The Porter Party was a sedate affair, with relatives eating sandwiches and drinking punch and telling tales of long ago youth while Elaine's friends and parents dropped in to congratulate the graduate and drop off cards. It was a hectic afternoon for Emily, exciting for Elaine, and dull as hell for Danny. Robert was content to watch his handsome family and think of how lucky he was. For him, the day was perfect.
When Tillman stopped by with his parents, Danny took the opportunity escape. The two of them went into the house and sat at the kitchen table where they could see their parents talking but avoid having to contribute.
"You say your dad doesn't know?" Tillman was watching his mother with Emily Porter, trying to see if there was anything special about their attitude toward each other. Nothing. They looked like two moms.
"I don't think so," Danny said. "Not about her and Mrs. Trent. Sure as hell not about that card game."
"Damn." Tillman shifted uncomfortably, knowing that he had to ask sometime but not wanting to know. Finally, he said, "Did you see her at the party?"
"Who?" Danny didn't get the question at first and looked at his friend in confusion.
"At the card party," Tillman said. "You know, back in the doorway." He sure wasn't going to say who if Danny didn't know.
"Oh. Yeah, I saw her. Didn't know if you did."
"I did."
They sat quietly a moment, each trying to bridge the gap without sounding either stupid or heartless.
"It was just a quick look," Danny said at last. "It was darker in the living room. She kinda . . ."
"Kinda blended in." Tillman smiled, then laughed. "Yeah, if that had been your mom standing there, she'd have been glowing like neon."
Danny laughed. It was going to be all right. "You saw plenty of my mom," he said.
"You sure I can't fuck your mom?" Tillman teased.
"Only if I get to fuck yours." Danny tested the waters. When Tillman didn't object, he relaxed. "Probably doesn't like white meat."
"Why not? She must have liked those white women," Tillman said, somewhat sourly. Then he sighed, smiling. "Hey, you can fuck my sister, Sherona. She just got divorced so she's probably desperate. Maybe even take your scrawny ass if she can't get a real man."
"Which sister?"
"Sherona. My oldest sister."
"No shit? Really? The tall one, right? Not the stumpy one."
"No, Cherie's the short one. Sherona is 24, was married about two years till she dumped the asshole. Cherie is 23 and not real liable to get married any time soon. She's a real bitch. Sherona is all right, though."
"So it's a deal? My sister for yours?"
Tillman laughed. "Yeah, you wish. Hell, I wish. How about my sister for your mother?"
"No way. You're getting hot for my mom, aren't you? Wanna go MILF hunting?"
"Well, I don't know. Maybe I'd settle for a look at that video of yours."
Danny grinned, knowing that he'd be feeling guilty as hell about it later, but wanting to show off his mother in action right now. He led Tillman upstairs wondering if there was some way to drag his sister out of the party to watch the video with them. Two guys watching porn together seemed a little bit too gay to Danny. And if the porn involved one of the guy's parents, well, he didn't know how to describe what that felt like.