Face to Face

Part One

Having made short work of a plateful of bacon and eggs, Paddy set down his knife and fork with a satisfied sigh. Then, as he reached for his mug of tea, he heard a gentle knock on the front door.

Glancing over at the kitchen clock he found it was still a few minutes before eight o'clock, and was a little surprised that someone should be calling so early on a Sunday morning,

Grumbling to himself at the intrusion he got to his feet and moved grudgingly towards the door. On opening it he found no one was there and was momentarily puzzled, but then a knowing smile crept across his face. 'Aaron' he thought, the young man was fond of winding him up. It wouldn't be the first time the teenager had lured him away from his Sunday morning fry up, and then cheekily helped himself to it! Well he was out of luck this particular Sunday morning, he'd already devoured it.

As he was about to shut the door a disembodied voice called a cheery greeting. There was something familiar about the voice, but unable to put a name or face to its owner, Paddy stepped into the morning sunshine and gazed inquisitively in the direction the 'Good morning' had come from. He was taken aback to see Jackson Walsh standing by his work van.

"Good morning." The vet finally replied unable to keep the surprise he felt off his face or out of his voice. "Was that you?" he then gestured to the door with his thumb, "I mean did you knock?

"Yeah, sorry I know it's early I just...well I was passing and...well come to think of it, maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all so I'll..."

Alarmed by the fact the younger man was now making to leave Paddy quickly interrupted, "No. It's ok, come on in." He then hurried back inside hoping Jackson would follow him.

As he switched the kettle on and busied himself with finding a clean cup Paddy heard the front door close and smiled to himself. He liked Jackson and knew Aaron did too. If he could just get the two of them talking he was sure they'd put what had happened behind them, and then hopefully take things a step nearer to forming a relationship.

"Tea? Coffee?" Paddy glanced over his shoulder and noted how uncomfortable the young man still looked.

"No thanks, I can't stay. I promised my client I'd make an early start and I don't want to be late."

It sounded very much like an excuse to Paddy so he asked, "What time you starting?"

Caught off guard Jackson stumbled over his reply, "Uh...nine."

"Well you've got time for a cup of something hot then, so sit!" Paddy hadn't meant to sound so bossy, but it seemed his severe tone had worked because his reluctant guest was now pulling out a chair and making himself comfortable upon it. Seemingly resolved to his plight Jackson then gestured to the jar of coffee Paddy was holding up, and with a small smile said "Milk, two sugars please."

After vigorously stirring the now boiled water into the cup's contents Paddy stepped over to the table. There he set the coffee down in front of Jackson then sat himself opposite him saying, "Aaron's not here, he's walking Clyde but he..."

Eager to explain his presence Jackson cut in with, "Yeah I know, I saw him, it was you I wanted to speak to."

"Oh!" Unable to hide his disappointment Paddy continued, "I was hoping you were here for Aaron."

"No. To be honest, I'm testing the water. I don't want to get burned."

Paddy nodded, "I can understand that. You've got good reason to be wary I know."

"How's he doing?"

"You know what he did, what he tried to do?"

"Adam told me. I still can't get my head around it."

"No, none of us can." Shivering involuntary Paddy continued, "He almost died, and still wanted to die when he came round in the hospital. Me and Chas were out of our minds with worry."

Nodding sympathetically Jackson then asked, "That's his mum?"

"Yeah."

"And his dad?"

"He washed his hands of Aaron a few years back."

"Because he's gay?"

"No, he had no idea." His face darkening with disgust Paddy added, "He threw Aaron out after deciding his troubled son wasn't worth the effort needed to reach him."

Staring thoughtfully at the older man Jackson stated with genuine warmth, "You didn't!"

"No." Paddy acknowledged matter of factly, he just couldn't understand how anyone could turn they're back on their own flesh and blood, especially someone so in need of love.

"He told you he was gay."

"Not willingly. I forced it out of him, that's why he..." Paddy's voice trailed off as he realised he was about to betray Aaron by detailing what had gone on.

"Why he turned on you?" Jackson pushed sensing the older man's reluctance to explain further.

Paddy knew he had no choice but to continue now, "Yes. I had him backed into a corner with no escape. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him that hard or that fast but it did the trick and it all came pouring out. First the anger, then the truth. He finally acknowledged how he felt inside, and just how much it terrified him."

Shrugging to show his own sense of helplessness Jackson said, "I knew he was struggling with being gay, I just didn't realise how hard it was for him or just how scared he was."

"He was desperate to keep it secret. He actual believed it was something he could control. I knew it wasn't something he could keep buried and I tried to get him to see that. I tried to help him, to make him see that it was ok, that he had nothing to fear, that his family and friends would accept his sexuality because all they wanted was for him to be happy, but he wouldn't listen..." Paddy stopped abruptly having again realised he was divulging too much to someone he barely knew. But as he looked into the steady receptive gaze of the younger man he knew it was alright to continue. Something inside told him that Jackson could be trusted with his thoughts. "Then you were suddenly back in the picture and I began to think he was starting to accept it. I couldn't have been more wrong because the next thing I know he's punching you and ends up charged with ABH!"

Jackson dropped his gaze briefly then met the older man's eyes warily, "Maybe I shouldn't have let it go that far. But he'd hit you and then me! I couldn't just let him get away with it. I came here to see him with Adam but he was as hot tempered as ever, I just thought he's not worth it, to hell with him...but then when the day of the hearing dawned I found I wanted to know what happened to him, that I cared what happened to him."

Paddy nodded his understanding, "I hated the thought of him going to court, I was terrified he'd go to prison. If he did I knew we'd lose him for good. But seeing us there, how worried we were for him and then seeing you, that forced him to speak out."

Bowing his head Jackson said softly "It was hard seeing him break down like that."

"Yes, but I've never been more proud of him."

Lifting his gaze to meet the older man's Jackson saw the pride shining there. Offering a smile of acknowledgment he asked softly, "So he's out, and everyone knows. How's he coping?"

"He's decided to meet the world head on, to just get on with things."

"He texted me but I was wary of getting involved, that's why I'm here."

"He won't be long, you can wait..."

"No. I don't have time now; really I have to get to work."

"But I can tell him you were here..."

"I don't know. I like him but if he's going to be high maintenance then I..."

"He doesn't have to be, not now. But whether he is or not does it really matter? He's worthy of a second chance isn't he?" Eyeing the younger man expectantly Paddy caught sight of a figure passing the window. Heaving a sigh he said, "You'd better make up your mind, he's back."

TBC