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.He was a hard worker, the youngest contractor in town, but no one had qualms about hiring him.Jared never took jobs he didn't have licenses to do and never padded bids or cut corners.He had the yard of a spinster grandma.Frank pushed the doorbell and waited.He'd just decided Jared wasn't going to answer when the door opened.When Jared's startled eyes met his, Frank fought another round with his nerves.He shoved them down and offered his hand."Hello, Jared.I'm Frank, Alex's father." Jared shook his hand."Couldn't be anyone else with that face, he looks just like you."Frank grinned."I get that every so often," he said, "I won't take much of your time, but I wanted to stop and thank you."Jared rubbed a hand through his hair, and Frank noted how tired Jared looked and wondered how much worrying about Alex kept him up at night."Thank me?" Jared asked, puzzled."Do you want to come in?"Frank shook his head."We can sit here," he said, settling onto the top stair.There was a moment's hesitation before Jared joined him.Frank tried to decide where to start.He couldn't pretend he was pleased with Alex's decisions, but he wasn't upset either.He didn't want to get off to a bad start with Jared."Is there something I can help you with?" Jared asked; his tone cautious."You already did.I sent my boy away last week.It's the best thing for him right now, but it wasn't easy.It could have been bad, really bad.Instead, he left with his dignity and our family intact.Someone was responsible for that," Frank met Jared's surprised look with level honesty.Frank's talk with Alex about leaving began as he expected it to, with his emotional son indulging in tears, screaming, and threats.Frank hadn't expected the boy to run.Frank was sure when Alex left, he'd gone to Jared.Instead of following, Frank decided to trust Alex and wait him out."He's a good boy." Jared said."Yes, he is, but he's also impulsive and emotional.We had a huge fight that afternoon, and then when he came home, he wouldn't talk; he locked himself in his room.My wife was hysterical.She thought he was going to kill himself and it would be my fault.Thankfully, Alex was still alive when he came downstairs the next morning.He ate breakfast with me and gave me a well thought out, point-by-point argument for why I should let him stay.He gave me a run for my money, but the fact is that getting him away right now is the right thing for him."Jared stared at the wooden step under his feet and didn't respond."You think it's because of you." He reached out a gentle hand and clasped Jared's shoulder.The young man, barely out of childhood himself, looked up to meet Frank's eyes.Regret pricked Frank's heart at the raw pain reflected there."It was the only thing to do, he's too young.I tried to be a good influence for him."Frank squeezed Jared's shoulder."Son, you were one of the strongest arguments to keep him here.Thank God he didn't use that one against me." Frank laughed at the stunned surprise on Jared's face."Alex needs what that school has academically.He needs the challenge, something he's never had in school here.However, that's not the only reason I sent him.My son is gay." It was Frank's turn to stare at the step."Alex doesn't know that I know, but it can't stay a secret much longer, especially now." Frank let his hand fall away from Jared."I raised my boy to be his own man.I expect him to make his own choices, but I didn't anticipate this one.I hope sending him away will change things, but I don't believe it will.I'm not stupid or blind.I know he didn't choose to be gay, he just is.I don't like it, but I'm okay with it.His mother will never accept it.""You sent him away because of his mother?" Jared's voice was incredulous.Frank gave a short, bitter laugh."I know it's hard to believe that the gay boyfriend who's too old for my son isn't my issue, but Jared, I've seen you with Alex.I've seen the influence you have on him and the care you take with him.My boy could do much worse.I don't know how this happened, how you happened, but I'm grateful." Frank paused.Jared didn't say anything, just stared out at the street with his strong forearms resting on his thighs, his profile hidden from Frank by the fall of his fine auburn hair.He sat in self-possessed calm, waiting for Frank to continue.Frank admired Jared's self-control, but he wished Jared would look at him and give him an idea what he thought."My wife thinks Alex set the sun and the moon.She talks endlessly about a daughter-in-law and babies.She should have had a dozen kids, but we only had one.When she finds out he's gay, Alex is going to pay.There will be no daughter-wife, no grandchildren.Just her son and his partner, an embarrassment with no benefits.If you could get pregnant, all would be well." He surprised a laugh out of Jared."Alex knows, or at least, he suspects how she'll feel.That's why he's so afraid to come out, even though he's more comfortable in his own skin than anyone I ever met.I wondered.I thought… well, never mind what I thought.I was wrong."Jared shrugged and finally met Frank's eyes."You thought it was me." Frank shook his head, "Well, for a while, I thought it might be me too.It was a nightmare when I suspected Alex was gay.Imagine my surprise when I found out for sure, and if it's not exactly okay, it's not the end of the world either.I'm sorry.I didn't mean to get into all of that.You're an easy man to talk to." Frank got to his feet, ready to go [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]