This is a work of fiction. It is straight out of my imagination, except for most of the pagan practices mentioned. This is written for adults and if you are not supposed to read this where you live, then please don't.
IGNORANCE DISCLAIMER: I don't know a thing about football. I mention football in this chapter, and I just don't want people emailing me telling me that I said something wrong. I have two football experts, but one is dead and the other is out of town. If there is something wrong, just laugh at me and keep reading.
Part 7
The better part of the month passed and it was coming up on Thanksgiving. Mom was happy to hear I was bringing Ryan. She promised that Dad would behave, but I wasn't counting on it. I was going for Mom and that is the only reason. I was happy that Ryan was coming along for support. The only thing that worried me was that we were going to be together for so much time. I was still battling my crush on him, even though I was pretty sure he wasn't gay. I couldn't fight the warm feelings I had for him. Hopefully I could hide them.
We packed our clothes on Wednesday night and got to bed early. The drive was around four and a half hours to Orlando, but I was planning on moving a bit faster. We were going to leave at eight in the morning. I tossed and turned thinking about seeing my parents the next day. I finally fell asleep when I thought of Ryan being with me.
We were awake, showered, dressed and eating breakfast by seven-thirty. We packed the Cruiser and were on our way. I had made sure to pack a cooler with drinks and snacks. An army travels on its stomach and apparently so do witches. We discussed the craft as we traveled. I quizzed him on the pantheons and on casting circles. We went over the basics on cleansing and charging. I drove for an hour and then found a restroom. We both stretched and relieved ourselves. Ryan offered to drive and I happily accepted.
We quietly traveled down interstate ninety-five. I watched the scenery pass until I felt Ryan look at me. I turned my head and caught his eyes. He smiled and looked back to the road. He drove for a bit more before he finally asked the question I had been dreading.
"How did you know you were gay?" I nearly flinched at the words but I was prepared. I had answered this question several times and had a standard response.
"I figured it out in college. I knew there was something different about me, but I figured it was just the magick. I always knew I was special in that way, but I never thought I was also gay. I had lots of friends, and I even dated a little in high school. I didn't realize I was actually gay until I started studying graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design." Ryan sat quietly listening. He seemed interested, so I continued.
"I was dating this really interesting girl. She was a witch, and I was just starting to study. It was still a few years before I met Marina. Cecilia was beautiful and quite powerful. She mastered glamour spells very quickly and used them to her full advantage. We dated for about a month, and she took my virginity." Ryan suppressed a giggle and tried to hide his smile.
"I started realizing that I was not happy with her. I loved her very much, but not in a romantic way. I got to where I had a hard time kissing her." I looked down at the floor board as the memories started flooding back. "I finally figured it all out and I broke it off." Ryan frowned politely and gave me a thoughtful look.
"So how did she take it? I mean, did you tell her you were gay," he asked.
"Oh, I told her. I actually thought it would make it easier on her. I don't know why I thought that because I was very wrong. She flew into a horrible rage. She attacked me physically and then she tried to curse me." Ryan looked up with a startled face.
"She could do that," he asked looking a bit upset.
"Oh, Cecilia could do anything she wanted to, or at least she could try. I fended it off rather well, with a little help." I looked off into the distance remembering that horrible time in my life. "I never saw her again." We sat in silence for a while, until Ryan suggested a little music. We turned on the radio and found a top forty station.
He drove for over two hours, as I acted as navigator. We stopped again and I got back in the drivers seat. We didn't stop again until we got to my Mom's condo.
Mom greeted us warmly. I didn't see Dad and figured he was off watching football. I gave her the cake I had baked for the meal. I introduced her to Ryan. She gave me a strange look that I couldn't quite read, but thought was familiar. We moved into the living room and sat down.
Their condo was quite big. That was one thing Mom insisted on. She had lived in a big house all her life and didn't want to move into a cracker box. We looked for a while until we found a three bedroom condo with a large living room and formal dining room. The kitchen rivaled the one I put into my house. They made the largest bedroom into a den for Dad to watch TV and work on his model boats. Mom made the other spare bedroom into a computer room. She was rather a savvy online trader. They made the last bedroom into their own bedroom. It was small, but all they wanted in there was a bed and some bedside tables with lamps.
Mom said that there was a pullout sofa in the den, and another in the living room. She said it would be great if we stayed the night there. I had planned on us getting a room, but she insisted and Ryan was not bothered. I stowed our gear in the computer room and found Dad in the den.
"Hi Dad," I said, trying to start out cheerfully. He looked up and grunted a hello. I stood at the door with my hands in my pockets. Ryan walked up behind me and touched my back. I turned and smiled. I grabbed him and pulled him into the room. "Dad this is my friend Ryan Summerbreeze." Dad looked up and grunted again.
"Nice to meet you Mr., um," Ryan looked at me, and I realized the problem. He knew that my name was changed to my working name, the same as his had been.
"Smithwick," I whispered.
"Yes, nice to meet you Mr. Smithwick." Ryan stepped forward and held out his hand. Dad looked a bit annoyed, looked at the TV and sighed heavily. He pulled himself from the chair and reluctantly shook Ryan's hand.
"So is he your boyfriend or something," Dad asked with a sour note.
"No, he is my student," I answered.
"Art school, or something," Dad asked.
"Um, no, he is an, um, religion student, I suppose," I wasn't sure how to answer.
"Oh," his face fell, and he returned to his chair with a flop. "Whatever," he said as he turned up the TV.
"Why you old...," I started, but Ryan stopped me.
"So, who's playing, sir," Ryan asked as he took a few tentative steps towards Dad. Dad looked up and appraised the man before him.
"Cowboys and the Redskins," he answered.
"Really? I am a Cowboys fan. What's the score?"
"23 to 27," Dad looked from Ryan to me and back. "Have a seat, they are just getting back from a timeout." Ryan eagerly took a seat on the sofa and stared at the TV. The two of them sat in silence and I backed out of the room. I went to find Mom cooking in the kitchen.
"So, where did you find him, he is cute," Mom asked over a bowl of potatoes.
"Don't start. He is a student, and that is all. You remember how I went to live with Marina for a year."
"Yeah, but he is such a nice boy. Kinda young though." Mom smiled wistfully as she continued her work. I looked around for a something to talk about. My mind was blank except for Ryan, so I hoped there was something lying around to distract us. There was a piece of paper lying on the counter, and I picked it up. It was a flyer for a nearby bar.
"You and Dad go out much?" Mom just looked up and smiled.
"You think this old couple heads out to the clubs on a Saturday night?" She looked to see if anyone was around. "Actually, me and a few girlfriends go to the male reviews once in a while. We try to go to a club when we can. Something to get us out of the building. Your dad has his things. He builds his models and stuff. He was never a party animal. I am, and I can finally go out and have a good time again. This was about the best thing we could do. You know, moving down here. There was little in Savannah for a person my age to do, other than card parties and garden clubs. I like to go out and boogie." I laughed at that. She smiled and blushed a little. "It is really set up for older gals like myself down here. They call it heaven's waiting room." She laughed this time and I sighed.
"That is a sad thought, Mom."
"Honey, I am not dying any time soon. Your grandmother lived to be eighty, and your grandfather was eighty-two. I am fit as a fiddle."
"I know, but I am allowed to worry about you." She laughed and reached over and pinched my cheek.
"Hey, when you come visit, I will take you to the drag review at a club I've visited. You would be surprised how many old ladies I've seen squeezed in between the twinks and bears, trying to get a queen's autograph."
"That sounds like fun," she said, and turned to the sink to wash the potatoes.
(To be continued)
The next chapter will be submitted soon.
I welcome comments, twinkchaser@excite.com