Short piece, more for fun than anything. Happy 4th of July everyone.
The sun was warm; the sky dotted with fluffy clouds that threatened, but not promised blessed relief from the heat. Derek opened the grill and released the puff of smoke. He turned the pieces of chicken, dotting them with the marinade that Alex had prepared earlier. “Done yet?” He smiled at his lover and shook his head.
“Not quiet, but soon.”
“Want to play Frisbee?”
“Hmm, I don’t know, I’m manning the grill.”
“Come on.” Alex stepped up beside Nick. “Alex will keep an eye on it, come play with me.” Nick flashed his most seductive grin and Derek laughed. “Go on Derek, I think I can flip the chicken.”
“Actually, I just did. You should probably wait…” He tried to finish the sentence but Nick was tugging at his shirt. He shrugged and followed Nick onto the flat part of the garden. “All right, show me what you’ve got.”
Alex watched as they began a casual, relaxed session of throw and chase. Derek doing most of the chasing as Nick’s aim was a little off. Rachel set up the table, condiments, plates and cups. Kat contributed by making the lemonade and just being a kid. She sat on the ground near the Frisbee area and watched, as the Frisbee came to her, she naturally stood up and grabbed it. The vision hit just as she did and she shook herself as Derek approached.
“Kat, are you all right.”
“Sure, Derek.” She flashed him a smiled and tossed him the Frisbee then headed back toward the table.
Everyone turned to look when Philip yelled from the house. He waved and headed out to the festivities, Vince in tow. Vince sat down the bags of stuff they had brought while Philip headed out to the playing field.
“How abou’ a real game?” He bounced the soccer ball off his knee several times before kicking it to Nick.
“Hmmm,” He glanced up at Derek. “How about it?”
“We don’t have enough players.” Alex stepped up with a reddish blonde gentleman.
“Can we play, Rachel’s watching the grill.”
“Great. Now, that’s six, more than enough.” Nick said, winking at Derek.
“Teams?” Philip looked around, then tapped his foot as Vince finally stripped off his shirt and joined them. “Comfortable?”
“Much better, long drive.”
Nick nodded and looked around. “Okay, that’s Philip and me.”
“Hey, why do you get Philip?” Alex complained.
“Alex too.” She snarled her nose a little at Russell and trotted over to Philip.
“That leaves us.” Derek said walking away a little. “Let’s get some stradegy down before they beat us into the ground.”
Nick set up the play, having won the coin toss. He was down the field, rushing the ball between him and Philip when it was his turn to goal. He lined the shot up, but Derek was there to block, so he scooped around. Before he could land the ball in the net Derek tackled him and sent the ball over his head to Vince. Both men lay there in a heap, laughing and catching their breath.
Kat was watching from the sidelines, rooting for her fave guys. Rachel touched her shoulder and she looked up. “Mom, can I ask you something?”
“Sure honey, anything.”
“Is it okay for men to kiss men?”
“What?” Rachel’s heart sank; she looked from Kat to the field where Derek was helping Nick up. His help ended with a peck on the cheek and a swat on the behind. She watched as they joined the guys at the other end. “Well, I ahhh.”
“I’ve seen them do it before, it’s not new. But you’ve never said anything about it. Some of my friends at school have two daddies and no moms, or two moms and no daddies. But I didn’t really understand.”
“Well, this is a big subject and I want to do this right. How about we talk after the fireworks?”
“Okay, but is it okay? For Derek and Nick I mean.”
“OH no, no. It’s different.”
“But you love Alex and so do I. She could be my second mom.”
“I love her, yes, but…”
“Oh mom, look, I think the grill needs you.” Rachel turned and yelled as
the smoke billowed out the side of the grill, hanging low around the metal
legs.
“OHHHH, Derek!”
the end~~~
Maybe some fireworks next time, huh?
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