Big Poppa

24.



As could be expected, dad was too tired to let the visit last any longer. Delwyn stalled the departure, waiting for his family to retract first, and bent over the bed to give the man a kiss. “I’m sorry if I shocked you today, dad. I hope I didn’t disappoint you.”



The man smiled, reaching up to give his youngest son a pinch in his cheek. “I’m glad to know why you left so suddenly, four years ago. Don’t worry, Del. Life is too short to be disappointed or shocked. I learned that yesterday, you know…”



“I can visit you again tomorrow, right? Before I go home again?”



“I would be happy to see you tomorrow. And your big friend. He is quite big, isn’t he? I bet he can protect you against the bad world and the big city.”



“He’s perfectly capable of protecting me,” laughed Delwyn. “I love him very much. Thank you, dad… Thanks for not judging me now.”



When Delwyn stepped into the hall, Poppa was waiting for him. “They’ve all gone outside already,” he said.



“I bet they’re talking about us.” Delwyn sighed softly, and pressed against Poppa’s side when they walked to the elevator. “Dad wants to see you again tomorrow, before we go home. He’s fine with it, if I can believe him.”



“I would be delighted to get to know him. Don’t worry about the rest now, pretty. By the time we go home, your family will be fully aware they have a gay brother, and they will accept it. I’ll make sure of that.”



Part of him wanted to warn Poppa not to be harsh, but Delwyn didn’t say it. If his family wanted to disapprove of any of his actions and decisions in life, they deserved to be embarrassed by the big bear. He hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. For the first time, he hoped the children would be loud and obnoxious and demand all the attention of the adults.



Outside, the family had gathered on the parking lot. They obviously tried to avoid the fact Delwyn and Poppa walked hand in hand. It was almost funny to see them trying to look unimpressed. The kids were running up and down, playing catch, screaming and crying until they spotted their new friend. “Poppa! We’ll have hamburgers now, right? You’ll come with us!”



“Hamburgers? I love burgers! What are we waiting for!”



“Can we ride with you? Which one is your car? Where is it?”



Poppa took his keys, and pushed a button. The large car bleeped and flashed its lights, towering above the sedans. “I’m sorry, but you won’t fit… Only Del and I. We’ll follow you.”



The disappointment was quickly forgotten, as the thought of having hamburgers was too good to ignore. Only when the kids climbed in their parent’s cars and it was quiet again, Delwyn realized the whole adventure wasn’t planned at all. Harri cleared his throat, and opened the door of his car. “Well, I think you should follow us then… As we can impossible say no now.”



“We’re a bad influence on the kids,” mumbled Delwyn to Poppa. He buckled up, glad to be in the car and away from his family’s looks. “If I remember correctly, Harri always loathed junk food.”



“Meh. Nothing wrong with a hamburger every now and then, and I’m starving. It’s way past lunchtime! We’ll have lunch, go to the hotel and see if they have a bath, spend some time together, and have fun. It’ll be a nice weekend after all.”



“Spend time together? Sounds lovely…” But impossible. Poppa would be claimed by the kids until it was bedtime. “This is not the weekend I longed for. Mmh!” Poppa kissed him full on the lips, making Delwyn blush. “They can see us…”



“They’ll see me kiss you more often,” shrugged the bear. “I love you, and that’s no secret.”



“No… Yes… Uhm. Follow that car, Pop… Or we’ll have no idea where they’re going.”



“Junk food! Here we come!”



To Poppa’s disappointment and Delwyn’s relief, Harri didn’t park at the restaurant. He used the drive in, followed by the rest, and Poppa closed the line. “Two kids menus, four hamburgers with cheese, plenty of fries and extra sauce, please! What would you like, pretty?”



Delwyn blinked. “Oh… Two burgers and fries please…” Poppa truly was insatiable, in any way. “And a medium coke.”



“Here, take this. Put it between us. You can feed me fries while we ride to the hotel. And I want the presents from the kids menus! I collect them…”



By the time they arrived at the hotel, Poppa had eaten two burgers and a bag of fries. He took the rest with them to the picnic tables outside of the building, where everyone had gathered already. The children had saved a spot for Poppa to sit. Delwyn felt a little lost when he was pulled between his brothers, and lost his appetite when his in-laws emerged from the hotel. Oh gods, more eyes to avoid…



“What’s this?” His brother in law stared at all the bags and packages. The children were contently munching on their burgers, and quiet for a change. “Who is that?”



“Hi! I’m Big Poppa. Tell ‘em, pretty…”



Delwyn had more than enough of it. He sipped his coke, looking up from his place at the table, and swallowed. “Good afternoon, Thom. Nice to see you again. This is Poppa, my lover. We’ll be staying at the hotel tonight, visit dad again tomorrow, and then go home. Hello, Nathalie, Elsbeth. How are you?”



“Your lo—“



“Lover.” Delwyn looked Thom straight in the eyes, challenging him to make another remark. “Any questions?”



“Not… Not really. How nice to meet you, Pop… Poppa. How eh… I mean… Harri, can we have a word?”



“Stay put, Harri.” Delwyn wiped his hands, and stood up. He had more than enough, honestly. “Listen. All of you, listen to me. I left you guys four years ago, to avoid confrontation. I’m gay. I’ll never marry and have kids, like you. I’ll never love a woman like I love Poppa. Now I’m back, because of dad, and I guess it’s time to face reality. I don’t expect you to approve, but I don’t want to be judged either. There’s nothing wrong with me, for loving a man. After tomorrow, you can go back to your safe, common life. Until then… Just shut up.”



“Who wants another yogurt? It’s strawberry.” Poppa gave it to the first boy raising his hand, ignoring the adults.



Delwyn looked at Thom again. “He’s not turning them into gay,” he said with a low tone of voice. “I know you’re thinking just that.”



Poppa collected all the empty wrappers, and stood up. “Well, nice to meet you all. Now we’ll see the room for tonight, and have a nap. It’s been a strange, emotional day. Kids, I’ll see you at dinner, and then we’ll go to the woods for the story, alright? Behave.”



“Yes, Poppa!”



“Come, pretty. Let them simmer for a while. I bet they have a lot to talk about.”



“Yeah. I bet they have.”



“Stories in the woods? Harri?”



Delwyn pulled Poppa into the hotel to get their key. “’Harri?’” he repeated. “’What does he mean, stories in the woods?’ Damn. They’re so stupid!”



“Ignore them. Some people still think homosexuality is contagious. It’ll be a hard weekend, but once you’re through it, you’ll see it’s not as bad. Now come with me, because it’s been hours since I fucked you.”



Delwyn blushed again, quickly grabbing the key from the reception. “I hope you brought anything with you…”



“Nothing,” beamed Poppa. “But you’ll have me anyway!”



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