“Yeah, it’s strange to think how long ago that was. Feels like an eternity,” Wessaid.
“Maybe longer than that.” Art’s lips curled into a smile as he spoke thewords.
“Is there anyone else from back in the day around here? I heard Kenneth Moore and Joseph Duvall are herenow.”
“Joseph moved here a little over a year ago after his wife passed. Keeps to himself mostly. Kenneth’s been here nearly as long as I have. Are you friendly withhim?”
It was no surprise to Wes that Art had asked, considering they were two of the few kids in their town who’d attended a private all-boys high school in Tennessee. “No, no. I’ve only heard about him in passing from friends inWinebourne.”
“I remember the two of you were friendly back in the day. I hope that doesn’t wind up being awkward for you. He’s fairly harmless, but he’ll give me a glance every now and then, and I don’t think it’s because I’ve said anything to slight him as much as the way you and I are. He runs in the same circles as some of the other residents known for self-righteously waving their hateflags.”
“I can imagine. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t say it surprises me much. I guess age has made him even more ignorant than his own parents. Is there a lot of that here? I heard there are a few other residents that arefamily.”
“There are some of us. This is a very liberal community, don’t get me wrong. Maybe that’s why we know who all the bastards are. Trust me. They are the anomalies. Most everyone is friendly and respectful, but a few of them are stuck back in the day of thinking that Jesus’s main interest was in oppressing anyone who wasn’t a white man born and raised in theSouth.”
“I’m familiar with the sort. Interesting to see how a guy like Kenneth, who spent his adolescence mooning his peers, wound up with such strong moralconvictions.”
“Yes, it’s amusing to reflect on how people have transformed over the years. Certainly, we’ve both lived lives that strayed a ways from what was expected of us back when we werekids.”
“Oh, Art, whatever could you be referring to?” Wes’s tone was as facetious as he couldmuster.
Art laughed, and as he did, a waiter arrived with theirfood.
“Anyway,” Wes added. “I’m very interested in hearing what you’ve been upto.”
“Why don’t you try the stromboli, and then we’ll get to that? I’m starving. And I don’t have much patience when I’mhungry.”
Wes was more than happy to oblige, and they ate some. Wes complimented the food, far more impressed than he figured he would be, and once they were nearing the end of their meals, Wes asked, “So where did you want tobegin?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you’veheard, and I can fill in the gaps,” Artsaid.
“How honest are we going to be? I assume we’re talking about beingfamily?”
Art laughed. “Yeah, because you know I’m curious what all those bastards were saying about me when I was in my early twenties. Was it half as bad as what they said about you when you fell to those ‘wickedimpulses’?”
“Oh, it was all just talk when you were on your own. Speculation. But there were so many who would say things like, ‘Oh, not that good boy,’ and ‘But I thought he was always running around with that girl in highschool.’”
“Shelley?” Art asked. “Oh, yes, I’ve heard that a lot from the folks who didn’t understand at first…or who took some time to grasp theconcept.”
“As the guy who was married with kids and had to explain to people, I more than understand. I take it that was a scandal? A man running around after divorcing his wife to be withmen.”
“What would be gossip-worthy about that?” Art asked, making an overdramatic shrug beforewinking.
Weslaughed.
“We were in similar places in that town,” Art continued. “Back then, there were rumors and ideas about things, but no one knew enough to be sure. Most people couldn’t even pick up on those sorts of things the way they can now. Or at least, it wasn’t polite to have discussions aboutthem.”
“What did you think? About me, Imean.”
“I didn’t really knowyou.”
“But…I have to bring this up. That day in the park when we had that chat, I had a strange feeling. It was like I knew you in some way that I didn’t know otherpeople.”
“I had that too. But I didn’t know what I was really thinking. We were just goofing around, and I was making up some story about God knows whateven.”
“Pirates,” Wes said. “I asked you what you were thinking about when I saw you walking in the woods, and then somehow got you to make up an elaboratetale.”
“Yes, I hadn’t actually forgotten, but I’d hoped you had. That wasembarrassing.”
