Three is the Charm

Eight | Family Dinner

Baile

Baile breathed a sigh of relief as he drove and parked his car in his parents’ driveway. It was empty of any cars, which meant that Modise might not be attending their once in a month family dinner.

Baile smiled happy that he was going to enjoy his mother’s cooking after so long. His smile faltered when a thought suddenly kicked at his happiness.

Fuck. His car not being in the driveway didn’t mean that he wasn’t there. Modise could have easily used an uber.

Baile groaned as he got out of the car. He opened the back door to reach for the wine he’d bought for his mother from the backseat.

He took a deep breath and walked to the door. Pulling at his clothes he made sure that he was presentable, not that he was anticipating seeing Modise, and being the object of the slow appreciative stares he discreetly sent Baile’s way when he thought no one was looking.

But Baile could always feel his eyes crawling down his body like a warm caress.

Baile knocked and waited. He knew that this was once his home, and his mother insisted that he just walk in whenever he came home. But he preferred for them to welcome him into their home since he didn’t live there anymore. The only place he let himself budge in or arrive unannounced was Modise’s house. Baile didn’t even know why he felt entitled to just let himself into his step brother’s house, when he didn’t even do it at his teen home. There was something in knowing that there was some part of Modise’s life he could easily infiltrate without him pushing him away, that gave him joy.

Or more like self-inflicted torture. And he loved it.

His mother opened the door, and rolled her eyes at him.

“How many times must I say it,” she said pulling him into a hug.

“Well…” Baile said laughing as his mother dragged him into the house. He followed her to the kitchen where he opened and poured himself and his mother a glass. They toasted to good health and his mother moved to the steaming stove to check on her pots. Baile breathed in the delicious aromas wafting around them in the kitchen. He hoped the food tasted as good as it smelled, but he knew it will. His mother was a very good cook. He stared at her as she moved around preparing dinner. She didn’t even ask for his help. For a sixty-five-year-old woman she was still strong and active.

Baile sipped his wine stalling. He could hear the tv blaring some soccer match from the sitting area and assumed that Modise and his father were in there. Goosebumps formed on his skin at the thought of seeing him. He took another sip of wine.

Maybe he should just walk in there and say ‘hi ya’ll good to see you, I’ll be in the kitchen helping mom’. Rip the f*****g bandage so to speak.

Before Baile could leave, his mother turned away from her pots and stared at him. Baile squirmed under her scrutiny. His mother had lethal eyes. They saw everything. Laser vision was the woman’s super power. She could always look through him. Baile took another sip, to settle his nerves.

God. He needed to slow down. He was driving after all.  

“What happening between my sons that I don’t get to see them anymore?” she asked. Her eyes never wavering from his face.

“Uhmm…” Baile stared at the depth of his wine tempted to take another sip. He placed the wine on the island. “What do you mean? I thought Modise arrived before I did. Is he here?” Baile asked turning towards the noise from the sitting area.

“He didn’t call you?”

“Uhm…no. Since he didn’t call I thought he’ll be here.”

“Apparently, he got caught up at work or something. You two have so many excuses these days. I can’t keep up,” his mother turned away from him wiping away at her face.

Fuck. Baile felt guilt swirl in his stomach. He could see that she was hurt. He never thought that their need to avoid each would hurt his mother. He had to do better.

“Mom?” Baile took a step towards, her but she waved him off.

“No, I’m fine.” She turned to him, a bright smile set in place. “Just make sure you check on him, okay. Your brother likes to think that he is superman or something.”

“I will.”

“Tonight, Baile. Please.”

Baile cringed. But he didn’t refuse his mother. He nodded that he will check on him.  

“I’m going to go check on dad, before we start dinner,” he said walking towards the swinging doors that led into the sitting area. Modise’s father was the sweetest man. He came into Baile and his mother’s live when they needed a stable home and someone to love them. And Modise’s father never failed them. He was so kind, loving and protective, the opposite of his son. Who never really welcomed them, no matter how much Baile adored him. An adoration that turned into an obsession. And he was willing to do anything to be close to him back then. At that thought Baile remembered the incident that had happened in this very house… an incident that had given him a glimpse into Modise’s desires. And confirmed that Baile was gay. The day he came out to his parents was etched in his mind. They were so accepting and supportive that Baile had dreamed that Modise had been there too. So they could tell their parents that they loved each other.

But Modise wasn’t there. And he hasn’t been home for many things. He was like a ghost that came in and out, and never lingered long.

Baile wasn’t even sure if Modise came out to his father. But that was none of his business. He just hoped that Modise came home more often. His father wasn’t getting any younger.

“Hey, old man,” Baile said as a form of greeting as he sat opposite his step father in the sitting area. He reached for the remote and turned down the volume before he spoke.

“Old my ass, these bones can still kick your ass, son.” he said laughter in his voice.

“Oh, I would like to see you try.”

They both laughed.

“How are you? Any son-in-laws that I need to have a talking to?”

“Oh my God.” Baile laughed suddenly feeling light. This was his step-father, he was amazing. “I met someone actually….” Baile began going into details about the guy he met at the store, even though he wasn’t interested. It gave him something to talk about.

His mother called that dinner was ready and they spend an amazing evening with good food, wine and company. Baile wasn’t even sure why he was reluctant to come.

Yeah, well things were not like that when Modise was there, Baile thought as he drove to Modise’s house. His mother hadn’t failed to remind him to go check on him.

Baile just hoped he survived it. Seeing Modise always made him do funny things.