Chp 8
The weekend arrives. I've warned my family a day before to be nice to Brandon today. Once we arrive safely in front of the Reagans house, a bottle of wine in his hand and the fresh lettuce from Ol' Lou's grocery corner that grandpa wants, we walk together in hand and Nicky greets us with a smile. When we enter, all eyes are on us. "So, this is him", said Uncle Frank.
"Guys, this is Brandon", I say and pointing to everyone, I introduce Brandon to the family, "Brandon, I'd like you to meet my family. This is Grandpa Henry, the one with the moustache is Uncle Frank, Jake Darrell, my dad is the one in a navy shirt, next to him is Cousin Danny and beside him is his wife Linda and children Jack and Sean. The one in pink sweater is Nicky's mum, Cousin Erin, and the one with the hockey jersey is Cousin Jamie. Last, but not least, the only one in a dress, matching dad's colour is my mum, Emilie".
First thing I know is that Linda, Erin, Nicky and mum drag me to the kitchen while Danny places his arm around Brandon's shoulder as he drags him towards the men circle. I give him an apologetic wave, which he replies with an apologetic smile before I disappear into the kitchen. As we prepare the meal, I'm kinda worry, but my worry dies when I hear laughter at the living room. I peek to see Brandon is smiling and conversing well with my family.
Brandon helps serving the food on the table and Uncle Frank looks at him, quizzically. I give him the 'be-nice' look. When it's time to sit down, Danny pulls him away to sit next to him while Linda sits at the seat where Brandon suppose to sit. This week is Jamie's turn to say grace, however, Uncle Frank interjects, "Why don't Brandon say grace?". I look over to Brandon and he is not nervous at all; in fact, he says grace smoothly. Dad looks at mum and she looks at him and they raise their eyebrows a few times back and forth (aka their way of secret communication).
As we eat, Uncle Frank, Grandpa Henry, dad and Danny began to question them. Sometimes I wonder if dad ever becomes a police officer, he can be as good as any Reagans can be. Perhaps that's why Grandpa Henry and Uncle Frank like him and accept him as a family easily. Hopefully, Brandon can fit well here.
"So, Brandon, how many girlfriends you used to have?", asks Danny and I glare at him. Brandon hesitates at first and looks at me. I could only give him an apologetic smile. He turns his attention to Danny and says, "I don't really recall the last time I had one. So far, the only serious relationship I have is with Emmy". Jamie whistles, impress. "None?", asks Erin. "All my life, I focused on my studies, hoping that after high school, I can get myself and my sister, Sissy out of the house and I did", says Brandon. "What happened to your father?", asks Grandpa Henry. Mac probably told the Reagans about his family.
"No idea. I mean, one night, I had enough of not trying to defend myself. I had a row with my dad and he swung a bottle on my head. I fall unconscious on the floor. He took off because he thought he killed me and the next thing I recalled was that Sissy and I were at the hospital and I got like 10…, 12 stitches on the back of my head. The week after, I graduated with good grades and a scholarship in my hand. Sissy dropped out…, though I can't remember when. So, I went to NYU and worked part time as I study to support me and my sister", Brandon explains.
"I think I heard of a Sissy Sullivan before", says Danny, "Does she have any problems?". Brandon sighs and says, "I really don't want to say it, but since you said you knew her…, Sissy is not that good in picking friends and men to date, but lately, she changes bit by bit. She has a job, though she's bunking in at my apartment on my couch". "Ah, right. I remember her because some friends of her I busted during a raid…, somewhere at the Central Park", says Danny. "I tried to talk some sense out of her. She's more to like our father – more towards to destruction. We had a fight and haven't spoke to each other until recently", says Brandon.
"Well, since you said she's doing well, keep her that way", says Danny. "Trying to", says Brandon. I really hope he's not that too uncomfortable. I almost lost my appetite when mum decides to change topic. "So, Brandon, how's work?", she asks. "It's been great, ma'am", says Brandon. Mum giggles and says, "Oh please don't call me 'ma'am'. It makes me sounds so old. If you plan on being serious with my daughter, you might as well call me 'mum'", she says, which I almost spit out my wine and Brandon nearly choke on his food.
"Emilie, they haven't know each other that long", says Grandpa Henry. "So? They might have kids one day, so I think it's appropriate for him to call me 'mum' if he plans to get serious with my little girl", says mum as she put a slice of chicken in her mouth while dad stares at her, dumbfound. I notice Brandon's cheeks turn slightly red. "Yeah, they should have kids so we can have more friends", says Jack. "Don't you have enough friends at school?", I ask. "Well, sure we have but we want friends who are a Reagan", says Jack. "Because having lots of Reagans at school and walk together in group looks awesome", says Sean, who gets a ruffle on the head by Danny. "Keep your fingers cross, ok? Who knows your wish might come true", says Brandon as he winks at me. Jack and Sean cross their fingers with hope written on their faces. I give him a smile and a flying kiss. "You two need to stop before I lost my appetite", says Danny.
"You and Linda were like that all the time way back then", says Jamie as he sips his wine. "Tell me about it", says Erin as she rolls her eyes. "Don't get me started on you", and says Danny, "Or the time when Joe and…", before he could continue, Linda kicks him from underneath the table and gives 'don't-say-a-word' face. Brandon looks curiously and I'm trying my darn best to not to look nervous. Everyone starts to be silent and eats their dinner silently.
After dinner, Brandon offers to help with the dishes, but mum decides to shoo us so we can have some quality time. Dad wants to interfere, but mum pulls his ear and says, "Don't make me put tape around our bed, honey. Let them be off". So, we say goodnight to everyone before Brandon drive us home because I'm feeling slightly tipsy. When we reach home, Brandon, being a gentleman, carries me to the bedroom. As soon as he sits next to me, he asks, "Emmy, who's Joe? The one that Danny had mentioned at dinner earlier". Damn it!
"Brandon, I'm tired", I say as I get up to the bathroom, but he pulls me in his arm rather forcefully. "You know my secret. I need to know yours. We promise right? No secrets? Don't put me in an agonizing situation, Emmy", he says. "I…, it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that I don't know how to tell you. You'll hate me for it", I say. "You don't hate me when you knew I have a sex addiction, so why should I hate you?", he asks. "Can you let my arm go first?", I ask and he lets it go. "Sit", I say and he sits back down. I sit next to him and breath.
"When I was a kid, Danny and I were close and mischievous. After he joined the military and being shipped to the Gulf War, I became close to his younger brother, Joe, who often tried to stop our pranks, but later either he joined by force or be the scapegoat in our pranks. One night, Joe decided to celebrate on my success of my assignment, which I got a recommendation and acceptance to the Police Academy. We got so drunk and the next thing we knew…, we had a one-night stand. We drift apart and Danny, who returned after the war ended, kidnapped us and forced us to talk, which Joe confessed first. Danny promised to keep it a secret, but later everyone found out…, when I got pregnant", I explain. He looks at me with horrid.
"But I…, never seen a kid around", says Brandon. I continue, "That's the thing. When everyone found out, mum and dad were disappointed and Uncle Frank was furious, saying that Joe was being irresponsible. Joe made a promise to marry me, but a week before our wedding; he was shot in the line of duty. I was too devastated that I…, had a miscarriage. I locked myself for days and made my parents and the Reagans worried. Eventually, I came out and resumed my miserable life…, until I met you".
We sit in an awkward silence and I'm hoping Brandon would say something. Instead, he walks out. I wait till I hear the front door slams to cry. I curl into a ball on the bed and cry and sob. I haven't cried this hard since Joe's death. I reach to grab the pillow on Brandon's side and hug it. Perhaps this will be the last time I see Brandon. Thanks a lot, Danny. I cry and cry, till my eyes feel heavy and I fell asleep.