Rafael and Chad
Chapter 3: Meet the Parents
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Chad dropped Rafael off the next morning for his early morning class and told him he needed to do some shopping. When Rafael came home and opened the door to the apartment, he knew at once something was very different. Rafael immediately noticed the coffee maker and blender on the counter, and floral print dish towels hung neatly on the stove handle. He walked over and opened the fridge. It was full of packaged meat, fresh vegetables, and fruit. He opened the cupboards and saw the canned goods, bottles of wine, and a bottle of tequila and margarita mix.
He looked around. The drab floral curtains on the window had been replaced with cheerful green curtains. The bare walls now had pictures on them. He walked around to inspect them. They were pictures of tropical forest scenes with waterfalls, oceans with islands, the pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Wall of China. Pictures from around the world that he had told Chad that he wanted to explore. One picture caught his eye, and he stepped close to examine it. It was a picture of them sitting outside Starbucks holding hands and smiling, the picture the hustler had taken of them; Chad had it printed and framed.
His phone rang and he glanced down at it. It was his father. "Hey Papi, what's up? "Your mother and I are here in Vegas, and we were hoping you could join us for dinner?". "You guys are here in Vegas? I thought you hated Las Vegas?". "I do. I'm here for a conference". "Ah. Where are you staying? "Bellagio". "The Bellagio? Wow, it must be a high-roller conference". No, they had me booked at some Sheraton. It's my and your mother's anniversary tomorrow, so I'm treating her to something nice. We have reservations for Cirque du Solei, the late show. So, early dinner? Say 7:00 pm, here at their fancy Picasso restaurant". "Can I bring a friend?". "A friend? What kind of friend? It's an expensive place". "I can pay for them". Bah, either way, it's out of my pocket. So, who is this friend?". "A very special friend". "Don't tell me you finally let some love in your life?". "Yes, Papi, I'm very much in love". "That's wonderful news! So, who is it? Is it a girl or a boy?". "A girl or a boy? You think I swing both ways?". "No, bobo, I didn't think you swung either way. You repeatedly ignored me when I suggested you find a nice girl, but you didn't seem especially interested in boys either. So, out with it! What's their name?" "His name is Chad Amboy".
"Huh, interesting. A boy. And Chad Amboy? That sounds Anglo". "Oh, he's as Anglo as they come. Pale skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, and oh so very handsome". "Well, we won't hold that against him. Well, he must have found some secret way to get into your heart". "Yeah, he looked at me". "That's it? He looked at you?". "Yeah, and I kept looking back at him. It was literally love at first sight. We have a class together, and we got together after class, and we've been together ever since. He's from here, Vegas, and was living with his parents, but I talked him into moving in with me". "He lives with you? I pay the rent for that damn apartment!". "Fine! I'll get a job, and maybe Chad will too, and we'll pay our own damn rent!". "The hell you will! I won't have you flipping burgers to get through college! That's what I did, flip burgers, wash dishes, mopped floors, anything I had to do to get ahead and get a college degree. And I did that so my son could have it better than I had. I've only wanted two things for you in life: To be happy and to be successful. Well, you found the happy part, I can hear it in your voice. Now you study hard and get the successful part; I won't have you flipping burgers get in the way of achieving the successful part. I'm sorry about the comment about paying the rent, you know that's not a problem. You just caught me so off guard about being in love. We absolutely insist you bring Chad for dinner; your mother and I can't wait to meet him".
"Where is mi mami?". "Downstairs, throwing my money into slot machines. After we finish talking, I'm going down to find her, I can't wait to tell her our son finally has love in his life. So, 7 o'clock? Picasso is on the ground floor, overlooking the lake and fountains. Just ask to be seated with the Serrano party". "See you then, Papi".
Rafael was reading a textbook when he heard Chad come home from his late afternoon class. Chad hung his book bag on the wooden bar with hooks that he had installed by the front door and walked over and kissed Rafael. "So, how do you like the place?". "It sure looks a lot more like a home than it used to. Coffee maker, blender, a fridge full of food, and cupboards full of food, and how did you manage to buy tequila, margarita mix, and bottles of wine?". "Oh, old trick" You stand in front of a liquor store and wait for an easy-going looking guy to come by and offer him twenty bucks to buy booze for you".
"I was going to fix my special Pasta alla carbonara, with a nice Chianti. Sound good?". Rafael smiled. "Yeah, I haven't eaten all day. But I was thinking of going out for dinner tonight". "No problem, where did you have in mind?". "Um, I was thinking Picasso at Bellagio?". Chad's eyes widened. "Picasso? That's one of the nicest - and most expensive - restaurants in Las Vegas. Did you hit the Megabucks slot or something?". "No, my mother and father are here in town. My dad is here for a conference, but tomorrow is their anniversary, so he's treating my mom to a room at the Bellagio, dinner, and the Cirque du Solei show. The late show, so we have reservations at 7". "We?". Yeah, he called me to ask me to join them, and when I told him about you, he insisted you join us". "You told him about us?" Yeah, and he's super excited about it. How did he put it? Oh yeah, he's excited that I finally let love into my life. You'll like them, and I know they'll like you".
Chad shrugged. "Ok. Meet the Parents, I guess". "Rafael glanced at the clock on the wall. "We got a couple of hours, want to fool around?". "Hell no!" Chad retorted, "I'm not going to meet your parents with a freshly fucked blush on my face". Rafael shrugged. "They may like that; you won't look like such a pale-faced gringo". "Yeah, and fuck you too. Picasso is a pretty fancy place, they don't like it when folks show up in just t-shirts, shorts, and sneakers. What's the nicest clothes you have?". Rafael shrugged. "T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers". Chad laughed. "Yeah, that's pretty much it for me too. C'mon, we're going clothes shopping". "Clothes shopping?". "Yeah. First impressions are lasting impressions, and we're going to make a good first impression on your parents. Come on, we're going shopping for clothes. I'm thinking of Forum Shops at Caesars. Let's take a taxi there, and then to Bellagio, it'll be faster than driving and getting a parking place".
They walked into the Armani Exchange. A well-dressed clerk looked at them disapprovingly. "How may I assist you, gentlemen?". "We're meeting my boyfriend's parents for the first time, and we want to make a good impression". The man smiled. How nice for you. And you'll certainly want to make a good impression. May I inquire where you are meeting them?". "Picasso. At 7, so we don't have a lot of time". "Oh my. And may I inquire what price range you are considering?". "That is not our most important consideration, making us look hot is what we want". He smiled broadly. "Well, you've certainly come to the right place". He looked over Rafael. "I'm thinking jacket size 46?". Rafael shrugged. "Yes, size 46. You said `hot', so I'm thinking something bold, yes? I think I have the perfect jacket to compliment your complexion". He brought over a teal-colored jacket and held it up next to Rafael. "Yes, I think that's it. Try it on, please. A mirror is just over there. Rafael put the jacket on and walked to the mirror. "Yeah, that's it," Chad said approvingly. "Shirt?" he asked the clerk. "Shirt and tie, or just an open shirt?". I think an open shirt will be fine". "I believe I have the perfect shirt for that jacket". He brought a salmon-colored shirt and held it up next to Rafael. "Yes, I believe that's it". Chad nodded. "Slacks?". He looked at Rafael. "Hmmm. 34 waist, 32 length? I'm thinking black slacks will best highlight that jacket and shirt". He brought over a pair of slacks and held them to Rafael's waist. Yes, just the right size. Chad nodded. "Shoes and belt?". He glanced at Rafael's feet. "Size 11 shoe, I believe, and black would be best". He brought a pair of shoes and belt to Rafael. "If you'd care to try all of this on, the dressing room is just there. And while you're doing that, I'll get your companion situated".
The clerk eyed Chad. "I believe you're about the same size as your boyfriend. I'm thinking of a light tan jacket and a bright blue shirt, to highlight your bright blue eyes. Darker tan slacks, dark brown shoes, and matching belt?". Chad nodded. The clerk brought them to him. "The other dressing room is just there".
Chad walked out of the dressing room to see Rafael. "Oh my gawd, you're fucking hot! Oh, pardon my language" he said, directed at the clerk, who dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Well, you look pretty sharp yourself," Rafael said admiringly. Chad reached for his wallet and handed the clerk a credit card. "We'll take everything, thank you". The clerk bowed. "I'll be right back with your receipt". "You have a credit card?" Rafael questioned. "Yeah. I've worked full-time the last couple of summers and saved up my money. And when I turned 18 the bank my dad banks with approved me for a credit card with a nice limit. Well, my dad did co-sign; he told me it will build up a credit history; he works in finance". "Well, we'll go halfsies on this, I'll pay you back". Chad shrugged. "Whatever. I'm just excited to meet your parents". Rafael nodded. "I'm excited too, now". The clerk brought Chad his receipt. "Can you put the clothes we came in with in a bag for us? I'll stop by later and pick them up?'. "Certainly. And may I say that you two make a very handsome-looking couple?". "Thank you".
The taxi dropped them off at the entrance to Bellagio, and they made their way in, and to the entrance of Picasso. "Good evening, gentlemen" the Maitre D' greeted them. "Good evening. We're joining the Serrano party" Rafael told him. "Ah yes, Mr. Serrano told me his son and friend would be joining them. Right this way, please". "Rafael's parents stood up as they saw them approach. Chad looked admiringly at their attire. Mrs. Serrano wore a simple but eloquent black dress with an intricate silver necklace with a large pendant with a turquoise gem. Her black hair was streaked with gray, pulled back in a bud. Mr. Serrano wore a herringbone jacket over a blue jean shirt. His leather belt had a large brass buckle; he gave the appearance of a rugged, strong-willed man. And Chad caught something in his eyes that told him he was not quite convinced of his son's choice. Chad stayed back to give Rafael space to hug his father and mother and then stepped forward to greet them and shake hands.
They sat down. "Well, Chad" Mrs. Serrano began, I must ask you what in the world have you done with my son?". "Excuse me?". "Well, he always dressed like a slob. I'd have to nag him to at least put on a clean shirt for school. But you have him looking like quite a gentleman. Both of you look quite sharp". "It was Chad's idea" Rafael spoke up. "He said this was a fancy place, and said it was important that we make a good first impression for you. So, he dragged me to this fancy clothing store and picked out these clothes for me". "Well, a snooty store clerk helped" Chad injected. "Well, you look dressed for success. And that's always important" Mr. Serrano asserted. "Keep up the good work with him, Chad". A waiter appeared at their table. "Any beverages to get you started you folks?" "Wine list, please". "Certainly, sir". He produced the wine list and Mr. Serrano looked over it briefly. "How is the Chateauneuf-du-Pape?". Excellent vintage, sir". Mr. Serrano nodded and handed back the wine list.
"The other thing I want to ask" Mrs. Serrano began, "how in the world did you manage to work your way into my son's heart? I've been so worried about him, he seemed to have no interest in romance, girls or boys". Chad considered it. "We have a class together, and, well, he looked at me". "That's it? He looked at you?". Chad smiled. "Well, I looked back. It was pretty much love at first sight". Mr. Serrano broke out in laughter. "What's so funny?" Mrs. Serrano asked. "Well, I asked Rafael that same question on the phone, and that was pretty much his same answer. They looked at each other, and it was love at first sight". "Well, that's always a good thing" Mrs. Serrano suggested. "If you recall, that's how it was for you and me". "No, it wasn't" Mr. Serrano asserted. "It was love at first sight for me. But I was just the lowly dishwasher, and you were the prettiest waitress in the restaurant, and you took some convincing". "It was love at first sight for me as well" she insisted, "I just needed some time to be certain you knew what you were doing". She put her hand on his and smiled. "And it turned out you knew exactly what you were doing". Rafael caught Chad's attention. "Sound familiar?" he mouthed; Chad smiled and nodded.
The waiter brought their wine, opened it, and poured a small amount into Mr. Serrano's glass. He swirled it around in the glass, smelled the bouquet, and took a sip. He nodded his approval, and the waiter partially filled all their glasses. Mr. Serrano looked at his wristwatch. "We're ready for menus. My wife and I have reservations for the Cirque du Soleil show, so we need to keep things moving along". "Certainly, sir". The waiter brought their menus, and they ordered. "Oh, yum" Chad commented, "they have strawberry cheesecake on the dessert menu!".
"Oh look!" Mrs. Serrano exclaimed, directing their attention outside the window, "It's the fountain show". The fountains danced around in patterns, colored lights highlighting the show. "It's so beautiful in the evening sky," Mrs. Serrano commented. "Yes, it is beautiful" Chad agreed, "but that lake and the fountains sure is a waste of water". "I thought they used recycled wastewater for that" Rafael questioned. "Yes" Chad replied, "but all wastewater in Las Vegas is treated and recycled back to the Colorado River. It just reduces the casino's freshwater bill to use their recycled wastewater". "Chad is correct on that." Mr. Serrano stated. "How do you know about those things?". "My major is Environmental Studies, sir. One of my classes is Environmental Policy, and it covers Las Vegas' water conservation efforts quite thoroughly". "Interesting," Mr. Serrano said, nodding approvingly.
Their food arrived, and they began to eat. "Rafael said you're here attending a conference, Mr. Serrano?". Yes, and please just call me Jaime", using the Spanish pronunciation for his name: `Hai-may'. "May I ask what it's about?". "Sure. It's an intra-state conference on the situation with the Lake Mead water level. With the several years of drought, the water level has dropped below 1,075 feet, which is the trigger point for shortage declarations that authorize the federal government to impose a reduction of water to the states. So, we're trying to work out voluntary reductions to avoid that". "Oh yeah, I read about that and wanted to attend, but it's not open to the public". "You wanted to attend?". "Sure. I have a term paper due for my Environmental Policy class, and I was hoping to use the summary of the conference for that". "I see. Well, tomorrow is the last day, but an important one, several presentations by important people. Would you like to attend?". Of course! But . . .". "I'll make a phone call and get you press credentials; your class qualifies you for that. Show your ID at the entrance and they'll give you your credentials. Our seating area is printed on the credentials, so you'll be able to find us and join me and the Arizona delegation". That's fantastic! Thank you so much, Mr. . . um, Jaime".
"And today's meeting was productive. I made notes of the discussions, I'll have my staff make copies and give them to you". Chad nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you. Has any progress been made on providing more water to the Native American Nations in Northern Arizona? The Navajo Nation in particular, so many of them live in squalor conditions with no running water". "Yes, that's certainly true. But that's been a sticking point because native lands weren't included in the original 1922 agreement allocating water between the states". "Yeah!" Chad replied with a tone of disgust in his voice. "That's because we still considered them primitive savages. We pushed them onto barren land nobody wanted and didn't care if they lived or died. And, when I say `we', I mean my people, white people". Jaime nodded. "Yes, that's certainly a sad chapter in our history". "Yes" Chad agreed, "but fortunately history is a book that is never completed. We can write a new chapter in that book, in which Native Americans have the resources they need to live productive, healthy, and happy lives".
Jaime turned to Rafael, a serious expression on his face. "Rafael? Don't you ever let Chad get away from you, he's a keeper". Rafael smiled and nodded. "Si, Papi. I knew that the first moment I laid my eyes on him".
"So, Rafael?" Mrs. Serrano questioned, "Have you invited Chad to join us for Christmas at the ranch?". "Well, not yet. It's your and Papi's ranch, I figured it was your place to invite him". "Nonsense, any friend of yours is more than welcome. But at any rate, Chad, please come with Rafael to our ranch and help us celebrate Christmas. We live in Tucson, but we kept the ranch that has belonged to Jaime's family for generations, and we celebrate Christmas there. It's a working ranch, with cattle and horses. Have you ever ridden a horse?". Chad shook his head. "Well, Rafael can show you, he's quite a horseman. And the desert is especially beautiful there, I'm sure Rafael will love showing you around". Chad looked at Rafael, who took Chad's hand and held it tightly. "Thanks, Mami, we'll look forward to it".
"Well, sorry we must run off. I know your mother and she won't want to miss any of the show. The Maitre D' ran my credit card; everything is taken care of, including tips. Stay and have some dessert, or whatever. We'll sure look forward to seeing both of you at Christmas. And I'll see you, Chad, tomorrow at the conference". They stood up, everyone exchanged hugs, and they walked away.
"Well, I think that went well, don't you?". Chad nodded enthusiastically. "I adore your mother, she's such a class act. And I admire your father, he's such a strong-willed man, yet so kind. And I can see they love you, very much". Rafael nodded. "And you knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you?". "About what?". "Getting me to go to that clothing store and getting us all dressed up". Chad smiled. "Yeah, I wanted to show them that I'm a good influence on you". "Well, I could have told them that. But I guess your way made that more obvious".
The waiter came to their table, pushing a dessert cart with slices of strawberry cheesecake and a bottle of champagne. He presented the bottle to Rafael; it was a bottle of Dom Perignon. "We didn't order this". "No, I believe a . . . Mrs. Serrano ordered it. Yes, and here's a card for you. Rafael took the card, read the handwritten note, and handed it to Chad. "Celebrate your love with Chad. I am so very proud of you -- Tu Mami" it read.
The waiter popped the cork and began to pour a taste for Rafael. "Just go ahead and pour it, I'm sure it will be fine." The waiter filled their glasses and left. Rafael held up his glass, "A toast. A toast to us, and to the life we will have together". They clicked their glasses and sipped the campaign. "I think I'm the luckiest man in the world". Chad cocked an eye at him. "Well, as usual, you're full of it. I'm the luckiest man in the world". Rafael laughed. "Well, as usual, I'll let you win the argument. But I'm dying to kiss you". Chad glanced around and saw no one paying any attention to them. "I think we can get away with a quickie without being told to `get a room'". He leaned in and kissed Rafael lightly on the lips. Rafael put his hand on Chad's neck and pulled him back for a long, lingering kiss.
Rafael woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the sound and aroma of bacon and eggs frying in a skillet. Chad glanced over and saw Rafael was awake. "Like some coffee? I can bring it to you". "Thanks, but I think I can drag my ass outta bed". He pulled on a pair of shorts and took a seat on a bar stool at the kitchen island. Chad poured him a cup of coffee, handed it to him, and leaned in for a kiss. Rafael peered at the stovetop. "My gosh, bacon and eggs, fried potatoes, toast? What's the occasion?". "Our first Sunday morning together; we always had a big breakfast on Sunday mornings at home. He motioned to the newspaper on the counter. And a Sunday morning newspaper, I walked around the corner and got us a Review-Journal". Rafael looked at the newspaper skeptically. "A newspaper? I haven't read a newspaper in years; don't you think it's kind of a relic of the past?". "A relic?". Chad repeated. "Well, yeah. I get my news headlines from Google News, on my phone. Newspapers just have yesterday's news". "Well, I've always liked a Sunday paper".
Chad served up their breakfast and they dug in. "Wow, this is good, and so much food!". Chad smiled. "Well, my mom always told me the way into a man's heart is through his stomach". Rafael laughed. "Well, you've already got to my heart, but please keep trying further in it anyway". Chad was reading the front page of the Sunday paper as he ate. "Wow, the headlines are all about that murder of that health insurance CEO, and the hunt for his killer". "I hope they don't catch him" Rafael injected. "Whaat?". "The guy who killed him, I hope they don't catch him". Chad frowned, and Rafael shrugged. "Well, the guy was paid millions of dollars to head an insurance company that made billions of dollars by denying their customers' medical claims". "Well, they didn't deny everyone's claims, that would be called fraud". "Yeah. Well, I read about it. Their denial of claims is double the industry average. Everyone is crying about that one guy who got killed, but no mention of all the people who died for lack of medical care and treatment because their medical insurance company valued profit over people". "Well, two wrongs don't make a right, and violence and murder aren't a solution to anything. But he does look kind of hot". "What? You see a picture of him wearing a hooded jacket and a face mask and think he's hot?". "No, this picture of him". He handed the front page to him. "A girl at the hostel where he was staying flirted with him and got him to lower his face mask". "Oh yeah, he is kind of good looking".
"But yes, of course, two wrongs don't make a right. But my attitude is that what is done is done. The killer has become a kind of internet hero for bringing attention to how health insurance companies screw over their customers, and I just hope they don't catch him. Kind of like D. B. Cooper". "Huh? Who?". "The guy who hijacked a passenger jet airplane in the 70s. He demanded a couple hundred thousand to release the passengers and then told the pilots to fly to Mexico. He jumped out of the plane with a parachute and was never seen or heard from again".
Chad nodded. "Oh yeah, I remember reading about that. Well, don't bring up the shooting of that United Healthcare executive at my parents' house today". "Why not? Everyone is talking about it". "Um, because my dad works in management at the Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters here in Vegas". "Oh. Seriously?". Chad nodded. "Right. Okay, I'll definitely find something else to talk about".
When they had finished breakfast Chad cleared off the dishes and began going through the Sunday newspaper. "My mom used to pour through the grocery ads, and I'd go through the sporting goods and clothing ads", Chad recollected. "You're feeling a little homesick, aren't you?" Rafael gently questioned. "Homesick?" Chad laughed, "I'm not that far from home". "Yeah, but fixing a big breakfast, getting the Sunday newspaper, like you did at home, at your parents' house? You miss that, don't you?". Chad thought about it. "Well, yeah, I lived there for 19 years. But I just think of it as fond memories. And now, I get to make new fond memories here, with you. Rafael got up, hugged and kissed Chad, and began to wash the dishes.
"Ooh!" Chad began with excitement in his voice, "Tommy Bahama at the Planet Hollywood shops is having a pretty good sale". Rafael rolled his eyes. "No," he said firmly, "We're not going to spend more money on clothes right now". "Fine. Well, maybe I'll stop by during the week". "What time do you want to go to your parent's place?". "Well, the game starts at 2. I figure we'll get there around 1 or so? We can help my dad get things set up, the grill, a folding table for the food, and he drags the big TV outside".
They parked in front of the house; Chad knocked quickly on the front door and opened it. "We're here!" he called out. "Here in the kitchen!" Mrs. Amboy called out. She turned to greet them as they walked in and hugged Chad and then Rafael. "Bob is out back, messing with the grill". "We'll go out and see if we can help him with anything". They walked outside, and Rafael looked at Chad's father for the first time. He was a round man with thinning black hair with black round eyeglasses. "Ah, Chad!" he greeted them. He hugged Chad and then hugged Rafael. "And you must be Rafael, the young man who stole my son's heart?". "I'm innocent, Mr. Amboy!" Rafael protested, "it was Chad who stole my heart". Mr. Amboy laughed. "Well, Chad is pretty good at that, he stole our hearts the first moment Martha and I saw him at the hospital when he was born. And please, just call me Bob".
"Can Rafael and I help you with anything, dad?". "Well, I was just spreading the hickory chips over the charcoal. Maybe you guys can get the folding table and lawn chairs out of the shed?". "Sure". He and Rafael set up the table next to the grill, and setup the folding lawn chairs.
Rafael looked up and saw Bob struggling to push a large TV on a stand with wheels out the back door. He rushed over to him. "Let me help you, sir". He lifted the stand to get it over the door threshold and pushed it to where Mr. Amboy indicated he wanted it. "Now, if you could hand me that extension cord over there". He plugged it in and then nodded toward the large coil of coaxial cable. "Now the pain in the ass part. Gotta run that coax through the house, screw it into the cable outlet, and push the coax off to the side and hope no one trips on it". "Do you have wi-fi for the house?" Rafael asked. "Sure, the cable box has wi-fi, we use it for phones and laptops". "Well, these smart TVs usually have a wi-fi built in. Do you have the remote? I'll check the settings.". Bob handed it to him; Rafael turned the TV on, and then quickly went through the menu. "Ah, here is. Wi-Fi, enable. Now it's searching. Griswalds? Is that your wi-fi?". Bob laughed. "Yes. They say to not put any personal info out in public, so I named our wi-fi after the Griswalds in the movie Christmas Vacation". Rafael laughed. "That's a great movie, it never gets old". He pushed the Enter button. "Ok, connecting. Ok, it's asking for your password". He handed Bob the remote. "Use the arrow keys to move down to the keyboard to put in your password. Ok," he said when he saw Bob was finished "Now move the arrow up to that Enter box and click it. Ok, all set!. Now use the arrow keys to exit out the menu to the TV screen".
"Oh my!" Bob said admiringly, "I think this is a better picture than the cable feed". "Different technology" Rafael explained, "For distribution of TV over the internet they use more advanced compression codecs for better picture quality, and HDR, High Dynamic Range, for brighter colors". "Well, that's Greek to me, but I'll take your word for it". "Rafael is really good with technology" Chad spoke up, "His major is Computer Science". "Interesting" Bob began, "Do you know anything about iPhones?". "Sure, that's what I have". "Oh great! My employer provided us with iPhones for emergency contact - phone calls, and text alerts". "Oh yes. Chad told me you work at Blue Cross Blue Shield?". "Yes. With that murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO we've had to tighten up security quite a bit. More security people at the office, and we canceled the annual meeting for a virtual meeting on Zoom. Those iPhones are to provide us with alerts of any threats, or anything else that could put us in any danger". He shook his head. "Such a senseless tragedy". "Yes" Rafael agreed, "It's certainly very sad that a wife is now a widow, and children are fatherless".
"Yes, it is. Well anyway, I use the other kind of phone, a Samsung something, and I can't figure the damn iPhone thing out. It keeps bugging me to do a software update, and I can't figure out where to do that?". "Do you have Siri enabled?". Bob frowned. "Who? What?". Rafael smiled. "Siri is the iPhone voice assistant. You just tell her what you want to do. Like Hey Siri, update the software'. Or Hey Siri, answer this phone call' or, if you get spam robocalls, `Hey Siri, Decline this call and block the number'". "Let me go get that phone!" Bob said excitedly.
Chad patted Rafael on his ass. "You and my dad are really hitting it off; I knew you would. And you handed that murder thing well. Well, I'll go see if I can help Mom with anything and let you two play with the phone".
Rafael had just finished setting up Bob's iPhone when they heard excited voices coming from inside. A woman came out of the back door, followed by a husky man with a crew cut. She looked like a feminine version of Chad. She ran over to Bob and hugged him. "And you must be Rafael?" she asked as she turned to Rafael. "Hi. I'm Cheryl, Chad's sister". She brushed aside the hand Rafael had extended and hugged him. "I need a hug from my new bother-in-law". Rafael chuckled. "Well, we haven't heard wedding bells quite yet". She turned to the man beside her. "And this is my husband, Chip". They shook hands. She stood back to look at Rafael. "My, aren't you a handsome devil? Chad always did have good taste. I should have realized he was gay -- good taste, and too cute to be straight".
Martha and Chad came out carrying trays of burger patties, hot dogs, and potato salad. "Oh, I'd better get the grill going," Bob said, "Rafael has been setting up that new iPhone for me, and I got sidetracked". Martha looked at the TV. "And where's that damn cable you always have to string through the house?". "Oh, Rafael set it up on wi-fi for me". Martha looked at Rafael and smiled, nodding approvingly.
"Hey, Chad?" Chip spoke up, "Got a minute?". Chad nodded, and they stepped over to chairs and sat down. "So, Cheryl tells me you decided you're gay?". Chad smiled. "Well, it's not like I woke up one morning and realized Bong! Oh, that's it, I'm a homo! I've known for several years now that I'm attracted to men. I just never acted on it until I met Rafael". "Well, that's what I mean, I never got that . . . vibe from you". Chad frowned. "What vibe'?". "That you liked me that way". "Um, that would be because I don't like you that way'". Chip frowned. "You don't?". "Well, of course not. I've always known you as my sister's boyfriend, and now as her husband". "Ah," Chip began, "So if I wasn't involved with your sister, you'd like me, that way?". Chad shook his head. "No". Chad could see Chip's confusion. "You're straight, and I respect that. Kind of like what we gay guys expect from you straight guys: Respect for who we are, and who we're attracted to". Chad could see Chip's confusion deepen. "Well, I've noticed that a lot of you straight guys seem to think we gay guys will go for anything that has a dick in his pants. And you straight guys seem to think if you gave us half a chance, we'd jump on you". Chip nodded. "Well, it doesn't work that way. What attracted you to Cheryl?". Chip shrugged. "Her good looks, her personality. And she's great in the sack". "Well, that's exactly what attracted me to Rafael: His good looks, his personality. And yeah, he is fun in bed. It's not `Cock a Doodle Doo, any cock will do' for us. We also need the whole package to be good, just like you straight guys do". Chip nodded. "Hmmm, I guess I never thought it that way". "Yeah, well, nice talking to you. I'll go see if the girls need any help in the kitchen, like a good little gay boy".
Chad walked to the kitchen and found Cheryl loading trays with paper plates and napkins. "Oh good, you can help me with this. Um, I saw you talking with Chip?". "Yeah, he told me he was surprised that he never got a `gay vibe' from me". Cheryl laughed. "Yeah, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, is he?'. "Well . . . ". "Yeah, well, I like them that way," Cheryl said with a smile on her face, "easier to manage, to get them to see things my way. And he does have a nice big cock and fucks me like a madman". "Cheryl!" Chad scolded, "TMI!". Cheryl laughed. "Oh, too much info for you? Well, you should hear how we girls talk about you men when we get together. How big it is, what they like to do with it, what they like doing in bed". "Well, I'm not a girl; you might have noticed". "Oh, but your gay boy status gets you honorary membership. Now out with it! I'll bet Rafael has a nice big one, and which one of you likes to be on top?". Chad blushed brightly. "Cheryl, please?". He saw that she wasn't going to take No for an answer. "Ok, he does have a nice one. And he likes being on top, and I sure don't mind being on the bottom, on the receiving end of things". She patted him on the back. "Well, good for you, it seems to run in the family. Now help me carry this out".
The game started, and there were cheers and groans as the game played out. Chad and Rafael had brought a bottle of wine and poured a glass for everyone as they devoured the food. The game ended with the Broncos beating the Raiders. "Bastards!" Bob sighed. "Well, we'll beat `em next year". Chad motioned for Rafael to follow him, and he got a trash bag and they gathered the paper plates and other trash. "Oh, thank you boys" Martha complimented. "Well, this was all very nice; we need to be going" Rafael began. "So very nice to meet all of you. We'll have to have you guys over for dinner at our apartment sometime". "Thanks so much for helping me with that iPhone". Bob called out. "No problem, Bob. If you need help with anything, just give me a call. I put my phone number in your Contacts".
Chad kissed Rafael when they got in the car. "That went well, didn't it?". "Yeah, your family is great. But they sure seem to like the Ch' sound in your family". "Huh?". "Cheryl, and Chad, the same Ch' sound". "Hmm, I never thought about it that way. Well, let's get home, I'm horny". "Not a problem" Rafael assured him.