Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 22:07:27 +0200
From: Ryan White <liciousryan@gmail.com>
Subject: Love Has No Gender Ch 1

Yo guys!! What up??

This story is a LOVE story. As the title says, Love Has No Gender. I'm SICK
of people thinking gays can CHANGE or that we CHOOSE to be attracted to the
same sex.

I say fuck that. And with this story I really wanna try and show that
someone can fall in love with any PERSON...regardless of their gender.

You wanna have a chat?? I'm always up for that hahaha. Feel free to email
me liciousryan@gmail.com

Love always,
Ryan


LOVE HAS NO GENDER
CHAPTER ONE

"Come on Ryder, we're gonna be late!"

"Coming dad! Hey mom, can we go to McDonalds after school? They have that
new Avengers toy you get with a Happy Meal."

"Baby I'm sorry but your dad's gonna have you take you. I have two meetings
this afternoon and I've already cancelled one. Rocco, can you take him?"

"Teresa, I told you I have that meeting with the bank manager..."

"And I told you yesterday that if he didn't the give us the loan before he
certainly won't, now that you aren't working. My meetings actually pay for
you and our son to eat so is it too much to ask this once to take Ryder
this afternoon?"

"You're right, Teresa. Come on, Ryder. School time."

It was not even worth it to argue. Ever since Teresa had gotten that damn
promotion at her job she has acted like he was nothing. And just to top
everything off on a sensational year that was 2018, Rocco had gone and lost
his job. He sighed. Okay, so maybe it wasn't the best idea exactly to keep
information on stolen money a secret from his boss.

Rocco himself grew up in terrible circumstances. The now 25 year old doting
dad had never known his real father. His mom worked herself silly at two
restaurants just to make enough to feed them both. At sixteen, Rocco had
quit school and found temporary employment as a dishwasher to help with the
finances. However tragedy struck as Rocco's mother was mugged by two
delinquents on her way home after she finished her shift one night. Surely
the teens didn't set out to...but when they knocked her over, the fall on
her head was enough to create a haematoma.

Rocco, at age sixteen, had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off
the life support machines that was giving his mother breath. His mom's
death broke him. For the first time in his life, his pain was too much to
think clearly. He joined up with two seperate gangs of the neighbourhood to
try and figure out who did this to his mother. And while he never got any
names or answers, he did get piss high on cocaine and had unprotected sex
with the sister of the leader of the gang. That of course, had to be
Teresa.

Difference is, where Rocco did his best to clean up his act and create a
better life for himself, Teresa and seven year old Ryder, but Teresa still
had that cut throat hardness and mean spirited demeanour she always had,
even when she was still affiliated with the gang. Somehow she managed not
to ever change her ways. She worked her way up from a junior secretary to a
branch manager of a local fruit supplier. Not only because she was damn
good at her job. She was a heck of a manager, but Rocco knew the truth. The
head of the factory was one of Teresa's former...clients...of the past. He
knew she had the evidence to destroy him. Go figure.

Nevertheless, one of Rocco's former co-workers had helped himself to some
of the shop's money, where they both were employed. Rocco caught him and
kept the truth from his superiors, because he knew what suffering in
poverty was. He knew Chris wouldn't blow the money on booze or gamble with
it. He desperately needed it for his family. When the truth came out, Chris
was fired immediately and so was Rocco, when CCTV cameras showed Chris
taking the money and Rocco just watching him do it. Teresa was furious with
him. Blasted him for becoming soft with age. FUCK sake, he was only 25.

He had enough of her but for obvious reasons he couldn't afford to leave
her. She earned thousands and he was unemployed. He only married her
because of Cheetah, former leader of the gang and Teresa's brother. No way
was he gonna allow his kid sister pregnant and alone. The only thing Rocco
still gave a fuck about was Ryder. He loved his son more than his own
life. He'd do anything to be a part of Ryder's life. Even if he had to sit
through all of Teresa's hurtful, snide comments.

Through all of her bitching. She didn't give a fuck about Ryder
anymore. She actually gave the poor boy a hiding, when she was prepping for
a presentation for work, and Ryder somehow managed to spill some juice on
her laptop. Getting angry was one thing. Hitting the seven year old
defenseless boy with a belt until his face and bum was the colour of a
raspberry, was another. That was the only time since they were married that
Rocco lost his cool with his wife. He went fucking mental when he saw what
the bitch did to his son.  In the end, everything Rocco blasted Teresa for
that day went right in, and right out of her ears. After he was finished,
she simply told him to sleep on the couch. Reminded him that SHE paid the
rent. Not him. And if he didn't wanna be there, he was free to leave. As
fate would also have it, try as he might, he failed to find permanent
employment. Lack of experience and ofcourse...he was fired from his
previous job because he allowed theft to occur. Not exactly a doting
reference.

Occasionally he went out for a beer with some of his co-workers but in all
honesty he preferred to stay home and spend time with Ryder. Teresa gave
him almost no time of day these days. He couldn't understand how a parent
can put a job before the needs of her kid. Honestly, Rocco was happiest
when he was cuddled up with Ryder watching movies. After what he went
through as a kid, there was no way he'd ever allow Ryder to ever experience
even a sniff of having a absent father. He loved his son...and being with
Ryder little by little made up for the utter loneliness he felt inside
him. Everytime someone invited him out for a beer, he had to check finances
first. Or worse. Ask Teresa for money. He had another interview the
following day, and he was hopeful. If he could support himself, maybe, just
maybe, he could take Ryder away from that awful mother of his.

The following afternoon, after what Rocco felt to have been a reasonably
successful interview at a local fast food complex, he drove to the
Elementary school to pick up Ryder. He got out of his car and leaned
against the bonnet and checked his messages. He needed that job. Badly. No
messages tho. He looked up and saw Ryder and one of his mates at the
gate. Ryder was facing away from Rocco and suddenly there was a strange man
next to his son. He was reaching out to Ryder and stuck his hand...Rocco's
eyes widened. Was this fucker really...?

"Oi! You! Get your hands off my son!"

Ryder turned around suddenly hearing his dad's voice, and the man's hand
got stuck underneath his shirt. Rocco was speechless. So much he wanted to
say, to do, to hurt this paedo touching his boy, but maybe...was it shock?
He couldn't move. He just couldn't believe what he just saw. His fists was
clenched with anger. The man stood up and held up his hands.

"Mate. I understand how this must look. Ask your son what happened. Go
on. He wouldn't lie to you."

Rocco, still unable to speak having seen his seven year old
getting...getting molested, could only cast his eyes towards Ryder.

"Sorry Dad. I have an itch on my tummy. Dave here's Dad is a doctor. He
looked when Dave told him."

Dave was quickly to nod in agreement, but as he saw Rocco's eyes, that nod
quickly faded. Rocco's gaze fell onto the fancy pants doctor. He was young,
for sure. Maybe a year younger than him? Still. No one touched his son
inappropriately. Not even this rich perv. And for no damn reason.

"Ryder. Wait in the car. Do what I say," Rocco said when Ryder started to
protest. He waved goodbye to Dave and jogged over to the car and got in.

"Mate, look, I am sorry..."

"Look, I'm not gonna make a scene here. I can't afford to have my ass sued
by you, otherwise you would have been flat out. I don't care for what
reason you had. You DO NOT TOUCH MY SON. Ever."

Rocco's past inner gangster frightened the other man. He could see
it. Probably never been threatened with violence in his life, the fucking
pussy. He turned around and got in the car. Ryder was more than a little
frightened as he looked at him and his heart hated that. He melted as he
saw his son scared, not knowing what he had done wrong.

"Ryder. You did nothing wrong, okay? Daddy is not angry at you. All that
Daddy wants to know, is if that man hurt you?"

"No Dad. Look!" Ryder said as he lifted up his school jersey. Rocco saw the
red lashings across the boy's stomach that must have occurred with all the
times Ryder must have scratched it. So it was true then. The good doctor
was just worried about Ryder. Still...the image of another man touching his
son! Fuck. He had to get out of here. They drove home while Ryder was
telling Rocco about what they had learned in class that day. As they drove
up towards the house, they were met by a furious Teresa. She looked like
she could commit murder through her eyes.

"What took you so long? You KNEW I had a meeting on the other side of
fucking town, Rocco!"

Rocco bent down and clutched Ryder's head to his chest whilst looking at
his wife like she was possessed.

"Watch your language, Ryder can hear you!"

"So what? About time he toughened up and realised the real world is not
full of posies, innit? Tell me, when you're lying about at home without a
job and no income, do you worry about your precious son then?"

Teresa had hit a nerve. The one thing she knew would hurt Rocco the
most...having no money meant he couldn't help support and take care of
Ryder. He turned Ryder towards him.

"Mommy is just a bit upset, yeah? Go inside and get out your school
books. I'll be there in a minute."

Ryder looked at his mom and pulled a face, before running towards the
house. Rocco stood up and looked his wife straight in her face.

"You bitch. You dare tell me I can't take care of Ryder when you have no
time for him? Look what you've turned into, Teresa. Its pathetic. Bitch me
out all you want. But you're not gonna let Ryder hear all of this. He's
just a kid!"

"A kid I never wanted."

Rocco took a step back.

"What did you say?"

Teresa walked towards him and pointed her finger straight at his forehead.

"You. You got me pregnant. You were the reason my brother forced me into
this marriage. You knew he'd leave me no choice. So forgive me if I put
something that actually matters to me, before that little shit inside the
house. Excuse me, I've got to make money for you two to eat from."

And with that, Teresa got into the car and drove off, without even as much
as a look back at her house or husband.

In the weeks that followed, Rocco and Teresa only spoke to each other when
it was absolutely necessary. The food complex finally got back to Rocco and
he had gotten the job to promote their products. Whilst not the glamour
that Teresa faced in her job everyday, it paid the bills and he could
provide a bit more for Ryder.

Their neighbours came over for dinner one night and surprisingly told Rocco
and Teresa that they were moving. Teresa made the usual song and drama
about how "she was going to miss the chats, coffee dates and support" they
had shared over the years...when all the time she used to bitch about the
woman's bad taste in clothes and the man's small VPL and bad breath
afterwards. One morning which Rocco had off, he wandered over to next door,
looking to help with anything that needed doing. Susan was grateful for his
help and together they finished the packing of the living room and two
bedroom stuff. Placing a cup of steaming coffee before him afterwards,
Susan looked at Rocco a long time before sighing.  "Rocco...it's not my
place to say. But your wife, she's just pure toxic. Everyone around here
knows how she treats you and how she is behind our backs. And we kept quiet
and still do. Know why?"

Rocco slowly shook his head. What...he couldn't exactly deny what Susan was
saying!

"Because we love and care about you and Ryder. That little boy is so loved
by you, anyone can see that. Please, promise me. Promise me that you will
do something before that woman really hurt both of you."

Rocco was sad when Susan and Patrick left. He held his son as he watched
them leave the neighbourhood for a final time. He so badly wanted to be rid
of Teresa. But dragging Ryder through the courts? Teresa will surely tell
her lawyers to drag out the custody case until he couldn't afford it no
more. She had the backing of a major company behind her, he couldn't
compete with that!

In the last few days, Teresa had spent all her time at home behind her
desk. Ryder had a bad dream one night and she came into the living room
where Rocco was sleeping, yelling at the top of her voice, at him to tell
the kid to shut up, she was trying to work. THAT was about as enough as
Rocco could take. He made his decision. He patiently waited until Teresa
was asleep. He gently walked over to Ryder's room and softly woke the boy.

"Come on...we're going on an adventure."

"Is Mommy coming?"

"No buddy. We're going alone."

"Good, because I really don't like her..." Ryder whispered before his
breathing were once more slowed down. He had fallen back to sleep. Rocco
quietly carried his son out of his room, down the stairs and through the
living room. He opened the door and left the house with nothing but the
clothes on their backs.

Susan was right, Teresa was poison. He needed to get his son away from her
and fast. He couldn't take the car, it was registered in her name. It would
be theft. No. There has no be some other way. He slowly walked out in the
yard and turned left. The new neighbours had moved in the previous day. He
still didn't know who they was. He probably never would now. As he walked
passed the house with a sleeping Ryder in his arms, he heard a voice.

"Is everything okay?"

Rocco stopped and looked at the house. Someone was sitting on a bench on
the porch. He could see the light from the man's cigarette.

"Is everything okay, mate?"

That voice...

The man stood up, trampled on the cigarette and walked over towards
Rocco. Fuck me...it was the fancy pants doctor. What...he was their new
neighbour? And what was he doing up at two in the morning?

"Stay away from me. And my son."

"I live right here now, mate. Do you think I didn't hear what was going on
next door? Your wife screaming at you about Ryder making a noise? She
shouldn't really talk, not with a voice like that. Woke me up, she did."

Rocco clutched Ryder tighter to his chest. He didn't trust the man. Even
tho he knew he didn't molest his son, he just didn't wanna be here.

"Look, I'm sorry she woke you up. I gotta go. It's getting late."

"Mate, its past two in the morning
 Where the hell are you going? And with Ryder?"

"None of your fucking business!" Rocco hissed, walking away. He felt a hand
on his shoulder. He stiffened. He was carrying Ryder. He didn't wanna wake
him. The strange hand was followed by another on his arm. It felt weirdly
warm and comforting. Why, he had no idea.

"Look, my wife is away at a conference. Come inside. You can't just storm
out to God knows where with a child in your arms. I understand you wanna
get him away from that...that voice inside your house, but be
realistic. Where are you gonna go? What if Ryder gets sick?"

Rocco turned his head away from the doctor. He didn't want him to see his
eyes welling up. He wasn't a fucking cry baby but DAMN what was he supposed
to do? He wanted to protect Ryder. Teresa wasn't a mother, she was a
monster! Somehow the doctor must have realised Rocco was crying because he
felt the arm on his shoulder tighten and he felt a gentle squeeze.

"Get in here. Come on. Please?"

Slowly Rocco wiped his eyes with his free hand, only to quickly reinstate
it in holding Ryder. He slowly turned around and allowed him to be lead
into the house of his new neighbour. He felt immediate warmth and relief as
the door closed behind them. The doctor looked upwards and again, placed
his hand on Rocco's shoulder.

"You take Ryder upstairs. First door on the right, that's Dave's room. Put
him down, they'll be okay."

Rocco nodded. This felt like fucking charity. But he didn't really have a
choice. It was cold and he had Ryder with him. He made this decision. After
what felt like he viewed one of his horror dreams from his past, he made
sure Ryder was tucked in safely and warm next to his school buddy, before
slowly walking down the stairs. He had threatened this man weeks ago. With
physical violence no less. He had suspected him of molesting Ryder. Now
this. Fuck me. What is he gonna say to this man? What was there for them to
talk about? This man offered his help without really knowing Rocco. God, he
felt so bad. So alone.

The smell of freshly made coffee filled the air. He swallowed and licked
his lips...he would kill for a good cuppa right now. He walked into the
kitchen slowly. The doctor watched him and choked back a smile. He placed
the steaming cup of brew before him.

"You're allowed to talk to me. I ain't gonna kill or torture you."

"Sorry...I just..."

"Feel guilty for calling me a peadophile?"

Rocco's face lost colour. Suddenly he was like milk on a hot stove. He felt
hopeless.

"Well...yeah. I dunno why that was my first thought. You were touching
Ryder. I saw red. Now you're helping me and my son. Worse...you've heard
what's going on in my home. I'm really sorry you did. I dunno what's going
on with Teresa. All I want is to love and do the best for Ryder. I can't do
this anymore. I can't be married to...that any longer. She's destroying my
son!"

Wow. Fucking wow. He just bared his soul to a damn stranger. Rocco
trembled. He shook with rage. Tears angrily flowed from his eyes. This
meltdown was a long time coming. He kept it inside and tonight it
exploded. He looked up and saw the doctor stare at him.

"What?" Rocco whispered through clenched teeth.

"I'm just thinking. You want the best for your son. And as a father myself,
I respect the hell out of that. But...what about you? Who's taking care of
you?"

Rocco felt an emotion he hadn't before. He didn't know what it was, or what
it could be called. It was...a kinda warmth that had spread through his
chest. For the first time in a while...someone other than Ryder actually
cared about HIM. How pathetic was that...

"Look dude...thanks for...for this. Me and Ryder will be out of here first
thing. You're right. I can't just up and leave with him. Dunno what I was
thinking. If he gets a cold from being out in the middle of the night...And
again...I don't think I'm a bad person. I really don't. But I said hurtful
things to you. And I'm sorry."

"Sweet mate. Let's shake on it. Nice to meet you, neighbour. I'm Brad."

Rocco looked at the outstretched hand and slowly took it in his own.

"Rocco. Again, thanks."



THANKS FOR READING!! If you have any comments or if you wanna have a
chat...fell free to shoot me an email

liciousryan@gmail.com