"Your aunt is a real trip," Randy declared as he and Brant climbed into bed.
"You got that right. If I'd had any idea she was coming, I could have prepared you for her. She's uptight about manners, but some of the things she comes out with when she's talking ... wow! She says what she thinks and she doesn't much care how she says it. My uncle was in the logging business and she learned plenty from the men that worked for him. If she gets mad, watch out. She can out cuss anybody."
"I guess I'd better watch myself. For sure I won't slouch with her around."
"If you do, you can bet she'll remind you. It's great of your dad to invite her. No way I'd of thought she'd come. The folks will have a hissy if they find out she's here."
After breakfast, she asked the boys to show her around the garden.
"Let me get my dog in first." Randy said.
"Not on my account, I like dogs. Where is he?"
Randy whistled and Dammit bounded up. He told her the animal's name and watched with awe as the husky diffidently approached Brant's aunt at her call.
"How'd you do that, ma'am? He's trained to be mean with strangers."
"I owned Siberians until I had to give up my home. They can immediately sense a dominate personality. Come, Dammit."
As they walked, she noticed Randy move closer to Brant and start to reach out, then withdraw his arm.
"If you wish to put your arm around Brantford, then do so."
They both turned to stare at her, mouths open.
"Shut your mouths; both of you are gaping like a pair of imbeciles. I'm well aware that you love each other."
"You aren't mad about it?" Brant asked.
"Mad implies that I'm out of my mind, Brantford, and I'm certainly not that, not yet at any rate. You should have said displeased. I can't say I'm overjoyed, but since I'm told your love is real, I'm pleased that you have each other. From what I have observed, Sequoyah has much to offer you. I hope that you offer him something in return."
"I try, Aunt Olivia."
"That's all I can ask. Now, shall we continue?" She walked ahead with Dammit, leaving them to trail along behind her.
As they continued on, she became aware of Brant's increasingly unsteady gait. "Didn't your father get you a new leg?"
"He said I hadn't had this one long enough, and he wasn't going to put out that kind of money when this one wasn't that old."
She snorted. "That damned tightwad makes Scrooge look like a spend-thrift! Let me tell you one thing, young man; as soon as this graduation is over, you're coming home with me and we're going to that clinic and get you something decent." She fixed her gaze on Randy, shaking her finger at him. "And you, Sequoyah, are coming with him. If you're going to spend part of your life with Brantford, you may as well learn something about what he has had to go through, thanks to my jackass of a brother. There's a more graphic term to describe Brantford's father, but as I adored our mother, I can't use it without insulting her memory. The one good thing to come from all this, Brantford, is that there is no way your parents can prevent you from visiting me whenever you wish."
"But if you're sick ..."
"It's your parents who make me sick! I'm not ill, as should be perfectly obvious. You shall definitely come with me when I return home and Sequoyah will come with you."
"I have to run uptown for some things. Want to come with me?" Randy asked Brant about mid-morning.
"No, thanks, you go ahead. I want to spend some time with my aunt."
He took the lift up and tapped at her door, then opened it. She sat in a comfortable chair by the window overlooking the garden, drinking a cup of coffee.
"It's nice of you to come, Brantford, but I saw Sequoyah leaving. Didn't you wish to go with him?"
"We won't have that much time alone and I wanted to talk to you." He kissed her on the cheek then took a chair opposite.
When he looked up at her, she recognized Brant's serious expression. "What's bothering you, dear?"
"Why have mom and dad always hated me?"
Her startled expression grew sad. She bit her lower lip in thought as she placed the coffee cup on the table beside her. Finally, she looked at Brant.
"You're supposed to be happy at graduation. Why bring up something unpleasant at a time like this?"
"I haven't heard anything from them since I've been here with Randy and his dad. I called home one afternoon, but mom slammed the phone down when she heard my voice. I ..." tears welled up, "I can't help it if I'm gay."
"That is not the direct cause of what has happened, Brantford, only a small part of it. If you feel you must know, I'll tell you. But I would prefer not to, not at this time."
"Please. I've wondered a lot about it, 'specially since I got hurt and they acted like they did. The only reason dad bought me the leg was because he said I looked stupid enough without everybody knowing I'm a cripple. He raises hell with me if I use my crutches, but the leg hurts so bad sometimes I can't stand it. He wouldn't even listen to the doctor when he told him I should have a new one before I hurt my stump so bad I'd have to have another operation."
She studied him in silence for several moments. "You are an adult, Brantford, in experience if not in years. Yet, what I'm going to say will hurt."
"I can take it."
"Yes, I expect you can. The beginning is the worst part, but it will answer some of the questions I'm certain you want to ask. As you know, you were a late child. I believe they refer to it as a menopausal child now. However, when she found that she was pregnant, your mother wanted an abortion but, for various reasons, the doctors she saw refused. You were unwanted from the very beginning.
"Oh, God, life is so unfair, Brantford! Your uncle Nils and I wanted children so badly, but we were unable to have them, and your parents didn't want or appreciate you." She paused to wipe her tears. "We wanted to take you and raise you as our own, but your father refused us out of pure spite. That's the very reason I will not speak to that ass. I would never have tolerated your mother's visits either, had that not meant I'd never get to see you. Oh, she was the ever loving mother when she brought you to see me, but it was all an act. You may be certain that she thinks no more of me than I think of her. She was using you in hopes that I might leave them something when I die. That will never happen, but should I have died before this, anything I left you, regardless of whom I named trustee, would have been partially under their control until you came of age. By then, I suspect, there would have been little or nothing left of it for you. I gather they've given up their expectations by now and made up the story of my illness just to keep you from visiting me. Everything I have comes to you when I die, with the stipulation that you're not to give them a single penny."
Seeing that Brant was about to speak, she lifted her hand. "Don't interrupt just now. I had a long talk with Willem last evening and, with his kind permission, I sent a fax from his machine to the bank and another to my attorney last night naming Willem your co-trustee with me until you come of age. Should something happen to me before then, he will become your sole trustee. He will also act as your financial advisor until you have finished your education and are able to administer your affairs in a responsible manner. In this way I am assured of your welfare. Your choices of anthropology and music delight me. That and his regard for you are why I asked Willem to assist you. It also assures me that your parents get not penny one from me and, therefore, have no hold over you."
Brant kissed his aunt again. "But you've already given me so much. I didn't know until I got your letter and Doctor von den Acker told me what the bank stock was worth. Now I can get a really good leg that won't hurt."
"You will not touch any of the stock. There is a merger in the offing, and we should profit handsomely if it goes through. Keep it as a long-term financial base for your future. I established your checking account for things I thought you might want which I knew your parents would never give you. I am a bit disturbed at how little you've spent. Surely there were things which you denied yourself."
"I tried to save it all for a new leg."
"The cheque I sent as your graduation gift, before I knew I would see you, is for exactly that. I have no idea what one like you need will cost, but I will certainly make up any difference, so there's no reason for you to touch the stock or deplete your chequeing account. Also, Willem will see that your tuition and expenses at the university are paid from my bank. Should you need anything, don't hesitate to ask him just as I hope you would ask me, for we have agreed that he is to provide you with anything you want.
"Speaking of your leg. Your parents blame me entirely since I gave you the money for the motorbike. I hope that you don't feel that way."
"No way. It was an accident. The guy that ran over me was drunk. It isn't fair for them to blame you, but I guess they got mad because he didn't have any insurance and they didn't get anything."
"I'm pleased that you think so objectively at your age and don't make arbitrary judgements."
"I hope I'll always make you happy, Aunt Olivia."
"You always have, my dear."
She opened her purse and handed Brant her pen and a small card with two lines at the bottom. Her signature was already on the first line. She pointed to the line below. "Sign this just as your name is typed below the line."
He scrawled his name and handed it back. She replaced it in her purse and withdrew a small envelope. He opened it and took out a key of the type fitting cabinet locks, a numbered tag attached. He looked at her with a quizzical expression.
"You must keep that key in a safe place, Brantford, or let Willem hold it for you. It fits the lock on our security box in my bank. I hold the other key. On your birthday, the box will officially change from my name as your trustee to a jointly held box. I want you to have access in case anything should happen to me. In addition to the things we have already discussed, you will find my will and several family heirlooms in the box."
She stood and kissed him. "I believe I just saw Sequoyah return. Run along now and be with him. I'll be down for lunch."
Still uneasy over his situation, Brant tried to avoid attending the awards ceremony, asking his aunt if they could stay home together and talk instead.
"Don't be silly, Brantford," she exclaimed. "This is a part of your graduation and I want you to remember it with as much pleasure as you can."
Once he had found seats for his father and Brant's aunt, Randy went to the organ and reinforced the school's small orchestra in playing popular music as the audience found their seats. At the signal, he began the ubiquitous 'Pomp and Circumstance' with the organ all but drowning out the other instruments.
The program plodded on until only the announcement of the valedictorian remained, but Mr. Nowell took the podium instead of the headmaster, his beaming face picking out Brant among the seniors and Randy at the organ. After a few remarks about their awards at the competition and Brant's appearance with the symphony, he concluded: "... and because they have received acceptance from the university, I am pleased to present to Randall von den Acker and Brantford Petersen scholarships from the university's music department for study during the summer session."
Once disbelief passed, Randy helped Brant up the steps to the stage to receive the citations, his engaging smile a revelation to almost everyone.
The auditorium was nearly empty by the time Randy finished playing and helped Brant outside where his father and Brant's aunt, joined by the Hiltons, waited. Mrs. Hilton kissed both boys and passed them on to her husband who hugged them with affection.
Suspicious, Randy pressed the matter. "Hank, this was your doing, wasn't it?"
"I wish I could say it was, but the credit goes to Mr. Nowell. I'm sorry the grants are small, but we were limited mostly to residual funds from the departmental budget. Rex and I both wish the two of you were majoring in music, but," he winked at Randy's father, "I know your father's done too good a job of brain-washing both of you. I hope you'll decide to double major later on."
"As do I, Brantford," his aunt said. "Doctor Hilton has told me that he finds your talent for music a rarity. I hope that you will take the additional time for a degree in music as well as anthropology."
Though grateful for the love of his aunt, Randy and his father, and the thoughtfulness of new friends, the fact that he'd heard nothing from his parents tormented. When von den Acker turned the Bentley into the drive, the headlights swept across a stack of cardboard boxes by the gate. Only Brant recognized his father's car pulling away from the curb on the other side of the street.
"What's all that?" Randy asked and jumped from the car to examine the pile: a foot-locker, stereo gear, CD's and tapes. Books crowned the stack in disarray. Two envelopes lying on Brant's photograph of Randy topped the heap. A ten-speed bike leaned against the wall.
"That's my stuff!" Brant cried in disbelief when he looked at the accumulation.
Randy reached across and picked up the envelopes, squinting to read the names by the light from the gatepost lamps, but his father took them, slipping them into his coat pocket.
"Help Brant get his things in the house before the dampness gets into them. Olivia and I will go ahead."
Brant was overcome by a feeling of sick emptiness as he helped load the large garden cart which Randy had brought from the carriage house.
When everything had been safely stacked in the entrance hall and Randy had put the bicycle in the carriage house, his father called them into the study where he and Olivia waited. He passed one envelope to Brant and impatiently ripped open the other and unfolded the note. His face blanched then flushed with anger, a stream of fiercely spoken Dutch filled the air. Randy's mouth dropped open, then slowly closed as he stared wide-eyed at his father.
"What?" Brant whispered.
Randy regarded his father with awe. "He's cussing."
Vocabulary exhausted, he crossed to Brant. "May I see yours?"
Brant ripped open the envelope and unfolded the note.
Since you have apparently decided to abandon your parents for a perverted relationship, here are your personal possessions, the document of trust set up for you by your aunt, and a check from the educational endowment your mother and I set up at your birth. You will notice that the check is postdated to your birthday at which time you come of age. While I doubt you will do so, I suggest that you use these wisely, for you will receive nothing more from us. However, when you receive your inheritance from your aunt, you might replace some of what your mother and I have expended on you as a result of your accident.
We do not wish to have any further communication with you until you come to your senses and decide to live a normal life.
D. Petersen
"I didn't think they hated me this much," Brant cried and crumpled to the floor. Randy dropped beside him and pulled him against his shoulder, holding him as the tears flowed. When he recovered enough, his aunt moved to one end of the sofa to let Brant sit between her and Randy. She placed her arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer to comfort him.
von den Acker picked up the dropped note and scanned it, swearing more as he read, then tossed the note to the desk and poured a brandy which he passed to Randy to give Brant, then poured for himself and Olivia. Knowing that sleep would be difficult for them all, he could see no reason to prolong Brant's agony. He seated himself at his desk and picked up the papers.
"I know it's difficult for you to think objectively just now, but it's better to have it done." He looked over the cheque and document of trust then back to Brant. "Your aunt has told you of the arrangements we have made for you. I want you to think carefully about what you want to do so that I can help you before the summer session at the university begins. You know your home is here with Sequoyah and me."
He locked the documents in his desk and crossed to Brant. Pulling the boy to his feet, he hugged him. "I love you as I do my son, and we both want you here. Now go with Sequoyah and try to get some sleep."
On their way out of the room, Randy picked up the note which his father had thrown to the floor.
You spawned one half-breed cocksucker. You deserve the other one.
When the boys left the room, von den Acker handed Olivia the letter Brant had received.
Her expression did not change until she had read it and flung it wrathfully to the floor. "That miserable, conniving, penny-grubbing son of a bitch! How dare he even think of such after what he's done."
von den Acker's eyebrows raised at her language.
"Don't give me a shocked look, Willem. You were not exactly puritanical in your choice of words, either."
"My God! You don't speak Dutch?"
"No, but I speak enough German to understand that most of what you were saying echoed my own feelings precisely."
von den Acker had the grace to blush.
After they were in bed, Brant began to cry softly. Randy hugged him. "I know it hurts, but I'm here."
"Except for my aunt, you and your dad are the only family I've got now."
Randy awakened several times during the night, for each time Brant rolled away from the security of his embrace, he began to whimper. Once Randy pulled him back into his arms, the sounds ceased. Nor did his father find sleep easy, his mind jumping from thought to thought. Brant's needs, great as they were, could not take precedence over Sequoyah's, though he determined to treat them equally. "Oh, God, Nona, if only you were here to guide me," he whispered as he finally drifted into sleep.
Randy awakened early and, careful not to disturb Brant, slipped from the bed. When his father came into the kitchen, he jumped up from the table and hugged him. "God, dad, poor Brant. How could his old man do something like that to him? I love you."
His father held him tightly. "I love you, too, son. This has been a bitter lesson for both of us."
Cups of coffee in hand, they sat at the small table as Randy continued. "I thought you'd be the one upset when you found out about Brant and me, but, Jesus, his old man's a real bastard, throwing him out like that. What if he hadn't had us?"
von den Acker shook his head sadly. "I hate to think, because with graduation and thinking his aunt was ill, he didn't feel it possible to go to her. Do you see now why I've been so insistent on your education? I can accept your relationship with Brant because I understand it."
"Brant's aunt seems to understand too, so why can't his old man? He can't be but so stupid."
"It's simple prejudice, son, just like Hank's. Petersen's not stupid by any means, but he's educated in figures and loves only money. That's why I'm pleased that you and Brant want to follow in my field. You'll learn much about people and their cultures and, I hope, open your mind to accept differences. You tend to be pretty dogmatic about things, you know."
Randy grimaced. "I guess. I just never thought it would turn out like this. What about Brant?"
"I thought you loved him."
"I do. I don't know what I'd do without him."
von den Acker reached across the table and took his son's hand. "What worries you, then? His things are here now, and if you want more room together, we can take two or three of the bedrooms and turn them into an apartment if you would like, though I hope the two of you will continue to share the entire house with me. You'll always come first because you're my son, but I accept Brant as your brother and companion, and I love him as I do you. This is the first test of your love for each other, but I fear it won't be the last. Considering what you've endured these past four years, I'm happy that you've found love with Brant, rather than deny your nature and hate others as a result."
"Thanks, dad. I love you."
After Randy had gone back upstairs, his father thought over the events of the past few weeks, pleased that Olivia was so open in her devotion to Brant, yet regretting the inability of the boy's parents to love and accept him. Saddened, too, by thoughts that his own family line would now most likely end with Sequoyah.
Early the evening of graduation, von den Acker, Olivia, and the boys met the Hiltons, Williamsons, Rex Mitchell, Tom Mathews, and Mr. Nowell for dinner at the faculty club. Though von den Acker had extended an invitation, Brant's parents had sent a rude refusal. Despite what had happened, von den Acker was surprised, as heretofore Petersen had let no opportunity pass to ingratiate himself for an invitation to the club. The affectionate teasing at the table brought Randy into a festive mood, but his godmother had to turn away and wipe her eyes when she looked at Brant's forlorn face, the way he sat clutching his aunt's hand, her feelings torn by his exile. She placed her hand over his and spoke quietly. "I'm so proud of you for what you've accomplished, not only for yourself but others. It does my heart good to see Bill and Sequoyah enjoying each other now, thanks to you. You must be a most unselfish and loving friend to have turned Sequoyah into such a happy young man. After his mother died, Hank and I were so concerned he would get into trouble and not finish school that we wanted to take him into our home, but Bill wouldn't hear of it.
"I must tell you, also, that Hank absolutely glows after you've had a lesson with him, not to mention the way you thrilled him when you played so brilliantly with the orchestra. I can't remember his ever having thought so highly of a student as he does you."
Knowing her forthright honesty, he asked, "Could we go in the lounge for a minute?"
"Of course."
They excused themselves and Mrs. Hilton led the way into the deserted foyer. She sat on a sofa and patted the cushion beside her. Once Brant was seated, she asked, "What is it, dear?"
"I hope you'll tell me the truth, because I know Doctor von den Acker talks to you and Doctor Hilton about family things. Has he ever said anything about all the time I've stayed with them instead of being home?"
Aware of Brant's situation since Randy's father had talked at length with Hank and her only a few evenings before, she chose her words with care. "I can't believe that Bill or Sequoyah would make you feel unwelcome."
Brant shook his head. "They're great to me. But sometimes I feel like I'm outside looking in, and I know it costs a lot for me to stay there."
She looked into his pleading eyes, squeezing his hand as a distraction until she could control her voice and rising tears. "I know it must be hard for you, but you've brought Bill and Sequoyah nothing but happiness by being in their home. If you sometimes feel left out of things, it's because Bill is trying to rebuild his relationship with Sequoyah. Bill adored Sequoyah's mother and, after her death, every time he looked at Sequoyah he saw her. Not that Sequoyah looks like his mother as you well know, but his coloring and Indian ways were a constant reminder to Bill of what he had lost. It nearly drove him crazy, so he avoided Sequoyah as much as possible, not thinking of what he was doing to a boy at such an impressionable age. Sequoyah had no close friends, so it was doubly hard on him. That's what you're feeling.
"Don't bother your head about cost. Bill has income from inherited wealth as well as his salary at the university and royalties from his books. While he spends carefully, he's generous to a fault with those he loves, as you must be aware by now. He regards you as a son and that pleases Hank and me for we have come to be as fond of you as we are our godson." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You have your delightful aunt to share this occasion with you. Now stop fretting. It's a time for happy thoughts, dear." She helped him up and they returned to the table.
After the meal, the Williamsons rode to the school with the Hiltons. "Helen, did you receive an invitation to tea from Inga Petersen?" Marjorie Williamson asked.
"I did, and don't you think for one minute that I'm going to give that bitch the satisfaction of an acceptance," she snapped.
"Then I'm certain she invited all of the board members' wives and the members of our faculty wives' book club as well, because I received one. I hope you'll ask them all to send regrets as I have. Anyone who treats a child as they have treated Brantford is unacceptable to me under any circumstances."
As she had spoken softly, she was surprised when their husbands loudly agreed from the front seat.
Certain that his parents were not in the audience, Brant remained miserable, feeling graduation would never end. His hand slipped into Randy's for reassurance, holding it until time for them to play. As a tribute to Mr. Nowell, they had chosen the Demerest, knowing the music would appeal to most of those present.
The audience shifted uneasily as Randy helped Brant to the piano then took his place at the organ. Brant watched until Randy nodded and brought his hands down hard on the keys, wiping everything else from his mind. Each tried to outdo the other in the phrases that alternated between the two instruments, playing with greater force than necessary. The music soared through the auditorium until, with a broad flourish, they finished. Even those who cared nothing for the music felt the appeal. Randy ran up the stage steps to acknowledge the applause with Brant before helping him back to his seat.
With their diplomas at last in hand, graduates stampeded past Brant and Randy with shouts of joy.
His aunt kissed both boys when they came out of the auditorium. "I would not have missed hearing you play together again for anything. Your performance was magnificent. Thank you both."
During the drive home, Randy's father casually mentioned that he would like to offer Olivia a drink at the club. But at the club, he bypassed the lounge leading them into a private parlor where the guests from dinner waited, joined by the Steiners and the Mathesons who knew Randy well. Hilton and Mitchell immediately began to vie over the superiority of their students and praised Mr. Nowell, adding to the boisterousness. During a lull in the festivities, a waiter rolled in a service cart piled with gifts.
Because he had already received the cheque from his aunt and knowing, now, that his parents would give him nothing, Brant expected only a token from Randy's father. He looked on dejectedly as Randy delightedly tore into the wrappings.
Randy's father leaned towards him. "Aren't you going to open yours?"
Brant's eyes widened. "But they're Sequoyah's."
"Not all of them." He picked up a package from the pile and handed it to Brant.
Emotion surged through him as he opened the gift, a gold Cross pen and pencil identical to Randy's, and read the card expressing the Hiltons' affection. He kissed the grandmotherly woman, then shook hands with Dr. Hilton who pulled him into a gentle embrace while grumbling, "See that you don't have to borrow my pencil again." A joking reference to Brant's first lesson with him.
He was as elated as Randy over the volume of transcriptions for four hands from Mr. Nowell. Gifts, too, from the Williamsons, Mathews, Mitchell, even small gifts from the Steiners and the Mathesons. Surprised by gifts from the two couples he had met only a few times before, he stammered his thanks.
When he was able to gain their attention, Randy's father pulled similar packages from his coat pocket and handed one to each boy. Inside were identical Rolex chronometers. Brant's expression of delight twisted as he read the inscription on the back of the case: My son, Brant, and the date. Speechless, he hugged the man before showing his aunt the inscription. Her eyes moistened as she read it and then looked at von den Acker.
He noticed her expression and bent toward her. "It says what I feel, Olivia."
When she regained her composure, she took a carefully wrapped gift from her purse. "I have noticed these appear quite popular with young men, Brantford. Your friend Sequoyah has one, so I thought you might like one also. This belonged to your grandmother, but as you will see, it is heavy enough to be suitable for you. I had the clasp replaced with a much sturdier one, for this is quite valuable, aside from it's sentimental value."
He opened the box carefully and gave a gasp of surprise, for inside lay a solid gold chain of heavy links. His aunt picked it up and fastened it around his neck, rewarded by Brant's happy expression, a hug and a kiss.
When Olivia and the boys were ready to board the plane to her home in Wisconsin, von den Acker hugged both boys, then taking Olivia's outstretched hand, he suddenly bent and kissed her cheek. "You are a remarkable woman, Olivia. I hope that when the boys return you will come with them. But if you cannot, I shall look forward with the greatest anticipation to another visit from you."
"And you shall never know what a weight you have lifted from me, Willem. No, I shall not return with Brantford and Sequoyah, but perhaps next year I can visit all of you again. Should you come to our area, you will be most welcome in my home."
He lingered to watch the plane depart, his thoughts remaining on her. 'My God, what a wonderful woman! It's no wonder Brant loves her. If she were nearer my age, I could easily fall in love with her myself."