A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance Book 2) (18 page)

Clark snorted. “Not like they have a choice. What were they going to do, disown me?”

Awkward tension filled the air, and David drained his glass.

Clark inhaled sharply, reaching past Dylan to grasp Aaron’s hand. “Sorry.” In a blink, all his energy seemed to have evaporated, and his shoulders slumped. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s okay.” Aaron patted Clark’s hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Me not thinking?” Clark addressed David and Isaac. “That’s a thing that happens sometimes. Okay, it happens a lot. So please know I don’t mean to offend. You must be pretty stressed about your folks and leaving home.”

Isaac smiled sadly. “Yeah. We’re hoping they’ll write to us.”

“Do they know you’re gay?” Dylan asked, reaching to pour more beer for everyone but Isaac.

David examined his hands. “No. If they find out they’ll never accept it.” He shrugged. “They can’t.”

Clark sighed. “Well, that’s depressing. Sorry, gang—I’m the one who brought it up.” He sat up straight and shook his head. “Enough of that, because this is your first time in a gay bar, and it will not be depressing if I have anything to say about it. Hey, is Ms. Jennifer going to get out of her scrubs for once and join us?” he asked Aaron.

Aaron pulled his phone from his pocket. “Her last text said she’d be here by ten-thirty.”

Dylan laughed. “So that means she might squeak in for last call. She’s dedicated, and that’s why we love her.”

“One of the many reasons!” Clark exclaimed. “She was the best friend a gay could have growing up. That girl made summers talking about Jesus bearable, and that is no mean feat.” He gave Aaron a sly look. “I remember the day she brought this one around. He was still a baby, but we knew he was the one. Whenever she’d managed to give a guy more than five minutes of her time, they were somehow all douchebags. But Aaron was a keeper.”

“What’s a douchebag?” Isaac asked.

Smiling, Aaron, Dylan, and Clark shared a glance.

“Excellent question, and we’re going to give you all the answers. Even the ones you don’t want to hear because they involve vaginas,” Clark said. He mimed rolling up his sleeves even though he wasn’t wearing any. “Let’s do this thing. So, there’s something called a douche, and it’s a feminine hygiene product. Wait—you probably don’t know much about feminine hygiene.”

Aaron laughed. “Funny you should mention that, because we were just talking about periods in the car.”

“Whoa. Clearly we’re going to have to back up right to the beginning.
Beep, beep, beep
.” Clark called to a passing waiter, “More beer!”

David found himself laughing, and then cringing, and then laughing again. And when he took a deep breath and wrapped his arm around Isaac’s shoulders, no one even blinked.

“Time for this old woman to hit the hay.” Jen yawned widely. She was stretched out on one of the couches, her feet in Aaron’s lap. She nudged him with her toes.

“Yeah. I’ve got to get back to work tomorrow. We don’t all have the day off.” He tickled the soles of her feet.

“I know—I’m a real slacker. I’ll think of your sacrifices next time I’m up to my elbows in some guy’s intestines and I’m working a double.”

“You were only at the hospital for, like, thirteen hours today.” Aaron rolled his eyes. “Such a drama queen with your saving lives.”

David smiled as he watched them get to their feet. He and Isaac were on the other couch, sitting close but not touching. Sound reverberated through the room from the TV, a fast song that played while the credits scrolled the screen. He kept turning his head during the movie, at one point certain a door was opening behind them. But of course there were speakers behind them in the walls and in the ceiling.

Jen put on her slippers. “You guys know how it works, yeah? There’ll be another movie after this, or you can turn the channels to find something else. And we have a ton of Blu-rays and DVDs in the cabinet. Whatever you want.”

The phone rang, and she frowned, checking her cell on the coffee table. “Hospital would try me on this first.” The cordless house phone was sitting on the table as well, and she glanced at the little screen before saying hello. She was silent for a moment. “Oh hi. Yes—Aaron’s wife. Is everything okay? It must be midnight there.” Her eyes met David’s. “He is. Hold on.”

David’s heart sank. “Who is it?”

Jen held her hand over the bottom of the phone. “Your friend June.”

For a moment he was terribly tempted to ask her to take a message, which was ridiculous. He should be excited to speak to June.
What’s the matter with me?
He reached out, aware of the TV going silent. Isaac perched beside him, watching with concern.

David put the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

June’s voice was so clear she could have been sitting right next to him. “Hi, David. Gosh it’s good to hear your voice. Is this too late to call?”

“No. Is something wrong? It’s late for you.” He glanced at Aaron and Jen, who stood by the TV, waiting.

“Everything’s okay. I couldn’t sleep, and thought I’d take a chance that I could catch you. I’m sorry to worry you.”

He exhaled in a rush. “Okay. I’m glad to hear it.” He smiled at the others.

Jen and Aaron waved goodnight, and Isaac stood as well, pushing the big red button on the plastic remote control. The TV went dark.

David said to June, “I just need to…please wait for a moment.” He whispered to Isaac, “You don’t have to go.”

“It’s okay. Take your time. Tell her I said hello.” Isaac pecked his cheek and disappeared up the stairs.

“Hello?” David put the phone to his ear again. “Are you still there?”

“Of course, hon. Give Isaac my best.”

“I will.” David sat back against the cushions. He had no idea what to say.

“How are you settling in?” June asked.

“Fine. Thank you.”

She huffed. “Who do you think you’re talking to? Come on—tell me what’s going on. I’ve been very patient, but it’s time for you to spill. How’s Isaac?”

He smiled faintly. Same old June. “Isaac’s good. He’s going to school already, and he’s happy to be with his brother again. Aaron and his wife have been very welcoming. They’ve done so much for us.”

“Glad to hear it. And what about you? Must be pretty surreal to go from here to the big city.”

Surreal
. “That’s a good word for it. It’s…it’s a lot.” He paused. “I thought I’d be much more prepared than I am. It’s different than I expected, actually being here in the city and living in an English house. I miss the smell of wood burning, but it’s so warm upstairs at night.”

“How’s the weather? You’re missing a whole lot of miserable snow here.”

“It’s warmer here. It can get cold, especially when it’s windy, but not cold the way it is there. No snow or anything.”

“Bet you don’t miss it.”

The sudden pressure on his throat choked him, and in that moment he ached to be near his family. “Have you seen them?” The question was barely a whisper.

“Yes. I took your money from the account like you asked and brought it to your mother. I could tell she didn’t want to take it, but obviously she didn’t have a choice.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, gripping the plastic to his ear. “How is she?”

June sighed. “She’s sad, David. Sad and angry. Not that she said much at all to me. I wish I could tell you she understands, but she doesn’t. It was a very tense meeting. Mary and Anna were there too. Mary didn’t look as though she’d been sleeping much. None of them did. Of course your mother wanted to know where the money had come from, and how I was involved.”

“What did you say?” He hunched over, his elbows on his knees, staring at the pale floor between his bare feet.

“Well, I figured the truth was the easiest thing. I hope that was the right choice. I’m sorry if it wasn’t.”

David sucked in a breath as a chill ran through him. “You told her about the business? About…all of it?”

“The business, yes. You going to the drive-in, no. But she knows you were using electricity and whatnot at my place. I tried to explain that you’d only wanted to support them better.”

Now Mother knew he’d lied to her. Not just for a few months, but for more than two years. He shuddered, imagining her face and wondering if she’d shown any emotion in front of June. She’d probably been a stone. “She’ll never understand.”

“Perhaps not, especially with you leaving the way you did. I’m not saying it was wrong, because I think you had to go. But it was a complete shock to her and your sisters. You hid your true feelings well, David. I hope that knowing it wasn’t completely out of the blue will be a comfort to them. Eventually, perhaps. Knowing that it wasn’t a flight of fancy, but that you’d been moving away from plain life for some time.”

He swallowed thickly. There would be no comfort in that. The only comfort would be for him to return. Join the church, marry, and live a good Amish life. There was no in-between. “Maybe. Do you think the money was enough? Do they have food?”

“Of course they do. Sweetheart, they’re fine. Mr. Helmuth came over while I was there, and he walked me out. He asked if I’d be speaking with you, and he wants you to know he’ll take care of them. If you ask me, I think he’s glad of the opportunity, and he seems a good sort.”

“Yes.” David breathed in and out deeply. “I still need to give them more money. What if something happens to Eli? It’s my responsibility. When Father died—”

“When your father died, you were nineteen years old. Too young to have to take on so much. David, you’ve had to shoulder this burden for a long time. Relax. You deserve the chance to find your own way. To live your own life. I’m not saying your family isn’t upset, because they are. But they’re not going to starve. Okay?”

He nodded.

“
Okay
?”

“Oh. Yes. I forgot you couldn’t see me.” He laughed shakily. “Dumb, huh?”

“Not a bit, hon. Hey, once you’re all set up online we’ll start Skyping, and you can see me in all my glory.”

“Is that where you can talk by video?”
Sweetheart. Hon
. He knew they were only words, and that his mother did love him, but the way June spoke to him made him feel warm and safe.

“That’s the one! My sister Deb got me on it. It’s easy. If I can figure it out, you can.”

“It would be very good to see you again.” He inhaled through a swell of affection. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“I haven’t done much, and that’s what friends are for. By the way, since the bank account you have is our joint one, you should open your own as well.”

“Okay.”

“Now I haven’t wanted to pester you because I know you’ve made a tough transition, but when you’re ready, I’ve had a dozen emails from customers who want furniture. The site’s still getting a lot of hits. After the buggy accident I put up a notice that there’d been a family emergency and the business was on hiatus. On hold, I mean. Got a bunch more emails of concern after that.”

“People were concerned? That’s very kind of them. I’m looking for a workshop here.”

“Terrific! I’d sure love to tell them that you’ll be back at work soon. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to start handling the customers and shipping yourself? Now that you’re out in the world you probably don’t really need me.”

David sat up straighter. “You mean you’d still be willing to help?”

“Of course! It keeps me out of trouble having a little something to do.”

He blinked rapidly. Maybe it wouldn’t be so much to handle if June was still going to help. “Okay. If you could still deal with the customers, then I’ll make the furniture and figure out how shipping works. We’ll still split the profit.”

“I don’t think so.”

David slumped back. “I understand.”

“Not so fast, young man. Absolutely you can do the work from there just like you did here, but we’re not splitting the profits. I was buying materials, remember? You’ll have to take care of that, and the shipping. But I’ll maintain the website, communicate with the customers, and do the billing. I’ll take ten percent, and not a penny more.”

“But—”

“No arguments. It’s a fair cut. I’m retired, and it gives me a little bit of work without taking too much time from my scrapbooking. Deal?”

He laughed softly. “Deal.”

“Good. Now that we’ve settled that, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

David froze. “What?”

“Your sister Anna came by this afternoon. I’m not sure how she slipped away, and although your mother said she forgives me for leading you astray, she certainly made it clear she doesn’t want me speaking to her children unless there’s an emergency. But Anna doesn’t seem like one to let rules stop her.”

He had to smile. “No. Not our Anna.”

“She told me she knew you weren’t going fishing all those nights, and she thanked me for helping you leave. She wants to talk to you. I said I had to ask you first. What do you say? Is it all right if she calls you sometime when she can get over here again?”

His heart tripped. How wonderful it would be to hear her voice. “Of course. Yes. She wasn’t… How was she? Angry?”

“A little bit. Mostly sad, and I think very frustrated with life right now.”