The Light in Your Eyes

By Tinnean

Chapter 13

The buzzer for the outside door sounded, and I jumped. It had been unused, except for the occasional FedEx or UPS person, pretty much since I'd closed up the business.

I thumbed the intercom. "Yes?"

"I'm looking for William Matheson." The voice was sexy, a warm, mellow baritone, and my gut clenched. Was this someone who'd realized belatedly what a catch my lover was and was going to try to take him from me?

"He's not here."

"Can you tell me when he'll be in?"

"Why should I?"

"Well, I'm Peter Matheson. His uncle."

Oh, shit. "Hold on, I'll buzz you in. Uh… we're on the third floor."

"Thanks."

The only one of Wills' uncles that I'd met had been Jake, his cousin Harry's father. I knew there were two others, Pete, the Marine, and Simon, the professor who lived with his family on the West Coast.

I ran a hand through my hair and glanced around. The apartment was as neat as it usually was. Ma had believed in keeping a tidy home, and I'd picked that up from her.

The door chimes sounded. 'Isn't it romantic… '

I realized my hands were sweating. I dried them on my thighs and went to answer the door.

The man who stood there was about 6'4". His sandy hair had been in a buzz cut but was growing out, and his ice blue eyes were cool and observant. There was a strong family resemblance – in his cheekbones, the cut of his jaw, the shape of his chin.

"Come in. I'm Theo Bascopolis." I held out my hand. "Mr. … er… Sergeant… "

"'Pete' is fine." His grip was firm but not overpowering. "My nephew isn't here?"

"No. He's at work. He'll be home in a few hours."

"I see." He looked me over. I'd been sized up as a potential purchase plenty of times, but he wasn't checking me out that way, and I wasn't sure what to make of his scrutiny. Had Jack Matheson sent him to check me out? I'd thought he'd liked me, but maybe I'd read him wrong.

"Can I… uh… get you something? Coffee or tea or… " He was a Marine. Maybe something stronger? "There's a bottle of Seagrams somewhere."

"Coffee would be good, if it's not too much trouble."

"No, no trouble at all. I'll just go… Um… " Should I suggest he wait in the living room? No, that might seem as if I didn't want to talk to him. I didn't want it to come across that way. This was my lover's uncle, after all, and…

And I was dithering. I was a professional. I knew how to deal with people.

"Would you like to join me in the kitchen?"

"Sure."

"It's right this way." I led the way there. If I made Greek coffee, something I very rarely did because the reminder of home was too painful, it would take a few hours to finish; done correctly, very slow sipping was involved.

I decided on a mountain blend that had a deep, rich flavor, and got busy grinding the beans. Peter Matheson probably liked his coffee strong enough to float horseshoes, so I ground extra. I took out the percolator I used for those special occasions when I wanted to impress someone – I would have done it that first morning with Wills, but he'd been too pressed for time – added water, put the grounds into the basket, and set the pot on the stove with the flame turned to the right height. As much as I wanted the coffee to brew as quickly as possible, I had no intention of having it boil over and appear like a rank amateur.

"I made baklava yesterday. Would you like a piece?"

"No, thanks. I had a late lunch. You like to cook?"

"Yes. Ordering take-out or going out to eat gets old really fast."

"Not to mention expensive."

I didn't tell him that it wasn't expensive when someone else was doing the buying. Then again, maybe that made it even more expensive.

"Are you a good cook?"

"Wills thinks so." The truth of the matter was I was a good cook, but that was something only the boys, and now Wills, knew.

"William knows good cooking. His grandmother – that would be my mother – was one of the best cooks I knew, and his mother, god rest her soul, wasn't too far behind. If he thinks you're good, I'd say you probably are."

His words made me blush, and I cleared my throat. "You knew Wills' mother?"

"Yeah." His expression became nostalgic. "I didn't have much opportunity to get together with the family, but Sophia and Jack had me over a few times when I was in town. She was a pretty girl. William gets his coloring from her."

And his lack of height I'd say, since every Matheson I'd met so far was at least six feet tall, and Jar looked as if he'd be approaching that height too.

"I'm sorry I'll never get the opportunity to meet her."

"It was a rough time for my brother and his son when they lost Sophia." He abruptly changed the subject, and I wondered if he'd had feelings for his brother's wife. "Your kitchen has a very interesting layout."

"I'm happy with it. This house needed a lot of renovations, and I was able to have the kitchen designed to my specifications." I pointed out the walk-in pantry, the corner cabinets with their lazy Susans, the appliance garage, and the under-the-counter wine cooler that was rarely fully stocked any more, since it was no longer needed for clients.

"It's rather elaborate for just two men though, don't you think?"

"They're good resale points."

"Are you planning on selling?"

"No, but that's what my architect always said." Although Charles had been talking about the fireplaces at the time.

"Hmmm." Matheson leaned forward to read the magnet on the fridge, 'Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.' "Interesting philosophy."

"That's Wills', one of the few things he brought from his apartment. He told me he'd picked it up on one of his business trips." As I took out the cups and saucers and placed them on the table, I noticed that he was examining the pot rack that hung from the ceiling. "He built that for me."

"Jack was always proud that William was so handy."

"I imagine he must have been disappointed when Wills chose not to go into the family business."

"Not really. William can swing a mean hammer, but his heart was never really in architecture. Or construction for that matter. Jack knew that. On the other hand, I'd hoped for a time William might join the Marines, but…" Matheson shrugged and ran his fingertips over the grain of the birch cabinets.

"Wills, a Marine? I'm sorry, but… Wills?"

He shrugged again, his attention apparently caught by the design in the granite countertops. "My brothers' children are as close as I'll ever get to having kids of my own." He toyed with the Marine Corps ring he wore on his right hand. "Of them all, William is the most like me. He'll do what it takes to get the job done."

"Uh, yes. He's an excellent computer tech." I'd been keeping one eye on the coffee pot, and I turned the flame down just as it began to percolate. "It shouldn't be too much longer, Pete."

"Since we have to wait for the coffee to finish brewing, do you think we could… "

"Of course," I rushed in. "You'll want to see what the apartment looks like. I'm sorry, I should have offered earlier. Let me give you a tour."

"That wasn't what I was going to say."

"It wasn't?"

"No. Actually, what I'd wanted to do was ask you about this place."

"Oh. Well… sure."

"According to my brother, you own this building. Yet you're… what? twenty-seven?" I nodded. "That's quite an impressive feat for someone your age."

My heart began pounding so hard I thought it would knock a hole out of my chest, and I felt nervous sweat break out under my hairline. "I'm an accountant," I offered. "One of my clients gave me some very good stock tips." Jack Matheson had accepted that. Would his brother? Both statements were the truth, although neither was germane to the other. "This house was not only in foreclosure, but it was also in need of a good deal of repair, so we got it at an excellent price."

"'We'?"

"My friend Paul and I." I saw no need to tell him about the other boys.

"I see." His eyes grew hooded.

"I'm not sure that you do. Paul was and is a very good friend, but he and I were never lovers."

"Thank you for clarifying that. I did wonder. Paul no longer lives here?"

"No. He's a California boy, and he grew homesick. I bought out his share. That was just before Wills moved in."

"I'd like to see it now." The corner of his mouth curled up in a smile, and I caught my breath. The smile faded into a frown. "Something wrong?"

"No. Uh… no." Wills smiled like that sometimes. "Um… " I looked around, distracted. "This is the kitchen."

"I had a feeling it was."

"Sorry." I started to raise a hand to run through my hair, but managed to keep it at my side, not wanting to appear fidgety. "I've never done the 'meeting my boyfriend's family' thing before."

"You haven't? Why is that?"

"I hadn't met Wills before."

"Nice answer. I can see why my nephew fell in love with you."

I looked into his eyes. "I know how lucky I am to have him love me. I… No one means as much to me." I cleared my throat. "Well… uh… If you'll follow me?" I led him to the other end of the apartment. "This is Wills' office."

"Just his?"

"Mine is through the adjoining bathroom."

"Very nice." He walked into Wills' office and looked around. "I notice there's a closet?"

"Yes. Another selling point. We're using these two rooms as offices, but they're essentially bedrooms."

"Smart move not removing the closets." He continued looking around. "There's everything a home office should have and then some."

"I wanted him to be comfortable in here."

"My nephew's last apartment came furnished."

"That's right. I bought all this for him… "

"You did? That's a pretty hefty investment."

"… except the computer… Excuse me?"

"It isn't something a man is likely to do unless he's in it for the long haul." He returned to where I was standing, and I had to consciously keep from backing away. "I take it your intentions toward my nephew are honorable."

"Yes." For as long as he'd have me. I was Wills' first, and more than anything I wanted to be his last, but I was a realist, and I knew there would come a day when he'd grow curious, want to know what it was like with other men. And then… "He means more to me than… " My throat started to ache, and I had to pause to swallow.

"Why don't you show me the rest of the apartment?"

"Yes," I said, grateful that he didn't comment on my overly bright eyes. "We also have a living room, a dining room, and a guest bedroom… "

"Who did the decorating?"

"That would be me."

"I'm very impressed by the job you did."

The boys used to kid me about it. Periodically, I changed the décor and would go from French country to English manor to contemporary to whatever took my fancy. I shot him a look, but he seemed serious. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. You're lucky."

"Oh?"

"The decorating gene passed me by."

"Excuse me?"

"William didn't tell you about me?"

"That you were a Marine? He mentioned it."

"No. That I'm gay."

I started to choke, and he patted my back.

"I take it he hasn't." He gave me that half smile that was the carbon copy of my lover's. "Do you mind if I ask how long you've been out?"

I hesitated a moment, then decided it wouldn't do any harm to admit part of the truth. "Since I was fifteen. And you?"

He sighed. "Just a couple of months. I was a Marine, as you know, so I didn't have the option of coming out until after I retired from the military." His lips took on a grim twist. "It's not easy being gay. You know that. I know that. William has yet to find that out."

"I know. I worry about him, about how he'll react if someone says something… " I looked away. "He's a very gentle, easy-going man, and… "

"And it would bother you if someone said something that hurt him?"

"I'd want to kill them."

"We seem to be on the same page." His smile became more relaxed. "Jack was right when he said you were a good man. I just had to make sure myself. You understand?"

"Yes, I… "

"I love all my nephews equally – and my niece, of course – but I love William the most."

"I understand. Um… Would you like to have that cup of coffee now?"

"Sure."

We went back to the kitchen, and I turned off the flame under the percolator. "We'll just have to wait a few minutes for it to settle." I set the cream and sugar on the table beside the cups and saucers.

"Would you mind telling me something?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"You were less than welcoming when I rang the bell."

"I apologize for being rude. I'm not usually, and if I'd known right off that you were Wills' uncle, I would have been more cordial."

"You've got me curious. Why would that make any difference?"

"Okay, look." I wasn't going to tell Peter Matheson that I was his nephew's first male lover. I didn't count that idiot Michael, who'd taught Wills to suck cock, but who'd made him uncomfortable in bed, who'd let him slip through his fingers. "Wills is gonna be twenty-seven. In that time, no one appreciated him for what he was, good, and kind, and let's face it: so good-looking he takes my breath away." And he loved me in spite of my past. "They – and I'm not just talking about the male population, here – they all had their chance and blew it."

His brow furrowed. "So let me get this straight. You thought I was someone who realized William was all those things and was going to try to take him away from you?"

"Yeah. That's about it." I picked up the percolator and poured a few drops of coffee into the sink. It wasn't really necessary, but it was something Poppa had always done with regular coffee to make sure the first cup wouldn't get any grounds in it. After I filled the cups, I pushed the creamer toward him. "Cream?"

"I take it black."

As I added cream and sugar to my own cup, I couldn't help smiling a little. "One of the first things Wills said to me when we met was that milk was for wusses."

"That boy… " He laughed and shook his head, then took a sip of coffee, choked, and set the cup back on the saucer. "I believe I will have a little cream."

"I'm sorry, I assumed that as a Marine, you were used to strong coffee."

"Not so strong it could win a battle on its own." He poured some cream into his cup, stirred it, then cleared his throat. "You mentioned something about when you first met William. I understand you and he met in a hospital."

"Yes. Paul, the friend who owned this house with me, was beaten so badly he had to be hospitalized."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Because he was gay?"

"So we assumed," I lied easily. Vincent hadn't asked me not to talk about the reasons behind Paul winding up in George Washington Hospital, but I knew he wouldn't want me to, since someone from his company was responsible. I could never figure that out, but the business world could be pretty cutthroat.

He raised the cup to his lips, took another sip, and nodded in satisfaction. "That's better. And so it was love at first sight? I can't say I believe in that."

"No, neither can I."

"How would you describe it then?"

"I fell madly into… " … lust… "… like with him. It didn't take long for the rest to fall into place."

"I can't imagine that it would, but then I'm his family, and it makes sense I would think that way. What time does my nephew get home?"

I blinked at the abrupt change of subject and glanced up at the clock. "In another couple of hours. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Actually, I was thinking of taking you both out to eat. The restaurant at my hotel seems pretty decent. I'm at the Madison Arms."

The Madisonian was a nice restaurant, with certain standards in its dress code. "Thank you. Just let me give Wills a call and make sure this isn't one of those days he has to work late." I took the phone off the wall and pressed #1 in speed dial.

His cell phone kept ringing, and I thought I'd have to leave a message. Then, "What's up?"

"Did I get you at a bad time?"

"Yeah."

"I won't keep you." Those computers. I could picture him with his shirt sleeves rolled up, one slim screwdriver between his teeth while he worked another between his fingers. "Your Uncle Pete is here, and he wants to take us to dinner."

"Uncle Pete?" He cleared his throat. "Sounds good. I'll be home… " He paused for a second, then continued. "I'll be home my regular time."

"Good."

"Tell him I said 'hi.'"

"I will. Drive carefully, babe."

"Always do. Uh… Theo?"

"I know, babe. Me too. Bye." I hung up. "Wills should be home around 6. He said 'hi.'"

Matheson nodded and rose to his feet. "I'll go back to my hotel and see about making reservations for this evening about 7:30, if that will work for the two of you?"

"That will be fine."

He nodded. "Okay, then. Thanks for the coffee."

"You're welcome."

"Next time I hope you won't make it so strong."

Next time? Did that mean he approved of me? "Uh… yeah." I followed him to the door. "It was nice meeting you, Pete."

"Same here, Theo. I mean that. My brother told me you were a nice guy, but I had to make sure for myself. I’d never want my nephew to be gay, but since he is, I'm glad he's involved with someone like you, who values him and who'll treat him well."

"Thank you." I wondered if my cheeks were as red they felt. "I don't know what I said to make you think that, but whatever it was, I'm glad."

His eyes crinkled in a warm smile. "I'll see you later."

We shook hands and he left, and I closed the door, feeling almost giddy.

Even though I'd had the boys, it hadn't been quite the same as having my own family. Now it seemed that my lover's family was welcoming me into their midst, with an ease I didn't understand but accepted gratefully.

I realized that tears were sliding down my cheeks. "Get a grip, Bascopolis!" I grumbled to myself as I ran the heels of my hands under my eyes, but I knew they were tears of joy.

I went into the bedroom and began laying out our suits for dinner.

****

"You enjoyed seeing your uncle, babe?"

"Yeah. It's been a while." Wills smiled across at me as he took off his Bill Blass Glen Plaid and hung it up. I'd have to talk him into getting a new suit. "Now that he's retired, the whole family is hoping we'll see more of him. And Dave, of course." His uncle's long-term partner.

"When do you think we'll get to meet Dave?"

"Soon, I hope, but if not, then for sure at the Memorial Day picnic next year. Uncle Jake and Aunt Charlie will have it at their place. It's big enough for everyone, and Grandma and Grandpa will be able to be there too. They're getting too frail to make the trip up to Cambridge. I saw them last Thanksgiving, but … " He suddenly looked pensive.

"How big is your Uncle Jake's house?"

"Hmmm? Oh, it's pretty big."

"Bigger than your Dad's house?"

"Oh, yeah. He's got a few acres with a couple of guest houses on the property, and Ben and Steve both have houses just down the road."

"Holy … " I was dazed by the size of his family.

"Theo?"

"Huh?"

He patted the mattress beside him. "Care to join me?"

"Oh, yeah, you bet!" I pushed all thought of family out of my mind and climbed onto the bed.

Wills grinned and reached over to turn out the lamp, then settled down and pulled me on top of him. His legs parted to make a space for me, and it was as natural as coming home.

****

I'd never had to give my sister excuses about why I couldn't come home. She thought she knew: Poppa had ordered me out of the house. Now that I was out of the business, I could write to her and ask if she and Ma would maybe like to meet me and Wills in St. Petersburg, but before I could…

"Is this the residence of… of Teodore Bascopolis?" The voice on the phone was female and very formal.

"Yes," I said cautiously. I hadn't heard that name in twelve years. "This is Theo. May I ask who is calling?"

"Teo? It is I, your sister Acacia."

"Casey?"

"Yes!"

"Casey!" Oh, my god! My baby sister. "It's so good to hear from you!" My eyes started to burn with unshed tears. It had been so long since I'd spoken to any in my family. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Is everyone all right at home?" My heart was in my throat. I'd given her my unlisted phone number years ago, but she'd never called, probably because Poppa would have seen the charge on the phone bill. And she wouldn't have called collect, because we'd had it drummed into us from an early age that the phone company was driving the working man into the poorhouse with its exorbitant rates, and mail was cheaper.

"Yes, yes, we're all well. Oh, Teo, I'm here in Washington, DC!" The unfamiliar formality left her voice.

"That's wonderful! How long will you be here?"

"A few days. I made the Dean's list, and Momma and Poppa gave me this trip as a reward. They… Poppa has changed, Teo."

I ignored that. "Good for you, Casey! Do you need a place to stay?"

"No, I have a room in a very nice motel."

"Okay, but you're welcome to stay here, you know."

"Thank you."

"It's been so long. I can't believe… Listen, when can we get together?'

"Soon, I hope. I would like you meet your… your friend." That formality was back in her voice.

"Well, he'll enjoy meeting you. Come to dinner tonight. I'll make something special."

"That would be nice." There was a moment of silence. "Teodore, I… I need to talk to you about Poppa."

My gut clenched. "Acacia, there is nothing to talk about."

"Please, Teodore." She sounded as if she were about to cry.

Was I ready to hear anything about Poppa? Leopards didn't change their spots, but… Was I a fool to hope he had? I ran my hand through my hair and took a deep breath. "Tell me, then."

"Not over the phone."

"Acacia… "

"Please, Teo. I must talk to you face to face."

"Very well." I sighed. Of course I was a fool to hope he had changed enough to accept a gay son. It was something that he'd allowed Casey to come to DC on her own. "You can tell me tonight at dinner. Come about 6:30." I gave her the address and directions.

"Thank you, Teo," she said softly. "Will… will this friend of yours join us?"

"Yes." I had written and told her that Wills had moved in. I hoped that wasn't going to be a problem. This was Wills' home. I has no intention of asking him to make himself scarce while my sister and I dined together.

"Oh. Yes. Yes, I remember. Well, I must go now. Until later, Teodore."

"Yeah, later, Acacia. Bye."

Before I started biting my nails to the quick, I decided the best thing to do was to go shopping. I'd buy the ingredients for tonight's dinner.

Stifado. Yes, I'd make stifado, and since I knew Wills wouldn't eat octopus, and I wasn't sure how he'd feel about rabbit, I'd make it with lamb. The butcher would have some nice cuts for me.

****

Everything – the small onions, tomatoes, and lamb – was simmering in the pot on the stove when I heard his key in the door.

"I'm home, babe," he called out from the foyer. "Some asshole parked in my spot again. I think I'm going to lie in wait, find out who it is, and do him a grievous hurt!"

"Hotshot tough guy!" As if. He was the gentlest man I knew, and I doubted he could hurt a fly.