proceeded to give him a blowjob. His hands grabbed my head on either side as I worked.

"This is an attack!?" He grinned as the pleasant sensations shot through his body. It wasn't long before he was making the sounds that told me he was close. Then I stopped. Grinning at him.

"No, this is the attack."

He sat up stunned. "You wouldn't."

I smiled. "I just did."

"Non è giusto!" Tony said pitifully.

I had been learning some Italian. "It is so fair!"

Tony's frustration softened a little. "You understood that." He smiled. "Non è possibile arrestare in questo momento."

I grinned. While I was nowhere near fluent I was picking it up. "I'll finish. Thank god I took classes in Spanish in high school, I got a lot of that. But don't do that again. You knew you had a plan!"

He held his hand up in a boy scout salute. "I swear. I'll never do it again."

I shook my head. "Were you ever a boy scout?"

He grinned. "Not really."

I couldn't leave him like he was. I finished him.

"Thank you." Tony grinned, kissing me gently. "That was so cruel."

I shrugged. "I know, but I made it, right?"

"I love you," Tony said bringing me close to him.

Again, he felt so good. Warm and alive, I loved how he felt in my arms. If there was anything better, it wasn't known to mankind. "I'm so in love with you, Tony. Tu sei il mio cuore."

Tony looked at me with a smile. "You're my heart, too." He kissed me tenderly.

"Knock, knock!" We heard from the other room.

"Shit," Tony said pulling his pants up quickly. "My clothes."

I chuckled. "He's in the other room, we're fine."

Tony brushed my hair back. "Yes, we are." Then turned to the door. "In here."

He had clothes. A department store would be jealous. Our room had a nice walk-in closet, but his portion took up more than three quarters. And he had a lot of shoes! A whole lot! It was like walking into a shoe store.

"I see it again," I said as he was putting some things away.

Tony looked at me confused. "See what?"

"You're gay," I grinned, ran my hand over his backside and walked out. I held my arms wide pointing at his part of the closet, then moved my arms closer for my small portion that held clothes for work and church.

"So are you!" Tony shot back.

I did have to ask for the time off, it was my weekend to work, so I switched with someone and took that Monday off. I have to say Bubba never looked so good. Not to me. He'd always been paint faded as long as I could remember. Now, he was red! A shiny red. I liked that Tony took me to work every day the week it was being fixed. Tony did connect with some former clients and even made some new ones in Charleston. He worked mostly out of the condo for now. Now, I threw my Samsonite in the back of the truck and secured it with the rope. Tony owned a Mercedes, but we didn't want to rub too much in their faces too quickly. I walked as Tony brought his Louis Vuitton suitcase down. I chuckled as he looked at the back of my truck with a questioning face.

"I'd say just toss it back there," I smiled. "But there's a place behind the front seat."

Tony smiled and nodded. He opened the door and put it back there.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I heard him come over, slipped his arms around me from behind.

"It's okay, Caro." He said softly. "If you really don't want to do this, we don't have to go."

I brought my hands over his arms, pulling them tighter. "No, I don't want to, but I'm a McKenzie. I'm gay. I'm in love with a phenomenal human being that loves me." I turned to face Tony. "Hear me. This is the last time. We go, I tell them, what they do after that is on them. You be careful."

He looked surprised. "Of what?"

"I don't want you hurt," I said hugging him. "Not physically, but they can hurt you emotionally."

Tony grinned. "Hey, you thought I could be connected with the mob, right?" He shrugged. "Maybe they can think that, too."

"I was teasing," I laughed. "They will not be teasing."

Then Tony made his accent a thicker New York Italian. "If they get too out of line. I'll make them an offer they can't refuse." Then he thumbed his nose like I'd seen prizefighters do in the movies and sniffed.

I laughed at him. Adoring his willingness to do this. "I'm protective of you. You mean a lot to me. I said it before, better to face the music." I shook my head. "You've been through a lot; I will defend you."

Tony smiled at me softly. "I know you will. I'll be fine."

"I wish we could marry."

He smiled bigger. "We can't." Then he stopped me. "We can't legally marry, but we could have a commitment ceremony." Then he grinned. "Did you just ask me to marry you?"

"I didn't come out and ask you, but sure. I'll ask you. Would you marry me?"

"Yes," He kissed me passionately. "In a New York Second."

I smiled again. "I've heard of a New York Minute. It's a short period of time, I guess a New York Second is even faster?"

Tony shrugged. "It is. I just made it up, but I'd love to marry you."

I kissed him again. "I'm in love with you, Tony."

"I'm in love with you, Mitch."

We headed out for North Carolina. It was now late spring and we both enjoyed the warm weather. The windows down and the cool breeze flowed through. Looking over at Tony, he seemed very relaxed and damned sexy. The wind tossing his hair. He had tried to dress down, but even the jeans and polo shirt were designers. Even his sneakers. I wore Levi's and a t-shirt. My shoes were Keds.

"It may not be important, but..." I began. "I touched my first dick that wasn't attached to me up here."

Tony looked at me. "Oh?"

I nodded, then smiled. "I was eight, he was ten." I chuckled. "We had erections even before we fully understood what they were for." Then I looked at Tony. "He's my cousin Gary."

Tony shrugged. "You couldn't have sex, there was nothing to come out."

I nodded. "No, not at first. But he did have something later to come, which scared me when he was twelve. We had more of mutual hand jobs. We cooled it after that."

He nodded. "Was it more experimentation, no falling love?"

I shook my head. "Nothing more, but I did like it. We loved the barn for a while making trips often."

Tony nodded. "Why are you telling me?"

"Gary was growing into an adult, now he's ashamed and he can be cruel now."

"He badmouths you?" Tony asked.

I nodded. "He did, but now he doesn't really talk to me. I'm fine with that, but he will need watching with you."

Tony nodded. "Just point him out if necessary."

I smiled. "The problem is, he has two other brothers I like. David and Michael. Twins and identical. I was one of the few cousins that could tell them apart. Their own mother had to look at their faces carefully to tell. They have one sister, Sueann. There are some good people there with the bad. I have another cousin, Chuck. He's a little older than me, but his sisters Rhonda and Mary are good people. They're children of my Aunt Faye. They are much more sophisticated than most. They will have no problem with you."

"David, Michael, Sueann, Chuck, Rhonda and Mary are good, got it." He patted his invisible pockets. "Should I write this down?"

"Wiseass is me, remember?"

Tony just grinned. "Stop worrying." Then he sat closer. "I'm the worrier. It's a part of being Italian. It's in our genetics. We'll be fine."

We crossed the state line and diverted from the main highway to some lesser roadways. The houses became fewer and farms were scattered about. Lots of peach orchards. If you didn't know how to get there, you stood little hope. More back roads and I turned on a thin road.

"Here's where the farm begins." I pointed at some fields. "My uncles Earl and Thomas use it now." Then I turned on a dirt drive that snaked through the fields and a large house loomed under some large pine trees. There were a lot of pine trees. "Here's the house."

The house was a large white structure standing two stories.

Tony looked at it, but his face showed it wasn't what he'd thought. "It's kind of odd looking."

I chuckled. "It is odd. As the family grew, granddad would add rooms. He'd add a bedroom to a bedroom. You'd have to go through a bedroom to get to a bedroom." I pointed to the cemetery. "That's the family plot."

Tony looked at the few white stones. "They buried family here!?"

I shrugged. "You saw how far out we are. Burying people here just made sense." Then I laughed again. "When it would get dark, it was country dark, meaning you could hold your hand in front of your face and not see it. When the moon was out, those stones just glowed at night. I was sure there were McKenzie ghosts everywhere."

Tony nodded with a smile. "Who's to say there aren't?"

There was no set place to park, you just did wherever you saw a space under the pine trees. No grass grew here. There were only a few vehicles now.

"Buckle up, here's where it gets bumpy," I said sighing and opened my door.

Entering the house from the back, there was a long porch that went a large portion of the side. Sounds of women talking as they cooked for the reunion the next day could be heard.

"Mitch!" I heard a man say happily.

Turning I saw two men that were so much alike it was like seeing double. I knew who they were, but not yet which was which. "Which is David, which is Michael?"

"I'm Michael." The one that spoke to me in the first place raised his hand.

They were out of college now and were nice looking men. "Got it." I nodded. "Tony, this is Michael McKenzie and his brother David." Then I smiled at my cousins. "This is Tony Delveccio. My fiancé."

Both David and Michael's faces only changed in that they were now smiling, but it was a smile that said.... "Well, this is going to be an interesting reunion," David said happily.

"We don't care," Michael explained quickly. "If you're happy, we're good. The others..."

"...let's just say this will be a reunion they will remember." David nodded. Then stuck his hand out to Tony. "Italian?"

"I'm from New York City." Tony nodded, shaking their hands. "I'm also am Italian."

Then another man came in. Uncle Earl. "Mitch." He nodded. He was looking at Tony.

"This is my Uncle Earl. The youngest of the McKenzie children. Uncle Earl, this is my fiancé, Tony Delveccio."

Earl's face got a little harder. "I see." He didn't offer his hand to Tony.

David leaned closer. "And so it begins." He whispered smiling at us.

Most of the family lived near here. The farthest was Mom and Dad from Asheville, Faye and her husband Charles who lived in Raleigh. David and Michael lived in Charlotte. After meeting those at the house, two other aunts were there getting things ready. Their children were older and coming the next day. I found out Mom and Dad were in that group opting to come on Sunday, the day of the reunion.

I was literally shaking when we got back in the truck.

"Are you alright?" Tony asked. "It wasn't bad."

I let out a breath. "That's because most aren't here yet. Tomorrow will be another story."

Tony slid over next to me. "I can tell this is hard for you." He put his hand on my shoulder. "Damn, you are tight!" He kneaded the muscle there. "We don't have to do this."

I nodded. "Yes, we do." I looked at Tony, pleading with my eyes for him to understand. "I was a coward with these people for decades. If I let them do it again, they win! I can't let them do that."

Tony nodded, pulling me into a tight hug. "Are we doing anything wrong?"

I shook my head. "No, Tony."

"I mean us being together," Tony clarified.

"How is a human being loving another human being so wrong?" I asked. "Maybe it is the conditioning I got talking that makes it so hard. I don't care if anyone we meet at home knows. Why is it so hard with these people? This has to end."

Tony just held me. "It probably has to do with that treatment you got at sixteen. These people kept it going psychologically." He looked me in the face. "I'll have a hard time seeing your parents, knowing what they did to you. It was evil. You are a kind, sweet man that I love deeply. I'm marrying you. You're helping me recover from the attack on the towers. Now, I'll help you." He kissed me gently. "It's going to be okay. I'll be at your side the whole time." Then he smiled. "David and Michael were okay with it. Their mother...Judy, right? She was one of your Aunts cooking?"

I nodded. "She's Uncle Bernie's wife. She's from Charlotte and educated."

"There you go," Tony smiled. "This is going to be hard, but I think more for you than them. We'll get through it together. It's not just you anymore, we're an us. Remember that."

I nodded, kissing him again. "We need to check into the Bed and Breakfast."

"Bed and Breakfast?"

I chuckled. "You think Derby or even Ellerbe has that many hotels? Any you could even stand?"

Tony grinned with a sigh. "So, we're not staying here. Good. My idea of roughing it is when room service stops at ten."

I laughed. "There will be no room service at Ellerbe Springs Bed and Breakfast. We have a nice room. The Eleanor Roosevelt Suite."

"Eleanor Roosevelt?"

I shrugged. "She was the only thing at least presidential to ever stay here. Once." Then I smiled at him. "I saw online it has its own bathroom and even a bidet!"

Tony smiled. "Ooo, fancy."

I sighed again. "I need a drink."

Tony didn't even try to stop me. Then.

I drove toward the Bed and Breakfast. I knew the area well and I knew where a liquor store was. I got some vodka and we drove to a large Victorian house painted light blue.

Tony smiled. "Light blue! My favorite color."

"I know." I smiled at Tony. Then pointed to his light blue shirt. "There's a lot more of that color than any other in your closet." I got out as Tony took his suitcase from behind the seat. I pulled mine from the back of the truck. "You can think they did it just for you if you like."

He nodded. "I will."

The girl that checked us in looked concerned. "It only has a queen sized bed."

Tony nodded smiling. "That's okay, we're both queens."

"Don't scare the locals," I said lightly as I got the key. It was a hard key, meaning where you inserted it in the lock and turned. Not the keycards hotels used nowadays.

We went upstairs to the suite and it was a nice suite. It even had a fireplace. But it was also the largest room in the Bed and Breakfast. I had read it was the master bedroom once.

Tony didn't say anything until I opened the bottle of vodka and poured some in a water glass. Then his eyes grew, "But you don't drink."

I nodded. "I don't. It all tastes nasty to me. My nerves are shot." I brought the cup up to my mouth.

"I get it," Tony said softly but pulled the glass down gently. "I understand, but drinking that much so quickly may make you sick. Just sip it." He kissed me. "Please, honey."

I put the glass down. "This is stupid, isn't it?"

He chuckled. "You might need one tomorrow. I may need one. It's not stupid. A little will calm your nerves, a lot will just make you drunk." He smiled placing his face against mine, his cheek touching mine. "You're not used to drinking. I love you."

I wrapped my arms around Tony. "I need you."

Tony nodded. "I'm here. Whatever you need." Then broke from me as he pulled his shirt off.

"Make love to me?" I asked.

"As often as you want." Then he chuckled. "I don't get erections from just smelling you, so...cut me a little slack."

"I love you, Tony."

He smiled. "I know." He said kissing me in a hungry, consuming kiss as he pulled my shirt off.

We did it slowly this time. Then fast, and then a very long one, leaving us both gasping and sucking air as we needed.

"Damn." Tony panted. "If this is what happens here, we're coming here again next weekend."

I chuckled I ran my fingers in his chest hair. "You're young. No problem."

He sneered. "Not that young."

The next morning someone rang a bell.

Tony opened his eyes, then heard it again. "What the hell is that?"

I chuckled. "The breakfast bell."

Tony's eyes grew, then he looked at me. "You're kidding."

I shook my head laughing. "I'm not. Guess we need to get ready."

We got down to the dining room and sat at the table. There were only a couple of other guests, otherwise, we were alone. I looked at the table. It was loaded with food from bacon, eggs, grits, pancakes, toast, and biscuits.

"Sorry, it does have a buffet." I grinned, knowing how he didn't like them. "No sneeze guards."

Tony grimaced. "There are only two others eating, so I'm good for now. Just tell me they have coffee."

I pointed to the polished urns. "They do and a choice of apple or orange juice." Then I chuckled. "And milk!"

Tony nodded. "I'll start with the coffee." He got up and went to get his needed fluid.

It was later at breakfast did Tony did begin to understand a little better how big my family was here. A pretty young blonde woman was helping clean the tables. She kept looking at us. Then came over.

"Have I seen you here before?"

I smiled. "I don't think so. We're here for a reunion."

She smiled and nodded slowly, "The McKenzie reunion?"

I nodded.

"I'll be there." She smiled holding her hand out. "I'm Sherry Abernathy, Clint's daughter. Aunt Marjorie's son?"

I smiled. "I'm Richard McKenzie's son. Mitch." I said shaking her hand.

Her eyes grew. "Oh! You're the...." She stopped. "The families already talking about it." Then she looked at Tony. "That makes you his fiancé!"

"Tony Delveccio." Tony nodded shaking her hand but looking surprised. "They talk? Using what? We just got here!"

She waved that off. "The internet has nothing on the McKenzie gossip train. The phone works very well for McKenzies." Then she sat at the table. "My grandmother got a call last night, then she called telling Dad. Which he let us all know." She smiled, but she seemed fascinated, not offended at all. "Are you really from New York City?"

"Doesn't the accent clue you about that?" I asked, but saw she wasn't upset or bothered knowing Tony and I were involved. "It doesn't bother you?"

"Are you kidding?" She laughed. "It's great! Nothing like a little controversy to stir the pot." She patted Tony's hand. "Believe me, the pot here needs a little stirring. These people live in the Dark Ages. They need to wake up."

Tony smiled at her. "I'm Catholic, too."

She beamed hearing that. "That's even better! My cousin's marrying a man, who's also a Yankee, Catholic and...." She smiled, "damned good looking. Bravo!" She even applauded lightly.

I smiled. "I'm relieved to hear you say that. I've been stressing about it for days!"

She nodded. "I went out of state for college and there are more of us in the family now that will support you. If they give you shit...which they will...we'll be behind you." Then she got up and hugged me. "You're a McKenzie. More than I am. Welcome back." Then she hugged Tony. "Welcome to the family, cousin!" She said to Tony, then she waved and walked off.

Tony grinned at me. "See? It's not all bad at all!"

For the first time in a while, I was feeling better about being back here. "No, but it will be, but she's right. I am a McKenzie. Now to act like one." I even felt a little more courage.

We got back in the truck and I drove back to Derby and the reunion. I deliberately waited until I knew it was in full swing before we arrived. There were still vacant places to park, but the yard was full of vehicles now. Tony pulled me over, kissing me gently.

"You'll always have me. We're in this together." Tony said.

I nodded. "I love you, Tony."

"I love you."

We got out as we heard the many conversations coming from the house which was now full of people. Children were playing in the yard as we walked up. I took Tony's hand which he squeezed as we walked to the side door. We're all seen movies, like when someone comes in a bar in a western where there were conversations going on and in walks a man through the swinging doors and all conversations stop and they all look. That's what happened. Many faces turned as their eyes rested on me and Tony. On the porch, from other rooms, the hall...there were over a hundred people there.

"Hello, everybody," I greeted. I felt a sense of purpose now.

Then I saw my father come toward me. He was fuming. Mother was right behind him looking distraught. Dad's hair was black, but had gray in the temple and mixed in the black all through it. His eyes were blue. Mom was a tiny woman, only five feet and half an inch tall. A modern Southern Belle. She was blonde, green-eyed, and still had a figure in her late fifties. No one said anything about the dye she used. "Why did you bring him here?" My father asked through gritted teeth pointing at Tony. "You're embarrassing yourself."

"I brought someone important to me. Am I embarrassing myself?" I chuckled. "Or embarrassing you?" Then I looked at his many brothers, sisters, their children, and spouses. I saw Sherry standing smiling at me with Michael, David, my cousin Chuck, and Mary. "Let's cut to the chase, shall we? You all know me. I'm Mitch. Richard's son. I'm a McKenzie. My blood is McKenzie. I'm gay! A faggot. This is my boyfriend, Tony Delveccio. He is from New York, so above the Mason-Dixie line. He's Italian and Catholic. We're in love and going to marry."

"You can't!" Dad said angrily. "It's illegal!"

"We're having a commitment ceremony and committing our lives together. Legal or not. We will be married. If that gets us thrown out here and me thrown out of this family, fine. I'm not going to change." Then I looked at my father and mother. "No matter what you do to me. The Aversion Therapy, those shock treatments didn't work. I am a McKenzie damn it and I'm gay."

There were murmurs and others speaking to each other as I heard a single clap. Then another. I looked as Michael was clapping, then his brother David. Then Sherry, Chuck, Rhonda, Mary, and others were also clapping. Sherry rushed over hugging me, and soon Tony and I were surrounded by cousins and others who were greeting us warmly.

"How can you do this?" My father shouted. "This is wrong! You're going to burn in Hell!"

"Honey," Mother said to me. "How can you choose this?"

I frowned. "How can you choose this?" I waved at the crowd. "Right or wrong, I read your journal about fifteen or sixteen years ago. It wasn't locked. You told Dad no, twice. You wrote that you knew it was a mistake to marry him at the reception of your own wedding!"

Her face held shock. "Those were my private thoughts!"

I nodded. "I know, but they were your thoughts. I was a child still trying to become a man. You made a choice. You chose to stay married to him." I pointed at my father who was looking at mother in surprise, apparently never having heard this before. "I love both of you." Then I looked at the others. "I love most of you. Others I don't know, but I might like to. If my being gay is the reason for me not getting to know you. I'm fine with that. I don't care. I have a nice life in Charleston. I'm marrying a wonderful human being. He's kind, generous and the most loving person I've never known before. Getting to know him is a good thing. If you choose not to, that's up to you. I don't see how my loving him is wrong."

"It's a sin!" My father shouted.

"Says who?" I yelled back. "Some prophet two thousand years ago? He was human speaking to humans. He wasn't God. God never said not to. There'd be eleven commandments instead of ten if He did. It was man's bias back then that's still here today." Then I pointed to the others. "There are sinners all around you, gossipers, liars, thieves and gluttons! There are others here I know are gay! They'd never admit it to you. There are sinners and know it's a sin, but keep doing it. Look!!" I shook my head. "If I'm going to Hell because I love someone, where the fuck do you think they're going?"

My mother gasped. Dad's eyes were furious. "How dare you?" He growled.

I grinned. "Is the fact that I cussed going to get me in deeper trouble with your God in your opinion? They are words, Dad. There's no magic in them. I've heard as bad from your own brothers! Many out of my cousins, too. This family is sick! You're like this cult where anything joyous or happy is a sin! I tell you it isn't! Love is great! It's a good thing. This family needs to see the world as it is. There's good as well as bad. All you do is get together and tell whose dying and sick. I'm telling you a lot of you are sick. You didn't even know what Clan you are a part of. Our Scottish heritage almost went away from us because you couldn't remember! It wasn't important enough? Go out as see the world. Learn a new language. Grow! Or this family will die." I turned to the cousins near me who were supporting me. "Thank you."

Chuck smiled at me. "You are a McKenzie, Mitch. It's great to have you back, cousin." He hugged me.

"I am a McKenzie, and will always be a McKenzie and will die a McKenzie."

My father just walked off, but my mother remained.

"You read my journal." My mother nodded. "Understand, I did love your father. I do. If I hadn't I wouldn't have stayed in the marriage to him all these years."

I nodded. "You had dreams. I read about them. You could have been so much more. I know that Dad wouldn't have made it through school without you. So, in truth, you have the master's degree." Then I laughed. "I saw his report cards from high school."

She smiled. "Yes, he isn't that smart."

"He picked you and didn't give up after being rejected twice." I pointed out. "That was pretty smart."

Mother looked at Tony. "Do you love my son?"

Tony smiled, putting his arm around my waist. "Very much."

I smiled at him. Then turned to my mother. "I love him. It's working between us. He's a good man. Give him a chance. Get to know him."

She looked back to where my father had gone. Then looked at me. "Maybe." Then she walked off.

Then the cousins that had supported me were all clamoring to talk to Tony and myself.

Then I pointed to a man two years older than me who was scowling at us. "That's Gary."

Tony looked and nodded. Then he walked over to Gary. He leaned in and whispered something to Gary, whose eyes grew and he looked in shock at Tony and walked off. Then Tony came back.

"What did you say to him?" I asked.

Tony shrugged. "I just said, there would not be any more trips to the barn with you, even if he still carried an erection for you."