Take Me There

Chapter 2

Previously...

Ryan turned just in time to see who Mr. Fulton was talking about. He was shocked to see Chad Danforth standing behind him.

"Chad?" Ryan's voice showed just how shocked he truly was.

Chad smiled.

"Mr. Evans."

It was then that Ryan knew.

This was going to be a summer to remember. One he would never forget and he couldn't be more excited.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Ryan couldn't believe it. Chad Danforth had just called him 'Mr. Evans'. What was the world coming too?

"Mr. Evans, is everything ok?" Chad asked with a smirk on his face.

Realizing Chad was talking to him, Ryan answered.

"Please, Chad, call me Ryan. Mr. Evans is my father and I'm not him. Plus, it's just kinda weird."

Chad laughed.

"No problem. So, it looks like I'm going to be your personal caddy this summer. That cool with you?"

"Yeah, sure. But is that cool with you?" Ryan asked. He was afraid of what Chad's reaction would be if he found out he was gay.

"Yep. Why wouldn't it be?"

Mr. Fulton took this moment to announce he would be leaving them now. Turning, he walked away. Neither boy saw him breath a sigh of relief.

"Not to sound rude or anything, but how in the world did you end up with this job?"

"Dude, Mr. Fulton called me last week and asked if I wanted it. I have no clue how he even knew who I was."

Ryan laughed nervously.

"Oh, so um..I take it he didn't explain everything to you then? Damn it. Listen Chad, I may as well tell you now, that way if you want to back out of this job, you can do it now. It won't insult me if you wanna quite."

"Ryan, man, what are you talking about? Why would I wanna quite? Not only does this job pay A LOT but Mr. Fulton told me I get to live here for the summer! How cool is that?"

"Very cool. But I still think you have the right to know. Don't you find it kind of weird that you ended up with me? I mean, out of all the people here, all the people that you could possibly caddy for, why do you think you ended up with me?"

"Um..cause I'm your age? Dude, I don't know. What's the big deal?"

"Its a very big deal. To me anyway. And like I said, you should know the truth. The reason you ended up with me is because no one else wanted to be around me. They all think I have the plague or some shit."

"Whoa, Ryan. I've never heard you cuss before." Pausing for a minute, Chad continued. "I like it!" He smiled.

"Funny, Chad. But I'm trying to be serious for a minute. Mr. Fulton called me a couple of days ago and informed me he couldn't find anyone willing to be around me for longer than necessisary. Wanna know why?"

"I guess. But for real, it can't be that bad."

"I'm gay, Chad and no one wanted to be around the gay kid. That's why you're stuck with me. So, now that you know, I'm giving you the option to leave now. Or request to be moved or whatever. Its cool. No hard feelings."

Ryan was waiting for the explosion. He knew guys like Chad and he knew they didn't take kindly to fags invading their territory. He was waiting but nothing happened. Looking at Chad, he was shocked to see a smile on his face.

"Um, Chad. Did you hear me? I said I was gay. You know, a fag, queer, pillow biter. Pick your favorite cause I've heard them all."

Still Chad said nothing, he only smiled.

"Come on, man. You're starting to make me nervous. Say something!" Ryan almost screamed.

"So, what would you like to do first? I know its kinda early still, but I've never been to a country club, so I have no clue how early you rich people start your days."

Ryan's jaw hit the floor.

"Wait, what? You mean, you aren't going to quite?"

"Nope."

"But why?"

"Cause."

"Because why?"

"Dunno, just cause." Chad smiled.

Ryan was beginning to become irritated.

"Why would you think I would quite? Just because you happen to like guys more than girls? So what. Its you life and I'm not going to judge you for it."

Ryan couldn't believe what he was hearing. His eyes started to water. He turned away so Chad couldn't see him cry.

"Ryan, are you ok?"

Wiping his face, Ryan turned back around. He had a huge smile on his face. Even with puffy red eyes, Chad still thought he looked cute

"Wait a minute! Did I just think Ryan Evans was cute? Where did that come from? I mean, he is kinda..but, NO! Stop thinking like that. Stop now before you get yourself in trouble!"

"Thanks a lot, Chad. You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that."

"Not like it's a stretch or anything. That's just how I see it. Just because a person may have feelings for someone of he same sex, its no reason to place a judgment of them. They are still a person, no matter what."

"I never realized how smart you were before."

Chad only laughed.

"There's more to me than meets the eye, Ry. Hopefully this summer will be an enlightening one for both of us. So, come on. What's first on you agenda?"

Looking at his watch and seeing that it was till rather early, Ryan decided he would much rather spend the day getting settled in.

"Look, since its still so early and I'm guessing by your reaction from before, you have nothing with you? Am I right?"

"Yeah, I had no idea I would be living here."

"Well, then, how about you go home and pack whatever you are going to be needing."

"What about you?"

"I'm just gonna stay in my room and rest. Its been a long week and I'm not really up to doing much today. Plus, you need to get your things and get settled in. No biggie. I'll be fine by myself."

Chad stopped and just looked at Ryan. He smiled after a minute.

"How about this? Why don't you come with me? That way you don't have to be alone. You look like you could use some company. Just come with me to my house. You can help me pack. You probably know what I will need more than I would."

Ryan couldn't believe Chad wanted him to come with him. He was being so nice. It felt weird to have someone be so nice. He was so not used to it.

"Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want to get in your way."

Without warning, Chad placed his arm around Ryan's shoulders.

"Dude, its cool! Come on. Let's go!"

Ryan was speechless.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

The ride to Chad's house was short. By the time they were pulling into his driveway, Ryan had yet to speak the first word. He was too stunned. Someone was actually being nice to him and of all people, it was Chad. Chad Danforth. The same Chad Danforth he had gone to school with his whole life.

"Yo, Ryan! You there?"

Ryan jerked around to see Chad waving his hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention.

"Sorry. Must have spaced there for a minute."

"No prob. Now come on, you can meet my mom."

Ryan looked at Chad in disbelief.

"Ryan, is it just me or are you not used to someone being nice to you. Every time I say something, you get this spaced out look on your face. Like you aren't used to someone offering you things. Is your home life not all that great?"

"You could say that. But I really don't want to get into it right now. If that's ok with you?"

"Of course it is man. It's your life. You get to decide when you want to talk about it. And if you don't, then no biggie. Now come on, let's go inside. Mom is gonna freak when she finds out I'll be gone all summer." He just laughed.

Ryan followed him into the house. Walking inside, the first thing he noticed was how warm it seemed. Like no one would be judged for anything. Like anyone was welcome, no matter what. It felt like a home. He smiled.

He must have not been paying a lot of attention to where he was walking because before he knew it, he was bumping into someone. Someone that was not Chad.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!"

Looking up, he saw, who he assumed to be Chad's mother.

"Nothing to be sorry for, dear. It was an accident." She smiled at him. He could feel the love radiating from her.

"You must be a friend of Chad's. I'm his mother, Gloria. Its nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well. I'm Ryan. Ryan Evans." He stuck his hand out to shake hers when she unexpectedly pulled him into a hug.

"Honey, just a little warning. In this house, we hug. Hand shakes are so cold and distant."

Ryan blushed. He wasn't used to someone showing so much love. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. Just wait until she found out she was hugging a faggot. There would be no more hugs after that.

Chad chose that moment to walk back into the room. He had two large bags in his hand. He smiled when he saw Ryan and his mother.

"Hey, Mom! I see you met Ryan."

"Well, obviously, I did. Its not as if I just walk up to random people and hug them with no warning."

"Not after that one time at..."

"Chad! That was an accident. I thought it was someone else."

Laughing, he turned away from his mom.

"So, honey, what brings you back home so fast? I thought today was your first day of work."

"It is, mom. Remember how I told you I would be working as someone's personal caddy?"

She nodded her head.

"Well, here he is. Its Ryan."

She smiled.

"That's nice dear. But it still doesn't explain why you are home and why you have two very large bags of clothes with you."

"Well, that's another part of the job. It requires me to live at the country club. I have to be on call at all times."

Gloria paused for a moment, taking it all in.

Then she smiled.

"That's nice dear. You be sure to behave yourself and have a good time."

Chad turned to Ryan.

"You can tell her if you want too. Its ok."

Ryan looked scared.

"She won't judge you. I promise." There was that smile again. Ryan had a feeling he would have a hard time telling Chad no to anything as long as he smiled at him.

"Chad, no. I don't want to freak her out. She was being nice to me and everything. I don't want to mess that up."

"Boys, you do realize I can hear everything you are saying. Now, Ryan, dear...what is my dear son trying to get you to tell me?"

"Please, Chad. Don't make me do it."

"I'm not making you. I would never. Just take my word for it when I tell you, she would never judge you. Trust me."

Taking a deep breath, he took the risk.

"Mrs. Danforth. What your son is trying to get me to tell you is that..well..um..I'm gay."

She only smiled.

"That's nice, dear. Now, you boys run along and have a wonderful summer." With that, she turned and left the room.

"See, I told you. Now come one! We gotta head back." Chad grabbed his keys and headed out the door.

Ryan couldn't believe it. She was ok with it. This was what a real family was supposed to be like. Ryan smiled.

Maybe this summer would be better than he could ever have imagined. Just maybe things would turn out ok. He smiled as he followed Chad out the door.

A/N: So there ya go. Chapter 2. How did you like it? Review and let me know. Next chapter should be up tomorrow. Until then, Tootles:)