Home of His Own by T. Chase (classic fiction .TXT) 📗

moving to stand beside Tony. “Mr. Martinez, you have overstayed your welcome. I suggest you leave now. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a hotel in Cheyenne.”

Randy tossed Luis’ suitcase out on the grass. Martinez walked down to grab it, snarling at them with blood dripping from his lip.

“Maria wants you to come and talk to Juan. She’s afraid the boy’s a queer, just like his uncle. She wrote you and when she didn’t hear from you, she sent me. For some reason, they seem to think you can talk some sense into the boy about the dangers of being a fag.”

Tony kept his emotions under tight control as Luis snatched his suitcase off the ground and stalked to the car. Silence reigned as Luis raced away from the ranch.

“Good riddance. The man has been driving us crazy since he got here.” Randy took Tony’s hand and led him into the house, heading for the living room.

“Why didn’t you tell us your brother-in-law was so far in the closet he thinks he’s straight?” Les headed for the kitchen.

Tony allowed Randy to push him down on the couch. He was stunned by Luis’

actions. He still hadn’t figured out what sort of advice he could give the kid. If Juan really was gay, Tony wasn’t about to tell him to deny it.

“Here.” Les handed him a shot of whiskey.

“A little early to be hitting the bottle,” he commented, but drained the glass.

“Thought you’d want to get his taste out of your mouth.” Les sat on the arm of the sofa, his hand resting on Randy’s shoulder.

“You’re right.” Tony laughed softly. “It’s weird. For months after I ran away, I used to dream of kissing him. The moment Tia Elena said he was marrying Angelina, I stopped thinking of him at all, except as a reminder of why I never wanted to go home.”

“I can’t imagine what it felt like to realize your ex-boyfriend married your sister.”

Randy’s hand ran over Tony’s back.

“I wouldn’t consider him a boyfriend. He let me suck his dick. That’s all. Plus a few kisses once in a while as a treat for me.” Tony shuddered. “He’s probably been cheating on her since they started dating, but I can’t tell her. She wouldn’t believe me and he could paint me as a jealous man who wants him and is willing to break up a marriage to get him.” Tony jumped to his feet and started pacing.

“Who are Juan and Maria?” Randy inquired.

“Maria’s my oldest sister. Juan’s her son and should be around sixteen now.”

“Why did they send Luis to talk to you?” Les caressed Randy’s neck.

“Maria’s husband died last year, so I guess Luis had taken over that role for Juan.

My father hasn’t spoken to me since I left. Poor Juan. I can’t imagine what he’s gone through having to deal with Luis and the rest of the family. Especially if he is gay.”

“What are you going to do?” Les asked.

Tony gave Les a rueful smile. “I guess I’m going home. I’ll have to call Tia Elena and see if I can stay with her.”

“We’ll come with you if you need us,” Randy offered.

“Thanks cowboy, but having me back will be enough of a shock. I don’t want to kill them by hauling you two with me.” Tony hugged his friend.

“When are you going?” Les was a master of organization and Tony was more than willing to allow him to take over planning the trip. He could see the fear and worry in his friends’ eyes. They didn’t think going back was a good idea.

“Not until after Thanksgiving. I’m not ruining my holiday because of them.”

Les hugged him this time. “Great. I want my family here. On Friday, we’ll make plans. You can use my plane.”

Tony nodded, tears welling in his eyes. Les had welcomed Tony into his home and life with open arms. The man never held anything back if he thought it was needed.

“Show me the new horses and rough stock you guys got while I was away.” He needed to think about other things for a while. He winked at Randy. “I’ll tell you all about the guy I met in Hawaii.”

* * * *

Later that night, he called his aunt. He hoped she hadn’t gone to any of his cousins’

houses yet for the holiday weekend.

“? Bueno? ”

“Hola, Tia Elena. Es Antonio.” He wasn’t sure what her reaction would be. He hadn’t talked to her in several months.

Tia Elena married his Tio Manuel shortly after Tony ran away. They had never met face-to-face, but for some reason, she’d reached out to him and tried to keep in touch.

“Tony. It’s wonderful to hear from you. Everything is okay?” Tia Elena’s voice held a smile.

He relaxed. “Si. I’m fine, but I need to ask a favor.”

“Anything. We’re family.”

“I wish more of them felt that way, Tia.” He moved out onto the patio off his room.

“There are more of us than you think, but I’ve honored your wishes and never told them where you were. I just mailed the letter for them. So what favor would you ask?”

Tony pushed her odd comment to the back of his mind. “I’m coming to town and I need a place to stay.”

“Quando?”

“I plan on coming down next Monday.” Just the thought of returning made him sick to his stomach.

“Ah. I won’t be home. I’m going to Dallas for several weeks to visit mija. She has a new nino.” Her excitement bubbled over the phone.

“Congratulations. Don’t worry. I’ll get a hotel room.” Disappointment raced through him. Though staying at a hotel would make avoiding family easier.

“No, mi sobrino. You must stay at my house,” she insisted. “It will make me happy to know it’s not empty the entire time I’m gone.”

He agreed, feeling an odd burst of happiness from knowing she wanted him to use her home.

Chapter Four

Tuesday afternoon

Tony stared out of the window as drove to his sister’s