Starlight Stories Rich and Love: Burns Song

Chapter 15: Getting Married Today

"We got your invitation."

"And...?"

"Waylon, you know how I feel about your...relationship."

"You haven't even seen us since we got together. Please, just give us a chance." He looked pleadingly into his phone camera.

"He's old enough to be my father! Old enough to be your father's father."

"We're both grown men, mother. It's not like he hit on me when I was a teenager. He told me he didn't even have passing thoughts about me until a few years ago."

"He never made a pass at you?"

"I always prayed he would, but he never did."

"Forgive me if I'm skeptical. You were still in high school when you first began working for him."

"He never showed interest in me. I fell for him early on, though, so believe me, I was looking for the slightest hint."

"I just think you should seek counseling before deciding this is what you really want."

"Oh, when have I heard that before? Hm...where have I heard that before? Tell me, mother. Where did I hear that before?"

"This...is different. I don't care if you marry a man – just not him."

"That's not what you were saying when you banned Malibu Stacy from the house and took me to that so-called therapist when I was eight because I played with dolls. Or when you caught me with Morris that summer back from college. Or when they kicked me out of the Navy. You just don't want a faggot for a son. That's it, isn't it?"

"Waylon, no – that, that was a long time ago. I was doing what I felt was right at the time. I'm sorry, I made a mistake. I just – I saw you endure relentless bullying at school and I didn't want that kind of life for you. I had no idea people would become so accepting of that lifestyle. I just wanted you to be happy."

"You know who makes me happy, happier than I've ever been."

"Have you ever considered that maybe the reason he makes you so happy is because you want to be close to your father, and you can only connect with him vicariously through Mr. Burns?"

"Does it matter anymore why I became attracted to him? The fact is that I am, and we're in love, and nothing or no one can stop me from walking down the aisle with him."

"I worry about how he'll treat you. The way he cruelly accused you of trying to rape him just so people wouldn't find out about your relationship... If your father were still alive, he'd kill him for that, and he admired the hell out of the man."

"He never meant for me to get arrested. When they did arrest me, he panicked and couldn't spit it out. I understand what it's like to love someone and not be able to say it. He feels immensely guilty about that. And trust me, mom, he never feels guilty about screwing people over. I know people say it a lot, but he really has changed. He cares about me in a way I've never seen him care about anyone else before. I've never seen him be so affectionate to anyone else."

"I don't know what it is about the Smithers men that makes you like that awful man."

"That 'awful man' is about to be your son-in-law, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't malign the man I love."

"I'll say nothing about him, then."

"So..." He lowered his eyes, his face softening from gallant defense to pensive hesitation. "Are you coming to the wedding, or not?"

"I'll have to think about it."

"I hope you do."

Burns entered the parlor. "Waylon, come here. I have something I must show you."