Two weeks later

Monday

"Hi welcome to Power Bank how may I help you." Randy worked at the front desk at a local bank and hated his job. 3:00 that afternoon we went on break. He walked across the street to a cafe that he went to everyday. He ordered the same lunch and sat in the same spot. He was sitting in the back of the cafe with his head back and eyes closed as he waited for his food.

"What are the odds of seeing you here?" A voice said.

Randy opened his eyes to see John, someone who he's really gotten close to over the past two weeks. "John what are you doing here?"

"Driving around for hours made me hungry so I thought I'd come here." John sat down across from Randy.

"Have I ever told you that you're one hot cop?" Randy said.

John smiled "Yes a million tiles but I never get tired of hearing it. You must work close by?"

Randy nodded. "I work at the bank across the street. My life isn't as nearly as excited as yours is."

"How long have you been working there?" John asked.

"One year." Randy said "One long, boring year."

John chuckled "Come on it can't be that bad."

Randy chuckled as his food was sat down in front of him. "My life is as dull as a kitten playing with a ball of yarn."

John looked down "I don't mean to pry but have you ever been with a man before?"

Randy nodded his head. Once but after what happened I've been too scared to ever do it again."

What happened?" John asked.

"The guy he-" Randy stopped talking "It just didn't work out and I've been afraid that if I ever met another guy he would hurt me too. So I shut myself out of the world and turned to drinking." he drunk some of his water.

John looked down "That guy did he-"

"Let's just talk about something else." Randy said. "Please."

John nodded "So it's just you now?"

Randy smiled "It's been me and my dog Maxine."

"Why Maxine?" John asked talking one of Randy's fries.

"Um Maxine is my little sister." Randy sighed. "Not that I'm calling her a dog but she reminds me of her. Playful, loyal and my best friend. I haven't seen her since I came out. My dad won't let me."

"How old is she?" John asked.

She's thirteen and her birthday is two days from now." Randy began to eat his food.

"So why don't you go and surprise her." John said taking another fry.

Randy shook his head "I don't think that's a good idea. My dad isn't the nicest guy in the world and when he says something you listen."

John sighed "Randy I know you can stand up to him."

Randy smiled "And how do you know that?"

"Because I can see it in your eyes." John smiled "You're stronger than you think Randy and once you see it for yourself the better you'll be."

Randy looked down again. "Thank you."

John took another fry. "You're welcome."

Randy started to play with his cup. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure" John said.

Randy cleared his throat. "Do you want to out with me sometime?"

John started at him. "What?"

"A date with me." Randy said again.

John looked down "Excuse me but I have to go." He got up and started to leave.

Randy grabbed his arm. "John wait I didn't mean to-"

John removed his hand. "Look it's not you I just can't do this. I have to go." He turned and left.

Randy sighed, sat back down and buried his face in his hands.

OOO

Two days later

Wednesday

Randy sat in his car and started out at his parent's house. The yard was full of kids and cars. He grabbed a box out of the back seat and got out of the car. Taking a deep breath he made his way up to the house. The door was open so he went inside. He saw his sister sitting on the steps eating with her friends. "Happy birthday Maxine."

Maxine looked up and saw Randy. "Randy you came." She got up and ran over to him. "I missed you so much." She said hugging him.

Randy hugged her back "I missed you too and I got you something."

Maxine pulled back. "You didn't have to get me anything I just wanted to see you." She took the box from Randy. "But you know me I love presents."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Bob yelled "I thought I told you to stay away from here."

"I just wanted to see Maxine." Randy said.

Bob grabbed Randy by the shirt and pushed him against the wall. "I don't care I made I very clear that I don't want you here. You're disgusting and you don't deserve to live. You're going to burn in hell you faggot!"

"Dad!" Maxine yelled.

Randy pushed his father away from him and left the house.

"I hate you!" Maxine yelled as she ran upstairs.

OOO

Randy jumped in his car and drove off. He swerved down the street, almost hitting another car. He stopped the car and rested his head against the steering wheel and tried to catch his breath. Leaning his head back he looked out the window and saw a bar. He stared at it before getting out and going inside. He sat on one of the stools and started down at his shaky hands.

"How long have you seen clean?" The bartender asked.

Randy sighed "Five months."

"Want to talk about it?" He asked.

Randy shook his head "Just give me a double." The guy just started at him. "Look I can pay now just give me my drink!"

The bartender sighed and gave Randy his drink.

Randy started down at the glass for a lifetime before drinking it down. "Give me another one."

OOO

That night

John was fixing himself something to eat when his phone rang. "Hello?"

There was a pause. "Um this is the manager at Shad's bar and I have your friend Randy here."

"What?" John said. "Please tell me he didn't drink?"

"He's kind of wasted and he's trying to drive home but we can't let him. Is there any way you can come get him." He asked.

"Yeah I'm on my way." John hung up the phone. "Jessie!"

OOO

John and Jessie walked into the bar and up to the counter. "Where is he?"

The bartender pointed across the bar.

John turned around and saw Randy with a bottle in his hands. He walked over to him. "Randy what are you doing?"

Randy looked up at John like he was a stranger. "What are you doing here?"

"Give me that!" John said reaching for the bottle.

Randy pushed him away. "Leave me alone it's not like you care."

"Randy I do care about you." John said.

"No you don't" Randy stood up.

"Why are you drinking?" John asked.

Randy looked down "I went to Maxine's party like you said. Everything was going fine until my dad showed up. He called me a faggot and said that I was going to burn in hell." He laughed and took a few more sips. "Can you believe five months of being clean gone in one visit with my dad?"

John took the bottle from Randy. "I'm taking you home."

"I don't need you John, just like you don't need me." Randy started to walk away. "I can take care of myself."

John grabbed his arm. "I'm not going to lose someone else I care about by letting him get behind the wheel drunk." John yelled out "I lost Scott because of this and I not going to lose you too. Now either you give me the keys to your car and we'll go or I will take them from you and drag your ass out of here!"

Randy started at him before digging into his pockets. He pulled out his keys and gave them to John. "Happy now?" he walked off.

John sighed and he and Jessie followed Randy out the door.