"You look fine, stop worrying," Mae murmured as Trent again smoothed out his t-shirt.
"I'm just kinda nervous," he replied.
"Don't be, it's just dinner."
"With your parents."
"Yeah, and after all we've been through, they like you and you like them, are you really scared of them?" she asked.
Trent glanced at her, frowning. Something was off about her. It had been about five days since they'd gone out to Westberg and gone looking for Bombshell. Things had sort of settled back into the normal routine since then. He was writing, Mae was gaming, Bea was still learning how to relax, Ann was doing her editing…
But something was starting to seem off about Mae. Something he couldn't really put his finger on, only that it was bad.
"Are you okay?" he asked finally as they walked across the backyards.
"What? Yeah. Why?" she replied.
"I don't know, you seem...irritated."
She frowned. "I guess I am. I don't really know why, either. I guess maybe because there's been no leads on Bombshell...I dunno."
He wanted to ask more, keep pressing, but something told him not to, so he just let it drop. He'd gotten a text yesterday from Mae's mom, asking if they wouldn't mind indulging them and having a family dinner tonight. He saw no reason not to, but Mae didn't seem happy about it. Despite everything, there still seemed to be a little bit of underlying tension there between them. He thought of his own parents, his own familial relationships.
At least hers could be salvaged.
Mae still seemed a little tense as they got to the backdoor and walked in. Immediately he was hit by the smell of cooking ground beef and taco seasoning.
"Oh wow," Mae said, and her entire demeanor changed, "that's something special."
"Special tacos for my special kitten," her dad said, standing at the stove. Her mom was moving about the kitchen, putting things in place. Lettuce, shredded cheese, taco sauce, sliced onions and tomatoes. The look of simple yet powerful happiness that came onto her face when she looked at him and Mae eradicated any lingering uncertainties or hesitations he had about doing this. He'd been wanting to write more instead of going to dinner, and there was a little bit of resistance there to the idea, even though he wasn't quite sure why.
But this was okay. More than that, this was good.
He was in love with Mae, and she with him. He really intended to be with her for...well, probably for the rest of his life. And that meant being on good terms with her parents, ideally. It would be different if they were like his parents, or Gregg's or Angus's from what he had heard, but they weren't bad people. He actually liked them.
In a way, he thought he was probably a bit odd in that he actually liked his in-laws. Not that they were technically his in-laws because they weren't married yet, but whatever.
"Mae. Trent. I'm so glad you're here," she said as they came in and sat down at the table.
"I am now too," Mae said. "Tacos are amazing. Especially when you guys make them."
"I'll take the compliment," her mom replied. "And, you're in luck: meat's ready."
"Yep, come and get it," Stan said.
They spent a bit doing the dance of four people moving about a cramped kitchen, preparing their meals, but soon enough they were back at their seats.
"So, how are you two doing? How are things going? It's been a good few weeks since we've heard from you properly," Candy asked.
"It's going real good, surprisingly," Mae said. "I've got like a thousand subscribers now on my YouTube channel and I'm almost making as much as a minimum wage part-time job. I know it sounds weird to you but there's a bunch of people out there who apparently like watching me play scary video games."
"I can see how that would be entertaining," Stan said. "God knows enough of us watch football...how exactly do you make money from it, though?"
Mae shifted a little uncomfortably. "Well, some of it's ad money. YouTube plays ads over my videos, people watch them, they keep track of how many people are watching and give me a little bit of money when someone watches. Or a certain number of people watch, something like that. But yeah, basically companies pay YouTube to put the ads up, and I get a little bit of that money. There's also more direct ways, a few websites where people can donate, or like, leave a tip? And it's hooked up directly to my bank account."
"That's really neat," Stan said.
"Yes. Trent seems to have had a big, positive influence on you," Candy said.
"I did a lot of this on my own, you know," Mae replied sharply.
Trent tensed awkwardly. He could feel her tail hitting his chair every few seconds.
"You're right, honey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Candy said. She paused for a moment, looking at Mae closely, who wouldn't quite meet her eyes. "Mae," she said, and Mae looked at her, "with all that's happened, I've felt it's important we say the things we mean more than ever. I don't want there to be any confusion: I'm proud of you. I know you worry that I think what you do isn't a 'real job' but I want you to know that I don't care if it's a 'real' job or not. I care that you're happy, and I care that you're safe, and I care that you are enjoying what you're doing, and that you can take pride in your own work, whatever that work is. You're smart and strong and kind, you're building a life with a good man and your friends, and you all clearly care for each other, and watch out for each other. And…" she hesitated for a just a moment, then sighed softly.
"I'm sorry, for pushing you into college. I still feel like I made the right decision based on the options at the time, but I should have been better about it. All I ever wanted was for you to have opportunities I didn't, but it isn't worth your happiness. How you choose to live your life...is up to you, Mae. I will always love you, and I will always support you, and I will always want what's best for you, but all of that aside...I really like how your life is unfolding right now." She paused again. "Except for all the stuff with the cult. I didn't like any of that. But that wasn't your choice."
A moment of silence passed.
"I feel the same way, Mae, I'm just...not very good at saying it," Stan said after clearing his throat.
Mae laughed suddenly, then abruptly stood up and walked over to Candy and hugged her tightly. "I love you, mom," she whispered, and a little sob escaped her.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Candy said.
She repeated the action with her dad after a moment, giving him a long hug. Then she straightened up, cleared her throat, wiped at her eyes, and sat back down.
"Sorry if that was awkward, but I don't regret it," Candy said, looking at Trent.
"I mean it was awkward but honesty often is," he replied, "and I don't regret it either."
"No regrets!" Mae yelled and took another bite out of her taco. She finished it off then began constructing more. "So, uh, now that the air's clear of that, um...how's working with Bea's dad going, dad?"
"Great, actually," Stan replied. "I was kinda nervous about figuring the job out. Old dogs and new tricks and all that, but honestly? I feel like I've got it. I've been going out on jobs, fixing stuff, and doing some repairs in-store. It's going well. And I've reconnected with Allan...we used to be friends, way back when, but we kinda drifted apart as the years wore on. I'll say this: it's the best job I've ever had, in that I actually enjoy it."
"You look...better, dad," Mae said.
"Happiness is health," Trent murmured.
"It is," Stan agreed. "I feel better. I'm sleeping better, my bad knees aren't quite so bad anymore and my lower back doesn't kill me as often."
"That's really good to hear...how's Bea's dad?" Mae asked.
"Well, Allan's...a little rough around the edges, still. He was always grumpy, but he still gets wicked pissed sometimes. I think he's trying to work on it. I also think…" He hesitated, frowning, glancing at Candy.
"What?" Mae asked. Neither of them said anything for a moment. "Come on, Bea's my best friend, if there's something, we should know."
"He's lonely," Stan said. "He's actually been spending time over here. I guess with Jacob, too. Jeremy's father. Sometimes he spends the night here on the couch...but don't tell Bea, please? He doesn't want her to know."
"Why not?" Trent asked.
"He's worried she might think he's spying on her," Candy said. "And he isn't. I think he just doesn't like going home to an empty apartment, and...I can't say that I blame him. I couldn't stand the thought of living alone."
"I think he also doesn't want Bea to know he's as lonely as he is," Stan said. "He does support her being out on her own, living with you all, even if he misses her. He wants her to live her life. And I think he's trying to figure out how to live his again…" He sighed, looked a little guilty. "I wish I could help him. It's actually fun when we hang out, watch TV, shoot the shit about old times or what-have-you. It's just...I want to help, but the biggest thing we'd used to do back in the day was get together at the bar and drink. And I don't do that no more." He looked at Trent suddenly. "Do you, uh, know…? About that?"
"No," Trent said.
Stan looked around the table at Mae and Candy.
"You don't have to tell if you don't want to, dad," Mae said quietly, "it's in the past."
He sighed. "Yeah, but now it's come up...I dunno. Feel like if you're gonna be part of this family, you should know. I used to be a mean drunk...did some stupid things. I drove home drunk more than once...stupid as hell. I always wanted to argue when I was drunk. It never got completely out of hand...I don't know...I never hit nobody," he said firmly. "I never laid a hand on Candy or Mae. Never will. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't do some stupid shit when I had too much to drink. Punched a hole in the wall once, broke some furniture, a window...that was when Candy really sat me down. I had to go to the ER for that one, cut my hand and wrist up good, like a dumbass. That was when we agreed: no more. No more drinking. That was...oh lord, ten years ago now."
"That couldn't have been easy," Trent said.
He laughed. "Yeah, it was tough...ah hell, I'm sorry. I don't mean to bring the mood down. I just wanted to get it off my chest."
"I can respect that," Trent replied. "And at this point, I've had more than enough experiences with uncomfortable honesty. And I'd rather hear uncomfortable honesty than boring small talk or lies."
"Well you found the right girl then," Candy said.
"Yeah, definitely," he agreed.
"Speaking of uncomfortable honesty…" Mae murmured, fiddling with her food.
"Yes?" Candy asked.
"Uh...theoretically...how would you guys feel about it if...uh...at some point in the future...I married a girl?" she asked.
Trent's eyebrows shot up and he felt the words drain right out of his head.
After all this time together, he was almost sure Mae couldn't stupefy him into silence any longer, and yet here they were.
Candy and Stan shared an equally surprised look.
"Is...this...your way of telling us that, uh, Trent...what is the phrase I'm hearing now? Identifies as a woman?" Candy asked uncertainly.
"Oh, no. Not that at all," Mae replied.
"Then I'm not sure I understand," Candy said.
"Yeah, you've stumped me too, kitten," Stan said.
"Mae...really? Really?" Trent asked finally.
"I mean...I wanted to know," she murmured, looking firmly at the table. "I mean, we're all being all honesty and stuff…"
"Mae," he groaned.
"Why wouldn't you marry Trent?...I'm sorry if I'm missing something obvious here," Stan asked.
Trent looked at her parents. Stan seemed pretty confused, but Candy had a look of slow realization coming onto her face.
"You know, like, sometimes...theoretically, people date more than one person...like, not cheating, but they know about each other," Mae mumbled.
Candy was smiling now, looking, if anything, amused.
"Mae, I know," she said.
Mae looked up, first at Candy, then at Trent, then back to Candy. "Know what?"
"I know about you and Trent and Selma...Ann," she said. "I've seen the looks, and the way you all act around each other. I've known since Longest Night."
"Wait," Stan said, and they looked at him, "you-Mae, are you dating Trent...and Selma? I thought you all were just roommates…"
"Mae, why? Why would you open this can?" Trent groaned.
"I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!" Mae replied.
"Guys, it's okay," Candy said, "this might sound completely impossible, but I do have an open mind when it comes to relationships. Your father and I weren't always the only ones involved in our relationship."
"Candy!" Stan cried. "I-really?!"
"Oh my God, you are so like your mother," Trent said.
"If we're gonna have this conversation then we're gonna have it," Candy replied.
"Wait, mom, so...you were in an open relationship? Really?" Mae asked.
"It was a very long time ago," Stan said, taking off his glasses, setting them on the table, and hiding his face behind his hands. "This is not a conversation to have at family dinner."
"Oh lord, Stan, we're all adults here, and it's not like I'm asking her what her favorite position is or anything," Candy replied.
"Ew," Mae said, then giggled.
"I really feel your pain, dude," Trent said when Stan groaned into his hands.
"Thank you, at least someone does."
"Oh grow up," Candy said, rolling her eyes. She refocused on Mae. "So, to be clear, as long as you're being safe and you aren't hurting anyone, I don't care what your...personal life, is like. And for the record, yes, your father and I...dated around. A bit before we were married and a bit after. We stopped when we decided we wanted to try for a baby."
"Wait, so like...anyone I know?" Mae asked.
"That's none of your business, sweetie," Candy replied.
"Good lord," Stan whispered.
"But I'm still confused," Candy said. "Marriage makes sense, even if only for financial reasons, but why Ann and not Trent? Not that I'm judging, I'm just curious."
"Oh," Stan said, slowly lowering his hands. "Oh."
"Oh what?" Mae asked.
"I...Allan has been complaining a little bit about the guy Bea's dating now," Stan said. Trent felt his guts tighten. "He wouldn't say who, but he dropped a few hints and-" He looked directly at Trent now. "It's you, isn't it? Bea's dating you."
"Oh," Candy said. "Lordy lordy," she murmured. "Now I get it. You all have figured out that marriage makes sense, but you know you can't all marry each other, so...Mae would marry Ann because Trent will be marrying Bea. Whew, that'll be hard to explain to some people…"
"Holy shit, I just realized something…" Mae said.
"What?" Candy asked.
"Our family is just generations of romantic and sexual exploration but, like, undercover, on the down-low."
"Wait, what?" Stan asked, putting his glasses back on. "What are you talking about?"
"Miss Rosa hooked up with grandpa, and I couldn't tell if it was before or after he met grandma. I thought maybe they were cheating and she was just covering with her obvious lie of 'hmm I don't really remember it was so long ago…' but now maybe I'm thinking maybe she just didn't know how to explain to me that my grandpa was in an open relationship," Mae murmured.
"Oh my God," Stan groaned.
"Be more open-minded, dear," Candy said.
"I-I'm just," he stood up suddenly, "don't mind me. I'm gonna go to the bathroom. Mae, I support you in the same way as your mother, I just don't wanna hear about it."
He headed upstairs.
"Oops," Mae murmured.
"So wait, Bea's dad knows that you two-is he right? You two are dating then?" Candy asked.
"He's right and yes, Bea told him to his face. He felt he deserved a straight answer, and she agreed, so she told him," Trent replied awkwardly.
"Good on her," Candy said. "And good on Allan, too. People around these parts…" She sighed and shook her head. "They say they don't understand stuff like that. Open relationships, bisexual, homosexual. But they do get it, they just don't want to. And most of them will tell you with a straight face that they don't understand open relationships but they got no problem cheating on their spouse."
"So...is that a yes? To not being weirded out if I marry Ann but I'm also with Trent...who's also with Bea?" Mae asked.
"Yes, dear. Honestly, I'd be so happy to go to two weddings! You get to be the bride and the bridesmaid!"
"I know, right?! I'm going to be Bea's maid of honor! And dad can walk me down the aisle! It'll be fun! I didn't think I cared about weddings but the more I think about it the cooler it seems!"
"They're stressful, but yes, much fun. I'd finally get to see you in a dress again."
"Ugh, dresses," Mae groaned. "...but thanks, mom. As absolutely awkward as this conversation has been, I really appreciate it."
"As I said, Mae, I love you and I just want you to be happy. And, Trent...thank you, for how you take care of my daughter. And enduring...all that goes with that."
"Uh...you're welcome," he replied.
Mae laughed. "Yeah, we're a handful."
Upstairs, the toilet flushed and a moment later, Stan returned.
"Hey dad," Mae said.
"Yes, kitten?" he asked, like she was trying his patience and he was holding onto it.
"I'm sorry I told you, I...wasn't really thinking."
He sighed heavily. "Don't worry about it, Mae. Tonight is, apparently, a night for uncomfortable truths. Now though, I take it you all got that out of your systems? Can we talk about something normal?" he asked.
"Yes," Candy said.
"Thank God," he whispered.
"Normal…" Mae murmured, contemplating.
"Well, your birthday's coming up very soon, Mae. Anything you'd like to do for that?"
"Probably have a party at the house, maybe go out...oh! Dad!"
"Yeah?"
"I had a thought and lost it and just found it again. You were sad about you and Bea's dad, because you can't drink anymore, but if you want to hang out with him, go bowling! Or mini-golfing! Maybe go to like a...gosh, what do dads do...a cookout! Or a cook-off? I know they have those barbecue tasting things…"
"You know, that's actually a great idea," Stan murmured. "Several, actually. And it'd be good to get out of the house for more recreational reasons more often…" He looked at Candy. "If you're okay with that."
She smiled. "Of course, dear. I know you still want your boys' nights, but maybe see if you can't find Allan a girlfriend so we can double-date? Or maybe Jacob and his wife would be interested in that."
"Oh yeah, I bet so. Germ's family is so awesome," Mae said.
"Yeah, they really stepped up when we needed them," Stan muttered. "All right. Thanks, Mae. I'll see how that goes."
"Good. As much as you both want me to be happy...I want you to be happy, too. I don't want you to be all 'we're old now and life has passed us by', that seems really sad and it doesn't have to be that way. Honestly, I'm realizing you aren't even that old. Which...sounds weird to say. But, I dunno, I was thinking yesterday of how long ten years is. It feels like a million years ago for me. And you're two entire ten years ahead of me, but most people live to, like, double that…"
"It goes faster as you get older, but you're right," Candy said. "I'm forty five this year. Looking back on thirty five doesn't feel like all that long ago, but I know that looking back at twenty five from thirty five definitely felt longer, and looking back on fifteen from twenty five felt far, far longer. And looking back on five from fifteen? It might as well have been a million years."
"Enjoy it while you got it," Stan said. "But...yes, you are right, kitten. We aren't old, even if we sure feel it most nights. I think it's just...life can take a toll on you. Especially if you've been laboring hard. And we sure have."
"You more than me, dear," Candy murmured. She smiled and put a hand over his. "Don't think I don't appreciate all the jobs, all the hard work and long hours and late nights."
Stan smiled a little awkwardly. "Well, I do love you," he replied.
She giggled. "I love you, too."
"Ugh," Mae groaned.
"Shush," Candy said with a practiced ease. "Now," she said, returning her attention to them, specifically Trent, "I want to hear more about these books."
He relaxed. This, at least, was safer territory.
He started explaining it to them.