Physical Communication

Chapter 12

"Ah, I see." He nods in understanding.

"Honestly this is the most time we have ever spent together outside of the gym. It's strange."

"Do you like him?"

"Let's not. He hates me and is straight so why even go there?"

"I'm sorry son."

I jump in my seat when I hear the front door close behind me. I turn to find Adam standing there. He is wearing black dress pants and a white button up. He looks good. We stand and my dad puts his hand on my back.

"Ok, let's go boys."

We all three climb into my car. I am a little relieved to see the church is already set for the wedding. I guess they did most of it last night during the rehearsal. Until I realize Adam and I have nothing to do for the next couple hours before people start showing up. I find Adam sitting in a pew at the back of the church. I walk over and sit down.

[I didn't know you were Catholic.] He comments.

I look up at the front of my childhood church and smile.

[Yeah, I was an altar boy and everything. All five of us were baptized here and had our first communions up there. Why? Does that surprise you?]

He looks up at me then back up front.

[Do you still attend?]

[I don't go to service every Sunday but I go when I can or when I feel the need.]

He once again looks up front. I get his attention.

[What about you? Did you grow up going to church?]

He hesitates but finally answers.

[Not Catholic but yes. I still attend every Sunday…will we be here tomorrow?]

[My family will be…if you want we can join them.]

He nods and we go quiet again. Cara was right, this is easier than I thought.

[Are you close with your family?]

I turn to look at him, almost missing the question.

[Yes, we are a pretty close family. As the only boy I tend to be left out of some things but we are tight knit.]

[Do you think that's why you are gay?]

My eyes go wide. I can't believe he just asked me that.

[No.] I simply say, no need to argue.

I try to steer us back to safer topics.

[Do you have any siblings?]

[No.]

[Wow, I couldn't imagine.]

[Does everyone know?] He nods towards my dad talking to the priest.

At first I’m not sure what he is talking about, then it clicks. I try not to laugh.

[My family does. Scout and Blair know. Thanks to you, everyone at the gym knows.]

He doesn't respond. He doesn't smile like he's proud of it but he doesn’t frown and say sorry either.

[Your niece is adorable. She's Rebecca's?]

[Yeah, it's a long story.]

I think the look on my face peaks his interest.

[We have plenty of time. Tell me her story.]

I shrug. It's not something we talk about a lot but maybe he would appreciate today a little more if he knew more.

[First off, Rebecca is four years older than me. When we were younger she married her high school boyfriend. When I was sixteen or seventeen, I had just gotten the freedom to drive. I decided to go visit my big sister. She had been acting weird lately and missed a birthday party or something the week before. Anyways, I showed up, unannounced, and found this piece of shit beating up my sister. I nearly killed him and it's the only time I have never regretted using my fists outside the ring.]

The look of shock and anger is all over Adam's face. It makes my heart ache to see him react like this.

[She left him, he did jail time. As you can imagine she was single for a while after that. Until she met Chris. She thought she would never get married again. Then about seven years ago Kate came along. Chris brought up marriage and she made a deal with him. If they made it ten years, she would marry him. Today is their ten year anniversary.]

[I feel like you made this shit up.]

[Ask anyone in my family.] I laugh.

[You're sisters are awesome.]

[Thanks to me they can all defend themselves now and well they don't need help running their mouths.]

[Especially Cara.]

[Off limits!]

He laughs and I swear to God in this very church the sound makes my heart melt. We continue to talk and before we know it people start showing up. I have no part in the wedding so we move up to the front where my sisters show me where to sit.

The ceremony begins. Rebecca didn’t want a big bridal party or anything. So Kate is the first one to walk down the aisle tossing flower petals on the floor. She is an angel. Chris gives her a kiss on the cheek and holds her hand as they turn to look for Rebecca. We all stand and the music begins. She walks out and she is beautiful. I feel proud and very happy for her. We all sit, my dad joins us in the pews with Kate.

They start their vows and I decide to interpret it for Adam. I try not to make a big show of it. Adam puts his hand on mine, to stop me. Flames surge up my arm at his touch. I look up at him.

[I don’t need to hear to witness their moment.]

He looks back to the altar. It takes me a little longer to pull my eyes away from him. How is the asshole so perfect?