"But what you two are doing, it's not a wedding. It's not a union recognized by the church, or the state."
"Actually it is. In the state of California it is."
Wally Wandell replayed this bit of conversation in his head for somewhere around the billionth time. It was exactly what he would expect from his wife. Ever since Scotty had told them he was gay, she had turned cold by the mention of his name, or the sight of him. He knows she's done a lot of thinking to be able to say she loves her son.
For him it was more simple. He can't say he's not a bit disappointed. He always saw his older days with Scotty and his wife and their kids. He was going to be the best grandpa ever, spoiling his grandchildren rotten. But if he had to choose between that and a son living his life the way he wanted, being happy, the choice was simple.
When Scotty had called to say he was getting married, that was the second time he'd heard the name Kevin Walker. They hadn't even met their future son-in-law, and Scotty hadn't offered them to do so, not until when he invited them to the wedding.
Bertha was the love of his life. High school sweetheart, always knowing they were meant for each other. When she told him she was pregnant, he thought he'd explode from happiness.
Lately, with them growing older together, life was more difficult, but they managed. Although, Bertha's insisting on keeping this distance to Scotty, was tearing on him. He called his son, at least once a week. He called when she was out shopping or playing poker with her girlfriends.
Scotty would update him on his life, and Wally could do nothing but realize how his son sounds happier for every week.
"Actually it is, in the state of California it is."
He's a lawyer, apparently. Bertha had commented on that, hinting that their son was a gold-digger for the middle-aged lawyer looking for fresh meat. That time he had yelled at her, and she hadn't brought it up again.
When Kevin stood there, outside their house, he was real. For the first time, the person Scotty had mentioned, the person he spends his time with and the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, was actually for real. From that moment, there was no turning back. It should've scared him, he knows, but only one thing scared him – how Bertha would behave and react.
"In the state of California it is."
He sees the "Welcome to California" sign as they pass the state border, on their way to Los Angeles. The land of the free, home of the brave. Somehow, that seemed to be California rather than Arizona. Land of liberal politics and home of his son.
It hadn't been easy to convince Bertha to go to Los Angeles to meet Scotty and Kevin. He knew she wanted to visit this restaurant, and that in combination with Scotty's information about Kitty and Robert being Kevin's family, they had finally booked themselves a trip to the golden state.
Kevin had dared to interrupt her that time, when he was alone with them. Wally feels a smile spread on his face. He is excited about dinner tonight. Maybe his wife will again meet some resistance, maybe this can be a start for them all to be a family.