“I’l show you,” Stevie said and his hands were light on
“I’l show you,” Stevie said and his hands were light on me as they guided me up the stairs.
Annette and Stevie helped me clean up my face in the bathroom. I pul ed myself together, holding Annette’s hand as Stevie wiped my face with a warm, wet washcloth.
“Feel better?” he asked, smiling encouragingly.
“No,” I told him, but I was trying to smile too.
He kissed my forehead. “You wil ,” he said and then looked me in the eyes again. “It may seem like you won’t, but you wil . I promise.”
I nodded, wanting to believe him, and, with a hand squeeze from Annette, we walked into the upstairs landing and heard Al y say, “I’m gonna talk to Lee. The minute they find that ass**le, I want my turn with him in the holding room.”
“Al y,” Indy said.
“Sugar, I’m talking to Marcus to-night,” Daisy broke in.
“He’s gotta step his shit up. Ain’t gonna be no holding room for Bil y f**king Flynn, not if I have anything to say about it.”
“Daisy,” Indy said.
“No f**king way. I want a shot at him first. I’m gonna kill that motherfucker,” Al y broke in.
“Al y,” Indy said.
“No, I’m gonna kil him,” Daisy declared.
“Oh for God’s sake, no one’s going to kil him!” Indy said, loudly this time.
Then Stevie, Annette and I jumped as we heard glass shatter.
After a second of loaded silence Indy said, now quietly,
“Tod.”
“Seen a lot of shit in my life,” Tod said, his voice vibrating with anger. “Lived in a closet for years, hiding who I was. My parents stil don’t know. Had friends die of AIDS, had other friends beaten up in parking lots and al eys for no other reason but because of who they are. Never has that been in my living room. Never have I seen a sweet, spirited being that f**king broken. No, I think I’m going to kil Bil y f**king Flynn.”
This announcement was met with silence from downstairs.
I swal owed and looked at Annette and Stevie.
Then I whispered, “Am I broken?”
Stevie’s hand came to my arm. “You’ve been trying so hard to cope, girlie, that you haven’t even realized you’ve been through hel . We’ve al been watching, we’ve al been worried. No one can be strong that long. It’s good this is happening, go with it. You need it.”
“But,” I said. “I’m not strong. I’m weak.” Stevie’s brows drew together. “Why would you think that?”
“I cry al the time,” I explained.
His hand went away from my arm and he waved it between us. “Oh, wel . So does Tod and he’s the strongest person I know. You would not even believe the shit he’s been through in his life.”
I blinked at him.
He linked his arm through mine. “That’s for a different bottle of champagne. Let’s get you an outfit for Daisy’s party, hmm?”
He walked me down the stairs and I threw a glance up at Annette.
She stood at the landing staring down. When she caught my eye, she blew me a kiss.