Aaron sat beside his
sister while the police finished up. There was nothing he could say to comfort
her. His nephews sat quietly next to her. The older one kept sneaking peaks at
Aaron. Aaron searched his memory for the name. Julius and Tristan. They were
the same age as Aaron’s own sons Byron, Burke and Benjamin.
“I can’t believe he’s
gone.”
“What happened?”
“We, Tristan and I,
went to the late movie tonight. Julius was at the school dance. He came home to
find his father like that.” Ariel burst into fresh tears.
“That must have been
hard for you, finding him like that.”
“Yes.” Julius replied
flatly.
The detective
approached them. “Mrs. Aaeng, I’m sorry, but I have to ask you this, was your
husband seeing anyone?”
“No. Matthew would
never cheat on me.”
“Why do you ask?”
“The medical examiner
says that there was evidence of sexual activity.”
“He was raped?”
“We can’t tell that
yet. It could have been consensual.”
Ariel paled. “Who
could have done something like that?”
“We don’t know. We’ll
be in touch.”
“Can you believe
that? Matthew was violated.”
Julius looked at her
in disgust and wandered out to the backyard. Aaron followed him.
“Go away.”
“Do you know
something you’re not telling?”
“I found a note
addressed to you. I read it. It was educational.”
“That’s an
interesting way to describe it.”
“My father was quite
explicit about certain acts he wished to perform with you. Acts he had
performed with you.”
“I’m sorry. I never
meant to hurt you.”
“Really? Then why did
you screw him?” Julius demanded.
“It seemed like a
good idea at the time. Your father was handsome and there was always a spark
between us. I never pursued him. I couldn’t force him to accept who he was.”
“He was gay.”
“Technically, he was
bisexual. He was a herm after all.”
“Oh. Meghan’s gay.”
“I know. I was at her
wedding. She married my step-daughter.”
“I didn’t know that.
I like her wife. I sometimes sneak over to see them after school. I never
understood why it was wrong to feel that way."
“Me either. Your
grandfather taught your mother to hate. He tried to kill me when he found me
kissing a boy. That’s why I left.”
“Do you still do
that? Kiss boys?”
“I kiss men. I’d get
in trouble for kissing a boy.”
Julius laughed at
that. Aaron could tell that the boy was more relaxed. “I think Dad was seeing
someone.”
“What makes you think
that?”
“I think he might
have been pregnant. I found a positive pregnancy test in the trash. My sisters
have moved out and my parents don’t, well, you know,” he blushed at the thought
of his parents having sex. Aaron understood. He couldn’t imagine his parents
ever doing it either.
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