Chapter 3: unattached

When I was 12 my father moved out
Left with a whimper not with a shout
I didn't miss him – he made it perfectly clear
I was a fool and probably queer
Fool that I was I thought this would bring
Those he has left closer together
She made her move the moment he crawled away
I was the last the woman told
She never let her bed get cold
Someone moved in – I shut my door
Someone to treat her just the same way as before

The Sanders home 1987

"He's gone!" His mom sits by the kitchen table weeping.
What?
"Gone?"
"Yeah, gone. He took his stuff and ran off. Left us like garbage. What are we going to do?"
Live
"We'll be OK mom! We'll be OK."
"We can't be without him. He supports us. Who's going to pay for your food now? You do eat, don't you?"
"I will mom. I find a job"

Greg's lab, Mother's day 2005

"What's going on here? Someone has time for coffee I see!"
Catherine is in a bad mood and Greg takes the blame.
"Just a few minutes..."
"Could I suggest you to use those few minutes on the work you are paid to do"
"Yes…" He puts down his cup and goes back to his work bench. "I don't have the result for you just yet, I page you, OK?"
She turned her back on him even before he had finished his sentence, and Nick looked at him with questions in his eyes.
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing, she is just stressed today."
"We all are."
"Yeah, but you handle it better," Greg shrugs and brushes it off, "not a big deal."

Greg's birthday 1992

Greg locks the front door. It is nearly morning and he has stayed out all night. He left his friends a long time ago though, wandering the streets on his own. He usually does that. He starts at the top, by the bridge. Then he walks by the river all the way down to the clubs. He sits down in the end of the park where he has full view of the clubs and he people watches. All night he does that. He never gets any closer. He stays invisible. He was tempted to go in today though. Celebrate his birthday. He is 17; seventeen and still too young to get in anywhere.

He supports the gap between the door and the frame as he closes it so there will be no sound. It falls into place with only a gentle thud. He didn't have to bother though, because a tall man already stands in the hallway gazing at him. Greg gazes back at him before he run up the stairs. He is totally unattached. He doesn't even know this man's name.

As he lays down in his bed he hears the front door open and close. He never sees the man again.

Greg's lab, Mother's day 2005

"What do you mean, leave it? Why won't you tell me what bothers you today?" Nick stare at him.
"Not now, Nicky, please."
He can see Nick gets hurt by him pushing him away. He won't deal with it right now.

Greg's favourite diner. 2 years ago.

"Do you trust me?" Nick asks softly.
"Of course I trust you. Why wouldn't I?" Greg looks at him, trying to figure out what Nick is up to.
"Then tell me."
"Nothing!"
"Don't say nothing!"
"I got scared that's all. But I am not the one injured here."
"I'm fine."
"Fine? You fell through a 2 story window? I thought you were gone man."
"I am fine. Please, trust me on that Greg. I am fine. I am not leaving you."
"No, I…"
"You heard me right? I am not. I won't leave you Greg. Ever."

Greg's lab, Mother's day 2005

"Later, OK Nick?"
"Later."