Lilac Valley

Sunday Dinner

Minister McAllister sits at the head of the table.

Bridget and Arthur sit on one side.

Eddie and Con sit on the other.

Bridget and Arthur's children play in the living room.

"It's so wonderful you could join us for Sunday dinner, Eddie," Minister McAllister says.

"Thank you for inviting me Mr. McAllister," Eddie says.

"You're always welcome," he says. "Someone needs to take care of you once in a while until you get married."

Eddie smiles and looks down.

"Are you seeing anyone?" he asks.

"Yes, I am," Eddie answers.

Con shifts uncomfortably.

"You should bring her around next time," Mr. McAllister says. He turns to his son. "Why can't you find a girl to settle down with? You're getting a little old, don't you think?"

"Dad, I'm thirty-five," Con says.

"Your sister is married with two kids and she's twenty-nine," his father points out.

"You think anyone would ever live up to your standards?" Con asks.

"I don't ask for much," he says.

"Just a Christian werewolf like Arthur," Con says. "How about Jewish?"

"You know that would be complicated," Mr. McAllister says.

"Let's add to the mix," Con says. "Half-human. Half-vampire. And...he's a dentist. That's right. He."

Eddie looks at him. Bridget and Arthur are quiet. Mr. McAllister frowns.

"Any guesses?" Con asks.

"That's ridiculous," Mr. McAllister says. "You date women."

"I also date men," Con says. "But I love Eddie. Always have. Always will. Simple as that."

Eddie smiles.

"No, this isn't happening," Mr. McAllister says. "You're not gay."

"I'm not," Con states. "But I am in love with Eddie, so there's that. What are you going to do dad? Pray it away. Which part are you maddest about? The Jewish part? The half-vampire half-human part? Or that he's a guy?"

"Conleth, is it that hard to find a Christian werewolf woman?" Mr. McAllister asks. Con turns to Eddie.

"Let's get out of here," he says. He stands and leaves. Eddie stands.

"Thank you for dinner." He follows after Con.

~

"I want to find my father," Eddie says.

"Really?" Con asks. "After what you just saw?"

"I've spent the last thirty-three years wondering if I'm anything like him and my mom doesn't talk about him much," Eddie explains.

"How would you even find the guy?" Con asks.

"My mom," Eddie answers.

~

Eddie knocks on the door.

Ms. Rosen answers it.

"Boychick!" she exclaims and wraps her arms around her son. "Come in! Come in!" He follows her in.

"I want to know about dad," he says. She frowns.

"I knew this day would come," she says. She goes over to a bookshelf and removes a book. There is an index card in the middle. She hands it over to Eddie. "This is him."

"Current phone number and address?" Eddie asks. She nods.

"Are you doing this alone?" Ms. Rosen asks.

"I'm going to ask Marty," Eddie says. "I'm ready."