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Steve paced in the foyer. His heart pounded in his chest, and he ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair. He was the one to suggest they should do this in the first place. But now, he wished he hadn’t. Why would be put himself or Billy through this? Steve wanted to hit his head against a wall, or maybe crawl back to his room and forget about his family that was in the next room. Their voices carried through the hallway, a perfectly normal family event that would’ve be warm and inviting if Steve wasn’t absolutely dreading this meeting. If Steve had been normal.
Steve could still remember how the conversation went with Billy.
“What?” Billy’s voice was shocked, his blue eyes both confused and nervous. Steve could feel a lump rise up in his throat, and he stared at a suddenly interesting spot on the wall past Billy’s head. Billys’ eyes pinned Steve to the spot they shared, sitting across from each other in Billys’ room.
“I think- I think you should meet my family. Since we’re, you know, serious,” Steve repeated quietly. His heart pounded, and his hands were clammy in his lap. Billy was quiet for a moment before he reached out. He took Steves’ hands in his. Steve met Billy’s eyes again, lips tight to try to keep himself from prattling. Billy had recovered quickly from the shock of Steves’ question, and seemed determined now. Steve continued on, the silence too loud to not fill. “If I’m wrong, I’m so sorry. My parents-“
“Steve, baby,” Billy shushed him, and brought Steves’ knuckles up to his lips. Steve flushed, both embarrassed and enamored once more with Billy’s beauty. The way his golden curls were tucked behind one ear, showing off the earring that glinted in the dim light of the room. Steve had snuck into Billy’s room through his window that night, waiting long after Neil went to sleep to ensure they would be undisturbed for this conversation.
“What?” Steve realized that Billy had still been talking while he had been staring. Billy blinked and smiled fondly. Steve was glad Billy seemed in a patient mood tonight, he wasn’t sure what he would do if Billy snapped at him right now. Probably leave to hide in his own room, mortified at what would inevitably be their relationship demise. Maybe cry into his pillow.
“I said, I’ll be more than happy to meet your folks,” Billy repeated, punctuating the statement with another gentle kiss to Steves’ scarred knuckles. Steve could feel Billys’ stubble prickle against his skin. “You don’t talk about them much.”
Steve was quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, he settled on, “They’re usually on work trips. This wasn’t even their idea, my Grandmother insisted that she must meet you to know you’ll be-“
Steve pressed his lips together, having paused to turn his Grandmothers’ words over in his head. He was unsure the best way to explain to Billy what his intentions were. What his Grandmothers intentions were. Billy seemed fine with waiting.
“She has some outdated views, but she’s a good lady,” Steve said finally. Billy raised an eyebrow, sensing Steve’s unassured attitude.
“You did tell her that I’m a fag, right?” Billy asked, sounding a bit unsure. Steve noted how Billy had phrased the question, seeming still to be unsure if Steve was truly committed. Steve decided to leave the hidden meaning alone for now, more focused on the overall situation. He hoped Billy would understand how serious he was, since he was introducing him to his family. The Harringtons.
“Yes, she knows I’m dating a guy. She doesn’t care about that, she said she used to have dyke girlfriends back in her day too,” Steve said, smiling a little when he remembered her chuckling when he explained his relationship with Billy. It took a couple of times, but she was surprisingly acceptable that two men could date and fall in love just like a man and woman could. “My parents aren’t thrilled, but Grandmother is the head of the family so if she thinks you’re cool, they’ll fall in line.”
Steve dreaded putting all that pressure on Billy to impress his Grandmother now. She had walked in the door almost an hour ago, escorted by a young butler out of her new Ferrarite Starossa. She was thrilled to see Steve, chattering about how his studies was going and ‘how your parents must send you up to me once you’re graduated! There’s a wonderful private college-’. Steve had just nodded along, helping the young butler guide his Grandmother to the dining room so she could critique his mom’s décor rather than grill him on his future plans.
A knock at the door caused Steve to jump. The conversation in the next room quieted as Steve opened the door, heart fluttering once he saw Billy. He had brought a bouquet of flowers, wrapped with a blue bow that matched the color of his button-down shirt. His jeans were ironed for once.
“Did Joyce iron those for you?” Steve asked, bringing Billy close for a hug. He really needed the reassurance of Billy’s warmth in his arms to keep him grounded for a moment. Billy snorted quietly, giving Steve a hug back with one arm so he didn’t crush the flowers. The conversation in the dining room continued, so Steve knew that he had a few minutes before they had to join his family.
“I promised I’d dust her ceiling fan,” Billy explained, stepping past the door and closing it behind him. Billy had his sleeves rolled down for once, but Steve was still able to catch a glimpse of a dark bruise on his wrist. Billy saw Steves’ face scrunch, and tucked his hand into his pocket. “It’s fine. Neil was in a bad mood before I left.”
Steve pursed his lips, but didn’t comment. This wasn’t exactly the time for Steve to lecture Billy about the importance of keeping himself safe. Not when Steve felt like he was throwing his boyfriend to the metaphorical wolves anyways. “The whole family is here already. Mother should be pulling out the chicken in a couple minutes, so that should give us enough time to debrief.”
“Huh?” Billy blinked at him, but Steve continued on.
“Mother- obviously- don’t ask about her age. Never ask a woman her age. All of Father’s friends joke about how young she is. So just don’t go there. Father has this thing where he’ll ask about gyms in the area. That’s like his one line. Just answer and move on. Grandmother is who you need to worry about-“ Steve was talking a mile a minute, bouncing between everyone who was currently in the next room. He was infinitely glad that his Mother had insisted this be a private affair until after his Grandmother had met with Billy. If he had to deal with his cousins, aunts, and uncles making jabs and remarks, Steve was sure he would go nuts. “She clever and you can’t trick her. Just be yourself, please. And don’t mention my Mother.”
Billy smiled, and gave Steve a quick kiss on the lips for reassurance. “Old ladies love me, Stevie. This will be a walk in the park.”
Steve took a deep breath, shaking his shoulders to dispel his tense muscles before leading Billy by the hand through the hall to the dining room.
While Steve and his Mother didn’t usually agree on taste, Steve had to admit that she did a wonderful job this time. The wooden table that was the centerpiece of the room was decorated with embroidered folded napkins and her fancy China plates. Dinner was set in the middle of the table, chicken on the far end where his Grandmother was already settled as Head of the Family. His Father was settled on the opposites side of her, and Steves’ Mother was to his right. That left Steve and Billy to sit to his Fathers’ left.
Steve could feel everyone’s eyes on them as Steve quietly led Billy to their seats. He motioned for Billy to sit near his Grandmother. Steve preferred the be the buffer between any interactions Billy and his Father might have, and knew his Grandmother would insist on the arrangement so she could question him better.
At 73, Steves’ Grandmother was still an imposing lady. She sat straight up in her seat, put together in a white blazer with a thin ribbon tied to the collar. Her hair was reminiscent of Princess Diane’s own short bob, dark strands mixed with silver but not taking away from her beauty. His Mother always complained of how Steve and his Grandmother looked so alike, but Steve could only hope to age as gracefully as her.
Grandmother stood before Billy could sit, and smiled at him. Steve couldn’t tell if she was thrilled at the inevitable meeting or waiting for a mistake. A shark waiting for blood in the water. “It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance. Billy, I presume?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Billy affirmed, putting on what Steve could tell was his flirtiest smile as he held out the bouquet of flowers for her. “I brought along flowers. Steve was saying they were your favorite.”
Steve did not remember telling him that.
“Oh, please! We will have to discuss where you got these, they’re wonderful,” Steves’ Grandmother said, and motioned for her butler to grab them. The young man moved Steves’ Mothers flowers she had on the table and replaced them. Steve saw his Mother exchange a sour look with his Father, but neither said anything. His Grandmother offered her hand to Billy. “I’m Mildred Harrington.”
Billy kissed Steves’ Grandmothers’ hand, and Steve cringed and wrinkled his nose. “Billy Hargrove. You have a wonderful grandson, Mildred.”
“Please, Millie is just fine, Billy. No need to be so formal,” Steves’ Grandmother said with a smile, motioning for Billy to sit. Billy glanced slyly at Steve as he sat, followed by Steves’ Grandmother settling into her own chair. “That is my son, Edward, and his wife, Cheryl.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Billy,” Steve’s mother said from across the table.
Mildred cleared her throat before the conversation could continue, smiling tightly. “Cheryl, dear, how about we get dinner doled out? I don’t have all day, please.”
Steve and Billy exchanged looks as Steve’s Mother’s face soured briefly as she did what she was told. But she was quick to put on the polite smile of a loving housewife before Mildred could comment further. Steve raised his eyebrows in a silent ‘what did I say?’. Billy shrugged his shoulders a little, seemingly taking the underhanded comment in stride. Then again, Steve was sure tense atmospheres were something Billy was used to.
“So, while we wait on Cheryl,” Mildred resumed, turning her attention back on the two boys. Both of them straightened, Billy turning to face her while Steve stared down at the table in dread. “How did you two meet?”
Billy looked at Steve. Steve looked at his Grandmother, quietly saying, “We met at a party.”
“A party that absolutely wrecked my house,” Steve’s father added in an annoyed tone as his Mother filled his plate with dinner. Steve ducked his head, staring down at his lap again as he flushed with embarrassment. He could still remember the scolding that his Father had given, along with the bruises. They had taken weeks to heal, which meant he had to sit out of basketball lest he was put on the team with no shirts.
“He’s young, Edward. He has to socialize somehow, considering how you keep him trapped up here away from his peers,” Mildred shot back, but her poisonous words were hidden behind a warm smile aimed at Steve. She cut off a bite of the chicken that was on her plate, humming a little. “This recipe is divine, Cheryl. Where did you find this, Bon Appetit?”
“It’s just a little something I threw together, Mother,” Steve’s mother said, smiling. “How’s the chicken, Billy?”
“It’s great, Mrs. Harrington,” Billy said around a mouthful of chicken. Steve elbowed his boyfriend in the ribs, causing him to swallow with a cough. Steve could almost flush in embarrassment at this. He knew Billy wasn’t used to fine dining, but he had hoped that he would be on his best behavior. “What?”
“No fighting, boys,” Steve’s father interjected. His face was scowled, and Steve could see Billy duck in his seat. Steve wanted to snark back, but his tongue was glued to the top of his mouth. Steves’ Grandmother seemed to sense Billy’s uncomfortableness.
“Be nice, Edward,” Mildred scolded before turning back to Billy. “Any plans after graduation?”
“Grandmother!” Steve exclaimed, surprised as she cut to the chase so quickly. She waved him off, telling him to continue eating while Billy and her talked. Despite his worry, Billy looked more at ease with her. And his Grandmother seemed to have taken a fancy. Steve hesitantly bit into a piece of chicken. His Grandmother was right, it was good.
“I’m planning to move back to California,” Billy explained, tucking a curl behind his ear. He looked almost shy when he said this. Steve was suddenly struck with the fact that he had never pressed Billy on his future plans either, and paused his chewing so he could listen better. “If my grades are high enough, I plan to work with CPS. There’s a lot of homeless youth in Cali.”
Steves’ Grandmother broke into a wide smile, clapping her hands once.
“That’s wonderful, dear! I know of some wonderful people out there that would be happy to help you network.” Billy looked flustered at her offer, the tips of his ears reddening. He mumbled out his thanks to her and Steves’ Grandmother snapped at Steve once to grab his attention. Steve straightened and quickly swallowed the piece of chicken in his mouth. “You’ve found a wonderful man, Steve. You must tell me how I can find one myself!”
Steve could feel the tips of his ears reddening. Steve’s father muttered something about his Mother being too old for anyone close to Steve’s age, which resulted in them to start a banter that overtook the dinner conversation.
Steve leaned close to Billy while everyone was distracted, resting his head on Billy’s shoulder. “Good job, you’ve made my Grandmother actually fall in love with you. I didn’t think I’d be competing with her.”
“What can I say, old ladies love me,” Billy said quietly, fiddling around with the napkin in his lap for a moment. “Everything alright?”
“Yes, I’m just relieved. Even if I don’t need their approval, it’s nice knowing someone in my family supports us,” Steve whispered in Billy’s ear. He placed a kiss into Billy’s curls before they were interrupted. Apparently, dinner was over, as Steves’ Grandmother was telling her butler go find her blazer and purse.
“Billy, be a dear and help me to the car?” Steves’ Grandmother held out her hand, and Billy rushed to stand and take her arm. He looked to Steve, a little lost. Steve stood as well, but his Grandmother waved him off. “I want to talk to Billy alone for a moment.”
Steve sat back down, his stomach dropping as he watched his Grandmother shuffle off with Billy helping to support her. When the pair exited the room, Steves’ Father raised an eyebrow at Steve. “It seems Mother approves of Billy. Make sure he doesn’t make a fool of the family name.”
Steve knew better than to argue. Or bring up that his Father was the embarrassment this time around. “Yes, sir.”
With that, his Father left the room as well. His Mother stood and started to collect the empty plates quietly. It was a few minutes before Billy returned, a very obvious lipstick mark on his cheek and something tucked into his shirt pocket. Steve raised an eyebrow in question.
“We’ll be up in my room, Mother,” Steve said loudly, and took Billy’s hand to lead him from the room. Steve quickly took them to the safety of his dark bedroom, and Steve unbuttoned Billys’ shirt. He gently pushed Billy to lay down on the bed. He laid on top, just pressing his ear into Billy’s chest to listen to his heart thump. He closed his eyes, already feeling the stress of the night melt away now that dinner was over.
“What did Grandmother want?” Steve finally asked quietly. As a tease, he added, “You going to go on a date with her?”
“Shut up,” Billy snorted, and Steve could almost hear him rolling his eyes. “She’s a little old for me. But she did give me this.”
Billy shifted around for a moment, pulling whatever was hidden in his shirt pocket out. Steve craned his neck to look over at the note Billy unfolded. In his Grandmothers’ distinctive cursive writing, he could make out, ‘You make Steve very happy. You are loved.’
“When did she even have time to write that?” Steve remarked, snorting a laugh. Billy shrugged, folding the note and tucked it back into his pocket.
“I’m not sure. But she slipped me that and gave me a kiss. Made me feel famous.”
“Don’t go getting a big head after your 15 minutes of fame at the Harrington dinner table. You’ll make all the girls go crazy,” Steve teased, giving Billy a kiss along his jaw. His stubble brushed Steve’s lips, and he sighed and rested his head back on Billy’s chest.
“I don’t care about those girls when I have the prettiest guy in town in my arms.”