By Victory Thru Tears
Maya's POVVacation's over. I've been home for two hours, waiting for Taz to get back. My ride to Milwaukee is longer than hers to just outside Minneapolis, but I always reach earlier than she does.
It's a little bit lonely. None of the Queertet is back yet, either.
It's easier to call them that. They're not a part of the Ducks anymore, and who wants to spend the time listing out their names? I sure don't.
There's a soft knock on the door, and Portman and Fulton enter. They both look somber, and Fulton has faded bruises all over his face.
"Oh my god!" I jump up and rush over to them.
Portman gives me a look clearly telling me to back off. I know better than to go against Portman; the man could kill me with his thumb.
I sit down on my bed, unsure of what to say.
"Anyone else back yet?" I ask. They would have seen the boys before me.
Two heads shake sullenly.
"Ok."
Pause.
"Did you two have a good vacation?" Oh, hell. Smart move, Hansen. Portman's really going to kill you now.
He doesn't kill me, just shoots a death glare my way. I try to smile apologetically at him, but it comes out looking more terrified than sorry.
Luckily for me, the door opens again. This time it's Charlie and Adam, both of whom are wearing smiles. Adam, however, has fresh bruises all over his face.
What the hell has happened to my friends over this vacation?
I don't have to guess to know that their parents were less than supportive to hear about their sexuality.
I didn't really have a problem with mine. There was a lot of talking, a little bit of discussing, and even more hugging. Am I lucky? I don't know. My mother kept whining about how she'd never have grandkids all weekend. I had planned on asking Adam if he could get me pregnant just to shut her up, but in the condition that he's in, I refrain from making jokes.
After my little incident with Portman, I decide not to ask anything about their vacations.
Charlie and Adam are staring at the other half of the Queertet with interest. Fulton and Adam are eyeing each other. I think that Charlie and Portman are trying to have a silent conversation.
Please Taz, come home…break the awkwardness…
Thank god for ESP.
The door opens and my wonderful girlfriend waltzes into the room.
"Morning everyone." She says, setting her bag on the ground.
Yes, Taz. Good morning…no, it doesn't matter that its six in the evening.
She runs over to me for a quick kiss, but is quickly pulled away by Charlie. He envelops her into a hug.
Ordinarily I would laugh at the way this gay man is stealing my girl from me, but I see the way that Taz winces as Charlie squeezes her. She may be small, but she's stronger than that.
I notice for the first time that Taz also has a bruise on her face.
"Taz, what happened to you?" I ask nervously.
"What do you mean?" I can't tell if she's playing innocent, or actually has no clue what I'm talking about.
"Your face." Fulton supplies. "It looks like your parents were as thrilled as mine."
"Yeah, just like my brother, too." Adam says, smiling sardonically and rubbing his wrist. I notice that his arm is bandaged up. I really need to work on my observation skills.
"Oh, that?" She laughs. "No, no. I just fell down the stairs!"
Taz launches into a fantastic story about how she tripped over the carpeting and landed on her butt.
When she's finished, the Queertet is beside themselves with laughter over her stupidity. She's grinning gleefully.
I, on the other hand, am not so convinced with her story. I've dated her for too long to fall for her tricks - especially her mediocre ones - so easily.
I'm surprised with myself. By the time the Queertet leaves three hours later, I've only spoken four words. Usually, I'm as crazy as Taz herself. Tonight I'm just not in the mood.
As we change for bed later, I decide to ask her how things with her Dad went.
She breezily responds that he didn't really care.
Uh huh. Sure, Purple Girl.
I climb into my own bed. We used to share one, but I'm a violent sleeper. Taz got sick of me kicking her and such.
As she comes back from the bathroom, I notice more bruises on her body. I'm too tired to argue with her tonight, but you can bet your bippy that tomorrow Taz is getting the third degree.