Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 11:21:38 -0500 (EST)
From: tmabare <tmabare@aol.com>
Subject: Something Close to Life - 5

This story is a work of fiction.  The events in this story are fictional.
The characters in this story do not exist and any resemblance to real
people is purely coincidental.  Any use of celebrity or other real persons
is entirely fictional and in no way reflects upon their actual sexual
orientation.  This story contains erotic and/or sexually explicit
activities between consenting adults.  If you are under age, find this type
of work offensive, or it is illegal for you to view this, do not read it.
The author retains all rights to this story.

Something Close to Life – Part 5
By tmabare ©2013

* * * From Part 4 * * *

Mike headed into the kitchen to grab stuff for the grill.  While he was
bent over in the fridge, he didn't notice that Eliza had walked in behind
him.  Standing up, he about dropped the platter when he saw her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's ok... just didn't hear you walk in."  Setting the platter down on the
counter, he started back for another.

"Mike, I need to ask you something."

"Of course, Mom, anything."  Even though he said it, he didn't really mean
anything.

Eliza paused and watched this man who she had seen grow up.  He had become
a man that any mother would be proud of and she was just as proud of him
had she been one of her own sons.  "Are you and Alex going to make it work
this time?"

* * *

Mike felt as if his heart stopped and he couldn't speak.  All he could do
was look into her eyes.  There was no malice or anger in them, just concern
and love.  Part of Mike wanted to run from the room, but deep down he knew
it would do no good to run from her.  This was something they would have to
face sooner or later, he just wished Alex was with him.

"Michael, it's okay.  I've known since you were both in high school.  I've
known before even Alex realized his own feelings for you, or how you felt
about him."

Hearing her say that was enough for Mike to finally find his voice again.
"Mom, I'm sorry."

"Michael, there is nothing for you to be sorry about."  She walked closer
to Mike and placed her hand on his arm.  "None of us can control who we
fall in love with and no one chooses if they are gay or straight.  All we
can do is play the hand we are dealt."

The smile on her face made Mike open his arms and he was pulled into a hug
by Eliza.  She felt warm and strong, like she had since he was a child.
When she finally released him they both had tears in their eyes.

"I always thought I did a good job of hiding it."  Mike couldn't help but
laugh as he said it.

Eliza just smiled at him, "You did, but I just knew.  I wasn't sure at
first, but the way you the two of you were around each other convinced me.
It became very obvious to me.  One of the things that told me the most was
the ways you always cared for Alex, it was so much more than a friend or
even a brother.  I wanted to tell you so long ago, but in the end I never
got the chance."  She paused as if reliving events, "When you were gone, I
knew something had happened."

"Yes, something happened.  But in the end, Alex needed to be a father more
than he needed me."  The pain was still there in Mike's voice, he could
still feel it.  "I forced him away.  I couldn't be the one that took him
away from his child."

"Don't ever believe that.  Alex needed you more than anyone, or anything,
and he still does.  I shouldn't tell you this, but you need to know, he was
devastated when you left.  I could hardly get him to leave his room.  He
stopped doing anything.  It took Michael being born to make him start
living again.  Even then, he wasn't the same person any of us knew.  He was
just a shell of who he once was.  Today is the first time in so long that I
have my son back to what he was.  I wanted to scream at him to get you
back, but I also knew that he wouldn't have listened to me."

"I never knew."

"No, you wouldn't, and Alex would never tell you.  That was what made me
certain that what the two of you had was true love.  That's why I hope you
two can make it last this time."

Mike nodded his head, "Mom, all I can tell you is we're both going to do
whatever it takes to make it work this time.  We have a lot of time to make
up for."

She smiled wide, "Good that makes me very happy.  I can't tell you how much
I wanted to smack the crap out of that boy when he started to date Elaina.
That girl was never any good and I knew it, God forgive me for speaking ill
of the dead."

"Mom, if you only knew."  Mike smiled at her and then thought about Alex
Senior.  "Mom, what is papi going to think about this?"

"You boys need to give him the benefit of the doubt.  He is smarter than
you both think and he's also more open minded than either of you know.  He
has suspected for years that the two of you were more than just friends and
he's never shown any discomfort with the idea."

"I would have never guessed he'd be that accepting.  I guess he has always
seemed so old school."

Eliza laughed, "Michael, he can be old fashioned, for sure.  But when it
comes to you three boys, he's much more accepting than you might expect.
Plus, Alex doesn't know this yet but his Uncle Juan came out to Alexander
last year.  Alexander never batted an eye and he's become Juan's biggest
supporter in the family."

 "What about Carlos?"

After thinking for a few moments, Eliza just smiled.  "He loves you both.
I'm sure I know how he's going to react and you have nothing to worry
about."

* * *

Walking outside, Mike walked straight to Alex who was still standing at the
grill.  He handed Alex a plate of burgers, before he leaned over closer to
him, "Your mother knows."

Alex almost dropped the plate.  He looked quickly at Mike, before a half
smile came to his face, "I can't wait to hear how that went down."

Mike found himself smiling, "You know your mother."

Alex started to laugh and soon couldn't stop himself, as hard as he tried.
He finally had to set the plate down and turned towards his mother.
Walking towards her, the smile he had grew larger.  When he reached her he
hugged her and lifted her off the ground.

"I love you, mami."

"I love you too."  Eliza felt herself starting to tear up again.  "Now put
me down, you're making my eyes water."

Setting her down, Alex kissed her cheek.

Alexander was watching the interaction, "Okay, what's going on here?"

Eliza turned towards her husband, "Papi, your sons have something to tell
you."

Alex stopped dead, the color draining from his face.  "I..."

"Carlos, why don't you give us a few minutes?  I want to talk to your
brother and Mike."  Alexander's tone wasn't angry, but it did let everyone
know who was in charge.

Carlos knew what he needed to do, "Michael, Maria, why don't we go inside
and play a game."

The two kids were excited to get to play with their Uncle and quickly
followed him inside.

Alexander looked at both Mike and then Alex, there was slight smile on his
face.  "Ok, everyone sit down.  There is something I want to say first."

Eliza sat next to her husband and placed her hand in his.  Alex looked at
Mike and then sat across from his father.  Mike was the last to sit and he
purposely sat next to Alex.  He didn't say anything, but he placed his hand
on the top of Alex's right thigh.  The contact made Alex smile.

"I think I know what your mother is talking about, but I want to talk
first."  Alexander took a drink of his beer and looked at both of the men
in front of him.  "Since you were both in high school, I've had this
feeling there was more to your friendship than either of you said and more
likely even knew.  Your mother and I have talked about it on several
occasions, but we both felt when the time was right you'd come to us.  It
would seem that there is no time like the present."

"Dad..." Alex tried to speak.

"Let me talk, son.  You will get your chance in a minute."  Alexander took
a deep breath, "What you both need to know is that Alex's Uncle Juan came
out to us last year.  My father basically wanted to disown him and expel
him from our lives.  I couldn't let that happen, so I stood up to my father
for the first time in a long time."

The look on Alex's face changed to one of wonder.  As long as he could
remember, his Uncle Juan was always one of his heroes.  He had been a role
model for Alex and now it seemed that he was more like him than he had
known.

"I want you to know I love you both and always will.  I was devastated when
Michael left our family, but I never wanted to pressure you son.  Your
mother and I will love you like we always have and maybe even more, now
that we know the real you.  You have nothing to fear from us, we will
support you both as much as we can in any way that we can.  Finally, I have
to say...  it's about fucking time."

Laughter erupted from around the table.  Alex leapt to his feet and walked
to where his father was sitting.  He hugged his father like he hadn't in
years.  Alex's eyes filled with tears at the pure love he knew his father
had for him.

"Carlos?"  Eliza saw her younger son standing in the doorway from the
house.

Everyone turned to see the young man standing there.  "I'm sorry, I didn't
mean to eavesdrop."

"It's okay, little brother, you need to know too.  Are you okay with it?"
Alex had stood back up from hugging his father.

"Yeah, it's cool with me.  Why wouldn't it be?"  He smiled and walked
towards the table.  "I've been trying to find a way to tell you that I was
gay.  I guess this is the best time."

Eliza's look suddenly changed to one of surprise.  "Oh my, Carlos, I had to
clue."

Alexander didn't look surprised, "I wondered when you were going to tell
us.  I know you've been spending a great deal of time talking to your
Uncle.  I thought this was why and I'm proud of you son."

"Thank you, papi."  Carlos received hugs from everyone.

As they sat around the table talking, Eliza's face suddenly changed,
"Michael, do your parents know?"

Mike just shook his head.  "No ma'am.  I have never been able to tell them.
You know my family.  Mom will probably be okay with it, but dad will go off
the deep end."

"Probably a good idea if we don't say anything to them right now.  I will
talk to your mother and feel her out.  I'm pretty sure I can find out where
she stands and then get her on our side."  Eliza was well into the planning
mode.

"I trust you, mom."

* * *

When the family left for the hotel that night, they took the kids with
them.  It had taken a little convincing on the part of his parents, but
Alex finally agreed.  Standing on the front porch, they waved as they all
pulled away.  As the vehicle left their sight, Alex turned and faced Mike.

"Well, it seems we are finally all alone."

The excitement Mike had at the thought of this moment was replaced by fear
and nerves now.  He couldn't say anything, he just turned and looked
directly into Alex's eyes.  "I think we better go inside."

Closing the door behind them, Alex reached out and touched Mike's shoulder.
"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Scared."

Alex pulled Mike into a hug, "Mikey, you don't have to be scared.  But,
just so you know, I am scared as hell too."

"Huh?  Why are you scared?"

Placing his head onto Mike's shoulder and didn't release his grip at all.
"Scared you will push me away again.  Scared I'm not going to be able to
control myself.  Scared I won't live up to your memories of me."

Mike couldn't help but laugh, "Let's go to bed and see how it goes."

* * *