GET BRAVE
After spending a few seconds at my car, I decided to go back to the gym. Coach Bolton hadn't said anything after I left. He just ordered Troy to get dressed.
I leaned against a row of lockers and listened intently to what Coach had to say to Troy.
"What happened Troy? What did that fag do to you?"
"He's not a fag dad."
"That boy…WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU?"
"Nothing"
"It sure as hell didn't seem like nothing Troy."
"Ryan didn't do anything."
"Ryan, is that, that queer's name? I want his name so I can speak to the principal about him."
"He didn't do anything dad."
"Son, I want you to know that you didn't do anything wrong here. I know that that queer forced himself on you while you were alone in the locker room. That is nothing to be ashamed of. Rape is not something that you can predict. That boy was sick in the head and you couldn't have known that."
"He is not sick in the head and he didn't rape me. There was no sex. There was nothing. Just forget about it. I'll see you when you get home. I'm outta here."
"Troy don't walk out on me."
But Troy didn't listen. I snuck out and walked to my car. I saw Troy and the look on his face told me that he wasn't in the mood to talk. I hopped in my car and pulled my phone out. I quickly wrote Troy a text message to let him know that I was sorry and here to talk if he needed.
From: Ryan (555-3113)
Srry baby. Call 2 talk. Luv ya.
RRIINNGG-my cell phone rang.
"Hello"
"Hey baby, look I am so sorry for what my dad said."
"Troy don't worry. I am fine. Just tell me where you are, okay?"
"I am at the river."
"I'll be there in two seconds. I need to talk to you."
"Okay, I love you Ryan."
"I love you too baby. See yah soon"
CLICK
He hung up and I was right around the corner from where he was. The river was where he went right before a game so that he could clear his head. I knew he was trying to process what happened in the gym. I had quite a few things that I needed to tell him. I only wanted him to be happy. If his family had a problem with us being together, than I would pull myself from the equation. I got out of my car and strolled down to the edge of the river. I could already see him and knew that something was wrong. He wasn't lying back, outstretched and relaxed but instead curled up as if afraid of the world. I snuck up behind him and gently put my arms around him. I gave him a comforting peck on the check and waited for him to talk.
"Ryan…"
"I'm here Troy. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."
"I love you."
"Oh baby, I love you too."
Although I couldn't see his face, I knew that the tears were welling up in his eyes and about to flow. I squeezed him tighter and just rested my head on his shoulder.
"Troy, tell me what you want me to do. Do you want me to leave you alone until this thing with your parents dies down? I'll do whatever you want me to."
"No, don't leave me. Please. I don't think I could bear losing you." He suddenly turned around and looked at me. I saw the tears start to fall. "We've only been together a little while but I feel like you're forever. You're my forever."
RRIINNGG-now his cell phone rang
"Hello"
"Troy, hunny, it's mom. Where are you? Dad told me what happened and I think we need to talk."
"I'm not sure if I can face him right now mom. Not until he calms down."
"Hunny he is calm. He feels terrible. Please come home. So we can talk about this."
"Alright mom, we'll be there in a minute."
"Alright Troy. Bye hunny. Drive safe."
"Bye mom"
He hung up and looked at me. 'Did he say 'we'?' He did, I know he wants me to go with him. And I will.
"Please come with me Ryan. I don't think I can face him alone."
"Every time baby. No one is gonna hurt you."
"When did you get so strong?" he asked with a smile.
"When you needed me to be. And every time you need me to be strong I will. Now let's go face your parents before they call the cops on me."
"Alright" he chuckled.
I decided to drive right behind his car. I was nervous without really being nervous. I knew that I would stick by Troy's side no matter what. I never realized how close he lived to the river. We were there in like 3 minutes tops. He parked his car out front and I parked mine across the street. He waited for me to cross the street before he proceeded to the front door. I gave his hand a tug and he unlocked the front door.
"Troy is that you?" his mom called from the kitchen.
"Yeah mom. We are here."
"Hey son…what is that faggot doing here?"
I don't know what happened. One second his dad calls me a faggot and the next Troy's fist connects with Coach Bolton's face.
"He is not a faggot. He is my boyfriend."
"No I'm not Troy. I am not going to come between you and your family. Don't be mad at me okay. I'm just gonna leave."
And with that I was gone. Out of his house and out of his life.
It's definitely not over yet….
Tootles..L.KERR
