The Hathaway

Fallout

Evelyn was not a particularly social person and tended top keep to herself in her office, so I didn't think anything of it that I hadn't seen her yet this morning.  That changed as soon as I walked into her office.  I offered a pleasant “Good Morning,” but when she looked up her smile faded and her eyes betrayed she was not pleased to see me.  

She responded with a curt, “Morning, Joey,” and quickly returned her attention to the files she was looking through.  

I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and innocently asked, “I was wondering, do you remember when I asked you for information on the old Hathaway House?”

“Yes.”

“I know it was a long time ago, but do you recall if you were able to find anything?”

“I did, but you never asked so I put it all back.”

“Was there anything interesting?” It was clear she did not want to engage with me, but I wasn't going to let her off easy.

“There's always something interesting when you start looking into history.”  She refused to look up at me as she spoke.

“I know,” I agreed conspiratorially.  “What did you find?”

“Can't remember.”  I knew better than that.  She had a memory for details that most scholars would kill for.

“I doubt that.  What's wrong?” I finally challenged her directly.

“Nothing, I'm just busy at the moment.”  She continued refusing to make eye contact and it was clear that my presence was making her increasingly uncomfortable.

I wasn't going to let this pass. Evelyn had always been congenial towards me and, though we had never spent time together outside of the museum, I always had a sense she liked me, and I certainly liked her.  I entered her office fully and closed the door behind me.  Sitting in one of the chairs that faced her desk, I declared, “I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on.”

She didn't look up for a long moment, but when she did I could see a mixture of anger and anguish in her face.  “I want nothing to do with that place.  Now leave me alone, I have work to do.”

“I thought helping the public access the information housed here was your work.”  I spoke softly and calmly.  “I am a local resident who would like some help researching his property.  Is that a problem?”

“I don't like...” she paused, seeming to have a realization.  “Anyone wishing to access the archives must make an appointment.  I'm busy right now and won't be available for at least a week.  Go talk to the office manager to set up a time.”  She gave me an evil smile and returned her attention to the papers on her desk.

I didn't budge.  Eventually without even looking up she dismissed me, “Good day.”

“Sad day,” I responded.  “What have I done to make you so angry?”  She didn't respond.  She didn't have to.  “I thought you were my friend, Evelyn.  Friends talk to each other, even when it's hard.  Please talk to me.”

She slowly lifted her eyes to meet mine.  The anguish was still there, but the anger had been replaced by fear.  “No.  You have nothing to say that I want to hear. Please leave me alone.”  

I could see she was trying to come to terms with something and the struggle was tearing her apart.  “I gave her the gentlest look I could and assured her, “I am still your friend.  When you are ready I will be here for you.”  She watched me rise and walk to the door.  As I left, I turned and said, “Don't get lost in the anger and hatred of others.  There are better ways to be in this world.”  She drew in a sharp but quavering breath as I closed he door.

I may have remained calm but I was shaken to the core.  Facing hared was never easy, but watching a long time friend being corrupted by it was particularly devastating.  I needed a friendly voice, so I decided to leave a little early for lunch and give Ben a call.  Unfortunately, he must have shut his phone off or been in a dead zone, because I went directly to voicemail.  I left a brief message and then tried the boarding house.  Mr. Phipps answered.  I asked if he was available to meet me for lunch at one of the downtown cafes and he said he would be delighted.

By the time he arrived I had chosen a fairly private table and had ordered drinks.  He greeted me with a hug and immediately asked, “What happened, my boy?  You sounded upset.”

“Did I?”  I didn't quite know how to respond to that.

“Don't worry, sweety, I won't tell.”  He gave me his best avuncular smile and picked up his drink.  “Now dish.”

I told him about the few co-workers who were keeping their distance, and especially about my encounter with Evelyn.  He listened with growing agitation before finally spitting out, “Bitch!”  He placed his hand on his mouth and looked around, realizing he had said this just a little too loud, “Sorry.”  He continued, “You're a better man than I.  I would have ripped her a new one.  Just who does she think she is, passing judgment like that?”

“I'm afraid we're going to be facing a lot more of this kind of backlash, especially once the kids arrive.”  I allowed him to see the hurt I felt.  “I don't think I'm ready for this.  I suppose I should have expected something like this, but everyone has been so accepting here.  I was just blindsided.”

“You can never be ready for hatred.  It's unreasonable and inhumane.”  He placed his hand on mine and gave it a squeeze.  “But you don't have to face it alone. You've got Ben.  I'm here too, and everyone at the boarding house is with you.  In fact, I think the majority of the town is behind what you're doing.  I went through something similar when I restored the Foster, especially when it became apparent that I sought out LGBTQ tenants.  People started calling it 'Queer House' or 'The Fruit Farm'.  The worst one was 'Faggot Arms'.”

“That's awful.”

“It was, but it didn't stop me.  I just kept on being my fabulous self, and over time they saw that I wasn't going to run away with my tail between my legs.  There are still haters out there, as you are finding out, but they don't matter anymore.”  He squeezed my hand again and gave me a wink, “Besides, they are really cowards at heart.  They like to bluster, but when you stand up to them...well, lets just say they don't have the courage of their convictions.”

I looked at him quizzically, “That sounds like the voice of experience.”

He grinned, “If only you knew.”

“Tell me.”

“I don't like to brag, but...” His grin widened and he held out his arm, “...But if you're going to twist my arm...”  I touched his wrist and he continued, “...I guess I have to.  Once the boarding house was open one of these haters found out that I had neglected to fill out some form or other perfectly.  It was a formality and had gone unnoticed for over a year, but he decided he could use it to get me shut down.  He was just being petty and hateful, but he forced it before the city council.  Helmut and I went to the meeting, that was when I still had enough influence over him to get him to wear decent clothes.  I decided not to downplay who we were, and showed up in a beautiful lavender dress and my best wig.  There were a few snickers when I walked in, but I held my head high and ignored their childishness. The bully who had made such a big deal about nothing sneered at me and called me a number of unsavory names while speaking to the council.  I could see them flinch every time he used such language. I remained aloof and when it was my turn to speak I pleaded my case in a calm and respectful manner.  But I wasn't allowed to speak for long before my adversary interrupted, insisting that respectable people shouldn't be forced to listen to abominations like me.  He charged forward and grabbed my wrist, trying to force me away from the microphone.  I stood my ground, but when he reached to pull off my wig...well!  No one touches he wig once it's in place. I neatly spun around, and using his hold on my wrist to throw him off balance. Before he knew what had hit him, he was on the floor and I was straddling his chest, pinning his hands beneath my knees.”

“No way!”

“Used to be a Navy Seal, you know.”

“You never told me that!”

Mr. P. blushed a bit and continued, “Anyway, I didn't just surprise him, the whole room was staring with their mouths wide open.  I looked at the chair of the council and calmly asked, 'could someone please come and restrain this ruffian before he does some damage?'  Well, he started yelling and threatening to have me arrested.  When the officers had quieted him down, the chair told him that the entire city council, two police officers, and half he town had just witnessed him assaulting me, then turning to me, he asked if I wanted to press charges.  I declined.  Never had a problem with him again”

“That must have been awesome!  Why didn't you ever tell me?  Why didn't Helmut ever tell me?”

“The past is he past.  What's important is that you have strengths that these haters can't begin to comprehend.  All they do is look for ways to destroy.  That's easy.  But you are a creator.  Look at what you've already accomplished. That took real work and determination.  I am so proud of you.  Those protesters, they could never do what you've already done, they are just too lazy and too selfish.  They make it all about moral superiority, when in fact, they can't stand to see anyone else succeed.  They need to make you fail so they can feel good about themselves.  That's what it's really about.”

“But I thought Evelyn was better than that.  I hate to lose her friendship because...”  There were so many ways to finish this thought I couldn't choose.

“You have done nothing to lose her friendship.  Just continue being your fabulous self, that's the best thing you can do for her, and she will have to decide where her heart lies for herself.”