Face to Face

Part 20

He was content to just sit and listen to the two older men talk. Pleased that Paddy and Jackson were getting on so well. Not that that surprised him; they were alike in a lot of ways. Both were open, friendly, caring, and good natured... not to mention forgiving! None of which could be said about him of course! Jackson had said to him once, "Has anyone told you, you're a right miserable prat." Well, Aaron thought, 'miserable prat' summed him up nicely.

He was pretty miserably right now. His face hurt and losing the car hurt even more. He'd only had it one day! Only a prat would let something like that slip through his fingers.

The two men were now talking about his car or rather soon not to be his car. Deciding on how best to get it back to Emmerdale. Paddy didn't want Jackson going back for it after what had happened and the younger man had reluctantly agreed, but he'd promised to sort something out with Adam that evening.

Realising that the room had suddenly gone very quiet, Aaron lifted his gaze to find the two men were looking at him.

"That's how he looks when he's sulking." Paddy stated knowledgably.

Not really in the mood for teasing Aaron gave the older man a sour look.

"And see that?' Paddy smirked, "That there's his 'leave me alone I can't be bothered face!"

Jackson was grinning at him now; he obviously thought it was funny too; maybe him and Paddy were a bit too much alike. But there was something about that grin that warmed Aaron inside and he found himself grinning back.

"Now that!" Paddy feigned shock at seeing Aaron crack a smile, "that there's rarer than hen's teeth!"

eeeeeeeeeee

They'd been back at Smithy Cottage about an hour and after grabbing something to eat had sat down to watch a DVD. The film was slow starting and they'd quickly lost interest. A friendly tussle over who had control of the TV remote turned into something a lot more passionate and as they peeled each other's clothes off a knock came on the door.

"Ignore it they'll go away!" Jackson said as tugged at Aaron's t-shirt.

"I think I left it on the latch! They could walk in!" The thought of his mother or Marlon or anyone for that matter catching them at it, horrified Aaron. He quickly righted his clothing insisting a now amused Jackson do the same.

"You get it." Aaron urged, if it's me mam, tell her I'm out." He didn't want her asking questions about the bruising on his face.

"If it is I'll tell her she needs to work on her timing!"

Aaron pulled a face and followed Jackson through to the kitchen. They'd get rid of whoever was at the door and then make their way upstairs to his bedroom; he'd feel more at ease there.

He could tell by Jackson's face that the visitor was an unwelcome one. But it wasn't until he heard him say in a threatening tone, "You got a death wish or what?" that he had some idea of who it could be. Jackson only responded in that way to one man.

"I'd like to speak to Aaron."

The voice confirmed Aaron's suspicions and suddenly his mouth was dry and his heart was pounding painfully in his chest.

"With your fists?" Jackson challenged, his temper already starting to rise.

Gordon Livesy grimaced and shook his head, "Please."

Aaron was standing just outside the hallway door, out of sight of his father. Jackson was looking anxiously at him now, awaiting a response.

He'd thought the nightmare was over and he didn't want to breathe life into it again so he shook his head and said, "No,"

"You heard him." Jackson ground out and moved to shut the door.

Livesy pressed his hand against the door and called around it, "Aaron please. Just hear me out and then I'll go."

Aaron desperately reasoned over what to do, finally nodding his consent to Jackson who although unconvinced it to be a wise move let the older man into the hallway.

Following Aaron through into the kitchen Gordon Livesy waited for his son to turn and look at him and then gesturing towards his face said. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever." Aaron replied indifferently, his father's apology meant nothing to him now. The older man continued to look at him, making him uneasy. Why the hell had he agreed to this? "Is that it? If so, you know where the door is."

"No! Look I...I didn't know, I had no idea you were...that you were..."

"Gay? You can't even say it can you."Aaron spat, "Even the word makes you feel sick."

"No! I...I just don't know what word to use; I'm ignorant about it all and I'm trying not to cause offense." Taking a tentative step nearer to his son Livesy continued, "Aaron. If I'd known. If I'd had any idea I...well I wouldn't have made you feel you had to hide it. Maybe then you wouldn't have tried to..."

So his father knew about that too. Well he didn't want to talk about that with him. "Why are you saying this now? What's changed? You couldn't bear to look at me last week. You hate what I am so much you came here and said all those sick things to Paddy and then you..." he couldn't hold it together any longer, before he knew it he had hold of his father by his jacket and was forcing him backwards and slamming him violently into the wall. "Bastard!"

"Aaron no!" Jackson pleaded trying to separate the two men.

Unfazed Gordon Livesy said, "I'm so very sorry. I was drunk! Off my head. I wouldn't have done any of those terrible things otherwise!"

His father actually sounded genuine in his remorse and appalled at what he'd done. Aaron slowly released his hold on the older man and then felt Jackson haul him backwards putting what he seemed to think was a safe distance between father and son.

"When I read about you in the paper I couldn't believe it. You'd always been so..., " Livesy shrugged helplessly, once again worried about saying the wrong thing. "Then I realised I didn't know anything about you, not anymore. And that it was my fault, not yours."

When I saw you in that restaurant... I'd had a drink, more than one and I just...well I was angry at myself; I foolishly thought it was my fault, that it was something I had done. I felt ashamed for not knowing, a father should know his own son. I had more to drink and then I took all that out on you. I shouldn't have said what I did; I shouldn't have come around here that night. And I shouldn't have hit you today."

"There's a lot of things you shouldn't have done." Aaron spat accusingly.

"I know. And I know they will always stand between us. But after you left I did some thinking, a great deal of thinking. I realised I had to try and put right some of what I got so very wrong.

His eyes moving between the two young men Livesy's gaze finally settled on Aaron.

"So you two are..."

"Yes, we are." "Aarson snapped on the defensive once again.

Livsey nodded, "Believe it or not Aaron, I'm pleased there's someone in your life. Someone that cares about you as much as...as...?"

"Jackson!"

"As much as Jackson obviously does. It's too little too late I know, but still I think it's important you know that all I want now is for you to be happy." Turning around Livesy quicly walked out through the front door.

Jackson quickly followed and briefly watched the older man make his way to a waiting taxi. Shutting the door he then stepped towards Aaron.

"Don't." Aaron pleaded as he slowly shook his head from side to side, "Please. Don't ask me if I'm ok!"

TBC