Xylophone by Snow K.Z

Author:Snow, K.Z.
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

Bob shuddered. “Gave me the creeps, even though

I didn’t really understand what was going on.”

“Did you ever want to understand?”

“Kind of, but mostly not. I was a kid and kids

are nosy, especially about grownups’ secrets. But I

was scared, too. I remember asking my ma what

happened to Margie, the foster child, ’cause we

were friends. My ma about had a conniption.” Bob

screwed up his face and chopped out a rather

shrewish imitation of his mother’s voice. “‘That

ain’t none of our business! She’s gone now, so you

just forget about her and keep your trap shut!’”

A corner of Dare’s mouth lifted. “I take it

nobody talked about those kinds of things back

then.”

“Hell no. Private matters were private

matters. And kids never tattled about what went on

behind closed doors. First, ’cause they were a lot

more naïve than they are today. Second, ’cause

they were taught to be quiet and respect their

elders. But society’s been busted wide open since

then. Nowadays there’s T & A in every damn

movie, and you can’t turn around without hearing

about another Father Gropy or some celebrity

scandal or men wanting to marry—” Bob’s throat

seemed to snap shut as the sides of his face went

magenta.

“Men,” Dare supplied. “I wish you wouldn’t

worry about saying the wrong thing in front of me.”

“So, uh….”

“Yes,” Dare said. “I am.” He drank some

beer to soothe his nerves. “Does it matter?”

Making a great show of pondering this, Bob

pulled down the corners of his mouth, carving

gullies into his jowls. “Not as long as you keep

playing as good as you do. And don’t drop your

pants on stage.”

“Bob, the only reason I’d drop my pants is

because I hate the damned things, not because I

want to flash a bunch of senior citizens.”

Although his face still bore clown colors,

Bob came close to smiling. He pursed his lips and

held it in. “Don’t wanna make us feel bad by

comparison, huh?”

Dare laughed.

Finally, Bob gave in to his grin.

“Thanks,” Dare said. “You’re a good man.”

“Eh.” Bob dismissively waved a hand. “So,

um… are you and JoJo Day, like…?” Once again

at a loss for words, he made some indecipherable

movements: rocked his head, waggled a hand from

side to side.

“Are those secret signs?”

“Come on, you know what I mean. GG’s been

a friend of ours for years. She’s always been sure

JoJo is, you know….”

Dare made a rolling motion with his hand,

trying to get Bob to say it.

“I don’t wanna offend you.”

“Just say ‘gay’. It won’t offend me. Just like

‘grumpy old fart’ doesn’t offend you.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay,” Bob said grumpily.

“You might want to stay away from the three

Fs, though.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“The words fruit, fairy, and fag. Don’t use

those and we’ll be fine.”

Bob huffed. “Well anyway, Mr. Gay Man,

GG thinks her grandson kind of has a crush on you.

Even with your horrrrrible”—rolling up his eyes,

Bob warbled the word—“red pants in the ‘on’

position.”

“I’m aware of that,” Dare said softly, getting

serious. The reminder, especially in this context,

made his stomach wormy.

“Hm.” Bob’s whole face puckered with

indecision. “So, d’ya like him?”

Dare could tell his Fearless Leader wasn’t

too keen on pursuing this topic. So why was he

doing it? “Yeah, I like him.

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