Page 86 of Big Britches
She crossed to a table and telephone. “I’m calling Titus.”
“No,” he said, almost shouting. “Titus will kill him, Barb. I can’t lose him. He’s all I have.”
Barb froze, considering, then put the telephone back in its cradle. “You’re right. Titus is prone to do something rash. Are you in danger? Should I call the police?”
“No. I just came here to get my stuff.”
“You’re leaving?”
He took a deep breath to compose himself, then nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Barb. We were planning to tell you over dinner later this week. This is my last month with you here at Hawthorne House. I’m moving in with Titus.”
Her face brightened. “Oh. Oh, yes. Of course you are. I knew it wouldn’t be much longer. I’m thrilled for you both.”
“Thank you,” Pedro said, eyes darting to the stairway and then to the front door. “Can we talk while I get my stuff together, though? Now that I’m officially unemployed, I’m moving out there today. I don’t really feel safe here in town anymore.”
“Certainly. I’ll help you pack.”
Pedro had very few belongings. No furniture. Only clothing, toiletries, some stationery, a dozen books, and a television. Everything he owned would easily fit in his truck.
“You know,” Barb said, folding a t-shirt and placing it in the open suitcase, “I’m going to miss you. I mean, I know we’ll still see each other, but good long-term tenants are few and far between, especially ones that form book clubs with me.”
“I want to keep going with that. I feel bad that I’ve been slipping these past few months.”
“Nonsense. You’ve had a lot of excitement here lately. I’m happy for you and T. He’s my big brother. Now, you will be, too.”
“I would like that. I hope I’m doing the right thing, though.”
“Of course, you’re doing the right thing. Whatever put that thought in your head?”
Pedro sighed, sitting down on the bed. “I want to be there for him, Barb. I do. He’s just got so much going on. I don’t want to be a hindrance.”
“A hindrance?!”
“Yeah. I think he really wants to do the mayor thing. Follow in his father’s footsteps, and all. What if he’s being hesitant because of me?”
Barb sat down next to him. “Let me give you some perspective. I’ve been hounding T to pursue a political endeavor ever since Violet died–locally, that is. He’s the perfect candidate, really. He came from a prominent family, he was a local hero, and he’s the current mayor’s son. I can’t think of a better resume for the job.”
“What about you? You’re from the same family?”
Barb chuckled. “Me? I couldn’t deal with it. Too many good old boys. Hell, I need you just to avoid dealing with creeps like Stanley at the hardware store.”
“You’re only avoiding confrontation because it’s easier. We both know you could put Stanley in his place. You’re a strong woman, Barb. Smart.”
“I won’t disagree with you. But I’m also smart enough to know what will fly. It may be 1995, but it’s still a man’s world, especially in the south. Not only am I a woman–I’m a gay woman. That’s two strikes against me.”
“Titus is gay too. What makes you think he has a chance?”
“Because he’s a white man in a white man’s world. That pretty much trumps everything else. You know that as much as I do. Maybe even more so.”
“But I’m not Violet. Let’s say he could get elected, that people would turn a blind eye toward his orientation and vote strictly based on his history. Do you think they’d do the same with me as his boyfriend–a Mexican? I have strikes against me, too, Barb. We have that in common, no?”
She gaped at him. “You really don’t know your power, do you?”
“Power? I make flowers grow. Others can, too. It doesn’t make me indispensable.”
“That’s just it. You are indispensable. Titus couldn’t win an election without you. Don’t you see? If you hadn’t come along, he would still be hiding out there on Sun Hill Road, moping by the pool and feeling sorry for himself. You’re a miracle. All you did was show up one day and presto-chango, Titus was suddenly out of his self-imposed exile. I couldn’t do that. Roz couldn’t. His daddy. Hell, even a letter of permission written by his dead wife couldn’t do the trick. You’re the one, Pedro. You’re the only reason all of this is happening. It’s pretty incredible when you think about it. You’re incredible. Fuck Silas.”
Pedro smiled. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thanks. I needed that.”