Revenge of the Mother: Billy 2

By Timothy Lee

Billy and his sister, Mirna, are back to once again take life by the horns. Billy and Abraham are to find that, although domestic life looks good on the drawing board, myriad unforeseen pitfalls are to challenge their bond. One specific pitfall is Abraham's troubled nephew who suddenly becomes not only a welcomed addition but a disruptive force as well, challenging their relationship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy Lee
• Release date: Aug 19, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452356396

Timothy Lee

Timothy Lee was born in Concord, California, and raised in South Lake Tahoe, California. Eventually he migrated northward and finally settled down in Olympia, Washington, where he now resides with his two cats, Kodora and Koji. Timothy takes his yearly vacation to the Disneyland Resort where he is allowed to wear silly mouse ears hats and act like a 10 year old.

Book preview

Revenge of the Mother

Billy 2

Timothy Lee

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2002 Timothy Lee

Published by Smashwords

[e-mail]

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Errol

Chapter 2 - Manny Returns

Chapter 3 - Celebration of Life

Chapter 4 - Revenge of the Mother

Chapter 5 - Kato

Chapter 6 - An Ugly Truth

Chapter 7 - F.A.B. (Faggots Against Bigots)

Chapter 8 - If You Like Donkey

Chapter 9 - An Ending - A Beginning

Chapter 10 - Dinner with Manny

Chapter 11 - A Time of Decision

Chapter 12 - Mystery Solved

Chapter 13 - Wei Chen

Chapter 14 - Mall Security

Chapter 15 - Dinner and a Show

Chapter 16 - A Poke in the Stomach

Chapter 17 - Turkey, Arugula and Evan

Chapter 18 - You're going to be Okay

About the Author

Other Titles

Chapter 1 - Errol

Billy again dunked the pan into the hot soapy water, grumbling over its refusal to come clean. Admittedly, he had burned a steak in this particular pan earlier and was now paying the price for his having assumed that he had time to run to the bathroom while the meat cooked. Consequently the burned meat on the bottom of the pan was just plain obstinate and seemingly existed only to infuriate him. Attempting another pass with the steel wool pad that had already begun to fray against his continued abuse Billy leaned into it and poured on more elbow grease but this exertion proved just as ineffective as those of the past two minutes. The pan would have to be trashed, which was unfortunate because it was one of his more expensive pieces of cookware. In exasperation he dropped both the pan and the steel wool pad in the soupy water and closed his eyes lest his frustration cause them to pop right out of their sockets. At that point he heard the doorbell rang.

Figures, he mumbled, although admitting that he needed to take a break from this aggravation. Drying his hands on a nearby towel he headed toward the hallway, again hearing the doorbell. Patience, Oh Great Annoying One, he proclaimed as he rounded the corner and tromped unnecessarily over to the door. Unbolting a couple locks he tugged it open to discover his sister, Mirna, standing before him.

Mirna!

Billy! she mocked him. I’m proud of you, those memory courses have paid off well.

Funny, he said disinterestedly.

The slender woman was looking rather seasonal in her white shorts and blue print tee. Being two years Billy’s senior, Mirna often acted like the younger of the two siblings in her sarcasm at times and by her remark Billy determined this to be one of those instances.

Well, now that we know who we are, we’re coming in, she declared. Reaching to her right she pulled a man into sight who had been hidden from Billy’s view. She then Pushed her brother aside and stalked past with the unidentified male friend obediently in tow. Billy, she said, pausing briefly to handle the introductions, this is Errol. Errol, my brother, Billy.

Errol appeared to be around Mirna’s age and was definitely more than a few inches taller than both she and Billy. He was clean shaven, had short cropped blonde hair and was clad casually in a leisure suit that hung loosely on his thin frame. He extended a hand for Billy to shake.

Are, uh, you alone? Mirna asked her brother in a cautious tone that aroused Billy’s suspicions.

Yeah, why?

Just wondering if my other... Are you going to be hospitable or just stand there like a baboon?

Oh, sorry, Billy muttered in embarrassment. Closing the door he then ushered them into his living room and in an apologetic voice said, Have a seat. Can I get you anything?

I would kill for a Coke, she told him. Errol?

Oh, nothing for me, thanks, he said with a smile and settled into one of the dark brown leather chairs set before the couch.

Billy, come help me, Mirna instructed in a sweet voice that seemed to be hiding a modicum of treachery as she then headed toward the hallway.

Loyally, Billy made his apologies for leaving to Errol and then faithfully followed his sister with a few questions poised on his lips as to the mystery man’s identity, his relationship to Mirna and his proposed function.

Doing dishes, huh? Mirna observed vocally while withdrawing a soft drink can from the fridge. How exciting.

Yeah, well, domesticity has its drawbacks, he answered, a suspicious eye upon his sister. So, what’s with the man candy out there? What’s going on?

Going on? she asked innocently while popping open the can with one hand and closing the refrigerator door with her foot. What makes you think something’s going on? I brought Errol here to meet you. Leave it to you to suspect an ulterior motive in something that…

You don’t have to go ballistic, he said defensively, interrupting. I was just asking what was going on. He then paused a moment to stare into his sister’s eyes in an attempt to read any hidden message behind them. But since you’re acting all strange I’d say that, yeah, more is going on than you’re letting on. Why’d you ask if I was alone?

Probably because I didn’t see Abraham here. Duh. And I’m not acting strange, she declared, quickly averting her eyes.

This avoidance was all the verification of Mirna’s complicity that Billy needed, giving him the green light to pursue and conquer. I know you, Mirna, and every time you refuse to look me in the eye I can guarantee you’re either up to, or hiding, something. So what’s with the guy out there?

Errol, she corrected.

Billy frowned. I know his name.

Shit, you’re in a mood today, little brother. Take a chill-pill and get over it.

Yeah, yeah, whatever, he said impatiently, knowing of her ability to turn things on their head and confuse issues. You two playing submarine yet? he then asked in a lowered tone while feeling the mental horns growing out of his head.

Goddamn it, Billy. Why you’d want to take a joyous occasion like meeting somebody I’m interested in and cheapen it is beyond me. We’re just friends.

This statement made Billy question himself as to whether or not he had misread the signals. While he continued to sense that she was not being entirely honest with him there also seemed a genuine sincerity in her tone. Okay, okay, sorry. Geez.

That’s better, Mirna gloated. She then eyed the handle sticking up out of the bubbles in the sink, and giving the air a quick sniff, declared, Can’t get the pan clean, huh?

Billy had long ago given up trying to figure out how his sister could know about practically any unspoken event or situation with little or no clues. She seemed to have an eerie sixth sense when it came to things, especially things involving her brother and although having grown accustomed to it Billy still often found it disturbing. Yeah, he admitted.

Burned your dinner, I’m guessing, she said, then noting his surprised look, added, I smelled it when I came in. With this, Mirna headed directly to the sink and dipped her hands into the soapy water, retrieving the pan.

Mirna, I’ll take care of that, Billy told her. We need to get back to your fling-du-jour, out there.

He’ll keep for a couple minutes longer, she said. Having retrieved the steel wool pad from the bottom of the sink, she began to scrub the pot.

So, how’d you two meet? Billy asked, approaching the counter and leaning his hip against it while simultaneously folding his arms over his chest.

Computer dating thing.

I didn’t know you were doing that.

There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, little brother, she said with a smile.

I doubt that. So, is he hot stuff?

I told you there’s nothing else going on. We just met a week ago. Get your filthy mind out of the gutter.

Billy smiled. Mirna, you’re forgetting that everything I learned about the gutter is because of you.

Her grin broadened at the truth behind this statement. Oh, shut up. With this declaration she then rinsed the pan off with clear water and placed it in the strainer.

Billy, now unable to believe his eyes, looked first to his sister, then the upside down pot. It was absolutely impossible that she had cleaned that which would not allow itself to be cleaned, and with such minimal effort, no less. Disbelieving her having accomplished such a miracle, he grabbed the pan and inspected it. Sure enough, it was spotless. How the hell did you do that so fast? he asked, placing the pan back down. I’ve been scrubbing the thing forever and the burned-on food wouldn’t come off.

Eh, it just needed a woman’s touch, Mirna said loftily while drying her hands on a nearby towel.

You never cease to amaze me, he admitted.

Yeah, I am pretty wonderful.

To this remark Billy cast her a frown. Well, I wouldn’t go that far. So, anyway, getting back to Errol.

Yeah, I… she began before Billy cut her off.

So, no submarine?

This time it was Mirna who frowned. No.

’Pickle in the sandwich’?

No, we haven’t played ‘Pickle in the sandwich’, she demanded, mocking him.

’Stuff the sausage’?

Billy, she growled softly so as not to be heard in the other room, I swear, you’ve got to be the most annoying thing this side of the planet.

Oh, I get it. He’s celibate, Billy teased.

He, dear brother, is a gentleman.

Yeah? Well, if he’s a gentleman why’s he hanging out with you?

Billy, I ought to slug you, she said, balling her right hand into a fist.

Billy retaliated by raising his own fist. Yeah, and I’ll slug you right back.

Mirna nodded. You would, wouldn’t you? With this, an embarrassed smile spread over her lips. We haven’t... I mean the occasion didn’t... We want to get to know each other better first. After all, Bob and I based our entire relationship on sex and look where that led.

Only because you caught your ex-husband fooling around behind your back.

This is different, she said with a sigh. I really want my next relationship to be based on love first, then whatever follows will be gravy.

Billy, never having been one to pass up an opportunity to tease his sister, felt a sinister smile spreading across his face and in an equally sinister voice he asked, Does he even have one? Not surprisingly, his question was immediately shot out of the sky by a return glare that told him in no uncertain terms to back off. Well, anyway, he said uncomfortably, Abe’ll be home in about an hour and Errol can meet him, too.

Ummm, she now said, pausing before continuing.

Her hesitation immediately reignited Billy’s previous suspicions while bringing up a thought not previously considered. What’s the matter? Errol prejudiced against blacks? Billy asked.

Of course not. At least I don’t think so.

So what’s the problem?

I just think it would be better if he knew you better first before laying the whole… she began but unexpectedly cut herself off. After a moment’s thought she said, I just think it would be better, so go upstairs and get dressed so we can go.

I’m already dressed, Billy responded with a glance down. Go where?

We want to take you out to dinner at a nice restaurant and we can’t with you looking like that.

What’s the matter with the way I look? he asked while watching a silent stare of disapproval traveling up and down his body. Besides, I’ve already eaten.

A burned steak could hardly have been a satisfying meal.

How she had deduced that the smell of burned beef that still apparently hung in the air had been a steak was beyond Billy, although not really all that surprising, having come from Mirna. It wasn’t that bad, he defended.

Look, Billy, just come with us and have dessert. I really want you and Errol to get to know one another.

All right," he grumbled. The request was a reasonable one so he figured he could make an effort to comply with her request, even if it did involve a change of clothes. After all, Errol just might turn out to be Billy’s brother-in-law so he needed to show, by example, his willingness to become better acquainted with the man. Turning, he slowly headed for the door.

Oh, and don’t mention Abraham until the time’s right, she said to his back.

A spark within Billy instantly ignited both his senses and suspicions and brought him to a sudden halt that nearly sent him tumbling head over heels. He whipped back around to his sister. What? I knew you were up to something! What are you hiding?

Nothing, Billy. I’m pacing myself, that’s all, she explained in an uneven tone. Now, go get…

Errol doesn’t know I’m gay, does he? Billy quickly surmised aloud, cutting her words off.

Oh come on, it’s nothing like…

Mirnaaaaaa, he coaxed while taking a couple steps toward her. Noting the change upon her face as it morphed from conqueror to conquered, Billy now knew not only that he had been right in his suspicions but that he had now zeroed in on the problem.

Well... not exactly, Mirna admitted softly, her eyes melting to the floor.

I knew it, Billy proclaimed a little too loudly, prompting a dirty look from his sister. Sorry.

I’ll tell him, she reassured her brother in a quiet voice, when I feel the time is right.

Then he doesn’t know about Abe?

Of course he knows about him. He just doesn’t know... you know.

You didn’t tell him that we’re a couple? he surmised.

Not yet, no.

They what did you tell him about Abe?

Well, she said with a glance to the open doorway behind her brother, no doubt to make sure that the coast was still clear. I told him Abraham is our brother.

Our brother? Billy said in utter disbelief.

Billy! Keep your voice down! she whispered dramatically.

Hearing this he zipped right back over to the counter so quickly that he almost felt to have left skid marks on the floor. Our brother, he whispered? Are you insane? In case you hadn’t noticed, you and me are white, Abe’s black. Don’t you think Errol’s gonna get a little suspicious when he sees him?

That’s why I’m waiting until the time is right to tell him, she explained.

This is not like you, Mirna, Billy scolded softly. Why all the secrecy?

Because I like him and I don’t want to scare him off.

What makes you think the truth will scare him off? You’re starting this relationship out on lies. It can’t work.

Yes, it can. It just needs to be dealt with slowly, that’s all.

His eyes studied her for a moment in silence in an attempt to understand her point of view. While this was not at all like Mirna, who would normally go out of her way to be honest at whatever the cost, Billy did have to admit that what she was doing was fighting for the survival of a new relationship. While this was understandable, a more pressing question arose, one that Billy was quite hesitant to ask for fear of the answer. Are you ashamed of me? Of us? he asked slowly.

Don’t be stupid, Billy. Of course I am!

Knowing by the way in which her answer had been spoken that this was a joke, he relaxed a bit. Oh, perfect, he responded sarcastically.

I’m just kidding, Billy, don’t bust a giblet.

Then why didn’t you tell Errol the truth right from the beginning? he now asked in an attempt to understand.

I wanted to but I was afraid he wouldn’t understand my insane family.

Oh, so now I’m insane, am I?

You know what I mean, Billy. You have to admit that we’re not the conventional family unit.

I’ll grant you that, he admitted with a smile. But, come on, don’t you think…

I’ll tell him, I’ll tell him. Give me a chance to do this in my own way. Okay?

Yeah, he agreed. But don’t put it off or it’ll only get worse.

Yes, mother.

Am I interrupting something? came a third voice from behind Billy.

Both siblings whirled around in unison to find Errol standing in the open doorway with a look of abandonment upon his face that most accurately resembled that of a lost puppy.

No, Mirna quickly said. We were just... I mean, I was trying to get Billy to go upstairs and change his clothes.

Then you’ll be joining us for dinner? Errol asked the man standing across from him.

Billy nodded, giving his sister a quick glance. Um... yeah... yes. I’d be glad to go with you. Thanks for asking. I already had dinner, though, but I would never pass up a chance to have dessert.

Errol smiled broadly. Great. It’ll give us a chance to get better acquainted.

Yeah... acquainted.

What about your other brother? Will he be able to join us, too?

Abe? Billy asked, knowing full well who the man was talking about. Again he cast his sister a quick glance and found her face to now be pleading with him to play along.

Yeah, your brother; Abraham. He gonna be able to come with us? Errol asked.

No, Mirna told him with a forced smile. No, he has to work late tonight.

Oh, that’s too bad. I was hoping to meet the entire family tonight. We’d better get going if we’re going to make the reservation on time.

A short time later Billy found himself to be somewhat underdressed, even in the tan slacks and matching sweater that he had thought to be more than adequate when choosing the wardrobe earlier. In fact, so self-conscious was he at the sight of the plush restaurant and all the clientele in their formal wear that he suspected the maitre d' of seating them and immediately running to the kitchen so that the entire staff could come out and laugh at him. Either that or he would be seated in the kitchen, out of sight of the more conservatively dressed diners.

Dimly lit candles accented the middle of every table around which customers were gathered and engaging in low, relaxed chatter. This din was augmented by the soft strains of something symphonic playing on the overhead speakers while waiters and bussing personnel wafted gracefully from table to table as if floating on air, taking care of every conceivable need.

Mirna was to Errol’s left, Billy across the table from her new man and the fourth chair stood empty, prompting Billy to wish that Abraham were with him. Ever since that night at Mirna’s apartment a year ago when the two men had found their love for one another, they had been inseparable so this felt very awkward for Billy. Yet, seeing his sister so giddy helped take his mind off his loneliness and discomfort.

Well, Errol said with a smile, glancing up from his menu. I’ve heard a lot about you, Bill.

Really? Billy smiled, then glanced briefly to his sister. I haven’t heard a thing about you.

Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed Mirna had mentioned me to you, Errol explained, to which Billy shook his head. She and I have been going out for about a week. We met on an online dating service.

Yeah? The boy nodded with the formation of an evil grin. Well, that’ll teach you never to try that again.

I heard that, Mirna growled, looking over the top of her menu. I figured, why not? It paid off, though. Landed myself a good one, wouldn’t you say?

With a bit of a blush Errol gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Oh, Mirna.

Suddenly overcome with a bad case of mental sugar poisoning from this syrupy display, Billy felt an intense need to erase this scene from his memory banks. However, it was quite possibly this show of affection that subsequently led to his next thought which, while admittedly not being the best course of action that he could take under the circumstances, would definitely be enjoyable at his sister’s expense. Clearly Billy was feeling a bit mischievous and now seemed as good a time as any to entertain his strong desire to get even with Mirna for the lack of information she had thus far afforded Errol. On the other hand, he reasoned, this might help Mirna to break the news to the new man in her life. Get the truth out in the open. Maybe I should call Abe and see if… Billy began, but he was instantly cut off by his sister’s threatening glare.

That wouldn’t be a good idea, she demanded with an obviously controlled voice that had silver poison-tipped daggers hidden within. He’s working.

Oh, he wouldn’t mind, Billy assured her.

You know our brother doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s working.

Brother. Not to be derailed in his attempt to cause her embarrassment, Billy cleared his throat. Um, Mirna? Billy asked, feeling an evil smile spreading across his face.

Yeah?

When’s the pickle sandwich gonna be served? he asked under the realization that he was being incredibly infantile.

Errol turned to the girl to his left. Pickle sandwich? You like pickle sandwiches?

Who doesn’t? Billy told him, completely ignoring the bullets that were shooting out of Mirna’s eyes. Yeah, a good pickle sandwich usually hits the spot.

Quickly the woman turned to Errol. You’ll have to excuse my embarrassment-to-the-family brother. Insanity runs in his side of the family, she explained, to which Errol nodded as if he now understood but did not know what to do with this information. Yeah, she continued while obviously pretending that her brother was not present, he was born that way. Then when he was fifteen he suffered a fatal blow to the head and that only made it worse.

If it was a fatal blow, why am I still alive? Billy asked, eyebrows raised.

Probably because you were too stupid to realize you were dead.

Not being entirely accustomed to this sort of sibling exchange, Errol was now showing a bit of confusion upon his face. He lowered the menu to the table and looked on with interest.

No, Mirna addressed her date in response to his perplexed look, Billy and I are very close. We like to tease each other and have a lot of fun. You’ll get used to it. Her explanation seemed to suffice for the moment as Errol nodded, a weak smile on his lips. Errol works for the City Planning Commission, she then told her brother while, simultaneously, casting him a look of condemnation.

In the City Roads Department, actually. I work on statistics to help plan future roads in and around the city, analyze traffic, all that.

Billy nodded. Uh huh. Roads. Yeah, roads are a good thing. Um, any through long dark tunnels? he now asked, having not quite achieved the kindergarten level of maturity that he found himself attempting to reach. It did occur to him that this was probably somewhat wrong and that his actions this evening could very well jeopardize his sister’s chances for a relationship with Errol, but lacking the ability to stop himself he opted to let it draw to its logical conclusion – whatever that might be.

Tunnels? Errol asked innocently. Well, yeah, a few.

Billy… Mirna warned.

Okay, sorry, he said. It’s that darned ol’ ‘insanity’ acting up again.

She now frowned harshly. Well, get a grip.

If Abe was here I’d be able to, he commented, receiving the death-look that told him in no uncertain terms that his game was over. Now!

What looks good, Mirna? Errol asked with a glance back to his menu, then to Mirna.

I don’t know. Why don’t you order for me, she cooed.

Sure, okay.

Subduing his sudden urge to vomit a second time Billy rolled his eyes and drew in a breath of air. He had seen his sister fawning over guys before but somehow this one seemed to be worse than all the others and he began to silently question if the man had her under some evil magic spell or drug. Voodoo doll, perhaps?

So, Bill, what kind of work do you do?

Mirna did not give her brother time to answer before blurting out, He works in a dress shop.

As this had most certainly not been anticipated, Billy looked up to her sharply. Clearly he deserved this, what with his infantile behavior this evening, and even Billy had to admit that the shot was an amusing one. A dress shop? he asked her. Oh, come on, Sis, you could have come up with something better than that.

What? Errol asked with a glance to Mirna. Am I missing something?

It’s just a little joke I play on Billy. No, he doesn’t work at a dress shop.

No, Billy agreed.

Of course not. He got fired from there for always trying on the lingerie. He actually guts fish on a tuna boat.

Mirna… Billy said, suppressing a laugh.

Baby-sits incontinent dogs for old ladies?

Which is it? Errol asked, himself sporting somewhat of a smile, though uneven.

All right, he works for the paper here, Mirna finally confessed.

Errol looked to her. You sure this time?

Pretty sure, yeah, she said with a nod.

Satisfied that he had finally been given the truth Errol turned to her brother. What do you do there?

Instantly, Mirna was in there with a comeback, again disallowing Billy the opportunity to respond. You know the rubber bands that they use to wrap the papers in? she asked Errol, who nodded. "He has to check them all for their elasticity. His working title is ‘Wrapper Quality Control’ but everybody calls him a ‘Rubber Boy’.

I work on the layouts for the daily, Billy corrected through his chuckle. He was actually envious of his sister’s wit, wishing that his previous bout of childishness had been up to her standard instead of instead being on the mental level of a sandbox. Well, the computer does all the work, really. I just make sure everything fits and flows every day, Billy went on to explain in the hopes that he might be able to pad his boring job.

Yeah, Mirna told Errol, now displaying a modicum of pride. He used to deliver the papers. Now he designs them.

Well, I don’t actually…

I said you design them, she insisted. Take the compliment.

Yeah, okay. Whatever, Billy conceded with a smile and a shrug.

Good evening, a voice said, drawing all eyes to the man standing before the empty chair - Abraham’s chair - dressed in a typical penguin outfit and sporting a white napkin draped over his arm.

Our special this evening is the halibut stuffed with Dungeness crab, baked in a light wine sauce and topped with four cheeses. This comes with rice pilaf and slivered green beans.

Errol turned to Mirna with his eyebrows raised in anticipation. That sounds good. You? Her nod sealed the deal and he quickly returned his attention to the man standing before him, ordering two helpings.

Once again something smelled fishy to Billy and it was not the special. Mirna hated seafood! In fact, every time she smelled seafood in a restaurant or looked at it in the grocery stores she would thrust her finger down her throat. Therefore, Billy quickly deduced that his sister must actually be under the influence of an evil spell or drug. But. I thought you hated… he began to say but was unable to finish due to the rapid glare he received from her.

Yeah, you’re right, Billy. I hate eating that much food, she corrected hastily to shut him the hell up. But this is a special occasion so what the heck. Mirna then smiled back to Errol before giving her brother another brief glare.

And you, sir?

Looking up and finding the waiter’s eyes upon him, Billy spoke of his only having dessert and then watched as the man thanked them and then walked off.

With the table to themselves again, Errol lifted his water glass in a toast. Well, here’s to a wonderful girl and her brother, he proclaimed, to which all three glasses joined together in the center of the table for a loud clink. I’m sorry your other brother couldn’t have joined us, Errol told them both, placing his glass down on the table. It’s always nice to meet the whole family. I imagine your mother and father are pretty wonderful people as well - judging by their offspring.

You lose, Mirna told him with a sarcastic smile.

Yeah, Billy agreed. Dad’s fine but Mom leaves a lot to be desired.

Oh? Errol queried with lowered eyebrows that silently seemed to be requesting more information.

Billy caught sight of a passing busboy and followed him with his eyes for a moment before absentmindedly observing vocally, Mirna, doesn’t he remind you of Greg?

Glancing quickly to the employee in question, she then turned back to her brother. No he doesn’t.

Sure he does. He’s got the same…

No he doesn’t, she corrected sternly but quietly.

Errol’s eyes passed from sister to brother, then to the busboy. Who is Greg?

Nobody important, Mirna injected quickly on her brother’s behalf. Just an old friend of Billy’s. A choir boy at the church we used to go to.

Hearing this, Billy had to stifle a laugh. Again the golden opportunity had arisen to get at his sister and he wanted so badly to correct her, informing Errol that not only was Greg not a choirboy but had been his first gay lover. Billy felt his smile spreading as he said, Actually, Greg gave me my first…

Billy, that’s quite enough, Mirna scolded in a low voice, interrupting him before turning back to Errol. You were saying?

Hmm? Errol asked. Oh, I was just saying about your parents that…

Oh, Mom and Dad. Yeah, nice people, Mirna said, smiling sweetly once again. Well, Dad, anyway. See, they got divorced way back when and then Mom got hold of some jerk who, well, changed her.

Yeah, Billy continued for her, and then she practically disowned me.

Errol’s look suddenly changed to one of surprise. She what? Why?

Once again Billy lost sight of his discretionary faculties and bitterly blurted out, Because I like to suck…

Because Billy’s life sucked and mom couldn’t handle that, Mirna rapidly corrected her brother with yet another sharp glare that proceeded to chop her brother up into little tiny Billy-bits.

How’s that? Errol asked, directing the question to whoever chose to answer it.

Wearing a crooked smile, Mirna turned to face her date and with only a momentary pause to formulate a plan she began her explanation, See, um... Billy’s always followed his own path in life and, well, that didn’t quite fit into Mom’s grand plan for him. They disagreed one time too many, she blew a fuse and disowned him. Well, I mean not legally, of course, but she made it pretty clear that she wanted nothing more to do with him after that. Having said this Mirna then turned to her brother. Right?!

Yeah, something like that, Billy said with a nod.

Shaking his head sadly, Errol smiled sympathetically. Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.

It’s no big loss, Billy told him, sipping his water and wishing that the subject would drop.

Did your father remarry?

Mirna now smiled. Yes, to a great woman.

Bill, have you ever thought about making amends with your mother? Errol asked him solemnly.

Yeah, tried a couple times but it didn’t work out, he confessed, briefly remembering the disastrous visit in which he had first met her gorilla of a boyfriend, Richard. Very clearly Billy remembered the man literally throwing him out of the house a year ago, and himself running from the big galoot after having made a poorly timed remark.

That’s too bad, Errol explained. My folks passed away when I was young. They had me late in life and my mother died when I was fifteen and my father followed her two years later. I would have given anything to have had them around as I got older, and it hurts me to hear stories like you and your mother, Bill.

Yeah, well, it’s for the best.

I suppose. So, any girlfriends? he now asked..

The boy thought about this a second as the opportunity that now presented itself needed thorough consideration. Should he play along with the subterfuge and dig the hole deeper or burst out in song and dance and tell the truth, thereby destroying Mirna’s trail of deceit and quite possibly bringing down upon himself the wrath of a sister scorned. The look in her eyes was certainly one of pleading reproach which told him that were he to reveal the truth he would no doubt be disfigured and left in an unmarked alley dumpster to die. Still, if ever there was a better time in which to spread some badly-needed light, this would be it. While deliberating his options, Billy suddenly became aware of a third alternative and with an mischievous smile he turned to his sister, leaned in and just stared silently, placing the weight upon her shoulders.

Uh… Mirna said, now realizing that her brother had laid the whole flaming, stinking pile of bull in her lap. Billy is still trying to get over a terrible breakup with a woman he lived with for years, Sue.

Oh, wow. Sorry. Acting as if he had accidentally stumbled upon a national secret Errol bowed his head.

Oh, it’s… I’ll get over it eventually, Billy told the man, feigning disappointment while his sister silently rolled her eyes. Yeah, she and I were inseparable and… he began as this false long, drawn-out image of desperation and despair unfolded before him, just waiting to see the light of day. Unfortunately, his pitiable tale of woe was prematurely interrupted by the sound of his cell phone ringing. Quickly fishing it out of his pocket he pressed it to his ear. Ciao, Bella?

Mirna, who had always made it no secret that she hated cell phones and the people who talked on them in restaurants, now cast an evil eye upon her brother, which, logically, should have melted him to a pile of ashes.

Oh hi, hon, Billy cooed, tracing a finger over the fork upon his napkin.

Hi, baby, Abraham said, sounding tired.

Did you see my note? Billy asked.

Note? No, I haven’t gotten home yet. Aren’t you there?

No, we’re at the Divan Dijon restaurant on 43rd. Now Billy’s pinky ran the length of the knife, ignoring the poor fork altogether.

We? Abraham asked, picking up on the plural.

Yeah, Mirna and Errol and me.

Errol? Abraham now said, his voice sounding somewhat suspicious.

Is that your brother? Errol asked Mirna.

What? Oh, probably, she answered, her voice taking on a slight tremble.

This is perfect. Ask him to join us, he told Billy with a broad smile.

Oh, Mirna began before pausing briefly to think. I don’t know if... He’s probably tired and wants to just get home.

But he might not have eaten yet, Errol surmised.

He doesn’t eat much, she explained quickly. Really skinny. Eats like a bird.

Come on, I’d like to meet him.

You would, huh? she agonized quietly.

What’s going on? Abraham now asked following Billy’s pause in the conversation in which he had been following Mirna and Errol’s discussion.

To answer your first question, Billy told his lover, Errol is a guy Mirna met on the internet, and he wants to know if you’d like to join us here for dinner.

Oh, I hate to interrupt a meal.

We just sat down and ordered. Where are you?

Actually, I’m only about five minutes away from there. Okay, I’ll be there shortly. Warm the seat for me.

I’d like to warm more than that, Billy said with a chuckle, his voice lowering in the hopes that Errol would not hear this. Okay, see you in a few.

God, I hate cell phones, Mirna complained as Billy shoved his back in his pocket.

So your brother’s going to be joining us? Errol asked expectantly to which Billy merely nodded. Well then, that’s fine, Errol beamed, and taking Mirna’s hand in his own he said, Now I’ll be able to get to know the whole family.

Um, Errol, there’s something maybe you should know, Mirna said softly while slowly dislodging her hand from his.

You know, Mirna and I have a lot in common, Errol said, having obviously not heard her over the clatter of dishes at a nearby table, and I guess that’s one of the things that first attracted me to her. Although, I have to admit that I really have no desire to go surfing.

Billy’s expression suddenly changed to surprise as his eyes shot over to Mirna. Surfing?

Well, I… she stammered, embarrassed.

Errol nodded to Billy. I’ve always said I’d try anything once but that kind of scares me. Then again, I figure if Mirna can do it then it wouldn’t hurt me to at least try.

Surfing? Billy repeated to his sister.

You know, Billy, Mirna said, when you lived in Santa Cruz and I drove down there to go surfing by the Boardwalk and you came down to the beach to watch me? And then you came back with me here to live? You remember.

Yet another complete fabrication of the actual truth was now being laid out before him and Billy found himself quite intrigued to discover how this scenario was going to unfold. While it was true that his sister had driven down to Santa Cruz to pick him up a few years back, equally untrue was it that she had gone surfing. In fact, Billy figured that if faced with a surfboard Mirna would be incapable of even identifying it, let alone knowing how to ride it. Mmm hmm, Billy answered his sister, his lips pursed.

Errol, before our other brother gets here, I think… Mirna attempted to again say, once more being interrupted by an increasingly-enthusiastic Errol.

And we both love bike riding and snow skiing, he continued, either not hearing her or finding a need to get his words out before forgetting them.

Again Billy’s eyebrows raised. Snow skiing?

I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the slopes, Errol explained. But, then, Mirna says she has too. I’m looking forward to the first good snowfall so we can head on up into the hills.

Uh huh, Billy