The End of the Line

“Well, that’s midnight. Birthday’s over.”

“Yes, dear.”

“He didn’t show.”

“There’s still time, John. Maybe he’s been held up in traffic. There were some awful blizzards reported on the news.”

“But, he hasn’t called, or even sent a text.”

“Yes, well.”

“Yes, well, what? What are you getting at?”

“That row you had with him on Tuesday. You said some cruel and, frankly, horrible things about Ryan that must have hurt David’s feelings deeply. You can’t complain if he’s sore at you: I know I was. Still am, if I’m honest. Some of the terminology you used was vile.”

“He said goodbye when he left. It had all calmed down, and we parted on good terms.”

“John! He was in tears at the front door.”

“In tears? This is the first you’ve mentioned of that.”

“Yes, well, I didn’t want it to spill over into a row between us. Least said, soonest mended, as my mother used to say.”

“For Pete’s sake, what a snowflake! A grown man sobbing because his feelings were hurt. I don’t know where he gets it from.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be you, would it? You’re a man’s man who views any display of emotion as a sign of weakness.”

“My dad brought me up tough. Taught me how to look after myself.”

“Oh, yes, you told me. With the hunting and the fishing. And the whiskey and cigars, and a constant stream of good ol’ boy country music as the soundtrack to your upbringing. You two are as tight as the father and son in A Boy Named Sue.”

“You’re being disrespectful to his memory, and I don’t like it. My dad taught me many life skills, and all without any help.”

“While filling your head with outdated societal views: views you adhere to to this day. You seem to forget that I knew your father from way back in our courting days. He was a bitter reactionary who held some dreadful opinions, and he didn’t keep them to himself.”

“He taught me right from wrong.”

“Did he, though? Some of the ‘wrongs’ he drummed into you are as obsolete as... as video rental stores. ”

“Yet those obsolete wrongs reared an upright citizen. I’m sixty-eight years old, and I’ve never seen the inside of a police station.”

“But your life-view is criminal. And petty. And outdated. And that antiquated life view has created a huge and unnecessary rift with David. And who knows how that will affect Ryan.”

“But, Jess, Ryan has come out as gay. He’s gay, for crying out loud.”

“Well, so what?”

“My dad would—”

“Your dad isn’t here, John. But Ryan is, and he has his whole life ahead of him. And, see if you can relate to this, he’ll have to face a world of hostility and prejudice just like that boy named Sue.”

“But why now? What happened? A few weeks ago, he was a regular eighteen-year-old, and now... now this! People don’t just turn overnight. There’s more to this than we’ve been told.”

“Oh, John, you’re so naive. David and I have known, at least suspected, for years now. If you’d been paying attention, you would have seen the signs for yourself.”

“What signs? He kept it hidden from me.”

“How did you not see it? Is it because Ryan’s not effeminate, and he doesn’t dress like he’s just auditioned for a Village People biopic? The traits that might have alerted you, the ones you would be looking out for, and the manifestation of which would have floored you, are outmoded stereotypes. The very sort your father perpetuated, and precisely not what Ryan is about.”

“But my dad knew—”

“Your dad knew jack shit outside of how to clean a rifle and play pool.”

“That’s not—”

“And while we’re discussing your late, lamented patriarch, let’s remember—”

“Wait! Stop. I’ve just had a thought.”

“He’s had a thought! Saints be praised.”

“Be serious, Jess.”

“Go on.”

“Pardon me for stating the obvious about our own progeny, but David is an only child.”

“So?”

“And Ryan is too. Don’t you see? It’s the end of the line.”

“The line?”

“The line. Lineage. After Ryan, there will be no more. At least not descended from us. It all stops.”

“Is that important to you?”

“Of—”

“I mean, really important? Family lines die out. It happens. I’m also an only child, so my line ended the day I took your name forty years ago. Do I look like it bothers me?”

“The distaff side is different.”

“Is it though? Think of all the women over the centuries who have forfeited wonderful, traditional surnames because they took a husband.”

“You’re comparing apples to bananas, Jess. It’s not the same for women.”

“But it is. There was a girl in my class at school, Helen Glendenning. Lovely name. Do you know what she goes by now?”

“I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

“Helen Binns.”

“But that’s how things work. I’m sure there are just as many women who acquired nicer surnames upon marriage.”

“Yes, well, marrying into an ugly surname would be a deal breaker for me; no matter how charming the suitor. You’re lucky you were blessed with a nondescript name, my lad.”

“I don’t get it. When did you become this woke feminist?”

“It’s not woke feminism, but facing up to reality. I used to be fairly neutral on gay issues because they never affected me. But, seeing certain traits developing in Ryan: you know, the ones you missed, I’ve had to absorb and embrace. You know, he’s the same Ryan as the one you took to the football last week.”

“But I didn’t know then.”

“Oh, fiddlesticks, John. You’ve adored Ryan since he was born, and if anything, you should be even more supportive of him now that you know that he’s gay. He’s going to find things tough.”

“But gay! My dad will be turn—”

“Again with your dad! Is he going to loom large for the rest of your days? You’re sixty-seven for crying out—”

“Sixty-eight.”

“Yes, sixty-eight as of yesterday. And you’re taking the side of a ten-year-dead bigot over your bright and caring grandson.”

“I have my beliefs, and you have yours.”

“No, John. You have your father’s beliefs. And frankly, I’m disappointed.”

“Just like I’m disappointed that David allowed his sensitivities to overrule his filial obligations vis-a-vis his father’s birthday.”

“Aw, are you sore because he didn’t get you a gift?”

“It’s the thought that counts.”

“Well, I happen to know that he has got you a present for your birthday, and it’s something you’ll like a lot. I was sworn to secrecy, but I can’t have you thinking that David doesn’t care.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not going to reveal that. You’ll see it soon enough.”

“Jess.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to do what you did. You know, absorb and embrace. At least I’ll try.”

“Aw, John. That will be fabulous.”

“You’re right in what you say: my dad’s been dead a long time. And I—”

“There’s the doorbell. You see, he was held up in traffic just like I said. I knew he’d come through.”

“Let him in, and bestow gifts upon me.”

“John. It’s not David. There’s a policeman at the door.”