Midwinter Night's Dream (14 page)

I was sitting with Mom and Dad in the audience. I'd wanted to help backstage, but Leo insisted everything was covered, and he just wanted me to enjoy the show. Now I was glad. Because I could drink in every minute of it.

It was strange to see our familiar barn like this—lit up with small white lights and candles, the stage becoming 'real' somehow, with the curtains and costumed actors, and the rows of folding chairs and guests. Mom and Dad had invited everyone they knew, and a good thirty people had shown up. There were also families of the actors, those who lived close enough to come, and, of course, Leo's professor, Dr. Hartman, his wife, and young daughter, and his white-haired parents too. Hank and Sloane sat in the back, because Hank was anti-social like that. But I was in the front row with Mom and Dad where I could see every detail of Leo's performance.

At the start of the play, I was all nerves for Leo's sake. But then it was like a spell was cast over the barn, and everything was just… effortless. And so damned funny.

Helen camped it up as Helena, all mopey pining and ridiculous pursuit of Demetrius—played by Yas. Yas was tall and regal and stubborn in a way I wouldn't have expected from her. Tyrell was masterful and commanding as Oberon. Will stole the show as Titania, playing it as a flirty drag queen. And Puck was excellent too.

But Leo…. He was so good. I treasured every word and every motion, knowing I'd never see them again. That suck about plays, am I right? With film, you can watch it over and over ad infinitum. But a play is here and gone, like a first kiss. Or Christmas morning. Then again, maybe that's what makes those things so special.

There was a break between acts three and four. Mom and Dad were surrounded by friends, all saying how much they were enjoying the play and how great the barn looked. Dr. Hartman was grinning ear to ear as he introduced himself, which I took as a good sign vis-à-vis Leo's grade.

I went behind the curtain to find him. Everyone was in the zone, quiet, and either in their own heads preparing for the next scene, or hurrying to get props moved and costumes changed.

Leo saw me and broke off his whispered conversation with Tyrell. He took two strides to reach me and hugged me tight.

"How's it coming across out there?" he asked, voice low in my ear.

"It's fantastic. Couldn’t be better."

He pulled back, both a smile and a touch of worry on his face. "It feels good. There was that flub in act one, when Hermia—"

"Didn't notice it. It's amazing, Leo. Really. Dr. Hartman looks impressed."

Our arms were still clasped and we stood there for a long moment. I could see that Leo was high on the performance. His face was lit up like the Milky Way. He looked so damn happy.

"Thanks again for the use of your barn, your home… I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Well I had to get your attention somehow."

He started to move closer, like he might kiss me. I looked around nervously. "What about Yas?" I definitely didn't want anything to fuck up the rest of Leo's play.

He hesitated and looked around. "Yeah. Better play it safe. See you after the show?"

I nodded. "Good luck."

Act five, with Pyramus and Thisbe had everyone howling with laughter. And then finally, and far too soon, Puck gave the closing monologue.

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
 

The curtain fell, and when it reopened, the entire cast came out to bow. Everyone in the audience stood and applauded. I could hear Hank's loud whistle from the back. Mom linked her arm with mine and leaned into me.

"Thank you, Micah. This had been a memorable Christmas! And you picked well, my son. Leo is very talented."

I felt warmth in my throat and slipped my arm around her. Dad leaned over and hugged us too, tears in his eyes. He's such a big softie, despite the beard and the work boots.

When I looked back at the stage, I got a shock. Yas and Helen were kissing. Not just a peck, either, but an arms-wrapped-around-each-other, full-on snog, right there on stage among all the other actors who were still bowing.

My gaze slide to Leo. He smiled and crooked his finger. What the hell. We were among friends. I let go of Mom and Dad and made my way to the front.

And there, in front of everyone, Leo kissed me.

*                               *                                    *

Sloane

Sloane and Hank stood and clapped. They watched the actors milling about the stage, becoming themselves again, waving to family or chatting with friends. The spell the performance had woven was melting like snowflakes hitting a windowpane. No one paid much attention to the two couples kissing among the group, both lost in each other.

Well. It was about fucking time.             

Sloane sighed with a shake of his head. "Ah, what fools these mortals be."

Hank chuckled. "Hey, it took us a while to get there too. In case you don't remember."

"As if. I remember very well."

Hank got a twinkle in his eye. "The course of true love n'ere did run smooth. Besides, all's well that ends well."

"You did not just say that."

"Why not? Better a witty fool than a foolish wit."

To shut him up, Sloane kissed him. It was a very good kiss—full of intent. When they broke apart, Hank looked potent and heated, like a strong Christmas brew.

"Hey," Hank said huskily. "Why don't we sneak out of here so I can have some of your greatness thrust upon me?"

Sloane grinned. "I thought you'd never ask."

~EPILOGUE~

Micah

June, 2016

I watched Leo in his black cap and gown move closer to the podium. When he received his diploma, our entire row stood up and cheered. Mom and Dad had driven up from Mount Joy, Hank, Sloane, Helen, and Yas were there, along with Leo’s parents, Harry and Gert Dayson. Leo got a theater department award along with his BA.

I was so proud of him I couldn’t stop smiling. But I wished I was up there too. I had another two semesters to go before I finished my masters, and that meant time apart come next fall. But we had the summer in front of us, and I wasn’t going to worry about the future. So far, fate had been damned kind.

After the ceremony, we waited out front for Leo to appear.

“Leo said you got a job in California for the summer?” Harry Dayson asked me. Leo’s dad was a lawyer, and a little intimidating, but I didn’t sweat it.

“Yeah. I’ll be working for the City of Los Angeles. They’re doing some lab and survey work on potential new water sources. That’s about all I know so far.”

“Excellent. Sounds like ecology is an up-and-coming field these days.”

“It seems to be.”

“We’ll miss the boys this summer,” Mom put in. “We’ve really enjoyed having Leo around when he’s visited with us.”

“Oh, he loves to visit the farm. He talks about you all the time,” Mrs. Dayson said warmly.

I didn’t think I’d miss home, not when I’d only be gone for the summer. But I didn’t say that, of course. I
would
miss Leo when I had to return to State College in the fall. But it was only for six months, and there was always Skype. Hopefully the contacts I made in L.A. this summer would mean full-time employment next year. Positive thinking, man. If it’s true we create our own reality, I was ready to create an awesome one with Leo.

Leo joined us, looking frazzled. He gave me a big kiss before saying hello to anyone.

“Leo, we’re so proud of you.” His mom gave him a hug.

“Absolutely,” said his dad, not entirely sincere. He shook Leo’s hand.

It was pretty obvious Harry Dayson would have preferred to see his son majoring in something more ‘serious’, and probably dating a girl too. But he didn’t give Leo shit about either of those things, so Harry was okay with me. Leo and I would prove him wrong. I was sure about that.

My parents, Helen, Yas, and Sloane all hugged Leo. Hank punched his shoulder. We were outside Eisenhower Auditorium, with all the other grads, so Leo fielded congratulations from dozens of other people he knew, while I chatted with friends. We never moved more than a foot apart.

It had been a big deal when Leo and I came back from Christmas as a couple. Guys at my frat swore there was a ‘gay bug’ in our well at the farm, because Hank and Sloane had come back the previous Christmas a couple too. Maybe they were right. Clearly, I’d been infected by something, because six months on, and Leo and I were more solid than ever.

“Is the car all packed?” Leo asked me when the crowd finally died down. “You got my maps and guidebooks?”

“Yes, my little navigator. We’ll all packed, gassed up, and ready to roll. My mom somehow found space for a bag of sandwiches and a case of kombucha on the back. We won’t have to stop ’til St. Louis.”

Leo put his arms around me and gave me a serious look. “Are you sure you’re ready to run away with me to California, Micah Springfield?”

I grinned. “The magic eight ball says: The answer is yes.”

E
LI
E
ASTON
has been at various times and under different names a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fanfiction writer, an organic farmer, and a profound sleeper. She is now happily embarking on yet another incarnation, this time as an m/m romance author.

As an avid reader of such, she is tickled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows, and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.

Her website is http://www.elieaston.com.

You can e-mail her at
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Twitter is @EliEaston