Baggage

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

CHANDLER SUPPRESSED his feelings of inferiority and tried to rise above his jealousy and fear by busying himself. He drove to the supermarket and purchased everything he’d need for a cookout. Ribeye steaks for six people, just to make sure he had enough. Athletic guys like Marcus and Nick could probably each eat a cow by themselves, so he got plenty in order to accommodate second helpings. He did the same with each of the items on his menu. He’d decided on grilled corn on the cob and baked potatoes, and he’d make a macaroni salad. He hefted a watermelon into his cart as well. What was a cookout without melon?

Beverages? He wished he’d have thought to ask Marcus his preference. Unsure which direction to go, he ran the gamut, selecting a variety of sodas and alcoholic beverages. Beer, wine, vodka. By the time he finished shopping, his cart nearly overflowed and he realized he’d purchased enough groceries to host a huge party. The two-hundred-dollar tab at the checkout confirmed it.

When he arrived home just before three o’clock, he immediately prepared a marinade for the steaks, then set about making his macaroni salad. He then moved on to the watermelon, slicing and cubing it, then storing it neatly in a sealed Tupperware container. He fired up the grill and put the potatoes on around four thirty, and about forty minutes later added the corn. He’d wait until the boys arrived to begin grilling the steaks since they’d take but a few minutes.

“Raymond....” He stood in the doorway of his brother’s bedroom. “Raymond!” His brother sat at his computer desk wearing his headphones, deeply engrossed in the virtual reality game he was playing. He couldn’t hear Chandler, though he stood less than three feet from him. Chandler released an exasperated sigh then pounded as hard as he could on the wall. Raymond started slightly in his chair and looked over to him, slipping off his headphones.

“Huh?”

“I’m having some friends over for a barbeque in a few minutes. Would you like to join us, or would you rather take your meal here in your room?”

“Uh. I have to work tonight,” he said. “I have a deejay gig.” Chandler realized his “work” was actually a job his character held in the Second Life game.

“Okay, I’ll fix you a plate and bring it in.”

“Cool.” He’d already pulled the headset over his ears and resumed typing on his keyboard. Chandler shook his head and headed back to the kitchen. He might as well just throw Raymond’s steak on now. The corn and potatoes were about ready.

Just before six o’clock, Chandler delivered a heaping plate of food to Raymond, served on a tray with salt and pepper shakers, silverware, and napkins. As shameful as it was to admit, Chandler secretly felt relieved Raymond didn’t want to join his guests. Chandler couldn’t predict what he might say or do, and frankly, he feared his brother would embarrass him.

I’ll probably fry in hell one day for thinking this way.

When Marcus hadn’t returned by five minutes past six, Chandler became worried. His mind immediately began jumping to conclusions, assuming the worst. He probably changed his mind. Maybe he and Nick were engaged in activities other than just athletics. Probably balling each other in more ways than one.

Anxious to the point of visible jitters, he reached for his cigarettes and stepped out onto the porch. It had been years since he’d smoked in the evening, and he feared if he succumbed to the urge, there’d be no turning back. He’d be smoking all the time again. But he almost couldn’t control himself. He had to do something to calm his nerves. As he slipped a cigarette between his lips and picked up his lighter, he heard voices.

Marcus and Nick. They were rounding the corner at the end of his street, talking loudly to one another, shoving each other, and laughing. Chandler quickly removed the smoke from his mouth and slid it back into the pack. Terrified of how he’d even act in front of this new person, he scurried back inside and began removing things from the fridge. Steaks. Macaroni salad. Watermelon. Condiments.

“Hey!” Marcus stood on the porch, peering in through the screen door. “We’re back.”

“Oh, hey! Is it six o’clock already?” Chandler turned around, arms full, and smiled.

Marcus pulled open the door and rushed in. “Let me help you.”

“Oh, I got it.”

Marcus grabbed the two large containers in spite of Chandler’s protest. “I gotta ask you something.”

Sensing he was about to receive bad news, Chandler froze. “Uh... sure.”

“Do we have enough food to invite Nick’s girlfriend, Lynne? I hate to ask, but he’d made plans with her, and I said, why not just invite her to the barbeque? I mean, if it’s okay with you, and if we have—”

“Nick has a girlfriend?” Chandler’s entire world instantly became a whole lot brighter, and he found himself grinning from ear to ear.

“Yeah, sure. She’s real nice. I think you’ll like her.”

“I’m sure I will.” He leaned forward, standing on tiptoe, and puckered his lips for a kiss.

Marcus obliged, then pulled back and winked. “I probably need a shower.”

“You smell like heaven,” Chandler whispered. It was true on both counts. He did probably need a shower, but to Chandler he smelled like heaven. He liked the idea of his hot jock lover getting all sweaty. “And yeah, we have way more than enough food.”

“Cool!” Marcus smiled again and took a step toward the door. “I’ll go tell Nick to call her. Then we’ll run over to my house to shower.”

“Oh. Together?”

“No.” Marcus laughed. “My bathroom ain’t big enough for two of us, plus it’d be just weird. Nick’s my bro, always has been since we were little.”

“You can use my shower—one of you, I mean.”

“I’ll send Nick in. That’ll be great.”

“Then the steaks will be ready by the time you’re done.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?”

Chandler grinned. “That’s what I’ve heard. But I’d rather be showering with you again than cooking for you.”

“Do you guys need some help?” Nick stood on the porch, the screen door between them. “With the food, I mean. Not the shower!”

Chandler’s cheeks instantly flared, but Marcus laughed. “Yeah, dude,” Marcus said, pushing open the door and handing Nick the containers he was holding. “Put these on the picnic table. Then call Lynne and tell her to get over here. Chandler made tons of food. You can use the shower while you wait for her to get here, and I’ll run home real quick to clean up.”

“Sorry we were late,” Nick said to Chandler. “But it’s Marcus’ fault.”

“Oh, dude, you lie! Chandler, don’t listen to a word he says.” He stepped around Chandler in order to grab the remaining condiments from the kitchen counter. “Nick just doesn’t want you to know how bad he got his ass kicked. We were late ’cause he wouldn’t stop crying after I tore that s**t up on the court. Bewildered him. Left him in the dust.”

Nick scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. “You wish. Chandler, your boyfriend exaggerates. The only thing he tore up on the court was his own reputation. Not that he had much of one anyway.”

My boyfriend? Chandler grinned. “Don’t get me in the middle of this. And you were only five minutes late.”

Marcus placed his hand over his heart dramatically. “I’m crushed, man. Chandler, you’re supposed to take my side. I’m your man, right?”

“Yes.” His voice became soft, and he bit his bottom lip before continuing. “I’m sorry.”

Marcus cracked up laughing. “I’m teasin’ ya. You’re right. It’s not safe to take sides. Come on, let’s get this s**t on the table so we can clean up and eat. I’m fuckin’ starving!”

Chandler followed the guys out to the patio area where the grill, picnic table, and chairs were arranged. Excited he finally had an excuse to use the outdoor furniture, he focused on suppressing a smile and acting natural, like hosting a barbeque was something he did all the time. After placing the food items on the table, Marcus and Nick headed across the street, Marcus to shower and Nick to retrieve a gym bag from his car. When Nick returned, Chandler led him back inside to his personal bathroom off the bedroom, the same one he and Marcus had used that morning.

“So you’ve known Marcus a long time?” Chandler turned to face Nick as he stepped through the threshold of the bedroom. Nick had to duck his head to keep from bumping it against the top of the door frame. Just like Marcus.

“Yeah, man. Lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same school. We been tight all our lives. I even was one of the few people who visited him regularly, even when I was away at college.”

“You mean when his mom was sick?”

“Right.”

“So you’re done with school now?”

“For now.” He smiled and shrugged. “I’m teaching in the inner city. It’s a government program where a portion of your student loan is forgiven if you donate at least a year. Plus it’s an amazing experience.”

“Wow.” He didn’t look like the type who’d be a teacher. “What grades?”

“Middle school. I love it.”

Chandler stepped into the bathroom and opened the linen cabinet to retrieve a couple towels. “You said you’re done with school for now. What next?”

“Law school, I think. If I can get in.”

“Your family must be proud.”

Nick laughed. “Probably, but right now my folks are still in shock after seeing my student loan debt.”

“I bet. I can’t believe how expensive tuition is.” He handed Nick the towels and turned to open the cabinet under the sink. “Here’s a fresh bar of soap and a new loofah. The liquid soap and shampoo are in the shower.”

“Thanks, man. And thanks for having us over. It’s so cool Marcus found such a great guy like you. You’re all he talks about.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He’s kind of crazy ’bout you.”

“Oh.” A wave of emotion swept over him, and he felt for a second he might embarrass himself in front of Marcus’ friend. He suppressed the feeling and blinked away the moisture in his eyes. “I’m crazy about him, too.”

Chandler returned to the picnic area and began grilling the steaks. It seemed only moments later that Marcus reappeared, now freshly showered and changed. “Wow, that was fast,” Chandler said while wielding a pair of two-foot grill tongs.

“Tell me what to do,” Marcus said. “I want to help.”

Chandler shook his head, placing one hand on his hip. “Sit down.” He used the tongs to point to one of the chairs. “I worked my butt off, slaving away for hours on this meal, and you’re not gonna take credit by ‘helping’ at the last minute.”

Marcus guffawed and plopped into the chair. “I see how you are.”

“It was my turn to tease you,” he said, then winked. “You told Nick we were boyfriends?” Chandler tried to seem nonchalant with the question, as if asking about the weather.

“No, I told him I liked you, that we were... ya know, kind of seeing each other.”

“Oh. You want a beer or something?”

“I’ll get myself a pop in a minute.”

“There’s a cooler behind you.”

Marcus slid his chair back and turned toward the cooler, reaching inside to retrieve a Mountain Dew. “Does it bother you Nick called me your boyfriend?”

With his back turned so Marcus wouldn’t see his broad smile, he shook his head. “No, not really. I mean, if it doesn’t bother you. But I don’t want to rush things, ya know.”

“Right. Jesus Christ, you really went hog wild with the food and stuff. There’s like six kinds of soda, beer, and even liquor in here.”

Chandler shrugged. “Sorry, I forgot to ask you what you guys wanted to drink.”

“I’m sure Nick will want a beer. I haven’t really been drinking lately.”

“Not much of a drinker myself,” Chandler admitted. “Once in a while, in certain social situations.”

Nick stepped out of the trailer at almost the exact moment a car pulled into the parking lot next to Chandler’s yard. When a young woman emerged, shorter in stature even than Chandler, he realized he wouldn’t feel like such a midget anymore alongside Marcus and Nick. Lynne stood at what he estimated to be no more than five feet tall. She walked across the yard smiling broadly, racing toward Marcus.

“Marcus!”

He leapt up from his chair and dashed toward her, enthusiastically sweeping her into a fierce hug.

“Oh my God, it’s so good to see you.”

Nick had approached and stood beside Chandler at the grill. “See how it is? She never greets me that way.”

Lynne flicked a strand of her golden hair away from her face, waving her arm dismissively. “Oh, I see you every day.”

“Lynne, I want you to meet my friend Chandler,” Marcus said. With his arm still around her, he ushered her closer to the patio. Chandler set down his tongs and walked over to her, extending his hand.

“Oh, any close friend of Marcus’ is a friend of mine,” she said, “and I don’t give handshakes to my friends.” She opened her arms and greeted Chandler with a hug. He looked up over her shoulder into Marcus’ face as she embraced him, inhaling her distinctly feminine scent. Lilacs, he supposed. It reminded him of when his mom and gram were alive. Marcus continued to smile as Chandler hugged her. Stepping back, he offered a sincere greeting.

“Thanks so much for coming. What a pleasure to meet you.”

Nick and Lynne took their seats at the picnic table while Chandler sent Marcus inside for plates. “They’re sitting on the counter. I was going to bring them out earlier but ran out of hands.”

He might have otherwise felt awkward being momentarily left alone with these people he barely knew, but Lynne’s warm personality dispelled any reservations Chandler may have harbored. She didn’t really ever seem to stop talking, pushing the never-ending conversation forward in a seamless manner.

“You are like the king of the grill or something,” she said. “Get it? King of the Grill, not King of the Hill?” She chuckled at her own joke. “No, seriously, you’ve outdone yourself. I’m just so happy for Marcus, that he’s home now and that he’s met someone like you. You’re a writer I hear.”

“Um. Sort of....”

“That’s awesome. Do you have anything published?”

“I’ve been working on a novel for the past few years. Mainly I do freelance editing, and I’m an executive editor for a small press located in Florida.”

“And you do everything from here? Right here in your home?”

“Yeah.”

Marcus had returned, placing the stack of plates on the sidebar of the grill. “Okay, Marcus, I’ll load up the plates and you deliver them to the table. This first one can be for Lynne.” He used the tongs to remove one of the steaks and slide it onto the plate. “Hope you like yours medium.”

“Perfect,” Lynne said.

Chandler added a baked potato and an ear of corn before moving on to the second plate. He served Nick next, then Marcus, and prepared his own plate last. The salad and fruit he’d already arranged on the table.

During dinner, Nick and Marcus replayed their entire experience on the basketball court. Nick insisted Marcus had cheated, while Marcus maintained all was fair in basketball and war. Lynne brought up Marcus’ brother and asked how he was, but Marcus quickly changed the subject, saying he didn’t want to talk about Max. Chandler brought up Nick’s job as a teacher in the inner city, which prompted Lynne to launch into a speech praising him and stating how proud she was of his work. She then talked about herself a bit and some of her volunteer projects. She worked with one charity that delivered hot meals to the homeless and another that rescued abandoned animals.

It had been so long since Chandler had enjoyed a real meal, sitting around a table where adults were conversing with each other, he’d forgotten how special the experience could be. Since Alex graduated and Daniel left, he’d not had the opportunity. Raymond always took his meals in his room, or on rare occasions came out to sit in the living room and eat in front of the TV.

“So, how do you like your new job?” Lynne said to Marcus.

“I absolutely love it. I mean, it’s hard work, but the pay’s gonna be good, and it won’t be long before I advance to a machinist position, which is what I have my training in.”

“Awesome.” Lynne took a drink of her soda.

“Thanks to Chandler, who’s been driving me to work every day.”

“Oh,” Nick said. “I thought you got your mom’s car.”

Marcus scowled and looked down at his plate. “Well, it’s in the yard.” He raised his fist, thumbing it to point toward his trailer. “It’s in the drive over there, but it needs a new starter and probably a new battery. Max won’t get it fixed, and I don’t have the money yet until after I get paid. Plus, it’s technically his. It’s registered in his name.”

“That’s crazy,” Chandler said. “You should have gotten her car since you’re the one who took care of her.”

Nick and Lynne looked at each other but didn’t comment.

“Did she leave it to him in her will or something?”

Marcus’ eyes grew wide as he looked up. He seemed to be staring at something behind Chandler, and by the shocked expression on his face, Chandler wasn’t sure he wanted to know what it was. Nick and Lynne both turned their heads in the same direction, and so Chandler quickly pushed his chair back and turned around.

A few feet away, standing on the front porch, Raymond looked over at the group, raising his hand in a manner similar to how a beauty pageant contestant would pose. He wiggled his fingers slightly. But that really wasn’t the shocking part of what Chandler was seeing.

Raymond had changed into full drag, wearing his pageboy wig, leopard print dress, and pink camo tights. He also sported a pair of stilettos and had knockers that would rival Dolly Parton’s.

“Oh s**t,” Chandler whispered.

“Don’t mind me,” Raymond said in a sultry, pseudo-feminine voice—a little too deep and a tad raspy. “Just enjoying a bit of fresh night air.” She raised a cigarette to her lips and took a long drag, which is when Chandler noticed the long, fluorescent green press-on nails.

He turned back around and looked directly at Marcus, then glanced at each of his guests. Marcus pushed his chair back and stood up, stepping around the table, off the patio, and headed over toward the porch.

“Nick, Lynne, I’d like you to meet Chandler’s sister.”

Raymond smiled warmly at him and extended her free hand, the one without the cigarette. Marcus took hold of it graciously and led her down the steps. “Ma’am, please forgive me, but I can’t recall your name.”

“Eileen,” she said, then giggled. “I’m not sure we were ever formally introduced, but my oh my, the pleasure is all mine.”

Chandler wanted to shrink to the size of a mouse and crawl into a hole somewhere. He turned away and looked down at his plate, unsure of what to even say. Raymond had certainly gone all out with his get-up, but there was no mistaking him for an actual woman. Even from a distance, Chandler could see razor stubble, in spite of probably at least a pound of foundation.

“Would you care to join us, Eileen?” Marcus said. “We have plenty of food. Another whole steak that hasn’t been touched.”

“Oh, thank you, young man. I’ve eaten already, but that’s so kind of you. I’m afraid I can’t be out for long. I’m only on break from a deejay gig. And to be honest, I don’t do well in these shoes. Ohhh!” She grabbed hold of Marcus’ arm to steady herself as she began to lose her footing.

“Let me help you,” he said. “Would you like something to drink?”

She looked over to the table at Nick’s beer bottle. “One of those Labatt’s would be wonderful. Thank you so much!”

Lynne jumped up and fetched a beer from the cooler and walked it over. “Nice to meet you,” she said, extending her hand.

“Aren’t you just precious.” Eileen smiled. “Absolutely charming. Thank you, sweetheart.” She snatched the beer from Lynne and handed it to Marcus. “Would you be a dear and open this for me? I can’t do a thing with these nails.”