The Reunion

Chapter 1-2

In another part of the city, Zeke Hale was getting ready for bed while trying to ignore his wife Eileen’s ranting at him.

“I don’t see why I can’t come,” she said for at least the tenth time in the last week.

He sighed. “How many times do I have to tell you, you’ll be bored stiff, drink too much, and make a fool of yourself, as always.”

“You bastard,” she replied, getting right in his face. “If you’d pay attention to me when we go out, instead of palling around with all your fancy lawyer friends…”

“At least they can carry on interesting conversations,” he retorted, turning away.

“I don’t know why I married you. I must have been out of my mind.”

“You’re not the only one who was,” he muttered under his breath.

“I heard that.” She grabbed his arm. “For two cents I’d divorce you.”

With a tight grin, he took two pennies from his pocket. “Here. Have at it. I can recommend several lawyers who would be happy to take your case.”

That earned him a slap before she stalked away. Over her shoulder, she said, “Don’t think I’m not considering it.”

He shrugged. As far as he was concerned, he’d be well rid of her if she did. He’d married her because his uncle had expected it of him. Not to wed her specifically, but to be married and settle down. Have two kids, a boy and a girl, live in a fancy house in the best part of the city. Well, I’ve got the house. Thank God we don’t have kids. He supposed he’d cared for her at first, as much as possible considering women were not really his thing. She had been sweet and personable—until after the wedding. Then the b***h showed her claws in private, and drank too much in public.

He finished undressing and went to take a shower. While he did, he thought about the upcoming college reunion, and the one man he hoped would be there. The man who, despite how Zeke had thrown him aside, had always remained in his thoughts. I blew it. If I’d had an ounce of common sense I would have hung onto him. Being gay wouldn’t have kept me from finding a job with a good firm, once I was ready. There are lots of gay lawyers. Of course I wouldn’t have made it to junior partner in six months, the way I have in Uncle Franklin’s firm. That wouldn’t have happened if he had even a clue that I, how did he put it once? Bat for the other team?

Despite being the ‘gay playboy’ as one man had scathingly called him, while he was in college, he had managed to keep it from everyone, including his family—especially his uncle. He publicly dated the several girls, although he’d almost never slept with them. That only happened with the guys I brought to my other apartment. Friends who became lovers if I found out they were interested and wanted more than a one-night stand.

He got out of the shower, dried off, and returned to the bedroom. He wasn’t in the least surprised to see the bed was empty. When they argued, and it was frequently these days, Eileen would sleep in the guest bedroom.

“With any sort of luck,” he said under his breath, “pretty soon she’ll be sleeping, and living, somewhere else, after taking me to the cleaners. Then, maybe, I’ll tell Uncle Franklin I’m gay and to suck it up or fire me.” That last didn’t particularly bother him. Despite his relative youth, he had built a reputation as an excellent intellectual property lawyer. He knew that several other firms would hire him, both in the city and elsewhere, if he decided to move.

But first things first. The reunion where, maybe, I’ll see Neil again.