CHAPTER 12
Mark walked Mr. Jones out of the apartment, and when they were outside said, "I know Brad is going to have a really hard time with this, so don't push him too hard. He has hated you for all you have done to him, and it's going to take him quite a while to work through those feelings."
"I know. I have been the worst example of a father that I can think of. I meant what I said about him taking as long as he needs."
"I know."
"Mark, I know I have already said it, but thank you for taking care of Brad in all the ways you have. Thank you for making him come see me. It meant a lot for him to tell me himself. I think he has found a wonderful partner in you, Mark."
Mark blushed. "I was just following my heart."
"Well, keep following it. It seems to point you in the right direction. I will see you in a while."
"Bye. Have a good time--do you know where the theater is?"
"Yes, I saw it earlier when I was driving around nervously."
"Ok, see you later."
Mark turned around and went back inside shutting the door behind him. He saw Brad still sitting on the sofa staring at the wall. He sat down beside him, and put his arm around him.
"Brad, its ok."
"I just can't believe it," Brad bawled. He cried uncontrollably for a few minutes.
"Its ok, Brad, just let it out. I have you. "
"Mark, you are the only person I really know. You are the only one I can be sure of. I love you."
"I love you too. I love you more than I can ever tell you."
"I know. I can feel it."
"I just don't know what to think about my dad. It is such a shock. I don't know what to do if I can't hate him anymore."
"Brad, I can help you with a lot of things, but I can't tell you how to feel. The best advice I can give you is to follow your heart all the way. I know your mind is clouded with a lot of different things, but I know your heart, and I know it is true. I will be at your side through it all."
"I just don't know where my heart is leading me, Mark. I know I should forgive him, but I don't know how not to hate him. He has never been serious before. He has only been seriously drunk. I don't even know whether to believe him or not."
"Brad, this is where you have to use your heart. I can tell you that if he wasn't telling you the truth, he should get an academy award for his performance."
"I know. Its just hard," Brad sobbed.
"It is, but I am here to lean on. You don't have to go through this by yourself."
The two lay there on the sofa together for over an hour in silence. They were both just thinking about the things that had just happened. Brad finally broke the silence. "I am going to try, Mark. I am going to try. It will be hard, so please help me, Mark."
Mark just hugged him tightly and said, "I love you Brad, you don't have to ask. You know I will be here for you. I am here for the good times and the bad. I belong to you."
"And I belong to you. Thank you for being you, Mark."
In response, Mark just passionately kissed Brad, and pulled their embrace even closer. They just held each other tightly for another half hour.
This time Mark broke the silence, "Okay, Brad, we need to get up and try to put ourselves together. Your dad will probably get back before too long, and we haven't eaten lunch."
"I'm not really hungry, Mark."
"Me either, but we do need to eat something. Why don't we go downtown and grab a sandwich at my favorite place."
"Ok, but we better hurry. You know they close at 2."
"Yep, come on, its after one now."
Brad and Mark jumped in the truck and drove downtown. They both had a club sandwich and sweet tea. They didn't really talk much during the meal, because both boys were lost in thought about the morning's development. A few minutes later Brad's father walked into the restaurant and sat down at the bar. Brad's back was to him, so Mark pointed and whispered, "Brad, look," while Mr. Jones had his back to them.
Brad stood up, and Mark asked, "What's going on?"
"Just stay here. I will be right back."
Mark sat in his chair and stared at the situation unfolding in front of him. He did not know what Brad was going to say, but he knew whatever it was, he had done all he could do. He was going to live by whatever Brad chose to do and he knew it. Mark was very relieved to see Brad tap his father on the shoulder and then hug him as he turned around. The two of them spoke for a minute and then came over to the table where Mark sat. They both had tears streaming down their faces. They both sat down for a few minutes, silently sobbing to themselves.
Mark was the first to speak. "It looks like great minds think alike, huh?" he said to ease the tension.
"I guess so, Mark. I used to love this place when I was in school here. I could just come here and feel at ease," Mr. Jones said staring around at the old place, looking down at the worn checkerboard patterned linoleum, the worn barstools, and the memories of his days in Athens came back to him. "In fact, I came here and ate breakfast this morning before I came over to your place. Coming back here this morning kind of gave me the courage I needed to come and see you, Brad."
"I am glad you did, Dad," Brad said, thinking how weird it sounded to call this man Dad. "This is also Mark's favorite place."
"Guilty as charged. I love it because it just feels like a taste of home to me."
"That's the same way I have always felt."
"I need to run to the restroom. I will be right back," Mr. Jones said.
As he walked off, Mark said to Brad, "If you are comfortable with it, I think I need to let you two have some time alone. I can just go back to the apartment, and I will tell your dad I have some things I need to do."
"I guess, but I would really like you around."
"Brad, I know you do, and you are going to have to be the judge. I will let you make that decision. I think you do need some time together alone, but maybe you aren't ready. If you think you want to this afternoon, all you have to do is just tell your dad that I have some things to do. I will leave the two of you alone, and you can call me and I'll come get you."
"That's a deal. I know you are right, but just stay a while longer."
"Whatever you want is fine with me, Brad."
"This place is still the same as it was when I was here. I just love coming back," Mr. Jones said as he walked up to the table.
"I don't know what I am going to do when I graduate and have to move away. I will miss it," Mark said.
"I hate to break up this party, but the place you two both love so much is probably going to kick us out if we don't get out soon," Brad spoke up.
They all laughed, and walked over to the cash register. Brad's dad paid for the meal before the other two had a chance to protest.
"I didn't mean for you to do that," Mark said as they stepped out of the restaurant.
"I know you didn't, but I am behind about 20 years on providing for my son, so I will just have to use you to help me catch up," He said, putting a hand on Brad's shoulder. "I have had some time to think about this, and I think it is time I grew up and faced my demons, and took some responsibility in life. I just hope you will allow me that opportunity, Brad."
"I think you are starting out fine."
"I am going to get a job, and I am going to try to do what I can to somehow repay your uncle Robert for his generosity through the years."
"That's great."
"But, more important than that, if I have blown my shot at being a Dad to you, I want to be a friend if I may."
"Why don't we start by walking around downtown."
"That sounds like a great idea, Brad."
They spent an hour or two just walking in and out of the little shops in downtown Athens and enjoying one another's company. Brad bought a disposable camera and took a few pictures. They wondered over to the courthouse and the memorial with the historic one-of-a-kind double barreled cannon that was developed during the civil war. Mark took pictures of the two of them together in front of it. The three continued walking around, and when they were at the corner of Clayton St and College Avenue, Mark said, "I sure am glad that I parked in the deck and not on a meter. I would have gotten a ticket, we have been out here so long."
"That's true. Where are you parked, Dad?"
"I parked up there in that parking deck."
"Dad, I think Mark had some things he needed to do this afternoon, but I'd like to stay down here with you some more. Would you mind taking me home afterwards?"
"Mind? Nothing would make me happier!" Mr. Jones's eyes lit up as he said this. "In fact, I was kind of hoping that we could have dinner before I went home. Does that sound okay to you, Brad?"
"Yes, I think so."
"How about you, Mark?"
"Well, I don't want to butt in when you two need some time together."
"No, Mark, I want you there with us. You are responsible for both Brad and I being here together today, and as far as I am concerned, you are family too."
Brad almost cried right there on the street when he heard his father's praise of Mark. "I love Mark so much," he thought to himself.
"Well, if you put it that way, I would be honored," Mark replied with his million dollar smile. "What time should I expect to see you two again?"
"I guess we will try to get there by about 5, and then we can get ready for dinner."
"That sounds good. I guess I will see you two then."
"Bye, Mark."
"Bye."
As Mark walked into the parking deck, Brad and his father walked to the corner. "Why don't we get a cup of coffee," Brad suggested.
"That sounds good."
As they were standing at the traffic light waiting to cross the street, they waved at Mark as he drove past in his pickup.
They walked towards Broad Street, and into the coffee house on their left. "Dad, have you ever had iced coffee?"
"I have had cold coffee accidentally. Why would you want it cold on purpose?"
"Let me buy you a cup, and if you don't like it, then I will drink it."
"I guess, but I'll buy it for you."
"No, lets let Mom buy it. She hates me anyway," Brad said pulling out his mother's credit card.
"I take it she didn't have a great reaction to your coming out?"
"Well, I will tell you about it after we get our coffee."
They ordered and sat down, and Brad said, "Do you like it?"
"I do. I would have never thought it would be that good, but it is."
"I'm glad you like it. I'm glad you like me too," Brad said smiling.
"Brad, I don't like you. I love you, and I am sorry that I have been so terrible all these years."
"I am beginning to understand a little bit of why you were the way you were. Of course, you really do have to change now."
"I know. I don't think it will be that tough though. I never really drank because I liked to drink, the way lots of people seem to. I just drank to avoid my problems. Well, really just to avoid one problem. Once that problem is hit head on, I hope I won't need that crutch anymore."
"Lets hope that works out for you. I just can't believe you just stopped drinking and the chemical dependency hasn't caught up with you."
"Oh, it has. It is killing me, but I have acted for so long, that I am pretty good at it."
"But there is no reason to pretend it isn't bothering you."
"Brad, you are enough of a reason for me to do anything."
"Thanks. You don't know how much it means for me to not only hear you say that, but actually to believe it."
The two finished their coffees and talked for the next hour. They got up and wandered around the city a little while longer before they headed back to the apartment.
"Would you like to take a shower or anything before we go to dinner?" Brad asked his dad.
"I would like to. I was hoping you would let me take you out to dinner, so I brought a change of clothes."
"Well, since Mark and I moved in here as separate roommates, there is another bedroom and bathroom in the apartment, feel free to use that bathroom if you like. My old bedroom and bathroom stuff is in there. We moved into Mark's room because it was a little nicer. We seldom even go to that side of the apartment."
"Thanks, Brad. I really appreciate it."
They walked into the apartment and Brad showed his father the second bedroom and bathroom. He excused himself to get ready in his own bathroom. When he walked into his bedroom, he was greeted by a boxer clad Mark lying asleep on top of the covers of the bed. He looked so peaceful to Brad. He hated to wake him up.
Brad disrobed and climbed up onto the bed with his lover. He began to kiss Mark on the lips as he gently shook him to wake him up. Mark opened his eyes and was disoriented for a moment, but then he quickly realized what was going on and began to kiss Brad back. Then, his hands began to roam his lover's body. After a few moments of passionate kissing, Brad broke away and said, "As much as I would love to continue this, we need to get ready for dinner. My father is showering in the other bathroom."
"Do we have to stop?" "Unfortunately, but we can shower together if you promise no funny business."
"What fun would that be?"
"Not near as much as it could be, but at least it would improve the scenery for me."
Mark just grabbed Brad's face and quickly kissed him, then jumped up and ran into the bathroom shedding his shorts along the way. As he stepped into the shower, he turned and looked at Brad and said with a grin, "You coming dickhead?"
Brad followed him into the shower, and they behaved themselves, though Brad had to promise Mark that there was more to come later that night.
"Brad, I kind of wanted to ask you something," Mark said as they were both shaving in the same sink, as they normally did.
"What's that?"
"How are you doing? I mean, I know today has to have been a really big shock for you."
"Its great to finally know it wasn't me all these years, but it is still not easy for me."
"I knew it wouldn't be, but I think you are handling everything wonderfully. I don't think I would be able to deal with all you have been through this week."
"Mark, I wouldn't be able to without you."
"I love you, Brad."
"Mark, you are my life. I love you more than I can ever tell you."
The two kissed, smearing shaving cream all over the place. They both burst out laughing when they realized they both had shaving cream all over their chests. They just started over shaving and jumped in the shower afterwards to rinse off the excess shaving cream.
"Brad, I was just wondering, when we get done with dinner, it will be kind of late, do you think your dad should drive home that late?" Mark said as they were dressing.
"I don't know. I have done it before."
"Yes, but you also weren't sober for the first time in 20 years either. I think that could take a toll on him."
"That's true."
"Brad, it's your decision, but I just wanted to tell you that it is ok with me if he stays here for the night."
"That's a nice idea, but I, well, I um, I just don't know."
"I am not pressuring you or saying you should, and you sure don't have to have a reason for why you do or do not want him to. I just wanted to put it on the table and tell you it was ok with me. I am not going to say anything to him about it."
"Thanks for mentioning it, Mark. You always seem to be so caring for other people. That's why I love you."
Brad kissed Mark again. Mark embraced his lover and the two kissed for several minutes. Finally, Mark said, "We better finish getting ready. We need to go."
When they got their clothes on, and went into the living room, Brad's father was sitting on the sofa watching television. They all piled into Brad's father's old car with Brad driving and went to a nice restaurant downtown. They had an excellent meal and great conversation. Brad and his father agreed, with Mark's blessings, that they needed to pay a visit to Brad's Uncle Robert the next day. Brad and Mark really felt like they were beginning to know Brad's father, and Brad invited him to spend the night. After some persuasion from Mark and Brad, he finally accepted the invitation. The three of them retired to the apartment and went straight to sleep, physically and emotionally drained from the day.
Mark woke up to the phone ringing. He looked at the clock by his bed as he answered it, and it read 7:02am.
"Hello," Mark said sleepily.
"Hello, Brad?" came an upset voice.
"No, hold on a second." Mark handed the phone to Brad, who was sitting up in the bed. He covered the mouthpiece and whispered "I have no idea."
"Hello?" Brad answered.
"Hey, Brad?" came the worried voice of his Uncle Robert.
"Hey Uncle Robert, how are you?"
"Well, I am ok, but I need to tell you something. I wanted you to be the first to know. I am worried about your dad. He is not at his house and has been missing since night before last as far as I can tell. I wanted to tell you before I called the police. I am afraid something has happened to him. I know he you and he have not been that close, and I really do understand that, but I thought you should know first."
"I don't think you need to worry about it. I know he appreciates all you do for him."
"Brad, I know you are not close, but he is still your father and my brother, and I am worried he has been in an accident or something."
"I am sorry, Uncle Robert, I am still half asleep and leaving things out. What I mean is I talked to him late last night, and he is fine. We had a long conversation, and I was going to call you this morning, but you beat me to the punch."
"Well, that lets me stop worrying a little."
"Yeah, actually I wanted to catch up with you because I haven't been to see you in a while, and I needed to talk to you about a couple of things. I was planning on coming down today. Do you have some free time this afternoon?" Brad asked, quickly directing the conversation before his uncle could question him about where exactly his dad was.
"How is 5 o'clock? We can just go and eat supper if you like."
"Five o'clock is good with me."
"Okay, well, I am glad everything is ok, and I can stop worrying. I will let you get back to sleep."
"Ok," Brad laughed. "I appreciate the call, though."
"Bye, and have a safe trip."
"Thanks. Talk to you later."
"What was that all about?" Mark asked as Brad reached over him to put the cordless phone back on its base.
"That was my Uncle Robert. He was just calling to tell me he was about to report my dad missing to the police because he thought he was dead. You know, nothing big," Brad laughed.
"I guess it is nothing big when you know he is safely sleeping in the next room," Mark laughed.
"Yep, I guess we need to get up now though. We are going to have a serious talk with him this afternoon. I don't know how he is going to react--to me or Dad."
"My bet is that he has heard about us by now."
"He may well have heard about it, but it will be different hearing it from my mouth rather than from the gossip mill."
"Yeah, who knows, your boyfriend might be a barnyard animal by the time they get through with it."
"That wouldn't be too far from the truth, would it?" Brad laughed.
"Hey now!" Mark laughed.
The two wrestled around in bed a few minutes and then got up to start the day with a long shower together, exploring each other's all to familiar bodies. They got ready for the day and began to pack.
Just then, Mark thought, "What about your dad, we forgot to wake him up."
"Uh oh, let me go check on him."
Brad ran from their bedroom to the spare one. The door stood open, and Brad ran back to their room, shouting, "He is gone!"
Mark came out of the room and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Brad asked.
"Turn around."
Brad spun around to see his dad standing behind him with two plates of eggs, bacon and grits with red gravy on them.
They all just started laughing.
"So what did you think happened to me?" Mr. Jones asked.
"I don't know, I guess Uncle Robert just got me thinking about the worst."
"Uncle Robert?"
"Oh, yeah, he called earlier. He was looking for you because he was concerned you were dead or something."
"Oh. I guess I should have told him where I was going. It really isn't fair for him to worry like that."
"That's ok. I told him I talked to you late last night and you were fine. Then I changed the subject before he thought about that too much."
"Well, thanks for dealing with it."
"No problem. I also set up an appointment for us to meet him this afternoon at 5. Do you think that is ok?"
"That sounds fine with me. I can do anything you want me to, but right now, you two have grits and eggs waiting on you."
As they sat down at the table to eat, Brad asked, "What is this red stuff on the grits?"
"You have never had that before?" his dad asked.
"No."
"Try it."
"Its good!" Brad said as soon as he had swallowed the first mouthful.
"It is tomato gravy."
"What?"
"Tomato gravy, its real easy to make. You just break up some bacon and add a little milk and flour with some cut up tomatoes and stir it on low heat until it thickens up. Some people add a pinch of sugar to it, but I just make it that way."
"However you did it is great," Mark replied enthusiastically as he inhaled his breakfast.
"That was great, Dad!"
"Thanks."
"We have to get moving though. We have to get packed up, and I would like to clean this place a little bit before we go. I don't want to come back to something like we did before."
"Yeah, that was kinda bad," Brad said.
"Well, what can I do to help?"
"You don't really need to do anything. You are the guest. We just have to pack and clean up."
"Well, let me do something."
"Nah, don't worry about it. Just relax and enjoy yourself and we will be ready in a little while."
Mark and Brad went back into their room and shut the door while they packed and cleaned like madmen. When they were done, they looked around the room and Brad said, "It looks pretty good, old man."
"Yeah, now we just have to tackle the rest of the house and we will be done."
"Great."
Brad leaned over to Mark and kissed him passionately. They fell onto the bed together.
"I love you," Brad said as he came up for air.
"I just realized something, Brad."
"What's that?"
"We won't be able to do this freely for a week."
"I know. I am going to miss you."
"Me too, but you are worth it," Mark said.
"You are more than worth it, but I respect and love your parents too much to cheat by doing anything while we are at their house."
"I understand. I think that is probably best, even though I want to eat you up every day."
"I love you, Mark."
"I love you too."
The two lovers got up and went into their living area to find that while they were busy with their room, Brad's father had cleaned their kitchen and living room. He also had the sheets he had slept on in the dryer.
"Maybe we don't need to let him go home."
"Yeah, we do need a maid around here," Mark said, grinning.
"Thanks, Dad, but you know you didn't have to do all this."
"I know, but I wanted to."
After attending to a few things in the apartment and loading vehicles, the three were on their way home. Brad and Mark were in the lead in Mark's truck, and Mr. Jones was bringing up the rear in his Buick. It didn't take them long to reach Mark's house. As they pulled into the driveway, Brad's father pulled in beside them.
"I am going to go back to my place. Brad, do you want me to come and get you before we go to your uncle's?"
"Brad, why don't you just take my truck and go get your dad. There is no need for him to drive all the way back out here."
"You aren't going with us?" Brad asked nervously.
"Brad, while I would love to be by your side, this is something you and your dad have to do alone."
"He is right, son. I would love to have him there too, but I don't think it would be fair to your uncle to have so many people there."
"I guess not. Well, if you are ok with that, Mark, I guess that is ok. The only thing is that I don't want to strand you out here."
"I won't be. Rick will be around and so will Mom and Dad. I will use one of their cars if I need to go somewhere."
"Okay then. Dad, does that sound ok to you?"
"That is fine."
As his father drove off, Brad and Mark lugged their things into the house. They both went into Mark's room, and Brad began to cry. "Mark, I am so scared. I don't know if I can do this without you."
"Brad, you are strong. You can do this, and you will have your dad at your side."
"Yes, and my dad might not have a place to live after this either."
"Brad, don't worry about it. No matter what happens in life, you will have me here for you."
"I love you so much. Don't ever let me go."
"You know I won't."
Just then Mark leaned in to kiss Brad, but he turned his head, and said, "No, remember our talk this morning?"
"Yeah, but they don't mind kissing."
"I love you, but unless they tell me otherwise, I am not going to while we are here."
"Its going to be a long week," Mark said.
"We will get through it."
"I know, but it doesn't mean I am going to like it."
After goofing off at Mark's house most of the afternoon, Brad finally decided it was time to go get his father.
I hope you guys enjoyed this part. I am sorry it was so slow in coming and I appreciate the patience and continued support of the story. Life has been really wild for me these days. Please continue the emails because you just don't know how much they mean to an author. Stay tuned for the next part which I hope will be a little quicker in getting here. In it there will be more drama from Brad's family and we also see how a small south Georgia town treats its two gay citizens.