Chapter 2
I walked up to my car, in shock. I pulled out my phone to call my mother. I went around the car to further inspect the damage. It was terrible. They all had the air let out of the tires. I was devastated. I had put so much work into getting the money for this car and the new tires, and for what? To have them destroyed by some egotistical ass? No.
This, however, was only the icing on the cake. I got home, with a very little help by my mom. Her help was ten dollars for a taxi. She didn't even offer to give me a ride; it was too embarrassing to be seen with a homosexual. Some mother, eh? I didn't hate her, though. I knew what I was would hurt her. To her, the fact that I was gay was the thing that threw her over the top. Well, anyway, I got home and went in to the kitchen to find my mom drunk, no surprise. I walked past her and headed for the kitchen.
"Where the hell were you?" She bellowed.
"Uh, I had to take a taxi, since you couldn't bring me home, for whatever reason." I shot back.
"Why do you think I want to be seen with a faggot?" She responded, uncaringly.
I wasn't surprised, nor did it hurt anymore. I was used to it. I lived with it.
"I'm not getting in to this again. Knock off the drinking, why don't ya?" I retorted.
"Who the fuck are you to tell me to stop drinking?"
"I am your son, regardless if you want me or not. I am your son for another year. Believe me; I can't wait any more than you can."
"Well, I'll decide for myself what I want to do, without any help of a man lover."
"Yep, I love men. They are my forte. Have a problem with it? Why don't you just go talk to my father? He's the reason I am this way."
"You keep your father out of this; he has NOTHING to do with it."
"Yes, he has EVERYTHING to do with it. You married a beating, pedophilic, disgusting person. He raped me and beat me every night until I started defending myself. You don't believe me because you were out drinking every night."
"Don't you EVER talk to me like that, ever. I have done so much for you, and this is how you treat me? How dare you? I have done nothing to you but love you, and you tell me you like men. What did I do to deserve that?"
"You married my father. That's exactly what you did. That's what made me gay. That's what made me how I am today. You know what? I'm glad I like men. Then, I wouldn't have to worry about marrying a drunken slut like you."
"I want you out of my house, NOW! I never want to see your homosexual face again. You are a disgrace of a son."
"You call me a disgrace. Yet, though, you don't support or love me like a mother should. The fact that I'm gay should have no hindrance on your love. A mother should love her son for who he is, not for who she wants him to be, when he's not. And you know what? I am glad I won't have to live with you anymore. I wish you weren't my mother as much as you wish I wasn't your son. I will leave now, and I will drop in a while, to see how you are doing without my income. But will I find you here? Probably not. Because you'll be in an alley somewhere, homeless."
With that, I went to my room and slammed my door shut, preparing to pack my things. I pulled my dressers open, dragging my clothes to my bed. Then, I went to my closet to find my suitcase. I shoved my clothes in the suitcase, not caring if the clothes were folded or not. I then got my laptop bag, and packed my laptop up. I didn't pack anything else because I knew that I would be back. Permanently, or maybe not. I would go to Jake's not knowing if he'd accept me.
I got to Jake's and knocked on the door. His mom answered, looking sorry. She's seen this before. I never stayed more than a week. However, this time, I thought it might be different. I wouldn't tell her that yet, though.
"Hey Aidon, what's up?" She asked tenderly.
"Nothing, is Asher here?" I said, using his real name in front of his mother.
"Yea, is there something wrong? You have your bags again; did you have another fight with your mom?"
"Yea," I said shyly.
"Well, you know that you're welcome here for as long as you need anytime."
"Thank you, Mrs. Rhodes. I appreciate it."
"Aidon, you know you're like family, you can call me Sherry."
"Ok, Sherry. Thank you so much."
"You can go see Asher, he's in his room. Knock, though. He has been distraught since school. I don't know why."
"Ok, thanks again, Sherry. You're more like my mother to me than my actual mother is. You have no idea what it means to me."
"Aidon, I love you like my own son, you know that. There isn't much I wouldn't do for you."
"I love you too, Sherry."
"Call me mom; it'll be less awkward and more accurate."
"Alright, mom."
As I said that, I felt a pang of complete happiness. I truly felt at home here. This was more of a home than my last one. As I sloshed these thoughts around in my head, I felt that I never wanted to leave this household. I loved everyone here, including Jake's dad. He was always so kind and caring for me.
I walked up the stairs, hoping that Jake wouldn't act too much differently and put aside the past incident. I knocked softly on his door.
"Who is it?" He asked gently.
"Aidon, my mom and I had a fight again," I replied, almost on the brink of tears.
"Oh, okay, come in, "he said dryly.
I opened the door and walked in, slouching. I put my suitcase on the floor and dropped my laptop too. I walked over to the computer chair and sat down. Jake was lying on his bed. He looked hurt and sad.
"Hey, what's wrong? I can see it in your face that you're upset. Don't try to fool me." I said apologetically.
"It's nothing Aidon. I can't talk to you about this."
"Jake, you are my best friend; you can talk to me about anything."
"I don't know, Aidon. This would probably ruin our friendship."
"I don't know if there is anything that could ruin our friendship, Jake. We have been through fire and brimstone together, nothing could tear us apart."
"Well, I don't really know how to go about telling you."
"Just say it flat out. That would probably be the easiest way for you."
"I don't know. It's just so, just so, embarrassing. I don't know how you'll take it."
"Jake, I am your best friend. You need not to be afraid of what I will think. Whatever it is, I will accept it."
"Alright. I'm g-g-g-g-g," he stopped himself, "I can't."
"Yes you can," I said not exactly knowing where he was going "you can."
"I'm gay."
I was completely taken by surprise. He has been with so many women, I thought that was impossible. That would explain him offering to...oh, never mind. This was such a shock. There was only one thing that I thought to say, the one thing that had me rather upset.
"Jake, why would you think that would ruin our relationship?"
"I didn't know what you thought of homosexuals."
"Jake, I completely support homosexuals. I wish you wouldn't have worried much over it."
"Okay, now I know."
"Jake, I have something to tell you."
"What is it, Aidon?"
"I am gay too."
"Oh, well, that makes me feel better. However, I never saw you as the type of guy that would be gay."
"You neither. You always talked so much about all you did with your girlfriends. I would have never thought that you were gay."
"I used my looks to cover that part, Aidon."
"Ha-ha, okay. Is that all that was bothering you?"
"Um, er, um, yea, that's all."
"Um yea, sure. Spill it, Jake. I don't mind."
"I can't. No, definitely not."
"Asher Jacob Rhodes, you tell me right now."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because, it is wrong and I am confused."
"Confused about what?"
"About my feelings, okay?"
"What is there to be confused about?"
"Everything."
When he said that, a startling thought entered my head. He loved me. That's why he was so hell bent on not telling me. I knew at that moment, that I had two choices: tell him of my love, or ignore it and hurt. I chose to let him know about it.
"Jake, I have to tell you something. I know I am not confused about this. We have been best friends for more than ten years. Surprisingly, we hardly ever fight. That has to say something. I knew these feelings for a long time. I love you. I have never been so sure of anything in my life."
