Page 10 of Embracing Us

Today, we’re going to visit my brother for the first time with Jackson. It will be the first time Max has met him as well. To say I’m nervous is an understatement, I’ve not seen my brother since last year.

Derek Butterby is very conservative. He likes to live life by a strict set list of rules. When Marina had told her uncle about my fling with a younger man last summer, he’d been appalled. On my return, he'd sat me down and lectured me on how wrong our relationship was and how he was relieved it had ended. I met him in a coffee shop before Christmas to tell him about being reunited with Max and our little blue surprise. He’d stood up and walked out. We haven’t spoken since, until I called him last week. I’d been shocked when he agreed to meet.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” I whisper to Max as we pull up outside my brother’s house. “I preferred ignoring his existence.”

“Now, that’s not the adult thing to do, is it?” he scolds, playfully. “Remember what we talked about, being the bigger person.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be,” I say, petulantly, and he chuckles.

“Well, we’re here now. So, let’s get it over with.” He turns off the car and pulls the key from the ignition, then turns to face me. “Whatever is said today, you only have to know one thing.” He reaches up and touches my face softly. “We did nothing wrong. We fell in love.”

I stare at my beautiful selfless man. Hell, I love him. More than I’ve loved anyone. Sometimes I wonder which of us has been on this earth longer. No matter what challenge we’re facing, and fuck, there’s been plenty since we met, he faces it head on. His honesty takes my breath away, every damn time.

My brother stands on his doorstep. His shiny bald head framed with whisps of grey hair. It’s obvious he’s dressed up for the occasion. His black trousers have been pressed with an exact line down the front, and the collar of his crisp white shirt is starched to perfection. May, his wife, stands at his side with her perfectly grey permed hair and blush floral dress. They are the epitome of the neighbours you think you should want, but you catch snooping in your garden shed. Sickly picture-perfect, terrifyingly precise.

Max lifts Jackson out of the car in his carrier. He’s dressed in smart dark jeans and a simple black t-shirt. His dark hair looks like he’s not long rolled out of bed. I watch May’s eyes widen as she sees him walk up the path towards their front door, carrying our son. His other hand is strategically placed on the small of my back. It’s a subtle but powerful statement to my brother. We’re a family. We’re united. We’re together.

“Linda,” May gushes as she runs forward, taking my hands. “You look incredible. I can’t believe you only gave birth a few months ago.” She pulls me into a hug. For all she’s a nosy bitch, her heart is in the right place. I’ve always liked her.

“Thank you,” I reply, then look to Max. “Derek, May, this is Max. My partner.” The words hang in the air for a moment. My brother’s eyes glance to Max, drop down to his feet then back to his eyes.

“Nice to meet you, Derek,” Max says, holding out his hand in greeting. They shake hands, and my brother mumbles a non-descriptive hello. His wife, meanwhile, is bouncing from foot to foot, grinning manically. Max turns to her, then leans forward, takes her hand, and pecks her cheek. “Thank you for inviting us into your home, May,” he says. “I love your rosebushes. My mother had ones just like them.” He beams at her, and she all but melts. He glances at me, and I roll my eyes. Fucking charmer.

“Let’s go inside,” she announces, leading us all indoors. “I can’t wait to hold my nephew.”

Their living room hasn’t changed at all in the past ten years. Simple dark curtains hang at the windows to match the black leather sofas. A heavy wooden dining table sits at the rear of the room, a huge spread of homemade cakes and goodies on display. Max’s eyes light up when he spots them. “Did you make these, May?” he asks, signalling to the table. He knows damn fine she did. I’ve told him she’s an avid baker. She blushes and drops her eyes away from him.

“Yes, yes I did,” she responds, shyly.

Derek is standing at my shoulder. I’m aware he hasn’t spoken to me yet. “Well, take a seat,” he says, gruffly. “We can’t all just stand around all day.” Max and I sit on one sofa while he drops down on the other. May scuttles off into the kitchen to make tea for everyone. Max removes Jackson from his car seat and holds him against his chest. Jackson promptly regurgitates the milk he had before we left home all over his father’s t-shirt. I grab a cloth from the changing bag and hand it to him.

May reappears and stops dead when she sees the situation. “Oh my, baby sick is the worst. Do you want me to wash that for you Max?” she asks. “I’ll get you one of Derek’s shirts to wear.” Before he can answer, she runs off again, appearing back with a grey shirt that’s seen better days. It may even have started off white. Max proceeds to pass me his son then lifts his t-shirt over his head. My sister-in-law’s jaw almost hits the floor, and she openly gawks at him, looks at me, beams, then her eyes return to his abs. I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.

“Thanks, May,” he says, passing her the t-shirt then taking the shirt from her and shrugging it on. “You’re a star.” She fucking swoons at this point. Max sits back down beside me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. He pulls me close. The three of us sit practically on one seat. His focus lands on my brother. “So, Derek,” he says, “what do you want to know?”

“What do I want to know?” he replies, evidently surprised by the question.

“Yes, I know you don’t agree with what Linda and I have. So, I want to alleviate your concerns. Tell me what they are, and I’ll do my best to put your mind at ease.”

***

Max

Linda tenses beside me. I never told her I planned to tackle her brother, but that idiot isn’t going to know what hit him today. She told me what he said to her last year, and he’s not bloody getting away with it. He did his best to strip every ounce of confidence from her with his words and demands. I’m here today to tell him once and for all, his sister doesn’t need his permission or approval. She’s a woman in her own right who deserves his respect.

I don’t care if we never see them again. Him being in my son’s life isn’t important to me, but Linda needs this meeting to close the door on this fiasco once and for all. She loves her family. He broke her.

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” he says.

“I’ll refresh your memory if you like,” I tell him. His eyes narrow as he listens. “Last year, you told Linda she was a stain on the family because she had been in a relationship with me.” I pause to let the statement sink in. He doesn’t respond, so I continue. “From what she’s told me, you gave her a thorough telling off for her supposedly bad behaviour in Spain.”

“Linda was incredibly rude to me on our last meeting,” he snaps. “You’ve only heard one side of the story. I don’t appreciate being questioned in my own home.”

“Well, tell me about your position on this, and we can draw a line before moving on,” I suggest, then sit back in my chair. I glance at Linda who looks ready to throw up.

“It’s not any of your business,” he argues.

“Oh, but it is,” I retort, removing my arm from around Linda and leaning forward slightly. “What you said to her last year has stayed with her. It upsets her still. Anything or anyone who hurts the woman I love is my business. Family or otherwise.” He glares at me as May appears back in the living room.

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