Taste. Part 33

"Bye, love."

LIL disconnected and dialed Jody's phone number. Fortunately, his best friend answered the phone. "Thank G.o.d you're not on rotation." disconnected and dialed Jody's phone number. Fortunately, his best friend answered the phone. "Thank G.o.d you're not on rotation."

"Not until three o'clock," Jody replied. "What's going on?"

"I need you to talk me off the ledge."

"What happened?"

"Grier's back in Chicago, and all I can think about is jumping on a plane to be with him."

"Do it."

"What are you saying? My career is here."

"So commute."

"Sure, I'll just hop on my Learjet and take off whenever I want."

"You have to come here anyway because we want to build a house in Barrington."

"Since when?"

"Since Clark came home with three Alaskan Husky puppies."

"Are you serious?"

"He said he wanted a dog."

"A dog is singular. Is he planning on running in the Iditarod?"

Jody laughed. "f.u.c.k if I know. His heart is much bigger than his brain, but bottom line, we need a yard."

"So you're going to spend half a million dollars because you need a yard?"

"It's not fair to the animals to be cooped up in the house while we're at work."

"Shouldn't you have discussed this?"

"I knew he wanted a pet, but I figured he'd settle for a cat."

"Your husband needs animals that can frolic with him. He's a big baby himself."

"I wouldn't touch the age issue, Lil, considering you have an infant in your life."

"f.u.c.k you, Dr. Williams."

"Yes, well... speaking of f.u.c.king."

"Shut up."

"Did you have a wonderful visit?"

"Oh G.o.d, you have no idea."

"I can only imagine," Jody chuckled. "Can we get back to the subject at hand? We're in need of an architect, so why not hire my best friend?"

"Is this a ploy to get me out there?"

"It's killing two birds with one stone. You need more than two weeks with your boy toy to figure out where you're going with this."

"I know where I'm going. It's him I'm worried about."

"Aren't the feelings mutual?"

"I'm pretty sure they are, but I'm competing with a seven-year-old."

"I thought you liked his kid?"

"I love the kid, but Grier would never leave the area unless he could bring Luca."

"Yet another reason for you to come out here for a while. You guys need more time together."

"You've already said that."

"And how did you respond?"

"I didn't."

"Precisely. Think about it, Lil. I need to give Clark an answer on the house issue."

"How much time do I have?"

"Twenty-four hours."

"That's ridiculous."

"Deal with it."

"f.u.c.ker."

"I love you too. Bye, sweetheart."

"Jeez...." Lil hung up and stared out the window. He loved his city, but the idea of having a legitimate excuse to pull up roots temporarily and move to Chicago to oversee the building of Jody and Clark's house was very tempting. He'd have to give it some serious thought.

Chapter 32.

BOB S STERLING waved his lollipop around like a baton while he talked to Grier and Santino. The seventy-two-year-old retired judge had given up cigars almost ten years ago, mollifying his oral fixation with Dum Dum lollipops. He surmised that cavities and weight gain were a far better option than lung or tongue cancer, so he became the Kojak of the legal system, prowling up and down the courthouse with the perennial stick of candy jutting out of his mouth. His fondness for the sweet had made the candy maker even more famous in Chicago, and they sent the judge several bags a year as a token of appreciation. Today was no different, and he stuck the lollipop back in his mouth and tucked it against one cheek while he talked. waved his lollipop around like a baton while he talked to Grier and Santino. The seventy-two-year-old retired judge had given up cigars almost ten years ago, mollifying his oral fixation with Dum Dum lollipops. He surmised that cavities and weight gain were a far better option than lung or tongue cancer, so he became the Kojak of the legal system, prowling up and down the courthouse with the perennial stick of candy jutting out of his mouth. His fondness for the sweet had made the candy maker even more famous in Chicago, and they sent the judge several bags a year as a token of appreciation. Today was no different, and he stuck the lollipop back in his mouth and tucked it against one cheek while he talked.

"This piece of paper your late mother has provided, however illegally obtained, is proof positive that the boy is your child."

"Illegally?"

"The court can dismiss this because it was done without Jillian's consent."

"So it's worthless?"

"It serves the purpose," Bob replied. "We now know that your paternity can be proven. If Jillian or her family refuses to accept this form of proof, we can file a court order demanding a retest and make your claim as putative father."

"Do you think we can settle a custody case out of court?" Santino asked. "It's obvious that Grier loves his son. He takes care of him three days a week, and he's just informed me that he opened a trust fund for Luca when he was born. Christ, that kid has more money than I do between what Grier has saved up and what Meredith left him."

"Money isn't always the answer," Bob said, "but it certainly shows that you are responsible and care about your son's future."

"Very much so," Grier replied.

"What do you hope to gain out of this confrontation?" Bob asked.

"I want my name on his birth certificate, and I want joint custody. I'm more than willing to share in his expenses, but I also want to share his time. I'd like to work out some arrangement whereby he lives with me part of the week. And one last thing."

"What's that," Bob said.

"I want to change his last name to Dilorio."

"Naturally," Bob said, nodding. "Do you work?"

"Yes, but so do Jillian and Ali. Luca spends half his life with people other than his mother. This is nothing new."

"You'll have to prove that quality time will be spent with Luca. How do I know that you won't just pick him up from school, feed him, and throw him in bed?"

"Talk to Luca, by all means. He'll tell you that we spend a lot of quality time together. That's never been a problem for us. Jillian's hours are long, and not always predictable. When she's at work, Luca is either at school, with his grandparents, or with me. I doubt she spends more quality time with him than I do, but I don't want this to be a contest, Judge. I want what's fair. We can both share in his life and give him all the love and time he needs if we work out a schedule as we have in the past."

"Why do you think she'll contest your rights?"

"Because she's getting married, and she'd like her new husband to adopt Luca. Plus, I'm gay, and now that he's older, she's afraid I'll contaminate him with my orientation."

Bob raised an eyebrow. "That's a crock of s.h.i.t."

"Thank you, I'm glad you realize that."

"I may be old and retired, but I'm not senile. h.o.m.os.e.xuality is not a disease, and can't be transmitted by close contact. It confounds me that some people still believe that, especially someone who's educated. Jillian must not be very bright," Bob concluded.

"She's more than bright, but she's scared of losing Ali, and she's using my orientation as an excuse."

"Ali?"

"My brother."

"Sorry?"

"You heard right," Santino heaved mournfully. "She's marrying my other son. Could this be any more complicated?"

Bob waved away his concerns with the orange Dum Dum. "The gay issue shouldn't be a factor, but of course, what should be and what actually takes place in a courtroom doesn't always coincide."

"But I've proven over and over that I'm a responsible and caring parent."

"How?"

Grier mentioned the college fund, the days and times he'd watched Luca, the medical power of attorney, the speech therapist. "She's trusted me with him since he was two years old. I don't see how she can prove that I'm not capable of being a good father or how being gay will change any of that."

"I hate to admit it, Grier, but a lot of people will judge you for your appearance, which isn't exactly conservative, and your orientation. You may end up with the most tolerant judge in the world who will overlook everything but your legitimate efforts to be a good parent, or you may end up with his counterpart who will look at you askance and invalidate everything because he's a h.o.m.ophobe. There's no way of knowing until you actually go to court. I wish I had better guarantees, but this isn't Iowa."

"Well, that f.u.c.king sucks."

"Yes, it does," Bob nodded. "Your best bet is to come to an agreement out of court. I can work out the details after I interview Luca and all the parties concerned. My primary role is to be your son's advocate while helping you and Jillian come to a mutual agreement, but make no mistake, Grier; Luca will be my only only concern if I'm to take on this role. If I think he'll be better off with Jillian, I'll remove myself from the case, simply because your father and I are friends. Once it goes into the public forum, you have to abide by whatever the courts decide." concern if I'm to take on this role. If I think he'll be better off with Jillian, I'll remove myself from the case, simply because your father and I are friends. Once it goes into the public forum, you have to abide by whatever the courts decide."

"I'd rather take my chances with you," Grier said honestly. "I have nothing to hide, and I think my record with Luca speaks for itself."

"Are there any surprises Jillian may spring on us?" Bob asked. "I want complete honesty from you."

Panties? "There is... one thing," Grier stammered. "Dad, do you mind?" "There is... one thing," Grier stammered. "Dad, do you mind?"

Santino stood immediately. "Call me when you need me," he said, exiting the room.

Bob Sterling waited until they were alone. "What is it, Grier?"

"Jillian knows I like to cross-dress in private."

"How would she know this?"

"It started out when we were kids. Playacting and stuff."

"Have you ever done it in public?"

"Never."

"What you do in the privacy of your bedroom is completely irrelevant."

"Are you sure?"