Fire in the Firehouse 10

The note from his cousin was most curious. They'd not spoken in ages. They, like he and Drake were very close as kids, but when Hunter's Dad got a job transfer in the early 90's, that made their relationship more difficult. Hunter visited a few times over the years, but things were never as tight as they'd been. 

Colby read the note. He was happy hearing from his cousin regardless of time missed. As he read it seemed more and more curious for his cousin to have written.

Hey buddy,

Long time no speak. I had to email you. I was doing a project for next year's family reunion. Trying to gather facts about our roots. I dug way, way back in our family line. Seems we had a few semi famous political relatives throughout the ages and a small celebrity, too. Anyhow I was putting the tree together and I found some cool facts and some interesting ones, too.

The letter went on and Colby absorbed the information his cousin shared with him. It was very eye opening and gave great cause to think on matters.

In the Sierras, about 100 miles away Marie was lighting another cigarette and sitting down to her computer. "Let's see if the good-for-nothing-shit bothered to respond. Well, the lil fag did. Shocking. Let's see if he bails." She read the letter and in her eyes the bait was taken. "Excellent, the lil queen took the bait. I'll wreck him but good."

The next two days flew by. Mitch had gotten word that later that day the bandages on his eyes could come off as he'd started getting some sight back. First it was contrast of dark, light and some areas in between. By the end of the third day some colors began seeping through. His progress was coming along nicely. Colby told him of the fact Marie wanted to meet with him. And the lighter haired one had expressed his feelings on the matter. He couldn't fathom the rush.

The day came when Marie would be closer to where they lived. She'd called him that morning on her cell telling him to meet her at the coffee shop where they'd had dinner last time they were together in the area. It was a familiar landmark and it'd be quiet enough for what Marie had in store.

Colby arrived first, waited in his truck for his step Mom. She was only behind by like 15 minutes. He got out to greet her, giving no indication to her he felt differently. He kissed her cheek, a sign of respect he was taught years before. She reciprocated, kissing more air than his cheek. Fake and one dimensional as always.

They went inside, got a table and sat down. Marie wasted no time getting to her point. "How've you been?" She started out nonchalant, faking any sincerity. Colby smiled and nodded, confirming things were as to be expected. A waitress came up, got their drink order and walked off. Marie pondered things for a moment, allowing the waitress to be far enough away to begin her conversation with her step son.

She continued immediately, not caring much what he had to say. "I'm going to blunt. I know you're a fag and I saw the news and I'm going to stop at nothing to destroy your image of you in your Father's eyes. I've never liked you and we both know that. You're useless, you're a cock-sucker and a disgrace to this family. You should've been given up for adoption at birth. You won't be happy until your happy little lifestyle gives you AIDS like all other faggots!" Colby absorbed the words, a little taken aback that she was going for the throat and right away, too. But not all that surprising.

Colby's blood was boiled over as Marie continued on. He felt his new attitude coming to the surface. He could hold back no more and the tone in his voice was quick to grab the attention of the few other patrons. "Look here, Marie! Yeah, you heard that right you sanctimonious, money-grubbing bitch! Hunter emailed me the other day and I now know it all! That's right! You're NOT my Mother, mine died and it became a family secret. All those years you abused me, you fucking cunt! I should've reported your ass to CPS and had your ass hauled into jail and maybe Big Bertha could've made you her bitch! I also know you're a drunk and a chronic gambler! And I also finally know what Dad does for a living and that things could've been much better had you gotten the help you needed. And when he finds out I know the truth, it changes everything! Do you hear me? EVERYTHING! You can rot in hell you vindictive, over baring, ugly, useless whore!" He stopped, the anger speared through his body, never before had he been so angry and stood up for himself.

He continued. "I'll have you know I am gay and I don't give ten shits what you or anyone thinks! I love my man way better than you ever loved yours! Shocking thing, how I can love him so much after I was your punching bag both figuratively and literally! But I manage to love him more than anyone I ever have in my life! You think you can invite me here and just blackmail me? You'll expose me to my Father? Look here, Cuntula! A Father's love for his son is something no man or woman can trample! The day you die I will piss on your headstone or in the urn that holds your ashes and if you're buried, I'll dance naked on your plot, piss on it, shit on it and I'll wipe my ass on your headstone!" He got up to walk out, beat red from anger. Paying little attention to the others around him. It caught him off guard when the place erupted into applause. No one present seemed to doubt his story. Marie's face was glowing red. She'd swallowed hard and beads of sweat from embarrassment dribbled over her makeup covered face. She'd never been more humiliated in her life. Under her breath she swore revenge. 

As Colby reached the door, he looked back, a coy smile stretched across his face. "By the way, I wouldn't dream of missing the family dinner coming up. Make sure you wear something that goes well with red. You even think about saying a word that night and ruining Dad seeing Drake after all these years, your face will flail in comparison to what I'll make it look like. And yes, Mitch will be there, too." He pushed the door open, looked back one final time. "And by the way Mom," the way he said Mom he no more meant it than he was a straight man. Fuck you very much!" With that he left, got in his truck, kicked up some hard rock music and tore out the driveway leaving burnt rubber in his wake as Marie gathered her self and what was left of her dignity and left leaving $20 on the table feeling she had to do something to save face.

Marie sped her way to her sports car, top down even in the blaring heat, music blaring too and she, too sped away. She was screaming out, "That fuckin lil bastard will pay dearly. I will have my revenge. I'll find that pre nuptial and destroy it. I will have all of his no-good Father's money and I'll head to an island or small country and live high on the hog! No one humiliates Marie this way! NO ONE!" She bore down the road, almost oblivious to the speed limits, signs warning what speed and so forth.

As Colby made his way through the mountains, he found himself mentally reliving the moment. He'd called his Dad leaving a detailed message on his cellphone and his work phone. He covered both bases in case Marie knew his code on his cell and might intercept his message. 

He was so proud of himself and what he'd said. Years of being abused and treated like shit, some of the old wounds seemed to close some and begin to scar over. Far too long Colby had allowed himself to be a victim. He felt relieved, as though a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Years of abuse and he finally gave some back. He knew, knowing Marie, which he comfortably shifted to calling her even in his mind, would try things, many things to destroy him. To what level he had no clue. He knew he needed to discuss things with his Dad. He just hoped there'd be time for it before the dinner. Sometimes his Dad got lax about messages from home. But who could blame him? With Marie having a crisis every time he turned around, as long as there were no bad news about Colby, he was happy.

The young man with wheat-colored hair pulled in the driveway and sat in his truck. In retrospect it felt good getting that all off his chest. There was some rippling currents inside him that wished he'd not had to be so harsh, but they were replaced by feelings of relief and retribution. His mind absorbed the music which he'd respectfully turned down. He took a deep breath as he turned the key off.

He got out and headed inside, went straight for his room as the cool air enveloped his skin, welcoming him into the place. He kicked off his shoes and laid back on his bed as he replayed the events. A smile danced its way over his chiseled, handsome face. "What a day. I learn the pyscho-bitch-from-hell's not my Mom and I get to tell her off. I used to dream about that as a kid and here it is reality." He stopped for a moment and his heart filled with sorrow. "I gotta wonder, Mom. What happened?" He felt his mood shift quite a bit. He was filled with mixed emotions now. Part vindication, part loss of a woman he'd never know.

As he laid on his bed, feeling the cool air chipping away at his warmer body, attempting to cleanse it with coolness, a few small tears flowed down his model-like face. There were feelings at war inside him. As he drifted into a semi sleep state, he jolted up. "May Mom rest in peace. But fuck it. I'll learn that truth later. Right now I need to begin the healing. My soul's finally at peace from that vile wench."

A nap came quick. His inner being was more at peace than it had been in years. He'd pushed Mitch into the back of his mind. He needed to cleanse his soul by working all past issues out. He'd go visit his man after a brief nap.