the TV station and pick up that box for you? I can just bring it with me, unless you want it sooner.”

“It’s probably not even mine. Yeah, do that. I can wait. Just take care of yourself and we’ll see you soon.”

“Okay. You want I should call Clair and tell her that I’m quitting my job because we’re getting married in September?”

Ian laughed, that was the Billy he remembered. “Sure, but you have to be the bottom for the honeymoon.”

“Okay”

“See you soon, Bill”

“Bye Ian thanks for calling.” And they hung up.

Ian put away his phone and picked up his goodies for the party. He walked back toward the shrubs and thought of the moment Billy looked in his eyes and said, “Fuck me”. He wondered if Billy would say it again when he came out to visit. Even more, he wondered if he’d do it.

Suddenly Ian heard Tippy’s voice say “Hey!” from the other side of the shrubs and then a bread roll came sailing through and landed square on his forehead.

“Dammit, Miss Congeniality, I am coming!” And stepped through to the dark side.

When he adjusted to his new surroundings he was pleased to see the Shores’ backyard set for an informal barbeque, and everyone was dressed, even Colton who was in the opposite corner flipping burgers on what Ian’s uncle would have called a ‘Swanky grill’.

“Baby Doll, you made it!” Tippy hugged him almost causing him to drop his armload.

“It wasn’t difficult; I just followed the flying buns.”

Tippy smacked playfully on the cheek, “Smart ass. Now not everyone is here yet, but let me introduce you.” She started to pull him off in the direction of a small clique chatting.

“Uh…Tippy, could I set this stuff down first?” He held up his armload, it was below her breast level and she probably couldn’t see it.

“Mercy sakes, Baby Doll, what is all this?” she asked as she helped him with put it down.

“Well, I was feeling Betty Crockerish this morning so I decided to supply a few touches of Southern to this shindig.”

“You cooked?” Her eyes got big.

“Don’t worry; I’m not that bad a cook.”

“Oh, honey, it’s not that. I’m just surprised. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Huh? Anyone can whip together some potato salad and a cheesecake.”

“Cheesecake? You made a cheesecake?”

“Well, no, I made two, one New York style and one chocolate.”

Tippy sat the bag she was holding down on the nearest table and pulled out a cake pan, removing the lid and looking at it like it was a prized pig. “You made a cheesecake.”

“Yes.”

She looked at the cheesecake, then at Ian and back to the pie, “Colt, honey, we’re getting a divorce and I’m marrying Ian.”

Colton looked casually up from burger duty, “Okay hon. Can we still have sex?”

“Well, of course!”

“Then I’m okay with it.”

Tippy quickly rummaged through the bags and squealed with glee at every little piece she pulled out. “Oh, I love this...”, “Oh my grandma used to make that….”, “Did you use Velveeta…?” Ian didn’t care if any of it tasted good; he just enjoyed seeing the look on Tippy’s face.

“Mmmmm, from