“No. You want me to beyourman. The person you want. You need to be the one in control, but you have none where I’m concerned. I will live my life and make my own decisions. If you can learn to accept that, then we can have a relationship, otherwise… I’ll just go my own way without you.”
“But….”
Dade drew himself taller. “I don’t want your life. I never did. Yes, I’m dating Cliff, and I hope things work out between us. I really do.” They shared a smile that Dade felt deep in his heart. “And I know that dating Cliff and being in his life will mean that I will have decisions to make, but I’ll make them when the time comes.”
His father huffed, and for the first time he could remember, Dade saw doubt in his eyes. His father had always made every decision with confidence and assurance. “That’s what I was doing. I was protecting you.”
Dade shook his head. “I don’t know what universe you’re living in where trying to force me to take a job I don’t want or using your influence to transfer my boyfriend is protecting me.”
“The military school has been there for a century and would have been a good home for you. You wanted roots, and they have deep ones. You would have had a sense of permanence. This school here will not have that.” Dade blinked, because by some bizarre twist of logic, it made sense. “And transferring the major would keep you from getting hurt later.”
Dade scratched the back of his head. “Can’t you see that the issue with both of those is that you decided, without ever asking me what I wanted. You just decided.”
“It’s what I do.”
Dade smacked his father on the arm. “Not anymore. Not for me. And in case you forgot, you don’t do that for the army either. You retired.” A picture of what was truly happening began toform in his mind. “What you need to do is find somewhere that can use your talents. Work with some of the organizations in town, take Mom on a cruise and just have fun. Live the life you never could all those years because your job came first.”
“Yes,” his mom interjected. “When we get home, I’m booking a cruise for January, and I’m going to plan vacations to places I’ve always wanted to go. We’re going to have fun, and you are going to stop meddling in our children’s lives.”
Dade glared at his father. “What did you do?”
“Don’t worry, I put the brakes on his efforts to get Maria to move here with us.” She nudged the general with her elbow.
“I don’t know what it is you want from me,” he said softly.
Dade turned to Cliff because he suddenly found he was without the words he needed, and he hoped Cliff might help him.
“I think what Dade wants is for you to be his father, and maybe even his dad, and not the general.”
Dade nodded. “Yeah… what he said. I don’t need a general. What I do need is a dad, maybe a friend.” He met his father’s gaze as he nodded slowly. Dade couldn’t ask for much more than that. At least he seemed to have gotten his point across.
“Good. Now that you two seem to have figured some things out, we can go to lunch.” His mom took Cliff’s arm, and he led her outside.
Dade looked at his father. “We didn’t stand a chance, did we?”
His father actually smiled. “Nope. When your mother wants something, she usually gets it. Though in this case….”
“Yeah. Okay. Let’s go eat.” He could figure all of this out later. And maybe he was getting what he always wanted. It had been hard growing up with a father who was so busy all the time. So maybe this was a chance for him and his father to actually have some sort of relationship. He followed Cliff outsideand closed the door to Cliff’s apartment. Then they met at The Hamilton downtown.
“It wasreally strange having a meal with my father and him not tell me what he wanted for me or how I should be living,” Dade said once they got back to his apartment. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him act this way.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Yeah. It’s good, and I want to thank you for setting this up. It really helps. I don’t think my father and I are going to be best buddies any time soon, but if he stops interfering in my life, then maybe we can have some sort of relationship. I think it’s going to be hard for him to just back away, though.” He closed the door and took off his jacket. Cliff tugged him into his arms, and Dade went easily.
“I have to ask. What if in six months…?” He paused, and Dade knew exactly what he was trying to say.
“I know. And I’m not opposed to moving with you.” These were words he never expected he would be able to say. “It just has to be my decision.” He hugged Cliff tighter. “I know it will come eventually, and you make me happier than I’ve been in a long time. I’m almost afraid to say what I feel.” He drew Cliff into a kiss that sent his head spinning.
“That’s okay.” Cliff grinned. “Because I love you too.” Dade let Cliff guide him toward the bedroom. “And I intend to show you just how much.” His voice grew deeper as he slipped his hand under his shirt. Dade quivered with the excitement he always felt the moment Cliff touched him, and he gasped softly.
This apartment, this town, even Guam—it didn’t really matter where he lived. He was coming to understand that with Cliff in his life, he could build a home just about anywhere, and that was what he really wanted.
Epilogue
Cliff wasnervous as he came home. Just after Valentine’s Day, Dade had asked if he wanted to give up his on post apartment and move in with him. Cliff had jumped at the chance. So, for the last eight months, they had lived together happily. Their lives had melded together fairly seamlessly, and Cliff had never been happier.
Things with Dade’s parents had improved, and he and his father got along better and better, which was good for Dade and all of them. But now, as Cliff pulled into the parking spot just in front, he turned off the engine and sat in the dark car, hands on the wheel. Then he got out with a sigh and closed the door, the wind blowing the dry leaves around his feet.
