Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:58:32 EST
From: HnstSkr4@aol.com
Subject: The Journey Begins - Chapter 6

Author's Notes:

Before I get into the Legal stuff, I want to say thanks first to my Editor,
Pete.  He always does a wonderful job.  Second, I want to thank my Readers.
You guys are the best.

Okay, these characters are not meant to resemble any living or dead
person. I make no apology to anyone who is offended by anything in this
story.

If you don't agree with the idea of guys being in love, then find something
else to read.

Let me know what you think of the story by emailing me at:
_Hnstskr4@aol.com_

* Sorry for the wait!  I'm going to see if I can get this one out.

Copyright 2009 by Chuck B.


The Journey Begins

Chapter 6

Not A Rumor Anymore

	It seems kind of funny that everyone in my school knows that I'm
gay.  Honestly, it really wouldn't bother me to let them know, except that
I don't want my parents to find out.  Sure, my parents would freak out.  If
I wasn't gay and if I had kids, I can't say that I would be able to
understand MY son coming to me and telling me that he was gay.  I might
freak out a little.  Maybe at some level I can even understand my parents
freaking out.  I just want stuff to change.

	At this moment in time, I am really tired of hiding.  There must be
something getting around, because every once in a while someone will give
me a strange look.  Steve has been hanging around with me a lot.  Maybe
they've never seen someone like me hanging out with Steve.  You know, a
geek hanging out with Steve.  For the most part he sits with me at lunch.
The only exception to that is when there is a game.  Whatever is going on
can wait till after lunch.  I am starving!  I get into line and I grab my
tray when the girl in back of me taps me on the shoulder.  I turn around to
see what she wants. Her voice is a bit shaky like she's nervous or
something.

	"Are you gay?"

	At first, I was scared.  She saw through me, but how?  And then
something hit me.  She really wants to know if I'm gay.  If I'm honest with
her then I won't have to hide from her.

	"Yeah!"

	I didn't say anything else to her.  Hurrying my way through the
line, I grabbed my milk and found Steve.  Cody and Cathy both were sitting
with him and so I took the seat right next to Cathy which placed me on the
left side of my man.

	Should I tell them what happened in line or not?  Yeah, what the
heck, I might as well.  But as I started to tell them, I saw another kid
turn around, get up, and approach me.

	"Excuse me but my girlfriend told me that you're gay, is that true,
Eric?"

	It's funny, he knows my name but I don't know his name.  Cody gazed
up at him and in his mean voice goes, "Back off Corey, does it matter if
he's gay or not?"

	"Lay off Dyer, I was just asking."

	Oh... Corey, duh! He's a senior, not one of the most popular kids
in school.  Sometimes, he has body odor issues.

	"Corey, don't worry about it.  Cody's just being protective."

	Cody stood up to get in Corey's face, if need be, but that wasn't
needed.  Corey is a good kid.

	"To answer your question, yeah, I'm gay."

	Cody's jaw dropped and then I heard Cathy ask Steve a question.

	"Did he just tell him that he's gay?"

	Steve wasn't sure what to say.

	"Ummm... yeah!"

	I heard someone come up from behind me.  By the face Cody was
giving, I knew it wasn't good.

	When I turned around to see who was there, I wasn't too surprised
to see Dale.

	"Hi Dale!"

	He didn't look happy and for once, I didn't much care if he was
happy or not.

	"Eric, you need to tell your parents.  They can help you."

	Steve's face is red with anger.  He stands up and looks at Dale.
Doesn't even say anything, just looks at Dale.  Dale turns and runs.  With
that little show, lunch is over and it's back to work.


	I'm sitting here in sixth hour with my bladder killing me.  We were
working on our journals in the middle of class after hearing Mr. Smith read
a bunch of poetry having to deal with racism.  I was going to try to make
it through class but that wasn't going to happen.

	"Mr. Smith, may I have a pass to restroom?"

	He handed me the blue plastic ladle that he uses as a pass.  "Be
back quick!"

	As I stepped out of the room, I saw my parents talking to the
guidance counselor out in the hallway.  This can't be good!  I wonder what
they're doing here.  I'm not failing any of my classes.  In fact, I've made
honor roll twice this year.  So why are they here?  I quickly went into the
bathroom and walked into one of the stalls.  Quickly, I pulled out my phone
and called my sister:

	"Hey Little Bro, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

	"Well, I was on my way to the restroom, when I saw Mom and Dad
talking with the guidance counselor.  Do you know why they're here?"

	Sarah was quiet for a second before she replied to my question.

	"No I don't, but I have an idea.  I'll pick you up after school,
but I'm going to drop you off away from the house.  From there I'll drive
to the house and go inside and talk with Mom and Dad.  Hopefully, I'll be
able to dig for information.  You need to be watching what's going on from
the living room window.  When I signal for you to come inside, you're to
come in and go straight to your room.  Don't say a word to Mom, Dad, or me.
Oh... and come in looking all sad and stuff.  Got it?"

	Wow... my sister is quite the little schemer.

	"Yeah, I got it."

	"Now get back to class!"

	I ended the call and focused on using the bathroom. I went back to
class hoping that no one would say anything to me about spending so much
time in the restroom.  Man, I hope Sarah's plan works out.  I can't help
but worry about lying to Mom and Dad.  Sarah has never let me down.


	The day has flown by after talking with Sarah.  Something inside of
me is telling me that this is the start of a new path in life.  Yeah, I am
a little bit afraid of what's to come, but aren't we all just a little bit
afraid of what's to come? I have such a great support net all around me
from Steve to Noah; I know that I will be okay.  Now I just have to wait
for Sarah to show up.

	Sarah showed up and she seemed focused on the conversation that was
about to take place.  There was no "Hi!" or questions about the school day.
It was quiet... something that Sarah isn't known for... at least not around
me.  True to her word, she pulled over about four or five houses away from
the house and let me out.  I slowly walked up the sidewalk to the house,
not knowing what was going through her head or what Mom and Dad would say.


Sarah's POV:

	I shouldn't have to carry out this little plan of mine.  Mom and
Dad should love my brother no matter what.  They supposedly believe in
unconditional love, but will they practice it?  Well, here is the driveway.
Guess it's time to see what's going to happen.  Man, I hope Eric will be
okay.


	Opening the door, I walked into the house.  Mom and Dad were in the
dining room enjoying a little snack.

	"Eric, is that you?" Mom asked from inside the dining room.

	"No Mom, it's me."

	When they heard my voice both Mom and Dad came out of hiding.  They
settled into the living room, both sitting in their chairs.  The looks on
their faces showed the concern that was burning in their stomachs.

	Mom and Dad had better spill their guts to me.  After all, if they
don't, then my little plan won't do Eric any good.  They need to tell me
what's going on.

	"So what's new?"

	Mom just glanced at Dad.

	"Not a whole lot Sarah!  We are thinking of remodeling the kitchen.
I just want a different look."

	Mom has been talking about that for a few months now.  I guess Dad
finally caved.

	"Sarah, how is the new calling going?"

	"Great Dad, Mark and I love it.  We couldn't be happier."

	Mom looked at Dad and then they both made eye contact with each
other. I pretended to fix my hair which was the signal to Eric.  Eric
opened the door and walked through the living with this sad expression
across his face.  He looked really depressed.  Mom's face instantly
changed.  Something upset her.  I'm pretty sure that this expression on her
face has to do with the guidance counselor.

	I don't think Mom and Dad are going to be quiet for much longer.

	"Sarah, do you know what is bothering your brother?" Mom asked.  I
know her well enough to know that she is truly upset by whatever happened
earlier today.

	"Okay, what is going on? I know that face and it's not a good one."

	"Sarah, the guidance counselor thinks that Eric might be suicidal.
He called us in to talk about what might be going on at the house.  We had
no idea that there was even a problem until today.  He also mentioned a
rumor, but wouldn't say anything else about it."

	"Sarah, do you have any idea what is going on?"

	That is my clue to begin fishing for whatever they might know.

	"Well, I know he called me the other day very upset about some lies
that were being spread around school.  He told me that he thought Dale was
to blame for it."

	"What lies?" Dad asked, as if suddenly someone had finally turned
his ears on for the first time.

	"Well, I'm not sure that I should say anything, but Dale said
something that has to do with Eric being gay... but that can't be true
because I know he's dating Cathy White."

	Mom smiled at the idea of her son dating.  Dad still wasn't sure
what was going on, as if he didn't believe me.  Dad looked at Mom and made
a face.  It was that "Yeah right, can you believe this?"

	"Sarah, why would Dale tell such a nasty lie?"

	"I don't know Mom.  Maybe it's not even Dale.  At any rate, I
wouldn't worry about it.  Give him a chance to tell you.  Trust me, he
will."

	Dad stood up and headed up the stairs towards Eric's room.

Eric's POV:

	Dad knocked at the wide open door.  I was busy writing in my
journal about what had happened in school today.  He spun my computer chair
around and sat down in it.

	"So, do you think that Dale is spreading lies about you?"

	No, but I like this part of the plan.  Maybe this will keep Dale
from coming over to the house.

	"Well honestly Dad, I don't know about that, but someone mentioned
it to me.  They told me that Dale told them that I was gay and that they
shouldn't talk to me.  I even had two kids come up to me today and ask me
if I was gay, but they didn't wait for the punch line.  I guess that wasn't
the smartest thing to do but it's done."

	I must have satisfied Dad's curiosity because he turned and walked
away.