Peaked in High School

Speaking from the Heart

"My husband, Robert Coleman, was a complicated man," Mrs. Coleman apprises from behind the podium positioned in front of the small group of people gathered in the room. She is wearing a simple black, long-sleeved dress and has no makeup on. Her demeanor is strong, but her eyes look fatigued and despondent.

Everett is in a sensible dark gray sweater and khakis next to Beau who has on a black collared shirt and slacks. Finn slouches in his seat in the front row on the other side of Beau. The younger brother has been not-so-discreetly wiping at his eyes all day. Meanwhile, Beau continues to clutch onto Everett's right hand like he has been since they arrived at the funeral home. Their connected hands seem to be the only thing grounding the man during the ceremonies commencing in his father's honor.

"He made his share of mistakes," Mrs. Coleman continues, "but I would like to focus on celebrating his life today and talk about all of the positive moments that we had together. Robert was a wonderful husband and father-"

Beau squeezes his hand at this. When Everett looks over at him, he sees his boyfriend's jaw clenched as if he is physically restraining himself from interrupting his mom's eulogy. After visiting his dad in jail, Beau never really mentioned him again and Everett was honestly filled with too much trepidation to ask about the issue.

"He was born here in Columbus on December 8th, 1964 and attended school at Ferrisville Township where the two of us met and began dating in junior high. Robert was a family man from the beginning and made sure to get to work right after graduating high school to provide for the two of us and our first son, Beau, who I fell pregnant with at the time."

Glancing at his boyfriend once more out of the corner of his eye, Everett sees that he is now staring at the wall behind his mom's head. He isn't sure if Beau is trying to zone out or if he is attempting to keep himself from crying. Either way, his face looks stern and disapproving of these words.

"He enjoyed being around friends and family as well as watching the Steelers every season. Robert was multifaceted and talented in many different ways. He loved music and reading just as much as he loved his sports and working on cars with our boys."

Beau releases his hand and stands abruptly. He keeps his head down as he speed walks down the aisle and out the doors. There aren't many people in the crowd—Beau could barely identify four out of the nine people who bothered to show up today.

Everett is quick to follow after him, but not before looking at Mrs. Coleman who has a devastated expression on her face as she stutters through the eulogy. He gives her a sad smile and then follows after his boyfriend through the main doors. Beau is leaning against the railing outside of the building with his head in his hands.

Rubbing a hand up and down his back, Everett leans his forehead against Beau's shoulder and lets them sit in silence. This has all been incredibly difficult for Beau to digest since it happened. His dad was not his favorite person in the world, but he was still his dad. Everett wants to give his partner space and not force him to talk about anything yet while also being here for him.

"He was an ass."

"You've mentioned that before."

Beau groans and stands upright. Pulling Everett into his arms, he hugs him as they sway back and forth.

"Sorry for throwing a tantrum," Beau mumbles onto the top of Everett's head.

Looking up, Everett places a kiss on his lips before leaning his forehead against Beau's chest. "Don't apologize—and that wasn't a tantrum. You calmly got up and left when things got overwhelming." Beau tightens his arms briefly in a wordless gesture of appreciation.

"Besides," Everett says, "everyone is entitled to their own mourning tactics. You have been very considerate to your family during all of this."

"I feel like I should start paying you for these therapy sessions," Beau jokes lowly.