Chapter 7: You Bastard!

August 5, 2002, Chicago, Illinois

🎤 Jesse

On Monday morning, I drove Aunt Kara's SUV to the Quinns' to pick up Nicholas, who was waiting on the stoop with his gear. I helped him load it into the back of the van with my gear, and we set off for Johnny's Ice House.

"Do you know why my mom is so upset with your dad?" he asked as we drove along Halsted Street.

"No. I know they spoke in Sweden, but I have no idea what might have happened. You hung out with us most of the time, so you know I didn't spend much time with my dad or his wives."

"Well, something is wrong," Nicholas said. "Tom said that your dad canceled the 'welcome home party'."

"No clue," I replied. "I didn't see it crossed off on Dad's calendar, but then again, I haven't checked it since last Thursday. If they're fighting, it's probably best that we stay out of it. I sure don't want to have it cause problems for us or the hockey team."

"Do you think I'll make at least third line?" he asked.

"I think so. You'll make the team for sure because you're better than three of the forwards who didn't graduate, and they're all at least a year older. Just practice hard, don't let up, and never let them see you bleed!"

Nicholas laughed, "If I'm bleeding, I'm doing it wrong!"

"Not from what I see watching the NHL!" I chuckled.

"Yeah, but the cages we have to wear mostly prevent it. Any advice besides playing hard?"

"Most of the guys will be bigger than you, even though you're big for thirteen because the Seniors are five years older. Starting school a year early was not a bad thing, but it makes a huge difference in terms of size. You'll have to be smart and skate with more finesse than in the Park District leagues, where you mostly play with kids who are no more than two years older.

"And listen to the coaches. They'll correct things they don't like and expect you to do it their way. You could get away with a lot in the Park District leagues in terms of doing whatever you wanted, but that's not true here. You'll get demoted or even benched if you don't stick to the program exactly as explained. Don't dog it, either. Skate quickly to your position or to the bench or to a coach when he calls you."

"You're going to start in goal, right?"

"I should. I'm a year older than Pete, and I beat him last year. After the goalie camp in Minnesota, I'm positive I've improved. He didn't go to camp and played in one of the Summer 'fun' leagues.

We arrived at the rink, unloaded our gear, and headed for the locker room. The coaches all greeted me by name, and I introduced Nicholas. We both filled out our 'player bio' sheets and handed them to Coach, then changed into our gear. As guys came in, I introduced them to Nicholas and took stock of the guys I didn't recognize. When everyone was dressed, Coach had each of us stand up and introduce ourselves, then sent us out to the ice to warm up before starting our first practice.

🎤 Steve

I met Father Basil at Parthenon at 11:30am as planned, and after we greeted each other, the hostess sat us at a table for two. A waiter came immediately and took our drink orders. Father Basil and I agreed to decide what to order before beginning what I was sure to be a conversation about Jesse, and when the waiter returned with our drinks, we placed our meal orders.

"I assume you know that Jesse decided to transfer his membership to the Cathedral," Father Basil said once the waiter had left.

I nodded, "He let me know about his decision, but I didn't discuss it in detail with him. You know I stay completely out of decisions such as that."

"Do you know the source of the problem?"

"The same thing that is the source of most problems for teenage boys," I said with a smile. "Teenage girls! Or, in this case, the parent of a teenage girl who made patently false accusations against him. Granted, I only have Jesse's side of the story, and I know you're bound by the sanctity of the Mystery of Confession, but to my knowledge, Jesse has never lied to either of us."

"To my knowledge, he has not."

"Then his position was untenable if the young woman in question didn't tell her father the truth. And that's exacerbated by the fact that her father is Deacon John. I honestly don't see how Jesse had any choice."

"It really is a delicate situation," Father Basil replied. "And your assumption that I have what amounts to inside information is correct, as is your understanding that I can't reveal what I know."

"Jesse's decision is logical, reasonable, and measured," I replied. "I appreciate everything you've done for him, but at age sixteen, he has to decide for himself what's best for him spiritually. I was a bit younger than he is now when I had an unresolvable conflict with the Roman Catholic Church. I chose to leave, and except for a few weddings and funerals, I have not set foot in one of their churches since I was fifteen. Jesse chose a different way because his conflict is personal, not with church doctrine."

"You know, I don't think we ever discussed in detail why you left the church."

"Teenage boys and teenage girls," I replied with a smile. "But my mom chose to force the issue rather than let me work it out for myself, and that led to me being excommunicated because I wasn't about to repudiate my relationship with my first true love."

"That was the young woman who later died in a boating accident if I recall correctly."

"Yes. Had my mom left me to work it out, who knows what might have happened, but she chose to make my confession for me, so to speak, and things spiraled out of control after that."

"It's a difficult challenge for any pastor," Father Basil said. "I would exclude someone from the Eucharist only as a last resort and only if I felt it wouldn't harm them spiritually more than missing the mark, as it were. But that's playing with spiritual fire, as it were."

"Like juggling chainsaws," I suggested.

"An apt metaphor because dropping one can be spiritually fatal. We live in a society which glorifies sex and denigrates faithfulness."

"Don't worry," I said sarcastically, "society is moving to turn sex into the root of all evil, and that'll happen inside of twenty-five years. It'll be denigrated except when it serves a specific political point."

"That's not the right answer," Father Basil replied. "Sex within the context of marriage is a beautiful, God-given gift."

"That philosophy is one reason it will be attacked. We're already seeing sex demonized in numerous contexts, and it'll get worse. Trust me, it won't be long before we see the equivalent of the 'Junior Anti-Sex League'."

Father Basil smiled, "And you'll be the 'rebel from the waist down'?"

I laughed, "You know your Orwell, which is a good thing."

"The benefits of a good education from Loyola and, before that, my High School near Cleveland. How are things at home?"

"The kids are all doing well, and my relationships are solid."

"A significant challenge even for a traditional couple with what amounts to a blended family."

"I would argue that my choices in that regard actually helped stabilize things. I know I don't conform to social norms, but I daresay you object to as many social norms as I do, even if our objections are not identical."

"I suspect you're right. And I suspect we actually agree on many of them, setting aside your marriage. You've raised a fine young man in Jesse, and you should be proud. I'm sure your other children are equally mature and responsible, which says something about you."

"And my relationships," I replied. "Don't discount the value of our odd family situation in the kids' success. That goes for Matthew and Michael, who aren't nearly as integrated as the other five kids but still benefit from it."

"We're going to miss Jesse," Father Basil said as the waiter brought our food.

"For that, I am truly sorry, and I'm sure he'll miss all of you as well."

"OK to pray?"

"Of course."

🎤 Jesse

"That was way tougher than my workouts with the Park District team," Nicholas said when we left the rink with Pete, Jack, and Freddy to go to Ricobene's for lunch.

"You did a great job, Nicholas," Freddy said. "You skated circles around all the other Freshmen."

"Thanks. But I'm beat!"

"Do you work out or run?" Pete asked.

"No," Nicholas replied.

"You should. All of us lift, jump rope, run, or all three."

"If you want to come to my house to work out with me, you can," I said to Nicholas. "I have my own free weights and bench in the Duck's Nest."

"When?"

"It'll depend on when we have practice during the school year. I'll let you know when Coach gives us the practice and game schedule."

"Cool!"

"Jesse, what do you think of the newbies?" Pete asked.

"A couple of them look promising," I said. "But after one day, we don't know too much. I've known Nicholas since he was born, so I know how good he is. Whoever makes the team they have to be disciplined. No more disasters like our semi-final game."

"Ugh," Freddy said. "I just want to forget that nightmare!"

"Don't forget it," I said. "Remember it and vow to not let it ever happen again!"

🎤 Steve

I had just returned from lunch when adium notified me of a message.

MissKatelyn85: Hi! You're back, right?"
NIKASteve: Hi! Yes.
MissKatelyn85: Cool! Pick me up from work at 5:15pm?
NIKASteve: Yes. I assumed you'd want that!
MissKatelyn85: Duh! It's been a month!
NIKASteve: Chinese OK?
MissKatelyn85: Absolutely!
NIKASteve: I'll order so it arrives about 6:30pm. We'll be at my house because the apartment is in use.
MissKatelyn85: Cool! Time to ... before we eat!
NIKASteve: Sounds like a plan. See you at 1715.
MissKatelyn85: CU!

I texted Kara to let her know that I was seeing Katelyn as I had expected and asked her to let Jessica and Suzanne know. Just over four hours later, I left the office, got into my car, and drove the short distance to Potbelly's, where I saw the cute strawberry blonde waiting for me.

"Hi!" Katelyn exclaimed, getting into my BMW.

"Hi!"

"Step on it!" she exclaimed.

I put the car in gear and headed towards the house.

"How was your July?" I asked.

"I worked and hung out with my friends," she said. "How was Europe?"

"I always enjoy going there, and I had a good time."

"I know you made no promises, but how long can this affair continue?"

"That's a good question," I replied. "I've been reevaluating my approach to what my wives and I call 'dalliances' and 'random deflowerings'."

"I fit into both categories, right?"

"Yes. And it happened only because you were over the age of consent."

"I get the impression that in the past, that hasn't mattered to you."

"Let's just say that I believe bodily autonomy is a human right and teenagers are human beings. Well, most of the time; occasionally, they act like aliens!"

Katelyn laughed, "Your kids?"

"One, specifically, who didn't deal well with the onset of puberty."

"So if I had been sixteen?"

"You weren't. I don't like to play 'What if?' games such as that."

"How has your approach changed?"

"Mainly not having extended affairs, to use your term," I replied.

"Was that before or after we were together the first time?"

"It's been a work in progress since the beginning of the year, but obviously, I made an exception for you. The question is, for how long? I don't have a specific answer for you, but I'm not saying it needs to end today. It does have to end if you begin dating someone exclusively, but otherwise, I'm not setting a time limit at this point."

"And you're OK with me going to dances or dating and continuing our affair, right?"

"Yes, so long as you don't misrepresent your situation. I'd prefer you didn't reveal our relationship, even in a general way, and there is one firm rule — if you have sex with anyone, and I mean beyond just kissing, they have to have had a clean STI test, or we have to be done. There is no room for maneuver there. Please do not try to finesse it, either, because you'll put your life, my life, and the lives of my wives at stake."

"Wouldn't it just be easier to ask me not to have sex with anyone else?"

"It would, but remember what I said about bodily autonomy? You have to be in control of you."

"And that means you can't ask?"

"The problem is, if I ask, you'll feel compelled to say 'yes' because you'd be concerned I might break things off if you said 'no'. If, on the other hand, you suggest it..."

"It's free will and bodily autonomy."

"Here endeth the lesson."

"Oh, I hope not!" Katelyn exclaimed.

My plans for the evening were completely upset by an enraged Bethany, who came to the door just after Katelyn and I arrived at the house.

"YOU BASTARD!" Bethany screamed, clearly seething.

"I'm reasonably certain my parents were married when I was born," I replied calmly.

"DON'T BE A JACKASS! YOU RUINED MY BOOK DEAL!"

"I'm not a donkey, either," I replied. "And I did no such thing. I did not speak to your publisher or agent, nor did I ask anyone to speak to your publisher or agent."

Which was entirely true. Samantha had done it on her own after I'd explained Bethany's proposed revisions.

"BULLSHIT! TOM TOLD YOU ABOUT IT, AND YOU USED SOME CONNECTION TO KILL IT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FUCK TEENAGE GIRLS!"

"What I want to do is irrelevant. I want my kids, and the kids we call the 'cousins', to have a healthy, positive view of sex. Hell, I want the entire country to have a healthy, positive view of sex. That said, I did not speak to your publisher, nor did I speak to your agent.

"Have I told people about the changes you intended to make to your book, which repudiate everything they stood for? Absolutely. Will I do everything possible to keep you from imposing your completely inappropriate views on my kids? Absolutely. Will I encourage my friends to do the same? You can be damned sure."

"YOU SMUG ASSHOLE! THIS IS NOT OVER!"

"Good night, Bethany," I said. "You are not welcome here."

She turned and stormed out the door. I calculated I had about fifteen minutes before Tom showed up at my door, which meant Katelyn was going to be disappointed.

"What was THAT?" Katelyn asked.

"The end of a twenty-five-year friendship," I sighed. "And you're not going to be happy because I'm guessing her husband will be along in about fifteen minutes to talk to me, and it won't surprise me if her best friend calls or, more likely, shows up."

"I know it's probably none of my business, but would you explain?"

"Let's go to my study," I said. "I just need to have a word with my wives."

I led Katelyn to my study, then went to the kitchen where Kara, Suzanne, and Birgit were making dinner.

"That sounded bad," Kara observed after I kissed her and Suzanne on the lips and Birgit on the forehead.

"I suspect you only heard one side," I replied.

"Yes. You seem remarkably calm."

I shrugged, "I knew the blowup was coming."

"What did you do?" Kara asked.

"I told Kathy and Samantha what I learned from Bethany and Tom in Stockholm. But as I said to Bethany, I didn't make any calls or ask anyone to make any calls."

"Because you didn't need to, right?" Suzanne asked. "Samantha did it on her own!"

"Yes. Samantha's dad financed the publisher years ago before Bethany wrote her book. Samantha picked up the phone, called the publisher, then sent her jet to New York to get him."

"Summoned to a royal audience?" Kara asked.

"That's a good way to put it," I replied. "I'm going to sit in my study with Katelyn because I expect Tom to show up in the next ten minutes or so, and it won't surprise me if Kathy shows up."

"If you want me to take Katelyn home for you, I will," Suzanne offered.

"We'll eat our meal and see how things go," I replied. "Thanks for the offer."

"Bummer for her, Dad!" Birgit teased. "I guess I'm not the only one Loki blocks!"

I wondered if she'd said anything to Kara or Suzanne, but it wasn't my business, and I didn't want to give anything away, so I just shook my head in amusement and then went to my study, where I briefly explained the disagreement between Bethany and me.

"So, even though I'm seventeen, approached you, made it obvious I wanted to have sex with you, this relationship is abusive?"

"That is her take, yes."

"Oh, please! You didn't do anything except order your lunch! I took the initiative. Had I not asked for your card, what would have happened?"

"I'd have paid and been on my way," I replied.

"How is that possibly abusive?" Katelyn asked.

"It's not. And if you follow her thinking to its logical conclusion, only two uneducated virgins, born on the same day, could ever have sex without it being 'abusive'. Or, and this is the other thread that needs to be followed, only pre-approved sex is permitted, and then only in a very specific context. It's Orwellian and Puritanical, which actually fit together as totalitarian and authoritarian governments tend towards the Puritanical. Sadly, we're losing the fight."

"What can you do?"

"What I am doing — educate as many people as I can and ensure sex-positive resources are available."

I heard the doorbell ring, and less than twenty seconds later, Ashley came to the door of the study.

"Nicholas' dad is here," she said.

"Would you take Katelyn next door to the Indian room and then bring Tom here, please?"

"Yes!"

Katelyn went with Ashley and then brought Tom to the study, closing the door after he had come in.

"Do you want a drink?" I asked.

Tom smiled, "I could probably use one. Bourbon will do nicely."