Chapter 7
Julie came speeding through the apartment door before Dylan had left, blinking in confusion before focusing on what she was here for. She raced to the living room, sitting down beside Reggie as he gave her a watery smile. “What happened, big brother?” Nick was beside him, just rubbing circles into his back as Reggie clung to his side. He spoke up for Reggie.
“He’s been having headaches, remembering things. Last night, I guess he remembered a lot at once, and he’s having trouble coming to terms with some of it.”
“Is it true, Julie?” Reggie asked, voice hoarse. “My grandpa died? I was wondering why you kept me from my monthly visit last week, saying the nursing home was having some event.”
“Oh, Reggie.” She hugged him tightly, “I am so sorry. You were- you were with him, when he died.”
“The day I broke up with Caleb. I know.” Reggie’s voice cracked as more tears slipped down his cheeks, “That was why Luke came by that day, to go with me. Grandpa never liked Caleb. But he would’ve loved Nick.” Reggie buried his face in Nick’s chest, and the blonde just wrapped his arms around him tighter.
Julie put her hand on Reggie’s shoulder, “You know what’s coming up soon, right?”
Reggie nodded, “This year’s Day of the Dead festival.”
Julie smiled as Reggie peeked out at her, “Why don’t we get everyone together for it this year? We can celebrate him.” Reggie nodded eagerly, turning to Dylan who was still sitting in the kitchen.
“Do you want to come with us?”
Dylan looked shocked, “Uh, sure. My family usually goes anyway, but I could meet you guys there.”
Julie mentioned it to everyone, and they all took the day off work to go. Carrie did everyone’s face paint, decorating everyone’s skulls differently. Reggie’s had red lighting in it, while Julie had purple flowers. Nick had blue swirls, and Alex had yellow webbing. Reggie couldn’t have been more excited. Julie had made a copy of the only picture Reggie still had of his grandfather, so Reggie could keep the original and still put the picture on the altar in the center of the festival. They made the altar their first stop, sharing stories of the people they were putting into the ofrenda. Julie went first, sharing a picture of her mom. Dylan put in a picture of his abuela, saying it was the first year she wouldn’t be attending the festival. Carrie shared a photo of her mom, too, but didn’t feel up to sharing stories yet. Reggie went last, tucking the picture in next to Dylan’s. “My grandpa was a cranky old bastard.” He laughed through his teary eyes, “He didn’t like a lot of people, but if he liked you then he would go to the ends of the earth for you. He, uh, he saved my life, if I’m honest. I get my love for country from him, too. First time he met Luke, back when we were like ten, Luke was complaining about some country song that played on the radio on the bus ride there.” Luke groaned good-naturedly as Reggie grinned and continued, “Grandpa smacked him right upside the head and told him country held the heart of his family. I didn’t know what that meant for a really long time. Until I graduated high school. I went to see him, to show him, because no one in our family had made it through before. He was strumming this old guitar, singing about a woman that ran away with his heart. It was soulful and sad, but it was so full of love. He missed her, but he loved her enough to let her go. When he met Alex, and found out Alex was gay, I remember Alex being afraid of how he’d react. Alex was grandpa’s favorite of my friends, even though Julie was my sister. And when we told him that Alex was gay, Grandpa goes ‘Yeah, and what’s your point?’” They shared a laugh. “He didn’t care in the slightest. And when Alex introduced him to Willie, Grandpa just told him that if he broke Alex’s heart, he’d come after him.”
“You laugh but it was terrifying.” Willie deadpanned. Alex just wrapped an arm around his husband, pressing a kiss to his hair.
”When Julie’s family took me in, my grandpa apologized to me.” Reggie said quietly, the smile fading. “He kept saying that if he was stronger, then he would take me. And I told him that strength was never something he was short on. I was choosing to go with Ray because my grandpa had been through enough. He had to bury his son and his daughter in law in the same day, but refused to bury them in the family plot back home. He moved out here just to be close to me, and I’ll never be able to thank him enough for all the love and support he’s given me throughout my life, even when my parents couldn’t, or wouldn’t. He’s my idol. My hero. And I’ll never forget him. My first tattoo was for him.” Reggie gestured to the silhouette of cowboy boots on the inside of his upper right arm. “So he’ll always be with me.” Nick held Reggie’s hand, letting him lean into his shoulder as he spoke.
They moved through the festival after that, playing the different games and eating the different food. They met Dylan’s family, listening with smiles as they told them about the different family members they’ve honored through the festival. When the dance started, Nick held a hand out to Reggie, who cocked his head and eyed the blonde. “I’ve learned the dance since last time. Please?” Reggie took it. Letting Nick guide him through the steps and helping if he got them confused, they were smiling and laughing by the end of it. Reggie pulled Nick away from the others.
“I need to say something.” He took a deep breath, looking into Nick’s eyes, “I love you.”
Nick’s eyes filled with tears as he pulled Reggie into him, “I love you, Reg. So much.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long.” Reggie whispered as he tightened his hold on his love. “I wanted to be sure how I felt was real before I said anything.”
“It’s okay, Reg. I told you, I’m not going anywhere. You are my heart.”