When Worlds Collide

Eavesdropping

Mason was sweeping the floor when Willy walked in with someone new following him.  They made their way over to Morris' booth in the corner and Mason saw him get up and hug the new guy before motioning him to sit down.  Willy left them there and made his way toward Mason.
"Yo M, sup?"
"Who's the new guy?"
"That's Mo's cousin Dom, he's from Chicago."
"Cool."
"He's here looking for his chick.  She apparently went gay and he's pissed.  Said her parents told him they heard her dyke girlfriend talking about having family here.  He wants to fuck that bitch up hardcore."
Mason kept sweeping and didn't respond.  He hadn't told Willy or Morris or anyone about his encounter in his sister's driveway or his intention to find a way to talk to her.  His inner conflict had grown since the firefighters told him Maya was married to that Italian chick he'd seen.  Part of him had nothing to say to her, but another part of him did miss his big sister.  He had made a decent life for himself and had made friends who looked out for him and didn't make him feel like a failure if he didn't always come in first like his dad always did.  The only thing Mason did have in common with his father was his unsettled feelings about the LGBTQ community-the one his sister was apparently fully a committed part of.
"Mason, c'mere for a sec."
Mason leaned the broom against the bar and headed over to Mo's booth.
"Mason, this is my cousin Dom.  He's going to be staying with me for a while.  We got a bit of a situation going on, family stuff, but I figured you and Willy can show him some places around town where all the fags hang out.  You guys have been doing a good job letting the gang know when they pop up."
"Sure Mo, nice to meet you Dom. Me and Willy have seen some clubs that they go to.  There's one place called the Pink Door, we can show you that place."
"Yeah cool, thanks.  My girl got herself all fucked up in the head thinking she was into chicks.  I just wanna find the bitch that turned her head around and finish what I started back in Chi Town."
Morris clapped his hand on Dom's shoulder and pointed over at Willy.
"Well my boy Willy over there, he's already fucked up a dyke so he's gonna have your back if you need him."
Mason turned and looked at Willy who smiled and raised his beer toward them. 
"Ok well, I've got to get back to sweeping.  I'll check you later Dom."
"Yeah man, sure thing."
Mason turned and headed back across the bar, picked up the broom and walked into the kitchen.

The bus pulled up to the corner of Maya's street and Mason stepped off. He walked down the block and leaned against the fence across the street from his sister's house. There was a pick up truck parked in front and another SUV had pulled up as Mason arrived. A guy with freckles got out and headed up toward the gate that led to the back yard. Mason could hear the sound of Maya's voice and a moment later Freckles opened the gate and disappeared behind the fence. Crossing the street, Mason was careful to stay out of the view of the camera set up to face the driveway. He checked the neighbors house and didn't see any cars so keeping to the shrub line, Mason slipped between a break and walked the length of the driveway until he could lean against the fence and listen to the conversation.
"Let me get you a lemonade Travis. I was about to get Jack a refill anyway."
"Thanks Maya, hey did Carina bake any more cookies? I'll take some of those since Vic and Beckett demolished the bag I brought back that day. I've been having dreams about those damned cookies for almost two weeks now."
"I think she made some biscotti the other day, I'll check. We do have blueberries, you want some of those?"
"You know me too well Bishop, thanks!"
Mason heard the slider open and close before the two men started talking.
"So how's she doing? Andy said she's cleared for desk duty in a couple of days. We've got a bet going for an over under how long before she begs Andy to let her do Crisis One just so she doesn't have to be stuck at the station."
"She said Doctor Altman told her she's got to sit reception for at least two weeks. Then her follow up will determine if she can do Aid car or not."
"Shit, she must be so pissed."
"She's definitely not happy about the situation but she told me that Carina is really worried she's going to push too hard too fast. So she's going to keep her head down and play nice."
"Great, we all know how Maya is when she has to 'play nice'. She sucks at it."
Both men were laughing as Mason heard the slider open again.
"Your in luck Travis, my wife made biscotti and panettone."
"Seriously Bishop, how the hell do you stay in shape with her making all this deliciousness?"
"She runs...a lot."
Mason heard all three of them laugh just as the slider opened again and another woman's voice sounded.
"Maya? Liam is up from his nap and I've got to get to work. I hate to be a pain but I've got to go."
"Michelle, you are definitely not a pain...honestly you've been incredibly amazing and I don't know how to thank you for everything."
Maya's voice had trailed off as she went back in the house. Mason heard the two guys burst out laughing.
"Oh I'm sure Michelle could find some way for Maya to repay her."
"Yeah, but Carina would have a problem with that."
"True story bro, true story."
They were still chuckling when the slider opened again and Mason heard his sister talking in a soft voice.
"Look Probie, Uncle Jack and Gunkle Travis are here visiting. Hey guys, look who's up."
Mason heard baby gurgles and raspberries as the group began chatting together. He pushed off from the fence and was making his way back down the neighbors driveway when a car pulled in. The driver opened his window and called out as Mason kept walking away.
"Hey! What are you doing in my driveway?"
Ignoring him, Mason just raised a hand above his head and sped up his walking pace as he moved down the street toward the corner bus stop. After a few minutes the bus pulled up and Mason got on, headed to the back and looked as it passed his sister's house where he could see Maya holding the baby and talking to the neighbor while Travis and Jack were scanning the street in both directions.
'This is going to be a shit show trying to get her alone.' he thought to himself as the bus rounded the corner and headed back downtown.