Page 30 of Big Britches
Pedro opened his mouth to speak, but when Titus's words registered, he closed it, averting his eyes. Titus waited, and when the telltale blush confirmed his suspicions, he felt giddy.
“Come on, P. Please. No funny business. I swear. The kids’ll be out soon, anyway.”
“Oh, yes. I can hear them now. Daddy, why is this man in the pool with us? The gardener.”
Titus grinned at the emphasis on Tucker’s poor choice of words. “Kids don’t care, P. You know that.”
“What about Roz?”
Titus paused, eyes lifting with ponder. “Now, that may take some explaining.”
“No, it won’t. Because it’s not happening. It’s too soon. Too many questions. Too many eyes.”
Titus didn’t press. He knew for sure himself that word would not travel with Roz beyond the gate. But he could see that Pedro was uneasy with the idea, and the last thing in the world he wanted was for him to feel uncomfortable.
“I want to,” Pedro continued. Now, it was him struggling for words. “I too have… feelings… for you. But I need to finish up here. I have to have the truck back before six.”
“Then how about tonight? You could come over for a swim. Just us.”
He squeezed softly at Pedro’s hands, puppy-dog eyes pleading, big and hopeful like a child. Pedro’s heart fluttered.
“I can give you a passcode for the gate,” he added. “Do you have a personal vehicle? If not, I’ll pick you up.”
“I do. But I thought you said you never leave.”
“Not much. For groceries, occasionally, but mostly Roz does that too. I try to avoid people.”
“This is not like some old fairy tale, is it—where you only exist inside the fence?”
“No. Well, maybe. Staying home helps people keep their image of me.” He began massaging Pedro’s palms again. “But for someone as good-looking as you, I think I might be willing to venture out more.”
“You, my friend, are the handsome one. I keep a low profile as well. Should we be seen, there would be problems, for me at least.”
“I would never let that happen,” Titus said.
“I believe you. I do. It’s others I don’t trust, especially in town. Maybe elsewhere it’s different. I don’t know. California?”
“No idea. I was born and raised here. I’ve never crossed the state line—so you’re a leg up on me travel-wise. I did have hopes for Clinton’s election—but with the whole don’t ask, don’t tell thing, I’ve given up on him.”
“You have the advantage there. I cannot vote.”
“One day.”
“And we’re not only gay men. I’m a Mexican. Some people would hold that against you more.”
“Fuck people. It’s none of their business.”
Pedro chortled, shaking his head.
“What?” Titus asked.
“It’s just…” He sighed dramatically. “It’s very Capulets and Montagues.”
“I don’t follow.”
“I mentioned Shakespeare earlier. In Romeo and Juliet, their families—the Capulets and Montagues—were keeping them apart.”
Titus caught on. “Only instead of families here, it’s the town—people, politics, prejudice.”