Hadrian's Lover (3 page)

“All right.” Geoffrey gives Dean one more squeeze before releasing him and issuing a mock stern order. “We better finish getting ready for your party! It is Happy New Year after all!”

“And,” Dean adds gaily, “Hadrian's fiftieth birthday!” The two men kiss briefly. Then, through misty eyes, Dean confesses, “I really love you, Geoffrey
frey Hunter. I am grateful every day that I have you in my life.”

Moved by Dean's honesty, Geoffrey kisses his lover passionately. As soon as Geoffrey releases him, Dean springs back into action. When Dean has a party to plan, there is no stopping the man!

This past year has been a quiet one for Hadrian with only four outsider attacks against the wall. According to Lieutenant-General Birtwistle, only one attack was from an organized force. The Alberta regiment, the Manitoba brigade (consisting mostly of descendants from what used to be southern Manitoba), continues to demand we return Hadrian’s land to them. Lieutenant-General Birtwistle is confident the losses incurred by the enemy were sufficient to deter any future attacks from this military force. “We had to use incendiary rockets against the enemy.” Sighing, he closed his eyes I’m sure in an attempt to block out grim memories. “We took out their entire squadron.” He then shook his head sadly. “It was the only way. They were clearly organized and had with them scaffolding apparatus. Hadrian’s war policy is very clear. No outsider is ever to enter Hadrian!” An understandable policy after June 13, now commonly known as 6-13, and considering the constant bombardment of plagues ravaging many outside countries. The last thing Hadrian needs is for a contaminated outsider to bring a plague inside our walls. Lieutenant-General Birtwistle feels Hadrian no longer need fear the Alberta regular army. As he reminded us in his interview, “Alberta’s Prime Minister has assured us, via wave link, it is no longer providing this regiment with additional forces. Remember,” Lieutenant-General Birtwistle said, “it has been over eight years since the Alberta army has sent any regiment besides the Manitoba Brigands to attack our borders.” The fact that Lieutenant-General Birtwistle refers to this particular regiment as bandits suggests that they are no longer regular army but are themselves becoming another desperate rabble, outsider victims fruitlessly trying to slip through our walls.

Lieutenant-General Birtwistle would also like Hadrian to recognize Private Katrina Jones, who was awarded the Antinous Sword, posthumously,
for her brave actions. Prior to the incendiary rockets being used, she stood bravely at the wall repelling the invaders. She died of a gunshot to the head.

Inside our walls, new progress has been made in strengthening the firewalls that keep the outside net from infiltrating our wave link. Unfortunately, some noxious hate literature, written by Leigh F. Butler, brother of Jeremiah F. Butler, the notorious suicide bomber of 6-13, slipped through last month. In his hate statement, he declared the citizens of Hadrian to be devil spawn and blasphemous sinners. Unfortunately, he was able to spam his cruel words to all our high schools via wires, terrifying and confusing many of our youth. Quoting his antiquated Bible (my apologies to those Hadrian citizens who choose to believe in this God), he referred to us as the abominable villains of Sodom and Gomorrah and warned that the dirty nuclear device his brother exploded was really God raining fire upon us and that more such rain is destined to come our way. Leigh F. Butler and his message of hate is a brutal reminder of the need for vigilance at our borders. Estelle Ramones, head of Hadrian’s Institute of Computer Science, assures us that the latest version of the firewall will stave off future attacks of hate literature.

On a positive note, agricultural engineer Quintin Laugharne claims to have biologically engineered an even hardier soya bean than the one Will Middleton introduced to our southern grasslands fifteen years ago. Will Middleton’s revolutionary work helped usher Hadrian closer to a fully self-sustaining country. Using Middleton’s research as his base, Laugharne has now stabilized the bean’s genetics so it will grow even in our milder summer seasons. The soya bean, known for centuries as a life-saving plant with its high levels of protein, has saved Hadrian from over-dependency on food imports from the outside world.

Even prior to the addition of the soya bean industry, Hadrian had always been very close to self-sufficient. Because Hadrian’s borders include one quarter of the world’s largest inland freshwater lakes (believe it or not, Hudson Bay used to have a high concentration of saline that we harvest along its shores) and numerous bountiful rivers, we do not lack access to fresh water like many parts of the outside world. The boreal forest in our northernmost regions, with careful harvesting and a solid forest reclamation plan, provides us with all the pulp and paper we need. Our fishing industry and farms all boast bountiful harvests, and the mining of quartz
and ore meet our basic metal needs. As we enter a new year in the life of Hadrian, we can happily claim the future is in our hands. Happy fiftieth birthday, Hadrian!

Vale!

The Hunter home is immaculate. You could run a finger into its deepest crevice and not pick up any dust. This obsessive cleaning trait of Dean's only rears its ugly head when company is expected. He has also taken great pains to ensure that both party rooms, living room and kitchen, are decorated to match the evening's festivities. All of the Hunters' guests, when greeted at the door, are presented with one of Dean's hand sewn (and starched!) conical hats. Using colorful scraps of hemp linen he produced over a dozen of these hats with tassels for his guests to wear. Every year he sews a new one, always for Geoffrey to wear. The living room is decorated with a rainbow of cheesecloth strung across the ceiling and others dripping down to the floor. Two of the three living room wall screens are turned on with festive imagery slide shows, the third reserved for the
Salve!
New Year count down. Dean also has a series of handmade noisemakers, including miniature drums, castanets, and whistles. Along with all the traditional New Year's paraphernalia, Dean makes sure each guest starts the night with a glass of wine or his choice of liquor. With all the gaiety surrounding him, the multiple coos over his décor, and the layout of the food, one would expect Dean to be thrilled—but he isn't. It is already ten-thirty and still no Mike and Todd. Frustrated at having no way of contacting Todd, Dean just paces in the front hallway, periodically looking toward the door.

“Dean,” Geoffrey whispers, placing a hand on his lover's shoulder to settle him. “Our guests are in the living room, not the front hall.”

“I'm just—”

“Waiting for Todd; I know. But,” with gentle opposition, “if Mike were going to bring him, they'd be here by now.”

“I just hate the thought of that poor kid stuck at home alone on New Year's Eve,” Dean laments.

“You don't know that, though, do you?” Geoffrey reminds him.

Dean shakes his head angrily. “Oh, but I do! Mike Fulton is either working overtime for more credits, or he's out with a new boyfriend.”

“You have no right to judge the man,” Geoffrey remonstrates.

“I'm going to take the bubble.” Seeing reservation in Geoffrey's eyes, Dean attempts to justify his actions. “I just want to drive over there and see if Todd is home.”

“Dean,” Geoffrey reminds him, “the bubble won't run right now. It's been too cold. You know that.”

“It's only minus five out there.”

“It was minus twenty yesterday,” Geoffrey reminds him. “The battery is dead.”

“It's been out in the sun all day, it should be charged up by now.”

Geoffrey grimaces, “Dean—”

Before Geoffrey can finish Dean jumps in with, “I'll take public transit then.”

“Dean!” Geoffrey grabs Dean's arm before he can turn toward the closet. “You're not thinking rationally.”

“Please, Geoffrey, let me go.”

“No, Dean. Your responsibility is to your guests.”

Just as Dean nods his reluctant assent, there is a knock at the front door. Dean rushes to answer it. Todd is standing outside. With his shoulders stooped and his body bundled inside an old black jacket, Todd looks stouter and shorter than he really is. In fact, Todd is 5' 5” and quite muscular since he trains year round for his favorite sport, b-ball. He also likes to wrestle and plays v-ball on the offseason to stay in shape. In the summer, he swims in Hudson Bay. His wavy brown hair (hidden underneath a wool toque) is the same color as his eyes, which currently stand out against his thick frosty eyelashes. His hands are stuffed inside his jacket pockets because he lost his gloves a few weeks ago. “Hi, Papa Dean,” he stutters through shivers. “Can I come in? I'm freezing!”

“Of course you can.” Dean pops his head over Todd's shoulder. “Where's your Papa?” Seeing no sign of Mike Fulton, Dean asks, “Did you walk here?”

“Yes, sir,” Todd answers as he steps inside. Dean doesn't even bother to ask why Todd never took public transit—no thumbprint, no credit, no access to public transit. He doesn't remove his coat, though, since he is still cold. Although winters in Hadrian are relatively warm, never falling much
below -15° C anymore and this New Year's Eve is considered mild at -5, Todd still had to make the trek across town. Todd and his Papa Mike live in subsidized housing on the northern edge of Antinous, Hadrian's capital city, whereas the Hunters live in a more posh region, along the Nelson riverbank.

Dean shoots Geoffrey an exasperated look before smiling for Todd and asking, “Is Papa Mike working overtime tonight?”

“Nah, he has a big date,” Todd says while shrugging off his coat.

The way Dean glares at Geoffrey over this piece of information one would think Geoffrey was to blame for Mike Fulton's absence. Geoffrey chooses to ignore Dean's pointed expression, welcoming Todd with a handshake. “Well, we're glad you were able to join us, Todd.” Gesturing, he adds, “Go on into the kitchen and help yourself to some punch. Frank's in there with Roger and a friend.” Following Todd with his eyes as he walks away, Dean calls, “Mind you take from the purple bowl. The crystal bowl is for adults only!”

“And tell Frank to quit eating all our food,” Dean adds as Todd disappears.

“Yes, sir,” Todd chimes back from the kitchen.

Frank, Anthony, and Roger are the only ones in the kitchen. The three boys are clustered together around the table filled with food. Like most teenage boys, Frank's appetite is humongous, so he has spent most of the night standing at the kitchen table eating. Todd laughs, “Papa Dean wants you to quit pigging out!”

Frank smiles as soon as he sees Todd. He instantly steps forward and pulls Todd in for a bear hug. Being so much taller than Todd, standing 6' 3”, he actually lifts his friend off his feet, holding him suspended briefly. “Glad you could make it, pal. We were ready to give up on you.” Frank is a very attractive youth. His oval face and reddish brown hair, although slightly feminine, do not detract from his obvious strength, for like Todd, Frank is muscular. He too enjoys playing v-ball, b-ball, and wrestling. He is even a long distance runner for track. His eyes are a speckled green, blue, and gray. When Frank smiles, his eyes always seem to light up.

Anthony scowls as soon as Frank greets Todd, instantly turning his back
to concentrate on the cheese and crackers. Like all of Frank's boyfriends, Anthony is short, standing only 5' 5½”. He has a small wiry frame, almost too skinny. Although he stands by the food table and appears to pick at the cheese, he doesn't eat anything.

“Hey, Todd,” Roger calls out happily. Todd is like an older brother to Roger, sometimes even more so than his real brother. Frank is great, but he doesn't listen like Todd. Whenever Roger is upset and neither father is around, Todd is the next person Roger seeks out for help. Frank is a last resort because he seldom ever takes seriously anything Roger has to say. “Want some Brie? Papa Dean put it out for your Papa Mike. Is he here?”

Todd leans in between Anthony and Frank. “Excuse me, skinny,” he teases Anthony, who does not respond, refusing even to move out of the way for Todd. Frank grabs Anthony's shirt collar and pulls him to his side. Anthony's smile for Frank barely conceals his contempt for Todd. Todd is not oblivious; he knows Anthony is jealous, which is utterly stupid since he and Frank are just friends. Cutting off a huge chunk of Brie, Todd slathers it on a cracker before offering it to Anthony, “Here,” he teases, “let's fatten you up a little so Frank has something he can grab onto.” Roger howls in laughter.

Anthony glowers at Todd; then peering up, he complains, “Frank, your friend is being mean to me.”

Todd chuckles along with Roger while Frank fights back the desire to join in. “Anthony, he's just playing with you.” Sensing that his little boy is about to explode into one of his famous hissy fits, Frank calms Anthony down by kissing him. Although he still refuses to talk to Todd, Anthony is mollified. As they watch this display, Todd winks at Roger while stuffing the cheese and cracker into his mouth.

“Geoffrey! Geoffrey!” Dean cries out frantically. “Do you have the champagne ready? Melissa Eagleton is starting the countdown!” This bottle,
Champagne Philipponnat Clos des Goisses
, their last bottle of real French champagne, has been waiting patiently for over four years for tonight's special celebration. With major cutbacks on imports, it is not likely they will ever have another such bottle to drink. They had ordered one case on their tenth anniversary, drinking a bottle each New Year and anniversary until
6-13 ended any chance that they could order more. Since then, their last remaining bottle has sat in solitary confinement inside its case in the far reaches of their cold storage awaiting Hadrian's Fiftieth New Year's Eve and Birthday celebration. As Melissa Eagleton's voice drones along with the guests (all eyes glued to the Hunters' wall screen), Dean calls out impatiently, “Geoffrey, please!”

Geoffrey enters the room with the champagne bottle in his hand and the cork teased halfway out. Smiling, he gives the bottle a slight shake—just enough to get the bubbles flowing, but not so much that any of the valuable wine will get wasted on the floor. “Cork ready to pop, dear.”

Dean sighs audibly, moving swiftly to the coffee table to retrieve the tray with one dozen crystal flutes, one for each of the eleven men present at their little New Year gathering. The extra flute, having been intended for Mike Fulton, will sit empty on the tray. As soon as the count hits one, everyone in the room cheers “Happy New Year!” along with Melissa Eagleton. Every man turns to his partner or neighbor, extending the traditional New Year's kiss. Geoffrey and Dean kiss gingerly, due to the delicate nature of the tray held between them. Once the first round of kissing is complete, mostly moderate pecks since the only two couples present are Dean and Geoffrey and Frank and Anthony, Geoffrey pops open the champagne and pours everyone a drink. Although he gives full portions to the adults, the four teenage boys only garner a half glass each. Frank tosses his flute back, downing the expensive wine in one dramatic gulp. Geoffrey shakes his head. Dean wants to lecture him on such folly, considering how expensive this particular bottle is and how they are never likely to taste such luxury again, but before he or Geoffrey can express their displeasure, Frank turns Todd's way and pulls him in for a kiss. And not just any kiss. Frank spins Todd as if in a dance, dipping his best friend low before diving down for his lips. It is a very romantic gesture, and as angry as Geoffrey and Dean are at Frank for having downed the expensive champagne, they are both pleased to see Frank engaging in a kiss with Todd. Neither man dislikes Anthony, but both men are hoping for a union between Frank and Todd. Smiling at the sight, Geoffrey feels the need to kiss his lover one more time, a little less gingerly now that the tray of flutes no longer hinders him.

After Frank releases Todd, he dips his flute into the punchbowl; then raising his flute high, he offers up another toast to honor Hadrian's birthday! Anthony does not participate in this cheer. Having watched Frank kiss
Todd, the young man boils over in anger and jealousy. Pushing through the small crowd, he stops briefly to glare at Todd. And then, intentionally banging into Todd's shoulder, he pushes past him to storm out of the front room and down the hall to Frank's bedroom. Frank shrugs his shoulders Todd's way before following Anthony out to set things straight.

Todd turns to leave, figuring he's overstayed his welcome, but Papa Dean catches him by the elbow. “Happy New Year, Todd.” Dean tussles Todd's hair as he speaks.

Ducking away to avoid Dean messing his hair too much, Todd laughs in reply, “Happy New Year, Papa Dean.” Then, with a half-hearted smile, “and Happy Fiftieth Birthday, Hadrian.” He lifts his flute in a token toast.

“Fifty years. Pretty amazing, eh?” Dean is smiling, not having felt the tension yet.

“Uh-huh.” Todd is barely paying attention to Dean. He is staring in the direction Frank left in pursuit of Anthony.

Noticing the distant look in Todd's eyes, assuming rightly it has something to do with Frank and Anthony, Dean comments, “That was some kiss you and Frank had.”

“You mean Frank
had
!” Exasperated, Todd exclaims, “I wish he'd stop doing things like that to me!”

“So tell me what was wrong with the kiss?”

“It was too much—over the top—Frank always goes overboard. I mean, that's the way you kiss your boyfriend. And I'm not Frank's boyfriend.”

“Why not, when the two of you get along so well?”

“Because Anthony is Frank's boyfriend.”

“Does that bother you?”

“No.” Shaking his head, Todd reiterates, “Really, Papa Dean, I'm not jealous of Frank's dating other guys.” Somewhat confused by the truth, he confesses, “I don't know why,” and confirms with his eyes, “I love Frank. You know I do.”

Papa Dean places a hand on Todd's shoulder. “I know.”

“It's just, well, I'm not ready to date yet, and Frank obviously is.” He shrugs. “I can't be angry at him for that. Besides,” he adds judiciously, “I have no time for that sort of thing. I have to concentrate on school and b-ball. Keep my average up and my game sharp so I can get into uni. That way I won't have to be a soldier and can work toward being an agricultural engineer like my dad!” Excited by the prospect, Todd adds, “You know Dad introduced soya bean to
Hadrian. I want to introduce rice. That's the last food substance we still have to import. Can you imagine if we could grow our own?”

Dean smiles, pulling Todd in for a hug. “That's an admirable goal, son. It would make your father proud.” Dean hugs Todd a little too hard but the young man doesn't mind. Both men are re-experiencing the grief of loss: for Dean, the loss of a dear friend, and for Todd, the loss of a father. Releasing Todd, Dean takes a moment to brush a lock of hair out of the boy's eye. “There is so much about you that reminds me of your father.”