Chapter 12

On the way to the beach the following week, Marc introduced Julie to Alan, which explained a lot. She could tell that Marc was anxious about “coming out,” but Julie truly didn’t care about his sexual orientation. She figured that it was his business, and it had no bearing on their friendship. Well, perhaps it did. There was no doubt in her mind that, somehow, it made Marc a better friend.

The weekend weather was warm and beautiful, part sun, part clouds. Thanks to an erroneous forecast of rain, they had no trouble finding a space to spread out their blanket. It was high tide, and frothy whitecaps dotted the sea here and there like bits of snow after a thaw.

Alan took their drink orders, and went off to the snack bar at the end of the beach, leaving Julie and Marc lying side-by-side on the blanket, enjoying the salty air. Marc sat up, hugging his knees, looking down at Julie.

“Well…what do you think of Alan?”

“Isn’t he a little old for you?” she said.

And that was that.

Julie was actually delighted to see Marc relaxed and happy. They talked about his progress at the Art Institute in Brookline.

“It’s fabulous, Julie. I’m learning so much. I’m using all different mediums: pastels, oils, watercolors, acrylics, inks…and different surfaces, too. I’m working on a sculpture; it’s okay, but drawing and painting, that’s what I want to do.”

Shielding her eyes from the sun as it emerged from behind a cloud, Julie looked up at him. “How are things with your parents? Any better?”

“Not bad. My mother’s okay with the gay thing, but I don’t think my Dad knows. I don’t think my brother does, either…but he might.”

“Your brother?” said Julie, wide-eyed now and sitting up. “You have a brother? I can’t believe you never told me! How come you never mentioned him?”

”I just don’t like to talk about him. We don’t get along. At all,” said Marc. “He’s three years older than I am. You’ll probably be seeing him at the dealership. He just finished school. He’s an accountant.”

“Oh, my God, I think I met him. Is his name Avram? Dark hair and eyes, tall, kind of…brooding? “

“That’s him. He looks more like my father. I look like my mother.”

“He asked me to lunch…”

“Did you go?”

“No. I was too busy at the time,” said Julie. She stared at Marc. “I can’t believe you’re brothers.”

“Yeah, sometimes I can’t believe it, either.”

They sat for a moment, watching some teenage boys riding the breakers while the gulls swooped and squawked overhead.

“Not to get too personal, Marc, but who else knows you’re gay?”

“Well, my friends at school and some teachers, and …you’ll never guess who else, Jules.”

“A sister you didn’t tell me about?”

“No. I don’t have any other siblings. Give up?”

“Yes.”

“The Divine Dan!”

“Really…How did that happen?”

“He just asked me. He’s very straightforward, you know. Actually, I like him a lot. He’s a terrific guy. Too bad he isn’t gay.”

Just then Alan came back with their drinks, and Marc quickly changed the subject.

“So, Julie, did you enjoy the Pops Symphony and the fireworks?”

“Oh, yes…especially the fireworks…”

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