a world within a world

Garvin knew he couldn't avoid Maggie forever, but he just didn't have anyone to talk too, either. He felt for sure if he told Ruben about the Leo experience he'd write him up and want him to apply for a membership in the gay club.

Maybe it wouldn't be that silly, but he'd never hear the end of it from his gay brother.

True, there were a lot of mixed emotions stirred up in his head, but he knew in his heart who he really wanted, and it wasn't Leo.

He just felt defeated, and he didn't have time for these mind games.

"I just don't know what to do." Oliver came out from behind the counter when Garvin said it aloud, even though he was pretty sure Oliver was asking him if he just wanted more coffee. As it was, it was just the two of them in the late afternoon at the bakery.

"Oh, are you talking about Mattie?"

"Maggie." Garvin clarified, looking at Oliver, as if he knew something new.

"Maggie. Right." Oliver sighed and finally planted himself in a seat across from Garvin. "Saw her, just yesterday with this rather dapper bloke."

"What?" Garvin's eyes lit. "Do you know who he is?"

"Never seen him before, but she had a little one with her and he was being real family friendly. Maybe their not dating." Oliver winced then. "Are you two still dating?"

"Kind of." Garvin wanted to believe they were, but then he hadn't called. "Maybe..." Garvin squinted hard. "Its just..this..this thing happened with her brother, and well..I dunno what to do about it."

"Well, you need to do something." Oliver looked at him. "Just tell her the truth. She needs to know the truth."

"But..that's like opening a can of worms." Garvin thought of how perfect they were. He did enjoy her company.

"Well, relationships are messy." Oliver smirked. "You, don't know how many times I tried to talk Kayla out of marrying me..and we fussed about it, endlessly. Then we finally did it, and found something else to fuss about."

"What? You two..still..." Garvin hoped they were doing OK.

"Oh, the woman can not sweep a floor. She knows nothing about dusting. See, there are things you have to put up with. Compromises. That's why you have to talk to Maggie..and if you argue about it and feel you're through..then I guess its over. But sometimes, you just have to come back for more. I guess only you can decide just how much you can take, of the other person. Only you'll know in your heart if they are worth it or not. Believe me, I've thought an awful lot about this."

"Have you, told Kayla how much you've thought about ..how she is?" Garvin almost wanted to laugh.

"She knows. Believe me, she does, but she just tries to act like she doesn't. She isn't all that good of an actress. But, she's family, and well..I try. Do my best, not to lose faith in her." Oliver shrugged.

"Maggie's really..I..I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like her. Its like she enjoys being ordinary, but she anything but..." Garvin sighed. He hoped Maggie hadn't given up on him.