Me: I'm BACK!
All: YAYY!
Angel: I love this dress!
Collins: I love my pimp hat! Thanks Raven!
Ducky: Write!
Ryan once again ran from the loft and into the city. This time he didn't know where to go or what to do next. He sat in St. Mark's place for awhile to think.
Meanwhile, back at the loft everyone was trying to think on what to do next. Jason and Kyle were in the kitchen trying to come up with a plan.
"We've gotta get him back here soon, I mean his dad's wedding's in three days and if he's not here he'll be crushed!"
"I know but we couldn't even get him to stay here to listen to me!"
"I really think he needs to hear this from someone who's been there. His problem may be the fact he'll have two dads and that he's gonna have to deal with all the jokes, laughs, and stares." Kyle said. "Maybe if I talked to him, he'd listen. I've dealt with this my whole life with two moms. He just needs to know that he's not alone."
They got up and left to go find him.
Ryan wandered all over the East Village. He didn't know what he was gonna do but he decided to visit Nadia's grave. He knew where it was from the last time he and Mark went to visit on Mother's day. He searched through each row until he found it.
"Hey mom, it's me again. I'm sorry I haven't come around recently, I just have a lot on my mind. I guess since Collins is with you too he probably told you about Dad and Roger. Everyone's mad at me because I'm not jumping through hoops over the fact that they're getting married. But don't they get it? Doesn't Dad feel anything for you anymore? It's like you died and he just didn't care anymore. What's more is that he's risking everything for him! He just had a HIV scare, luckily he's alright but I don't think he'll be so lucky next time. I can't afford to lose him too, we've already lost too many of you guys. Jason thinks I'm upset because I think it'll be awkward with Ria and all. Does he think that I'm that shallow? And doesn't Roger see what he's doing? He always said that Dad was the one to survive but if he keeps this up, Dad will be popping AZT and sick all the time right next to him. Doesn't he care about anyone else?"
Kyle and Jason searched all over town until they found him in the cemetery. Ryan spotted them coming towards him and took off running.
"Ryan come on man we just want to talk!" Kyle called out
They kept running after them until they cornered him in the alley, "Ryan just listen to us"
Jason pleaded.
"What else do you have to say to me?"
"Ryan, just hear me out. I know how you feel. Having two moms or two dads is not fun, believe me. But you've gotta stop this anger and spazzing. You're not the only one who knows how this feels." Kyle said
"Well how am I supposed to deal with this? I have to worry about people at school picking on me and worry about if my dad will be okay."
"Like I said Ryan, you're not alone. You remember the meetings I go to a few times a week? There's so many kids there who are going through the same thing as you. I think you should come with me to the next one so you can talk this out." Kyle added
They came out the alley and walked over to the Life for a while before heading over to the community center for the CLAG meeting.
"Guys I don't think I can do this." Ryan whispered
"It's okay, I'll introduce you and you can go when you feel like it." Kyle whispered back.
A young lady around 19 stood up. "Okay everyone welcome to CLAG "Children of Lesbians and Gays" I'm Nessa and I'm only saying that because I see we have a few new people joining our meeting today. Why don't you all stand up and introduce yourselves?
A few of them quietly said hello and who they were, finally it was Ryan's turn. Kyle stood up, "Hi guys this is my friend Ryan, this is his first meeting."
"Welcome to CLAG Ryan, what brings you here?"
Ryan stood up "Well I came because I need to talk to someone who's been through this. I found out a few months ago that my Dad was seeing someone…a guy. And to make it worse it's his best friend and my girlfriend's dad. I'm having a hard time dealing with this because I just found out that my mother died when I was born and I feel like he's been lying to me my entire life. I don't think he has any respect for my mom's memory anymore and I'm also afraid he might get AIDS from his friend because he has it. I can't afford to lose my dad too."
After he was done Nessa spoke up. "Well Ryan the first step to coping is expressing how you feel. And you just took the first step right now."
A boy around 14 spoke next "The next thing you have to do is think about your dad, You think that this is worst thing to ever happen but what about him? He lost your mom and had to raise you by himself. He had to support you by himself your whole life. Wouldn't you want him to be happy?"
"Are you guys helping me or against me?" Ryan asked
"No we're all on your side but we want you to see it from your dad's point of view. Now Kyle said they're getting married soon and that you don't want to go. You don't have to like this but at least show up."
Ryan sat there listening to the other's advice. He started to wonder if this is really worth throwing away his relationship with his family.
Ducky: When's the sidechat wedding gonna start
Me: As soon as Atry gets ready to perform the ceremony.
Mimi:(throws petals)
Nadia: Where's the rice?
Collins: R&R!
Angel: Ducky has hot fudge!