Scene 1: Friday, 7 October 2011, 9:45a.m.
418 E. Osterbrook Hall, University of Ohio Campus
Connor McKinley was adjusting his tie in the dorm room mirror. "I wish you could come with me," he said, glancing over at Kevin, sitting on the couch.
"I know," Kevin sighed. "I wish I could go with you, too."
Connor turned around, smoothed the front of his slacks with his hands, and put his arms out, waiting to be judged. "Well? Acceptable?"
Kevin smiled. "You look great." He came over to Connor and took the tie on one hand, tugging gently and drawing Connor in for a quick kiss.
"You know my mother called me to tell me to wear this tie? She literally instructed me as to what to wear for the rehearsal dinner. I'm 22 and my mother is still picking out my clothes. Long-distance."
"Yeah…but she's right—she knows this one looks best with your eyes." Embarrassed by the sentiment, Connor looked away shyly, but Kevin put a hand to his cheek and kissed him again. He withdrew rather abruptly and scrunched his face up with a forlorn expression.
"What is it?" Connor asked.
Kevin huffed and sat back down on the couch. "I know it's selfish but…we've been here for only a month, I don't want to lose you for a weekend."
"I know," Connor said sadly. He sat down next to Kevin, taking his hand and entwining their fingers. "I'm only gone for two days, though. I'll be back late Sunday night, so you can come over after you get out of class on Monday. Or do you want to get lunch when I have a break?"
"Whatever works for you." Kevin sighed. "Why does she have to get married in October? Couldn't she do this sometime next year when we're sick of each other and I won't miss you?" He laughed and squeezed Connor's hand.
Connor donned a serious expression. "You mean we're not supposed to be sick of each other already? Oh geez, Kev, I don't know how to break this to you, but…" Kevin scowled and batted Connor in the arm playfully. Connor tried his best to maintain solemn poise, but it didn't last; he collapsed in a fit of giggles and flopped down on the couch, nestling his head in Kevin's lap.
"Well, to answer the question," he continued, looking up a Kevin, "She was dead-set on a fall wedding. Rach's always liked the fall, the leaves and cool weather and pumpkins and all that. Says it goes with her hair."
"Hah, ah, makes perfect sense."
Connor exhaled and pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes for a moment. "Ugh… It's going to be a long, tense drive to Pittsburg. Just hoping my dad doesn't take the opportunity to complain the whole way there."
"I bet. I can't believe she's having a civil ceremony and not a temple wedding. You parents can't be too happy about that."
"Yeah, they're not pleased. But they weren't pleased that she wanted to marry Rob in the first place. Or that they've been together for nearly three years and are only now getting married. Or that she waited until she was 27 to get married instead of popping out babies at 20. Or that, as my dad says, 'Robert is one of those Lutherans'. Generally, they're not thrilled about any of it. But Rob is a good guy. And it takes some of the heat off me, so that's a plus."
"Yeah, but they don't know about you," Kevin corrected.
"Yeah." Connor sighed. "I'm going to let this all blow over and then we'll see. I'll tell them sometime… I just don't know when."
Kevin asked hesitantly, "Are you going to tell them about me?"
"Of course! Of course. I just don't know when…or how…or how they're going to react. What am I supposed to say? 'Hey, remember that other Elder who was in my district during my second year on mission? Yeah, that one. Well, uh…I'm in love with him. And it's not just a coincidence that he's going to my school—we're seeing each other and we have been for some time now. And I guess it goes without saying that I'm gay, so uh…anyway…sorry to disappoint you all. Merry Christmas, and…I guess I'll see you again whenever Great Uncle Harold dies.'"
"I don't know about you, but I think that sounds perfect," Kevin said with a smirk. "I'd say it just like that. Wouldn't change a thing."
"Oh thanks, Kev, you're very helpful." He took Kevin's hand in his and curled up on his side, facing away from him, holding his hand to his chest. He stared forward at opposite wall for a while, thinking. "I don't know… I'll figure out how to do it. I've been doing this for twelve years, I can't keep it up forever. I mean, I could, but why?"
Kevin wasn't sure how to respond so he gave Connor's hand a squeeze.
"Okay," Connor said, putting a hand on Kevin's knee and propping himself back up. "You've gotta go. My parents are coming to pick me up in fifteen and I have to clean up this place before they come."
Kevin scanned the room. "It…is clean already."
"I know, but I still have trash to take out and books to put away and laundry to fold before I leave." Connor sighed and leaned back against the couch. He tilted his head to the side to gaze lovingly at Kevin.
"So…shouldn't you be getting up to leave?" Kevin observed with a grin.
"Shouldn't you?" Connor responded. He cracked a mischievous smile and pounced on Kevin, wrapping his hands around his neck and kissing him fervently, pushing him down into the couch.
"What was that for?" Kevin asked with a bewildered laugh.
"Nothing in particular. I just really, really love you." Connor angled himself on top of Kevin and dipped down to kiss him again, running his hands under his shirt and across his chest. He easily drew Kevin's t-shirt off over his head.
"And I don't want to leave," Connor said, starting a trail of small kisses down his neck, down his chest and back again, interposing each new sentence with a needy kiss. "And I wish you could come with me. And we could stay in a hotel and sleep on a real bed instead of this tiny thing. And I could show you off to my family. And everyone would say, 'Oh, Connor, your boyfriend is so wonderful. Oh, you're so perfect together.' And no one would ask me when I was planning to get married or if I was seeing anyone or why I didn't have date of if they could set me up with their friend's brother's daughter. They'd just see you and they wouldn't judge. They'd just go, 'Oh, that's sweet. Look how in love they are.'" He slowed at Kevin's collarbone, and let out a tired sigh, resting his head against Kevin's chest as it rose and fell. Kevin put a comforting arm around him and held him tight. "I just wish things were easier."
"I know," Kevin said, "I do, too."
