Chapter 57
“So I don’t know what else to do. Tyler can’t bring himself to accept who he is and deal with the consequences. It happened like this ten years ago and it’s happening again. I guess I feel the only way for either of us to get a life for ourselves is for me to be out of the picture. Truth is we do love each other. And our being in the same town and not able to be together is only gonna be torture for both of us.”
Joe was quiet for a while. Then he said, “There’s gotta be a way to make Tyler see he’s being an asshole.”
Ward sighed softly. “If there is, I sure wish I knew what it was.”
They sat together for a bit longer, then Joe said, “We better get to bed. Cows are gonna be ready in a few hours even if we aren’t.”
As Joe got to the door, Ward said, “You won’t say anything to Mom and Dad will you? I don’t want to worry ‘em.”
“I won’t tell them nothing about your dumb ass idea about going back in the army. But as far as the thing about you and Tyler…you’re about ten years late on that one. When I told ‘em what I thought was going on between the two of you, they said they’ve known all along. G’night.”
Joe walked out the door. Ward stared after him. How much of his life and Tyler’s had been apparent to everyone without either of them realizing it?Chapter 24
Tyler was driving home from picking up the boys after their visit to the farm. The boys were quiet in the backseat, probably dozing. Tyler’s mind went back to what had gone on when he’d arrived at his parent’s house to pick them up.
The four Hugheses had been watching a movie on television when Tyler had come in. The boys jumped up and were all over him talking about the evening, how cool Addy was, giving him every detail, and ending with the question, “Why didn’t you come?”
“Uh, I wanted to, but I had some things to get done at work,” he said, looking cautiously over at his father. Hughes senior didn’t turn to look at Tyler, but Tyler could tell his dad wasn’t buying his excuse.
Tyler decided he needed to get out quickly before any more questions were asked. However, before he could herd the boys out the door, his mother said, “I need to talk to you. In the kitchen, now,” she said firmly.
Sensing she was wanting to talk about things he’d rather not discuss, Tyler tried to make excuses for avoiding the conversation. “Mom, the boys need to get home. You and Dad are probably ready to go to bed.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday, so Jack and Eddie can sleep in. Your father and the boys haven’t finished watching their movie yet.” His mother’s tone told Tyler her request was not to be denied.
He offered no further resistance and followed her out of the room.
As they entered the kitchen he asked, “What’s up?” He was trying to make his voice sound casual.
She rounded on him and said, “That’s my line! You’re the one who needs to tell me what’s upwith saying you were too busy at work to come with us tonight.”
“Like I told Jack and Eddie…” Tyler started, still trying for an air of nonchalance.
“Tyler Alexander Hughes! It’s your mother you’re talking to! Your father works at the mill, too, remember. He told me there was no real reason for you to stay and work late.”
Tyler knew she was serious. She never spoke with a voice this stern or used his full name unless she was. Yet, he looked at her and said “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“You know very well that I’m talking about you and Ward! I want to know what’s going on with the two of you.”
Tyler hesitated. “I’m…I’m…not sure what you mean about me and…” he fumbled.
“First you two are tight as the skin of a gooseberry, then you’re avoiding him and he’s trying to act like his world isn’t falling apart around him.”
Tyler sat and stared at his mother.
“Tyler, for heaven’s sake. Don’t act so surprised. We’ve known about you and Ward for years. We just wondered when the two of you would get around to coming to us and letting us know yourselves. Now, since you seem determined to break his heart, again, well, I just couldn’t keep quiet anymore.”
When Tyler continued to stare, speechless, at his mother, she pulled up a chair facing him, holding his hands in hers. “Tyler, we, your father and I, know that you have feelings for Ward, and he has them for you. We know…or feel that the two of you belong together. We’ve felt that for years. We understood when you chose to marry Tiffany. You were young and afraid. But we were sure that this time, after all these years, you were ready to live the life you’ve really wanted all along. Please help me to understand.”
Tyler could hardly take it all in. His carefully kept secret was no secret after all. All this time they’d known. Yet, knowing this, didn’t make it any easier for him to talk about it. He could hardly face her. He looked away, shame and embarrassment spreading through him.