The Mammoth mountain ski slopes were rather crowded, but that didn’t seem to bother Drew and I, except for the passing trees that were now every skier’s concern. We managed to get in quite a few runs down the mountain, with only the occasional tremor to remind us that we were skiing on a suddenly rather active volcano.

Later that night as we relaxed in our hot tub on our private deck overlooking the trees and ski runs in the distance, the tremors intensified but with such active occurrence, it almost became ridiculous to be at all concerned. It was like being on a ship that continued to rock back and forth--- except we weren’t anywhere near the ocean. No, it was merely the force of Mother Nature's whim shaking the very foundation of our grand suite of a luxury hotel at 8000 feet.

Eric attempted to get the honeymoon suite but it was supposedly taken by some Las Vegas magician and, get this, his homosexual lover. Who knew our honeymoon had turned into some kind of unofficial circuit party? We had to smile.

“Another margarita?” asked Drew, pouring me another glass of his magical concoction. We watched my glass as I put it back down on the deck, the steam rising before us as the green liquid and ice in the glass vibrated with every passing quake.

“Who know our marriage would rock the earth?” I said, smiling, leaning over and kissing Drew’s neck, feeling his salty sweat against my lips. But he didn’t respond.

When I looked up, I could see him staring out at the lit ski slope in the distance.

I turned, seeing the little figure of a young boy and his father at the end of the slope, the father teaching his son private ski techniques. Like riding a bike for the first time, it was obvious the dad wanted his son to understand proper safety and control. We were watching a private moment, and Drew stared with interest.

“Why didn’t JD’s son come to the wedding?” I asked.

“He was with his mother.”

Drew continued to stare simply forward, his face calm and his body relaxed, watching the father with curiosity.

“So,” I cleared my throat. “Now that we’re married, you want to have kids?”

He didn’t nod yes and he didn’t nod no, he simply said quietly, “In time. You know Eric, I’ve been thinking. Perhaps you should let it go.”

Another tremor, stronger this time.

“Let what go?” I asked, taking a sip of my cold drink.

“Granville. The lawsuit.”

Suddenly I felt a tremor rise through my body.

“Don’t get angry, Eric.”

I was silent--- giving away my obvious rage. “You wanted me to make a decision. I made it. It was my decision Drew.”

“And I think sometimes it’s better to choose your battles wisely rather than try to win them all.”

“You don’t think I can win this?”

“No, Eric, I think you can. But perhaps you’ll end up losing more than you thought you could gain.”

“Like?”

“I don’t know. If he offers to settle out of court, perhaps you should take it.”

I remained silent. He went to touch me and I pulled away.

“Eric, we have a chance here with a new beginning. A family. Let’s enjoy it. Let’s make it what we want it to be.”

“At the cost of letting a homophobe son-of-a-bitch win?”

“You WILL win. He IS wrong. But I don’t want to see this consume our future. All I’m saying is if there’s an out, perhaps you should think about taking the money, getting a new job, and starting fresh. With us.”

I was silent as another earthquake rolled across the deck.