Big Poppa

18.



An old van, painted green with graffiti at the sides, was slowly approaching the cabin. The four occupants were arguing –three young men and a woman– but it was a friendly quarrel. Most likely they always argued like that, non-stop. The driver parked in the grass at the side, stating they had arrived; would they all get out, please, right now. Thank you.



It was at the end of the morning and they all wanted coffee.



The driver appeared to be the leader of the little group. Ordering around with a firm voice, the others brought their stuff to the back of the cabin, to the lake, and spread out a blanket. The leader lit a gas fire to heat up some water, while around him the picnic basket was unpacked.



It was clear the four would bivouac at the lake for the rest of the day.



Poppa woke up at the sound of their voices. Finding Delwyn fast asleep, he climbed out of bed, grunting as he walked down to check his premises. He froze in the doorway and quickly retracted, naked as he was, when he saw the happy campsite in his backyard. Fuck.



“Delwyn… Delwyn! Wake up, pretty…” Poppa shook the blonde’s shoulder, urgently whispering.



“Wha?” At first, Delwyn just mumbled, until the urgency came through to him. He jerked upright. “What’s up? Fire? Problems?”



“There are four strangers at our lake. Right behind the cabin!” Poppa sounded highly insulted, but didn’t know what to do about it. He couldn’t just chase them away, could he?



“Gods, you scared me…” Delwyn fell back into the pillows, and rolled on his side. “You can deal with it… You’re a big boy. I want to sleep.”



“They’re your age, pretty,” said Poppa, shaking him again. “You ask them what they want. If I go outside, I might scare them, or cause trouble.”



“You might want to bribe me with coffee,” murmured Delwyn. “I’d do it if I had some caffeine first.”



“It’s almost done. Have a shower then, hm? And come downstairs. Your peaceful weekend is in jeopardy, Delwyn Llew…”



That woke him up properly. “Shit, it is… Dammit!” Alright, he would ask them to leave. With violence, if necessary. But still, coffee first. And a shower. He had priorities.



A bit more awake after the shower, Delwyn dressed up in one of Poppa’s white T-shirts, and walked to the kitchen. He could see the little group through the windows, and the hand pouring the coffee stalled for a moment. “Shit…”



“Yeah, look at them! They’re all set to stay there for the rest of the day! Don’t they realize they’re trespassing?”



“Actually, that’s not what I meant…” With his cup, Delwyn walked to the door, sipping as he watched the group. He sighed deeply. “They’re my friends,” he said quietly. “You wanted to know a bit more about me? Well, here’s your chance. Those trespassers happen to be my best friends.”



“Did you tell them you were here?” Poppa stared out of the window, intrigued rather than angry now. “Go see them!”



“Yeah. I told them I wouldn’t be with them, because I had other plans for the weekend. They practically forced me to tell. But I didn’t realize that would mean they would come down here without notifying me.” He added ‘idiots’ under his breath. “Stay here.”



“Delwyn!”

“You’re here!”

“Yaay!”



Only the young woman didn’t cheer when Delwyn approached his friends. She was looking at him with a slightly disapproving expression, and let her gaze drop to his bare legs. Self-consciously, he pulled the shirt down a bit further. He had no underwear, and Poppa’s shorts wouldn’t fit him by a mile… “Hey guys,” he said, nodding at them. “What a surprise, to say the least.”



“Good huh? We thought it would be nice to come to you, if you didn’t come to us. Nice place you’ve got here!”



“It’s supposed to be my secret hiding place.” Delwyn’s smile was a bit sour. “But of course, no secrets for my friends, and no privacy either.”



“Who’s with you then, Delwyn?” The woman sounded sugary sweet, complete with smile, but her eyes were still stern. “Got a lady, perhaps?”



The leader of the group looked at her, and then at Delwyn. “We have coffee,” he said. “Would you like some?”



“Still working on it.” Delwyn lifted his cup. “Thank you. And Beth… Something like that, yes. It’s still early though. I wanted to tell you when the time was right.”



“We’re here now,” said Beth, still with that frozen smile. “You might as well introduce her to us.”



The leading friend scrambled up, and slapped Delwyn on his shoulder. “Can we borrow some sugar from you, Del? We’re all out…”



“No we’re not,” began one of the other men. “It’s right… oh yes! We’re all out.” He’d seen the warning in his friend’s eyes. “Sorry.”



“Sure, Jean. Let’s get inside.” Delwyn took the other quickly to the cabin. “Who came up with this bright idea?” he whispered urgently. “Damn, Jean, I wanted to be alone!”



“Elizabeth,” shrugged Jean, smiling apologetically. “Who else. She hadn’t seen you in a few weeks, and was getting impossible to handle. You know how she is.”



“I wish she would believe me when I say I have no interest in her,” grumbled Delwyn. “I’ve been blunt enough about it, haven’t I?”



“She doesn’t believe it. She’ll never believe it, as long as you don’t come up with the truth, Del. You should tell her. You know you should.”



“She’ll believe me very soon,” sighed Delwyn. “Come in. Let me introduce you to the soul reason of my absence. This is Big Poppa. Poppa, this is Jean, my best mate.”



“Holy shi— Hi! I’m Jean… Man, you’re massive!”



Poppa grinned, shaking the offered hand. “That I am,” he rumbled. “Welcome, Jean… Even if it’s a bit unexpected.”



“Yeah, sorry about that. Our lady-friend Beth insisted on it. I tried to stop her, but it was no use.”



“Beth’s in love with me,” mumbled Delwyn, averting his eyes.



“Ah. That explains. And she’s one of many who don’t know about your sexual preference?” Poppa shook his head, turning away. “Told you it was better to get out of that closet… Are you all set outside, Jean? We didn’t have breakfast yet.”



Jean stared at Delwyn, miming ‘he’s huge!’ with admiring big eyes. “Yeah, we’re all provided. Will you join us, Poppa?”



“In a minute, I guess. Maybe I should talk to Delwyn first.” Poppa opened the bags with groceries he didn’t unpack yet, to make breakfast.



“We don’t have to talk,” sighed Delwyn. “It’s okay, I’ll come out to my friends now. I have no other option, I think.”



“You could pretend I’m just a colleague…”



The slight tone of disappointment didn’t go by unnoticed. “No,” said Delwyn, walking towards his lover. “I won’t. I’ll introduce you as my lover, this time. No lies, alright? Only the truth.”



“May not be received well, pretty,” said Poppa softly. “Especially that lady may be a bit… shocked.”



“I know. So be it, I guess.” Delwyn sighed, resting his forehead against Poppa’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I was such an ass yesterday, Poppa… I guess you’re right. I should come out. I’m living a lie.”



“Yes. You are.” Poppa dropped the buttered knife, to wrap his arm around Delwyn. “I love you,” he said quietly. “That’s no lie. Come, help me with breakfast and then we’ll go outside. I’m sure it will all be fine in the end.”



Delwyn wasn’t so sure, but he didn’t argue. Jean waited for them, looking around in the cabin, admiring it. When they were done, he put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, smiling at him. “I’m with you,” he said reassuringly. “Always at your side, buddy.”



Taking a deep breath to collect courage, Delwyn nodded. “Let’s do it,” he said. His hands were shaking, but he managed to keep the tray with bread rolls steady enough to carry it to the lakeside. “Guys, I want to introduce you to someone…”



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