Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest!
I would also like to thank everyone who previewed the chapters for me.
Chapter 8 - Spread The News
Tuesday Afternoon…(Day 58)
Emmett and Ted were having lunch at the Diner.
“Did you see the paper?” Ted casually asked.
“Not yet...” Emmett replied.
“Maybe you’d better take a look!” Ted suggested, already pointing to page.
“Why, Teddy?” Emmett asked with some mild curiosity.
Ted repeated his question. This time slower so that his lunch companion would pay attention to his every word, “Will…you…take…a…look…at…the…paper?” he asked again.
“Ok Teddy, if it’s that important to you…what’s in the paper?”
Ted laid the paper open on the table and simply pointed to the full-page spread:
Beginning of article.
“This weekend only…
Back by popular demand…
After a four year absence…
The long-awaited return engagement of…
Divina Devore…
At the Kit Kat Club…”
End of article.
“Oh my goodness,” Emmett finally said. “I remember the last time that Divina Devore was here in town. She created quite a stir!”
“Yes, she did, and she made the fundraiser for Angels Over Pittsburgh a big success.” Ted reminded him.
“Is this the first time that she’s been back in town since then?” Emmett had to wonder.
“It does appear that this is her first appearance in Pittsburgh in a very long time,” Ted answered. “From what I’ve read, she’s been traveling the world. There are rumors circulating in the gay press that Divina Devore may be getting ready to make her farewell tour.”
“Retire? Teddy, drag queens, the stature of Divina Devore, never retire,” Emmett reminded him. “What on earth would she do with her time?”
“Like you said before, drag queens…the stature of Divina Devore…surely she must have made appropriate investments over the years to insure her golden years. And with proper management, I’m sure that she’ll be quite comfortable in her retirement,” Ted commented, assuring his best friend of what should be obvious.
“Oh…Oh!” Emmett exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” Ted asked.
“That means the rumors I’ve heard around town are probably true too!”
“What rumors? Tell me!” Ted demanded, realizing that he loved to keep abreast of gossip as much as anyone else. He realized that Emmett must have rubbed off on him over the years, but he would never tell that to anyone.
Emmett huddled down with Ted, as if he was about to whisper the secret of the ages, “Well! It seems that Divina Devore might be permanently settling down here in Pittsburgh,” he revealed and waited for Ted’s response.
“You’re kidding?” Ted commented, returning to his normal upright, seated positions.
“It’s only a rumor, Teddy.” Emmett reminded him. “Do you think that Michael has seen this yet?”
“It was because of Michael that she performed last time. It was Divina’s connection to Vic and Debbie that turned the tide.”
“Do you think Debbie knows about this yet? She wasn’t too happy the last time the drag queen made an appearance in town?”
“Why should they care?” Ted asked, “Especially after all this time.”
“Wait until they find out.” Emmett gushed, already picturing the magic moment of discovery. He was clearly trying to figure out how to be around when Debbie and Michael discovered this big news.
“Wait until who finds out?” Brian asked, as he and Justin joined Emmett and Ted in the booth. Brian sat next to Ted and pushed him unceremoniously into the corner.
“What are you two doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Rome, Paris, Milan, or New York?” Emmett couldn’t resist asking, as he willingly slid over to make room for Justin.
“Can I help it if Justin had to have lemon bars, so I thought that we would just pop into town? Besides, I have things to do at my office to make sure that Theodore hasn’t scared away all my clients.” Brian quipped.
“You’ll be glad to know that all your clients are still here, no matter what you may have heard, so you see this trip to town was totally unnecessary,” Ted responded back.
“Why thank you, Theodore. I still have time to see for myself …I can always fire you later,” Brian took great pleasure in reminding him.
“Brian, will you stop torturing Ted?” Justin interrupted. “I’m still trying to find out what Em and Ted were talking about,” he said sternly. “Once I have all the juicy details, then you can go back to tormenting him.”
Brian pretended to sulk.
“This,” Ted said, laying down the paper for Brian and Justin to see the full-page, showing the return of Divina Devore.
“Why are you focused on some old drag queen?” Brian asked, already bored with the conversation.
“Look again,” Emmett insisted. “This isn’t just some old drag queen. This is THE LEGEND. This drag queen has performed before kings and presidents…”
Brian was about to utter some witty response, but Emmett cut him off before he had a chance to say anything. “Look, I’m not in the mood for any of your witty repartee. This is serious,” Emmett continued, giving Brian a knowing glance.
“What could be serious about the return engagement of an old drag queen?” Brian asked with a laugh. At this point he didn’t really care about the answer, he just wanted to put an end to the inane chatter between Emmett and Ted.
“Look more closely,” Emmett insisted.
Justin took a closer look at the article. “Divina Devore…I think I remember her, but it’s been a long time. What’s so interesting about her?” Justin feigned innocence.
“Sweetie, you were just too young to remember…maybe.” Emmett gushed, wrapping his arms around Justin. “Let me see, where should I begin?” he added with a sigh, with his arms still in place.
As expected, Brian quickly removed the offending arms, giving Emmett his usual glare.
“Obviously, Justin isn’t going to be able to enjoy his lemon bars in peace unless we hear the whole story,” Brian said, now totally bored with the discussion and eager to get it over with. “So go ahead…give me all the details…so we can move on.”
“Think Brian. Divina Devore. You have to remember,” Emmett continued to press.
At that point, Brian realized that Michael must have talked to Em about his suspicions, and an expression of recognition passed across Brian’s face as he looked again at the article.
“Well, she’s coming back to town for a return engagement,” Ted pointed out, unaware of all the unspoken dialogue going on around him.
“Oh Fuck!” Brian said. “This is going to cause trouble,” he said, quickly closing the offending newspaper.
“There’s more, Bri,” Ted eagerly interrupted. “Rumor has it that Divina may be permanently settling down in Pittsburgh.”
“Fuck!” was Brian’s only remark.
A distracted Debbie suddenly appeared by their table with order pad in hand, “Ok boys, what’ll it be?” she asked, without looking up.
“They said the lemon bars here are to die for,” Brian smirked, “But I don’t know…”
Debbie immediately recognized the voice, not to mention the smart remark.
She smiled at Brian, but she reached over and wrapped Justin in one of her infamous hugs. “Sunshine,” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“Wait a minute! Don’t I even get a hello?” Brian complained. “What’s going on here?”
“Eventually, maybe,” Debbie mocked. Then she finally released Justin and reached for Brian. “Come here, you asshole, and give me a hug,” she insisted.
Brian let out mock sigh, but he gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I’ve missed you, Debbie,” he finally said.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home? Last I heard you two were in New York on business,” Debbie remarked, letting everyone know that she kept up with the news. “So what brings you back here?”
“Your lemon bars, ” Justin quickly answered with a smile.
“Plus, I have to check out how much damage Theodore has done to my once thriving business. I need to salvage what I can…you know how it is?” Brian explained with a shrug.
“Well, I would say that’s definitely my queue to leave,” Ted answered quickly, nudging Brian out of his way.
“Oh my, look at the time,” Emmett echoed, gently sliding Justin out of the booth.
Emmett made sure the paper was now over in front of Brian.
As much as Ted and Emmett wanted to stay, they somehow knew that now was the perfect time to make their exit, leaving Brian to break the news to Debbie.
Once again, Emmett and Brian exchanged knowing glances at each other. Then Brian glared at Emmett.
Emmett merely smiled and threw his arm over the shoulders of an unsuspecting Ted and led him out of the diner.
***
Brian placed his order for his usual sandwich, while Justin ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake to go along with his lemon bars. Brian just shook his head, for he never ceased to be amazed by how much Justin could eat.
Debbie left with a smile to put in the orders.
“Well, it looks like we got back just in time,” Justin whispered.
“And, it looks like I’ll have to fill you in on what happened when I see you later tonight.” Brian said casually.
“Why?” Justin asked with obvious curiosity.
“Because as soon as you’re finish eating, you’re obviously going home to paint.” Brian said, and Justin knew from his tone that it wasn’t a question.
“I am?” Justin mindlessly asked. “I mean I am!”
“That’s better.”
Debbie quickly returned with their orders. Justin picked up the paper to move it out of the way, making room for his food.
That’s when it happened…the paper fell open.
It fell open to the full-page ad announcing the return engagement of Divina Devore.
Immediately, Debbie reached for the paper without saying a word.
Brian and Justin just looked at each other.
Debbie read the ad and took the paper with her as she silently walked away from the table.
Brian realized, at this point, nothing further needed to be said.