Samuel, Tracy and Frederick came out from the kitchen when they heard the doorbell, but was Samuel who opened.
-What a surprise! -Samuel said- We don´t expect your visit, but come in!, don´t stay there.
Were Frasier and Lilith . She was smiling, scrutinizing each and every one of the people gathered there, while Frasier had some grumpy gesture. Was obvious that Frasier that he didn´t want to be there at that time, but had been dragged by her.
-Sorry Samuel - Frasier apologized- This is Lilith´s idea. We went out to dinner and back home ...
-No problem, said Samuel-Do you want a drink?
Lilith saw where his son was and headed toward him like an automaton. He realized that he was down the hall, next to the kitchen door, standing next to Tracy.
-Good night Tracy- said Lilith- sorry not show more enthusiasm, but to see you near my son gives me chills, though you no longer be his girlfriend.
-Good night Lilith -replied sourly Tracy- Did you come walking or flying on your broom?
-Knock it off, both of you! -interrupted Frederick- Do you want say me what the hell you do here, mom?
-I wanted to see in what environment you were. I see everyone paired except the blonde girl. She's very pretty don´t you think? -Lilith said Investigating-
-Mom, don´t start! -Frederick was angry, but was controlled.-
-It's true! Don´t tell me you don´t have noticed before?, don´t tell me you haven´t even talked to her? If you want, I do it for you. So, I can see if she is worthy of my son.
-I cannot take more! -Frederick said as he grabbed his mother by the arm hard and they both went to the kitchen.
-I'm sick of you treating me like a child and your lack of respect in my relationships with the girls that I like.
-Honey! -Lilith said tenderly- I'm your mother and I want the best for you…
-No Mom! Frederick replied- You´re too possessive and absorbent, you always have been that way with dad and with me…
-How can you talk like that after all I've ever done for you?
- Please mom, do not do emotional blackmail to me. now it doesn´t serve you. Do you know why? Because Grace, the girl out there ...
-So she is called Grace …!?- said Lilith—
-Yes, Mom! She´s called Grace, …if this time my relationship with her don´t continue by your fault, I swear I will not talk again to you in life.
-Go!- Lilith said scornfully- I see very brave tonight. Who has advised you?
-A good friend -said Frederick calmer.-
-I see,- said his mother resignedly- Okay, you win.
When she went out, saw Tracy, who was still beside the kitchen door, smiling. She had heard everything clearly.
Next time, instead of advising my son could bite your tongue. With a little luck, you would die for your own poison -Lilith said with rage.-
-After you dear -Tracy said sarcastically- I suppose that already you go away... I remember you that you have the broom parked up in the roof, next to the fireplace.
-Viper !
-Witch of Hell!
Lilith, full of rage, went out into the street, followed by a stunned Frasier
who didn´t understand his wife's anger.
-Are you okay? -Tracy asked to Fred-.
-For the first time in my life, I think so, -said Frederick-.
-I'm glad- said Samuel- now go fetch her! -encouraged him pointing to Grace .
-You're right! -Frederick said smiling- If you'll excuse me ...
-0-0-0-0-
Sam was washing his face, when he saw Ryan in the mirror to the bath.
-Hello guy! -Ryan said timidly.
-Hello… Sam repeated reluctantly.
-Sam, during dinner…
-Stop it! -Sam-cut- Everything was a damned confusion. I do not know, nor do I care, how the hell have you conceived a wrong image of me tonight. I have nothing against people... like you ... but I'm not. I really like women, I´m heterosexual. Before I met Diane I was with hundreds of women. Now I am happily married and I am the father of a boy. Is that all clear?
-Diane told me once that you were a professional athlete ... You never ... in the shower..with another man…
-God, no! -said Sam horrified- For whom do you take me?
-Don´t take it in that way. -said Ryan smiling- it wouldn´t the first time that a athlete with reputation of conqueror among women, when comes to a certain age, acknowledged his homosexuality.
-Well, I'm not! -Sam protested- do you want don´t insist on it, and stick it on your head the fuck up?
-A pity, -said Ryan resigned-...that an attractive and sensitive man as you... Okay, whatever!. But if you ever change your mind, Diane has my phone .
Ryan went no further. Sam took a deep breath to calm down.
Back home, Sam was grumpy. Diane kept joking.
-How you feel being such a handsome man, who likes both women and men?- she teased-.
-You're very funny ,you know?- Sam grumbled under his breath.
-But why you are angry? , I'm proud to be married to such a handsome and manly man, able to seduce every woman in his path, and also to some men ... -Diane laughed..
-I'm telling you for the last time!, Leave me alone!- Sam was really angry, so Diane wisely kept silent.
During some moments, there was a thick, tense silence in the car. Diane felt lack of air. For this reason, she rolled down the window. The cool night air was a gift, and ruffled a few strands of her blonde hair. She looked at Sam who drove with gloomy and vacant eyes. Diane felt guilty.
- Forgive me- Diane said Sam soothingly- Just wanted to downplay the issue with a little humor, but I didn´t think you were going to upset more.
Sam noticed the sincerity of his wife, and looked a moment towards her with loving eyes. She was so beautiful that night!, the wavy tufts of her hair glistened in the moonlight… suddenly Sam decided stop the car momentarily and park it on the sidewalk of the road. He wanted explained calmly:
-...When I was in high school, I was the leader, ... the hero that led to the end of baseball in high school and was offered a contract with the Red Sox ... That was awesome. Conversely, always I pitied of guys as Ryan. They were the butt of ridicule. On more than one occasion I got in trouble for standing up for them…
-But what you say is wonderful, Sam! -Diane was proud of what Sam was telling her- We´re talking about mid to late 60's. The atmosphere then was against people like Ryan,... was terrible. Do you realize what you say? It was very brave of you.
-Well ... Yeah, I guess ...-Sam began to smile slightly, I have nothing against those people ... you know that even I have several friends who are homosexuals... What happens is that for me, is something I find something weird... I just do not understand.
-And yet you do the right thing: admit and respect that option- said Diane swollen with pride- You, Sam Malone are fabulous! You´re better person than you might believe or admit! I've always known it!
-I do not like to be taken for a man too sensitive, then things like this happen...
-Don´t be ashamed of being a sensitive man, Sam, sensitivity is not patent of men or women, neither heterosexual nor homosexual. The sensitivity is like love: universal. And make no mistake, for a woman sensitive men had an added special attraction. What happened tonight was a misunderstanding.
-You may be right... -Sam was quieter.
-I was proud of the man I married twenty years ago, but after it happened tonight, I'm much more- added Diane.
- I sure am proud of you, you're the best wife a man could have… And you say that the sensitivity increases my appeal? -Sam asked.
-Yes, Sam! Much more! -Diane said warmly.
-That will have to show me tonight when we get home…- Sam said as he stroked her cheek before starting the car to resume the way home…
Thanks for reading. I hope to return soon with a new title ...
