Mr. Finnegan’s brow creased in thought. “I feel as though I owe it to those other teachers.”
“None of whom put themselves willingly on the sacrificial altar. They wanted to teach, first and foremost. That’s your greatest passion, darling. If you ever tire of it, then by all means, consider a political career. But for now, you’re most needed exactly where you are.”
“Thank you,” Mr. Finnegan said, placing his hand over his husband’s. “But you’re wrong. You are my greatest passion.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Charles said before smooching him on the cheek.
“Can we do this more often?” Cameron asked with a sniffle. “I really like it.”
Charles smiled at the suggestion.
Mr. Finnegan heaved a heavy sigh. “We need to make a few decisions in that regard.”
They had to pause when the server returned to take their food orders. Anthony hadn’t so much as glanced at the menu, and neither had Cameron, so Charles suggested they order a variety of dishes for them all to share.
“I’m in no position to make demands,” Mr. Finnegan said when they were alone again. “I can only ask you to respect my reasons for keeping my personal and private lives separate. If it was up to me, you would never breathe a word of this to anyone else, especially at school. Secrets, once unleashed, tend to outpace plainly stated facts.”
“Can you teach me to talk like you?” Anthony replied.
“Just keep your nose stuck in a book all day long,” Charles quipped. “That’s what he does.”
“I can draw up a list of recommendations,” Mr. Finnegan said, clearly awaiting an answer of some sort, which Anthony had intentionally avoided giving.
“I won’t tell anyone,” Cameron said.
Anthony didn’t care for secrets. He’d regretted keeping them at the start of the school year, and more recently witnessed what they had done to Omar, who was heartbroken despite still being with Silvia. Regardless, he didn’t want to see Mr. Finnegan get fired. Principal Preckwinkle would surely delight in that. “I won’t tell anyone either.”
“The decision is in your hands,” Mr. Finnegan said. “There can be no pressure from our side. We hold no sway over you.”
“I think they get it,” Charles stage-whispered. Then he clasped his hands together in excitement. “Now that business has concluded, let’s acknowledge how adorable Anthony looks with his pink hair.”
“Oh thanks,” he said, running a hand through it. “My mom helped me. She’s a hairstylist, and the best part is that they actually make a professional dye that’s pink, so this will last way longer than the usual stuff.”
Cameron pinched his thumb and index finger together. “I was this close to getting to see him as a blond. Although I agree. He is adorable.”
“You could always borrow one of my wigs,” Charles said. “I know a certain someone who also prefers blonds.”
“Really?” Anthony asked with a tingle of excitement.
“Guilty as charged,” Mr. Finnegan said, misunderstanding who the question was directed at.
Charles seemed to understand though. He winked at Anthony before the conversation moved on. They laughed and chatted through the meal, even ordering dessert despite already being full. Cameron tried to pay, which was sweet, but Mr. Finnegan insisted.
“I’ll pick up the tab next time,” Cameron promised.
Anthony didn’t know if that meal would ever happen. But he wanted it to, because getting to share in the love that the two older men had for each other was something truly special.
— — —
Keisha pushed against the door to Right Round Records, making immediate eye contact with the hot girl behind the counter, who smiled at the same time she did.
“You’ve gotta shutter this place and go for a walk with me,” Keisha said, folding her sunglasses and hanging them off the front pocket of her pants. “It is gorgeous outside!”
“I know,” Silvia moaned. “I was pressing myself against the window earlier, just to get some sun.”
“I’m disappointed I missed that,” she said while sauntering over to the counter, which she placed her elbows on. Kesha pressed the butts of her palms together to form a shelf and parked her chin there, batting her eyelashes up at Silvia. “How can your boss live with himself? You’re too beautiful to be locked away during spring break.”
“I brought this upon myself,” Silvia said with a sigh. “It didn’t feel right to slack off while my family is struggling.”
“Well it just so happens that I have good news for you.” Keisha pushed herself away from the counter and back into a standing position. “My parents are going to offer your dad a full-time position on Monday.”
Silvia perked up. “Really? That’s wonderful!”
“I think so too, but I wish they’d decided last week instead. We could be sunning ourselves on the beach right now.”
Silvia laughed. “Does Kansas even have a beach?”
“I would have brought the ocean to you. Somehow.”
Silvia shook her head, as if overwhelmed. “You’ve just given me a much better present! Can I tell my dad? Or should I wait?”
“I figure some advance warning would be good, so he can talk it over with y’all or whatever. My parents kept saying what a hard worker he is, and that was before the cast came off. Now the man is unstoppable.”
“He’s glad to be back on two feet, that’s for sure,” Silvia said happily. The door chimed as another customer came inside, her eyes lighting up until disappointment dimmed them again.
Keisha turned around and saw a guy their age with bronze skin and medium-length black hair that framed his face. He looked kind of like Omar, but he only seemed interested in browsing the records. She returned her attention to Silvia.
“I’m surprised I haven’t had to beat off your boyfriend, just to get a little alone time with you.” Keisha blanched. “Wait, that did not sound so depraved in my head.”
“I’m sure he’d love the idea,” Silvia said, although her amusement was short-lived. “He’s been really busy lately.”
“With what? It’s spring break!”
“Work, I guess. And a school project.”
“This is Omar we’re talking about, right?” Keisha said in disbelief. Then she grimaced. “I really hope this isn’t my fault. I feel like I set off a chain of events when I told him how we…” She pantomimed pulling from a joint.
Silvia’s expression was troubled. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you shouldn’t blame yourself. He didn’t seem upset about us kissing.”
“In that case…” Keisha said, leaning over the counter again, but only to make her laugh. “Enough about boys. You have to let me inject a little excitement into your life. So what’s it going to be today? A cappuccino? A shot of espresso? A double latte?” All week long, she had been bringing drinks from the café next door. Silvia claimed not to like coffee, which was simply unacceptable, so she kept trying to find a variety she enjoyed. So far, she had taken a sip of each and crinkled her nose, which was so adorable that it was worth the price of admission.