Chapter 3: Taken-2
631 Words
The day went pretty well for Snazzy and me. It went really well for Mrs. Ferguson, her horse and Ted. He was cleaning up in every class in his age group and beat Snazzy and me in the Open Western Pleasure Sweepstakes. Mrs. F. clapped wildly and looked flirtatiously in Andy’s direction at frequent intervals.
During the lunch break she came over and sat down on the bleachers with us. When I say with us, I really mean between us. In fact, she wedged herself in and I nearly fell off the end of the bench. Ted had come with her and sat in the row below, next to Brad.
Mrs. F. placed her hand on Andy’s thigh. “Oh, Andy,” she breathed, “don’t you just love my new horse. I’m sorry he beat your friend’s horse. Oh, I’m Johanna Ferguson, by the way,” she said, turning to me. “And you are?”
Andy was opening his mouth to make the introduction but I decided to take the opportunity to defend my territory.
“I’m Dave Bennett and Andy’s not my friend—he’s my lover.” And with that I leaned over her, put my arm around his neck and planted a big sloppy kiss on his lips.
In the movie Bambi, when Man comes onto the meadow, all the deer raise their heads and swing them in his direction. Well, that was the effect of my action, which had shocked even me. All eyes were on Andy and me. Not only those in our company but also the folks sitting around us whom we didn’t know from Adam. Andy was bright red. I was, too, I think. I felt it, anyway. But, s**t, I’d had enough of this brainless bimbo and her shenanigans.
No less shocked was Brad, who looked as if he wanted to crawl under the bleachers and die. Ted just chuckled. Johanna’s mouth dropped open. But did I stop there? No! I was on a roll. I was a knight in shining armor, saving my beloved from the fire-breathing dragon lady.
“He and I are going to Boston at the end of the summer to be married in a double ceremony with my son and his partner. Did you know gay marriage was legal there?”
At this point Andy looked at me as if I had completely lost my grip on reality.
“Well, it is,” I continued, caught in the thrill of the battle, “and we’re going to take full advantage of that opportunity. So whatever your designs were on my man, forget it.” With those words I thrust my sword deep into the tender underside of the beast.
Johanna Ferguson dropped her hand from Andy’s leg and tried to compose herself.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us, Andrew and I are going to go get me ready for my next class. He has to zip me into my tight, tight chaps. Are you coming, Brad?”
I stood up, took a still-dazed Andy by the arm and walked him down the bleachers. Brad got up and followed us.
Ted smiled and said, “I’ll call you.”
Brad just nodded.
I was adding this bit of information to that which I already had catalogued on Brad, when Andy said, “Are we really going to be married in Boston?”
“To be honest, that just flew out of my mouth to get Mrs. F. out of your life, but if—”
Andy threw his arms around me. “Could we? I mean, I know it wouldn’t mean anything here, but—” He kissed me in front of God and everyone.
Brad stopped, rolled his eyes and shook his head. I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or embarrassed.
“Andy, I’ll do whatever makes you happy. I know nothing would make me happier than to be married to you.” I decided then and there to contact Mike and find out what it would take to make this happen.
The show ended well. I was reserve high point champion. Mrs. Ferguson left without another word and never called Andy again.
But Ted did call Brad.
- Writer
