Page 184 of The Holy Grail
“I’m guessing he went to his apartment, but I’m not sure. He didn’t say where he was going when he left me on my ass in the parking lot at La Dolce Vita.”
Struggling with what seemed like a preposterous set of events, Jules sat down heavily on the stool next to Malcom. “You probably need to start at the beginning.”
In between sips of scotch, he did as requested, starting with getting her text about not joining him and Evan for dinner and ending with him going down like Joe Frazier in the parking lot.
When he was done, she sat there for a few moments before speaking. “You should have told your father to go fuck himself, right there,” she said, the words gentle, yet firm.
Ultimately, he knew she was right, but being told that again, put him on the defensive. “You know, it’s so easy for both you and Evan to tell me what I should have done, but you’ve never been in that situation, and I was just … stunned … all right? I mean, haven’t you ever been stunned into silence?”
“Yes, I have,” she replied, then said, “But I’m surprised you were, because you said weeks ago how worried you were about his response, and you didn’t know if he’d be able to process, or understand, his son being bisexual. You told Evan and me your father would probably see you as a deviant, like Evan’s father saw him, and your father would probably sever what little relationship he had with you.” She paused for a moment before adding in a softer tone, “You also said you were ‘completely sure’ about going forward as a triad, despite the risks of fallout with him.”
“I know, but being worried about what might happen, and having it play out in a restaurant in real life, are two totally different things,” Malcom pointed out. “He was so goddamn cold and unemotional, he was like a cyborg without any feelings. And despite thinking Iwas, I obviouslywasn’tprepared to be told in no uncertain terms that my being in his life was dependent on being heterosexual. I’m still in shock, to be honest, even though I know I shouldn’t be.”
She placed her hands on his knees in a comforting gesture. “Mal, I understand how awful that was for you, and I think your father is an unbelievably atrocious person for having put you through it. He truly is an abomination. God, I wish I’d been there—”
“Jesus, I’m glad you weren’t.”
He was so vehement, it brought a frown to her face. “Why?”
“Because it was bad enough having Evan see how weak I was. I didn’t need you seeing that, too.” He gave her a lopsided smile, one full of self-deprecation. “And I didn’t need you standing up and telling my father to fuck off, when I couldn’t.”
He looked so ashamed, that it broke her heart. “Mal—”
“It’s true. I was a coward.”
She moved her hands up to his face, being careful of his bruised cheek. “We’re going to get to the other side of this—all three of us, together.”
“How can you be so sure? Evan is really upset with me.”
“I’m sure he is, but wewillget to the other side, because I won’t stop until we do. Your asshole father is going to be the loser in this, not us—and you can take that to the motherfucking bank.”
It was decided that Jules would go to Evan’s place and check on him, once it became clear he wasn’t going to answer their phone calls, which worried them both. After determining he wasn’t home, she managed to gain access to his apartment with the help of his elderly landlady, who was entirely too trusting for her own good. Once inside, Jules ignored all the disarray and boxes everywhere, and made herself comfortable on his couch, then proceeded to call and text Evan repeatedly.
JULES: How are you?
JULES: I’m worried about you.
JULES: I talked to Mal, so I know what happened.
JULES: I need to know you’re okay. And if you don’t tell me, I will be legitimately pissed at you, and you don’t want that.
Finally, she got a response.
EVAN: I’m wonderful.
EVAN: No need to worry. I’m a big boy.
JULES: Where are you?
JULES: Because you’re not in your apartment.
EVAN: How do you know that?
JULES: Because I’m currently in your apartment and you’re not here.
EVAN: How did you get in?
JULES: Your landlady let me in after I told her I was your sister.
