Page 94 of Rat Park
“I have the same one.”
Flor laughed softly. “Of course you do.” He slipped a hand into Dominic’s and squeezed gently. “What did you talk about?”
“Nothing. She asked questions. I told her I have a job. I told her about you.”
“Yeah? What did she say?”
“‘The gays can get married now. Are you married?’”
Flor burst out laughing. “The gays?”
“That’s what we are, Flor. We’re the gays.”
“Excuse you, I’m bi.”
“Sorry, let me call her back and correct her,” Dominic said and found himself smiling at Flor before the expression dimmed. “I—she actually didn’t know I was gay, before.”
“Oh. Well, I guess she took it well, if she was asking about whether or not you’d put a ring on it.”
Dominic snorted. “Yeah. She didn’t hang up on me or call me a fag, so. All’s good that ends good.”
Dominic looked down at their laced fingers, letting the feel and sight of their hands calm him down until his thoughts were just a murmur, the buzzing inside him a low vibration he could ignore.
“You okay?” Flor asked. Dominic thought about it.
“Yeah. I’m okay,” Dominic said, and he let himself be wrapped up in another hug.
He knew who to thank for that.
**********
Dominic believed in Cat wholeheartedly. He believed in her ability to be an outstanding sheriff by positively influencing how the country dealt with their addicts and associated crime. He believed in her moral compass, her kindness and fairness, and her tenacity.
What he didn’t so much believe in was people’s ability to see a woman of Chilean descent running on a platform of rehabilitation versus punishment, against a white man with a ‘tough on crime’ attitude, and vote for her.
Dominic had faith in Cat, but even he could admit it was a blind and unreasonable thing.
So when the news came through that Cat had actually won—had beaten the odds and been elected Sheriff—Dominic couldn’t quite believe it for a moment. The announcement passed right through him like a spectre before solidifying into something extraordinary.
“Fuck!Yes!” Dominic hollered. Flor startled slightly before he started laughing.
“I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you shout!”
Dominic just kissed him, hard and quickly, before looking around the crowd that had gathered to hear the announcement, in search of Cat. She was just a few feet away, hugging Esteban, and before Dominic could think much about it, he strode towards her. She turned to him and grinned wider as soon as she saw him. Dominic wrapped his arms around her and then picked her up, twirling with her in place.
“Dominic!” she laughed before he set her down again.
“You did it!” Dominic cheered. He still couldn’t quite believe it.
“Wedid it,” she responded, patting his cheek.
Dominic backed off a moment later, letting other well-wishers have their chance. The crowd was crawling with law enforcement, naturally, as well as people who had helped with the campaign, supporters and, of course, family.
Flor found Dominic on the outskirts of the crowd after congratulating his mom, threading his fingers through Dominic’s and leaning slightly against him.
“She’s going to kick ass,” Flor said.
Dominic grinned, the light inside him expanding until it was all he could see.
