Sometimes Gay Means Happy by Angela Theresa Egic (books like beach read txt) 📕

/> Nothing, darling. Mommy has just had a rough day. Can you find something quieter to do?

CRYSTAL
Don't be upset, Mommy. I can color!

TORI
Okay, sweetness. I'm not upset at you.

CRYSTAL
Goody!

Crystal runs to her room. Tori goes back to preparing and being frustrated. Stephen watches her…now concerned.

STEPHEN
It's a big day, Tori, I know. But, what is going on with you?

TORI
Daddy’s' going to be here in an hour--the hor d'oeuvres are way behind schedule--and the counters are a mess!

Tori prepares, cuts, etc. hor d'oeuvres, frantically.

STEPHEN
So what, Tori?

TORI
Why are you being mean?

STEPHEN
Mean? I'm not being mean. Victor isn't going to be eating all of this, first of all. At least, not hor d'oeuvres...

TORI
It has to be right, Steve. Perfect! For me! It just has to be!

STEPHEN
It doesn't have to be anything, Tori.

TORI
Fine. I want it to be perfect, then.

STEPHEN
Nothing is perfect.

TORI
What's that mean?

STEPHEN
Sweety, it means just what I said. Nothing is perfect, that's all. Wow, you're really on edge.

TORI
He needs me now, Steve. You have to understand.

STEPHEN
Even if it between your husband or your father?

TORI
You think you will lose, or something?

STEPHEN
No, but, the way you've been lately; you might as well be living God knows where! It certainly has been with Crystal and I.

TORI
Damnit, Steve--we haven't spent a night apart in six years! What are you talking about?

STEPHEN
Well, you're here physically; but, come one--you have to admit your mind and your heart have been elsewhere!

TORI
I cannot do it all!

STEPHEN
No, you're right about that, you can't. I know Victor wouldn't want you to neglect Crystal, at the very least, or me, for him, either.

TORI
You know damn well Daddy doesn't have as much time as we do!

STEPHEN
Tori, I'm a patient man. I will see your through this. Our little girl, though, she won't be five years old again. Please, don't miss that.

TORI
Wow. I've asked David...to...well, uh...to let Victor stay here.

Tori turns away from Stephen.

STEPHEN
Are you afraid to look at me?

TORI
(she looks at him)
No, I'm not. And I'm not asking permission. I decided. I want him here, with us.

STEPHEN
You want him to die here? Is this what you're telling me?

TORI
Daddy doesn't want to die in the hospital. He should be home.

STEPHEN
Yes, Tori…he has a home, with David, his partner. Right?

TORI
I know...I do. David agreed. We have the guest room with the separate entrance--and I already gave David the key. He can be here, with Victor, whenever he wants.

STEPHEN
Does Victor want this, too? He knows this is not his home.

TORI
Daddy wants to be near me, he wants to spend time with his granddaughter.

STEPHEN
It's our home, Tori. It's our daughter, too. You really should have consulted me--you know, your husband, your life partner. Is that asking too much?
(getting closer)
Who do you think I am, Tori?

TORI
He's my father, Steve. I owe him everything I can give him. For the last fourteen years he's wanted one thing from me--a relationship with me.

STEPHEN
He's not your husband, I am. Love, honor, cherish? It's sort of sick—

TORI
Don't you dare, Stephen--don't even think about saying something like that. Don't even insinuate it!

STEPHEN
I'm losing you, Victoria. Yes, you know it's true. Am I going to lose you, too--like your father did. Will you walk away and come back in fourteen years, when I'm dying or something?!

TORI
How dare you!

STEPHEN
No, Tori. How dare YOU! How dare you make me fight to keep my wife. If you were having an affair, maybe...No, wait, you are!

Tori is horrified.

STEPHEN
You spend every evening and weekend with him. Crystal and I have to deal with it. If it's not an affair, I don't know what else to call it.

When do we get you back, Tori? Can you answer me?

TORI
Don't, Stephen! I'm scared. I'm scared one day, you'll leave me, too.

STEPHEN
And you think I'm not?

TORI
Listen. Mom and Dad, they were just like us. They held hands, they were affectionate--high schools sweethearts and in love.
(beat)
One day, that awful day, it was over. He was gay. A homosexual. How does that happen?

STEPHEN
You were a teenager, Tori. It could just your wishful thinking. You could be blocking out the arguing and what have you.

TORI
You don't get it. They were just like us, Steve.

STEPHEN
Come on, Tori. Please, you can't even think that...

TORI
My mother thought the same thing, you know?

STEPHEN
Don't be ridiculous, Tori. I'm not gay. Seriously. Don't even go there. That's crazy talk.

TORI
Is it?

STEPHEN
If it wasn't so funny...

TORI
(welling up)
It's not funny, Stephen.

STEPHEN
(hugging her)
Sweety, no, I guarantee you, it will never happen.

TORI
Divorce happens to a lot of couples.

STEPHEN
I don't want to ever divorce you. If our marriage did end, ever, or you wanted out -- and it would be you wanting out; I'd fight like hell to make you stay.

TORI
I hope so. But...

STEPHEN
No, it would never be because of another man, Tori. No way.

Stephen kisses Tori's forehead and then her on the lips.

TORI
Are you angry about Daddy? You don't want him here?

STEPHEN
He's on his way, right? I don't have the strength nor the heart to turn him away now…at least, not tonight.
(angry)
We do need to discuss it, though; it is not resolved.

Tori nods as she hands a plate of hor d'oeuvres and take another herself.
Violet comes in with a camera.

VIOLET
Come on, you two! David just arrived with Daddy! I want a picture of everyone greeting him!

Violet exits. Stephen and Tori take a deep breath and exit.

INT. REC ROOM – TORI’S PLACE – ONE HOUR LATER

It is a basement/Rec Room, in Tori's house, a couple of hours later. A mini-wet bar is on the east wall, and a billiards table center. A cabinet of trophies are displayed on the north wall.

Stephen and Michael are shooting pool.

MICHAEL
How're holding up, old boy? Your game is way off today!

STEPHEN
Big day.

MICHAEL
Really? I've known you two much too long for that. Something ain't kosher.

STEPHEN
Yeah. You ever...never mind.

MICHAEL
Come on. Did I ever what?

STEPHEN
I know that AIDS can't be caught through casual contact; I mean, my firm has handled AIDS cases.
(uncomfortable)
I'm not prejudice, in any way -- but, in my own home! I just don't like it; I'm . . .

MICHAEL
Are you afraid?

STEPHEN
Maybe. Not so much for me, though. Crystal, mostly. She's so young, and kids play...bruise, bleed...I'd be...I can't even say it!

MICHAEL
I think I know what you're trying to get at. Don't say it, it's alright. Let me ask you this. Is it really the AIDS that's bothering you, or is it the homosexuality?

STEPHEN
Mike, I'm a lawyer, sexual preferences are not my concern, or a problem for me.

MICHAEL
You mean, professionally. I get that. This is your home, as you said. Does it bother you--personally?


STEPHEN
I'm not comfortable around gay men--no. I do find it...uncomfortable that a man may be attracted to me. Sure, wouldn't you?

MICHAEL
It's not about me, Steve. Do you think Victor Rothchild is attracted to you, then?

STEPHEN
No, not at all!
(changing the subject)
I need another beer! You?

Stephen goes to the wet bar and pulls a couple of beers from the mini-fridge. Michael nods and laughs under his breath, setting up his next shot.

MICHAEL
So, tell me, you don't have any gay friends?

STEPHEN
No! I take that back. I really don't discuss it with my friends. Do you?

MICHAEL
Maybe if you did talk about things, you and Tori wouldn't feel so slighted by each other?

STEPHEN
Hey, bud, what's going on with you? Yeah, we've been friends a long time; but, you sound like a woman...or a therapist! It's a little weird.

MICHAEL
Do you watch the newscasts?

STEPHEN
Yeah, so?

MICHAEL
Man, it's not my place, or my style to tell you. Since Tori is being considered for that newsmagazine show of her own...

STEPHEN
Hold on! What newsmagazine show?

MICHAEL
Damn! Tori didn't tell you?

STEPHEN
Goddamnit! She's keeping everything from me!

MICHAEL
There's a lot to deal with, lately.

STEPHEN
What about me, Mike? I love her so much, still I don't know her anymore.

MICHAEL
She loves you, too--she'll come around.

STEPHEN
Tori is, or was, my best friend. I miss her. We used to communicate, tell each other everything.I've never met anyone like her. I know it's hard to believe, but, I used to be so closed; never talked about feelings or even felt them. Then, Tori comes into my life…opened me up to a new world.

MICHAEL
Tori took you out of your shell.

STEPHEN
Yeah, she saw right through it. It's funny how she always seemed to know exactly what I was thinking...feeling.

MICHAEL
She listened.

STEPHEN
Never judging me, I could be myself with her.

MICHAEL
Don't take this wrong, friend. Right now, are you giving her the same love? Accepting her as she is, without judgment?

STEPHEN
Yes, of course!

MICHAEL
Fine! I'm just asking...

INT. VICTOR’S ROOM – LATER THAT EVENING

The guest bedroom, in Tori's home. Victor is in the bed in this nicely decorated room. Violet is trying too hard to dote on Victor.

VIOLET
Daddy, do you want the curtains open?

VICTOR
No, sweetheart, you've done too much already.

VIOLET
It's not trouble. You'll want to see the sun in the morning, right?

VICTOR
Come here, lady Violet.

Violet stops playing with the curtains. At first, she doesn't look at Victor.

VICTOR
Get that chair and sit beside me.

Violet does as she is told. As she sits there, she looks like a punished child.

VIOLET
Yes, Daddy?

VICTOR
I'm not going to punish you.

VIOLET
I know.

VICTOR
Why do you look so...angry.

VIOLET
I'm not.

VICTOR
What happened?

VIOLET
You made your choice, alright?

VICTOR
Oh, Violet darling...Princess.

VIOLET
Victoria is the princess, I though.

VICTOR
You're both my little princesses.

VIOLET
(standing, moving away)
And now you're going to tell me how you love us both the same.

VICTOR
I do.

VIOLET
Then, why her? Why here?

VICTOR
Victoria is not as strong as you. You've always been my little rebel. The strong one.

VIOLET
I don't want to be.

VICTOR
You get that from me. You and I, darling, we can see people for who they are, all the flaws, all the secrets.

VIOLET
It's painful.

VICTOR
Yes, it can be.

VIOLET
How do I stop it? How do I stop feeling other peoples' feelings?

VICTOR
You don't. You just learn to channel it, to help.

VIOLET
Why should I help? No, who