The following story was originally written for a german website and later printed in my first book "Der Neuanfang". After I translated my story "Never saw a miracle" into english and getting lots of good feedback, I decided to translate this story, too. Some readers wrote me that I don't have to apologize for my English -- so I won't anymore g.
The story is set in Germany, so of course there are a few things unfamiliar to people from other countries. As example temperatures are given in degrees centigrade: 0 C are 32 F, minus 5 C are 23 F and so on. If there are any things you don't understand, please feel free to ask me about it. I love getting emails anyway, and I'd like to say my thankyous to all of you who already wrote me.
There are two other stories of mine published here on niftys:
"Never saw a miracle" in the gay/highschool section
and
"Different" in the gay/no-sex section
If someone is interested in reading the original german story, it's here:
http://www.nickstories.de
Look for "Peter's Stories". And if some is interested in buying my books (in german language, of course): they can be bought directly from me, even with my signature which will be worth millions when I'm a Nobel prize winner someday -- lol...
I'm sorry for the delay, but the holidays are over and I'm back to work, so I haven't that much time for the translation anymore.
But now let's the play begin...
--*
A new beginning -- Part 14
Copyright 2001-2006 by Peter Conrad, Peter_Co@web.de
Friday. Finally. If I ever met a good fairy, giving me my three wishes, one of them would be to turn over the design of the week. I mean, two days for school and five days weekend sounds much better, doesn't it?
The night from thursday to friday wasn't a very restful one, neither for me or for Tim, so it took as a while to wake up enough to at least be able to go to school. There we went our own wayes, and when we met each other during the day I noticed, that everywhere where Tim was, Veronika wasn't far away. Only friends for now? Sure. And tomorrow I'll start to believe in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy again.
And I? Who was always around me? Philipp! But ... not Philipp alone. There were always other folks around us, I had no chance to speak with him alone. Well, maybe I just was to big a coward to create such a chance.
When school let out we stopped at the gate. Thomas looked at us.
"Have you something planned for the rest of the day?"
"I'll go to the cinema with Kevy, I promised him to see with him the new disney movie. You want to join us?"
Even though I would have loved to do something together with Flip, the idea of spending hours with a bunch of little kids at the movies scared me. And I still had a lot of homework to do from the day before.
"Sorry, I'm busy. Thomas?"
"I don't know, my youngest sister wants to see this movie, too. What time does it start?"
"At 4pm. I'll pick up Kevy from kindergarten and go with him to the cinema from there."
"When will you leave your house?"
"Arround 3pm."
"Okay, give me your number. I'll call you in time if we join you."
"Okay, would be nice to have someone my age with me and not only those little monsters."
Philipp gave Thomas a card with his adress and phone number on it.
"Danny, you want Flips number, too?"
Again Thomas was playing with my love life. Philipp was looking at me expectantly.
"Thanks, but I already have it."
"What? How did you get it? I didn't give it to you yet, did I?"
"Your sister gave it to my brother, and so I know it also."
"Looks kinda serious with those two, doesn't it?"
Our younger siblings had an hour less than we had and already were at home.
"Yes, I think so. Even though Tim said yesterday that they were just friends. For now."
We congratulated each other for our match making success, then we separated and went home. Because Thomas had almost the same way as I we walked together. After a few steps in silence came the much dreaded question.
"Now tell me what happened with your aunt yesterday. You sounded very mysterious at the phone."
I sighed. Again I had to tell the things I'd rather forget. I told Thomas everything. Well, almost everything. I didn't tell him about the kiss Tim and I had shared. Don't know why, usually we didn't have any secrets.
My best friend was very surprised about aunt Helgas freaking out, and very sympathetic to me. When it was time to separate our ways I promised to call him on saturday, then we walked our own ways.
At home I almost collided with Tim, who was just leaving the house to go ice skating. With Veronika!
"Dad knows where I go. He's just out for a customer and will be back around 6pm. And Maria called, she'll visit Vronis mother this afternoon. And I'm off now!"
"Okay, hurry, don't let your little girlfriend wait for you."
Tim grinned and showed me the finger, then I was alone. After eating a bit and answering a few emails I started with the homework. Chemistry. I just hate it. I totally forgot the time and was broken out of my concentrated working by the door bell. I looked at my watch: 4.45pm. I ran downstairs, taking two steps at once (he, maybe it was a money courier!) and opened the door. What I found there was even better than a money courier!
"Hi Flip! What are you doing here? Come in!"
Shouldn't he be at the movies with Kevy?
"Kevin, come here! MOVE!"
Ah yes, at least on question answered. The little guy followed his big brother into our house. I didn't know what to think about the situation, so I closed the door and took my guests jackets, then I showed them to my room. Kevin jumped at my computer, luckily I had switched off the revealing screen safer.
"A computer! Can I play?"
I looked at Philipp, who looked back at me with both anger and dread in his face. He still didn't talk, maybe he didn't want to speak infront of his brother. I shrugged my shoulders and started a game for Kevin. At this time I noticed something.
"Shit, the little runt is totally wet! What did he do?"
"He romped through the snow on our way here. Is it really that bad?"
"Yes. And I don't have dry clothes his size."
"Damned. If he catches a cold I'll be in trouble. It was a stupid idea to come here, I guess we better go home."
"That would be a stupid idea, too. Going out into the cold again in this wet clothes."
"And what could we do about it?"
Even though he was worried about his little brother, there was something in his voice which made me shiver. I didn't like this sound! There was something totally wrong. But first things first.
"We'll put him in the hot tub, and while he is in there we'll put his clothes in the dryer."
"Okay, thanks."
"No problem. Come on, you have to help me in the bathroom."
That wasn't true of course, but it would give us the chance to talk alone. I pushed Philipp into the bathroom and closed the door behind us. Kevin was so busy playing his game that he didn't realize what happened. I started the water running and gave a little bubble bath into the tub. Then came the moment of truth.
"Now tell me what's wrong. Why aren't you at the movie with your brother?"
"As if you didn't know what's wrong! You wanted to take advantage of the fact that I'm at the cinema with Kevin. And it would have worked, if the cinema wasn't closed for technical reasons. I would have never learnd about your plot!"
Do I need to say that I was totally lost?
"Damned, don't speak in riddles! What do you mean!"
"Come on, don't play with me. I just start to come to terms with me -- by the way, you did help me with it -- and now that! Did you have to send your mother to speak with my parents about me? To question them about me? I thought you were my friend, I would have talked with you soon, I would have told you everything! That I'm gay. That I like you. And now you destroyed everything! I hate you!"
Oh holy shit! I guess everything went wrong today. That's what you get for helping people.
"Philipp, listen, there must be a big misunderstanding. Just one thing for now: I didn't send out my mom to ask your parents about you. You have to believe me! But now we have to take care of your brother first, the tub is full. Will you get him?"
"Okay."
He left me to my own musings, and I tried to sort out my thoughts. I just had to make everything okay again! Shit, this should be the happiest moment of my life! My dreamboy just told me that he likes me! Wasn't that exactly what I was hoping for? But now everything was in danger, and the next minutes would decide my fate.
The door went open again, and Philipp came in carrying his already naked little brother.
"Ready for your bath, Kevy?"
"My name is Kevin!"
Oops, I knew this record.
"Okay, okay. Are you ready for your bath, Kevin?"
"Yes!"
"Then in you go."
Carefully Flip put the cold little boy into the warm water, where he instantly started to splash around.
"Philipp, can we let him alone for a few minutes?"
"If you don't mind a flooding in your bathroom."
"It won't be that bad. Come with me. And Kevin?"
"Yes?"
"Have mercy, okay? Don't splash around to much."
"Okay!"
We left the bathroom, I grabbed Kevins wet clothes and dragged Philipp with me to the big bathroom downstairs where our dryer was. I put the clothes in, then I turned to Philipp.
"Now please tell me exactly what happend. Or what you think happened."
"Okay, you want it that way. I already told you that the cinema was closed, so we went home again. And who do we find there? In our living room, together with my parents? A Mrs. Thom. At least from what I could hear from the hall. And what did they talk about? Me. About the chance of me being gay. Just great. Why the fuck did you send your mother to my parents to ask them about me?"
"I didn't send her to ask them about you!"
"Oh? But you admit that you DID send her? And why if not for asking out my parents?"
"Okay, from the start. You know that I do karate?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now imagine my surprise when I met your mom there. I was to show her around, and then..."
"What then?"
"Then she asked me about you. You understand? SHE asked ME!"
"Why?"
"She was worried about you, and your dad was, too. She said that you have changed over the last years. And for one reason or another she had the idea that you might be gay. And because of you she knew about me being gay myself, so she thought I would be the right person to ask."
Philipp had to digest this information, I could almost see his brain working.
"And how does your mom fit into this picture?"
"Your mom asked me, how my mother reacted to my coming out. I told her about it, and then she asked me if I could talk my mom into speaking with your parents about the topic. For the case that you're really gay. And this I meant when I said that I sent her to your parents."
"Really? You didn't send her to get informations about me?"
"Flip, what kind of informations? Your parents don't know nothing! They only wanted a little help, a few hints just in case you really were gay and came out to them. And I told your mom to not confront you about it, that you'll come to them in your own time -- if there was a reason to do so."
Poor Philipp. He thought he had put two and two together, and now everything was totally different. A few minutes ago his face was red from anger, now it was white as chalk. I guess it was just to much for him. He needed a few attempts to be able to speak again.
"I made myself looking totally stupid, didn't I?"
"Well, you came to the wrong conclusion. But at least you gave me the chance to put everything together in the right order. Now I guess we should look for your brother, before he drownes the whole house."
"You're not mad at me?"
"I'm a little sad that you thought I could be so insidious."
"I'm so sorry. Everything just fit together so well. Can you forgive me?"
A question I was asked quite often.
"Depends..."
"On what?"
"If what you said at the beginning was really true."
"What?"
"That you like me..."
For one long moment Philipp stared at me piercingly.
"Danny, if I didn't like you I wouldn't have been so disappointed about your alleged break of my thrust."
"Was this a yes?"
"Of course it was, stupid!"
"Well, in this case I guess I can forgive you this time."
We looked deep into each others eyes, and then...
"My god, will you kiss and make up at last? Or have I to stand here and watch you much longer?"
Flip and I almost jumped away from each other, and what little romance which was in the air a second earlier was gone for good now.
"Tim! What are you doing here? And how long did you listen in on us?"
"Long enough to see that you both are soooooo in love with each other. So you better make it work! And what am I doing here? Well, it's 5.30pm! What did you think how long Vroni and I would be on the ice?"
Oops, he was right, the clock was racing at top speed.
"By the way, Philipp, your sister is upstairs. She was a little surprised to find her little brother in the hot tub when we followed all those splashing noises."
"Oh shit, we totally forgot about him!"
"He seemed to have fun. But I'm afraid you'll have to answer a lot of questions from Vroni. And I'd like to know what happened here, too."
I guess it was really time to go up again, but Kevins clothes still weren't dry.
"Let's go, I'll give Kevin a bathrobe or something else."
We went to the stairs, and on the way I had another important question.
"Flip, does your sister know that you're gay?"
"Yes, she's the only one who knows."
He giggled.
"Well, not anymore, I guess. But Kevin doesn't know."
"So no smooching in front of him!"
Ah yes. Now Tim suddenly played big brother. We didn't have time to discuss this any further because we were already at the door to our room. We went in and discovered Veronika, who just came out of the bathroom with little Kevin packed into a big flushy towel. Before we could even start to explain the situation to her she started a lecture we would never forget. About being irresponsible and so on.
"Typical boys! You talk and talk and totally forget the little kid sitting in the water all alone! Imagine what could have happened!"
She went on and on, and finally Philipp used a short break in her monologue to stop her.
"It's enough, Veronika! Okay, maybe we let him alone for a little to long, but at home he's taking his baths alone, too!"
This calmed her down -- but only a bit.
"Yes, at home! But he isn't at home, and this house is totally new and unfamiliar to him!"
"Okay, okay, it won't happen again. And nothing bad happened to him."
"Yes, you should be really happy. And what about his clothes?"
"They're still in the dryer, it will take another 20 minutes till they're dry."
"Why are his clothes wet? Forget it. Do you have anything for him to wear? Hurry up!"
God what a dictator. I looked into my closet, but of course there were only things my size. At last I took a warm fleece shirt and gave it to Veronika.
"Will that do?"
She looked at the shirt, nodded and pulled it over Kevins head. Of course it was much to big for him, making him look like in a long dress, but at least he was warm for now. Now as Kevin was taken care of, Veronika started again.
"Philipp, what are you and Kevin doing here anyway?"
"That's a long story which started with the cinema being closed. The rest I'll tell you later when we're alone, okay?"
She looked first at Flip, then at me, noticed our embarrassed smiles, looked back at Flip, and finally she started to smile also.
"Oh, I understand. Okay. But believe me, you'll tell me EVERYTHING!"
I guess she was at least as competent playing spanish inquisition as my mom. Must be in the female genes. But now I had a question.
"Flip, how did you know where I live?"
Now he was the one with the amused smile.
"Some girl by the name of Veronika asked me today if I knew where the Bahrunstreet is, and when I asked her why she wanted to know, she rambled that some Tim would live there. Danny? Do you know by chance a boy named Tim who lives in the Bahrunstreet?"
Now it were Veronika and Tim looking embarrassed. And it got worse for them! Kevin, who until now was quiet, started a loud singsang."
"Vroni loves Tim! Vroni loves Tim! Vroni loves..."
"It's enough, Kevy!"
"Kevin!"
"Okay, okay! But it's enough, Kevin!"
I grinned. The little rascal had hit on target! I thought about teasing them a little more, but looking at the complicated family relations it wasn't such a good idea. At the same moment we heard the house door being opened, and shortly later my mom stepped into the room.
"Oops? What's happening here? And who are you all?"
"I'm Kevin!"
"I see! And who IS Kevin?"
"Mom, these are Veronika, Philipp and their little brother Kevin."
"Ah, the famous Veronika."
"And the famous Philipp."
After Flip said this, he looked down at his feet, nervously stepping from one on the other. My mom looked at him, then at me, I nodded slightly and she understood that something big must have happened.
"Tim, would you please take Veronika and Kevin to the living room?"
My brother shrugged his shoulders, Flips sister did the same, and they left the room, closing the door behind them. I called after them.
"Tim, Kevins clothes should be dry by now, look into the dryer."
Then we were alone with my mom.
"Now you two... I would have expected anything, but not finding you here, Philipp. Now tell me what happened."
She sat down on my computer chair, Flip and I on my bed. We looked at each other, then he started to tell the story of this afternoon.
"It started with the cinema being closed for technical reasons..."
So the story unfolded before my mom. When Flip came to the point where he became an unwanted and unintentional witness of the palaver my mom had with his parents it was time for my mother becoming pale.
"What a mess! I don't believe it! How much did you hear?"
"Enough. At least I thought so. Just after I stepped into every reachable fat bowl with Danny I realized that in fact I didn't hear enough."
"I guess that's why half of the Stein family is now in our house. But go on."
Flip continued the story, the next break came when he with a very red face told how he scolded me down for all the bad things I had done to him. My mom found that really funny -- I didn't.
"Ha, and I guess my poor son was standing there like a wet poodle."
"Mom, that wasn't funny! One moment I was totally lost in the wonderful world of my chemics homework, the next one I'm in the middle of shakespearean drama!"
Philipp jumped from the bed and fell down on his knees in front of me.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry! How many times do I need to apologize to you?"
"Okay, it's already forgiven. Come up again."
Moments later he was again on the bed beside me. This time much closer. And of course mom noticed it.
"Now why do I have the feeling that there's still one important point missing? Do you have something to tell me?"
Did she suspect anything? Yes, I guess she did. Until know Philipp hadn't talked about the things which where the most important, at least to me. About him being gay and liking me. But was he ready yet to talk about it? I guess it was better if I hold back, giving him the chance to tell it on his own terms and in his own time. The fat bowls Flip stepped in a while ago where still standing around in my room, waiting for their next victim.
"Ah ... Mrs. Thom ... I ..."
"Wait! Philipp, for you goes the same as for Danny. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want it. I'll forget my curiosity for now."
Philipp stared at my mom, thinking deeply, then I guess he came to a decision.
"My parents think that I'm gay?"
"Well, at least they think it's a possible explanation for your behaviour over the last months and years."
Flip sighed.
"It's right. I'm gay."
"Thank you, Philipp."
"Huh? Thank you? Why do you thank me?"
"For trusting me with your secret."
"I guess it wasn't that a big secret anymore, was it?"
"But still it took you courage to say it aloud."
"You're right. And... Mrs. Thom?"
"Yes?"
"I didn't hear much from your talk with my parents, can you tell me what I have to expect from them if I came out?"
"Oh dear, I'm sure you don't have to worry about it! We talked for quite a while, and your parents where very nice and interested in the things I had to say. If you come out to them -- and I guess you ask because you want to do so -- they will need a little time to get used to having a gay son, but they'll still love you just the same as before."
"You really think that my parents will be okay with it? Honestly?"
"Yes, Philipp. They love you very much and care about you, if they didn't they wouldn't even asked for talking with me."
A very relieved Philipp sank into the bed beside me. Okay, he wasn't the only one being relieved, I was it also. Having to fight against my potential parents-in-law wouldn't be my idea of a harmonic relationship. If Flip even wanted to have a relationship with me!
"There ... there is something else, Mrs. Thom. Something I didn't even tell Danny yet."
Now I was anxious to hear what came next!
"Danny, I told you that I like you."
Yes?
"That wasn't exactly the truth... I ... I've ... I've fallen in love with you! Now you know it!"
Oh my god! Yes, now I knew it! And even though this was exactly what I wanted to hear, even though I should have thrown myself at him -- I did nothing! I wasn't able to even speak one single word, let alone moving one single bone in my body. I was just sitting around totally dazed, staring at Philipp with my eyes wide open. I don't know how long I was frozen that way, but it was my mom who broke me out of my reverie.
"Danny. Danny! Daniel Thom! Wake up! I think Philipp would like get an answer from you!"
"What ... how ... oh! Yes! Flip, are you serious? Really?"
"Totally, one hundert percent."
Luckily this answer didn't threw me back into my frozen state, so I this time was able to give him an appropriate reaction.
"Flip, I fell in love with you, too. On the very first day, at the very first time I noticed you."
At the very next moment we were in each others arms and every bit of strain fell off from us. This was it. This was what I always dreamt about. How often did I hope for it -- and how often was I disappointed. And all this time of searching, dreaming and hoping seemed to be over now!
"Does this mean that we're together now, Flip?"
"Yes. If you want me..."
"You idiot, of course I want you! You and no one else!"
"Boys, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I'm afraid it's time to join the others. Kevin has to be home soon, doesn't he?"
Mom was right, of course. But there was one thing left to be settled before we went down.
"Philipp, should we tell it someone?"
I know, how unromantic and rational, but it was necessary, we had to face the reality.
"That we're together now?"
"Yes. I leave the decision to you."
"I ... I guess... Tim already knows, and I have no secrets with Veronika. So I guess we can tell them."
"And what about your little brother? He's to young to understand it, but he could tell it to your parents."
"You're right, Kevy wouldn't understand it, there's no sense in telling him. If he ask about us, we'll see. And about my parents ... I think I'll tell them. Today."
"Are you sure? That's a really big step!"
"I know. But I just have to do it, I don't want to hide anymore. And your mother brought good news about mom and dad."
"Okay, if you really want to do. You want me to come with you?"
Philipp thought for a moment.
"No, I can do it alone. But thanks."
"Good. But you call me when you're done! I want to hear how it went."
"I promise. But I guess we should really go to the others now."
We went downstairs where the others were already waiting for us. Kevin was wearing his own clothes again, and his sister was holding the warm jackets.
"There you are. Philipp, we have to go home or our parents will worry."
"Okay, I'm ready to go."
While Philipp put on his shoes and jacket we only had eyes for each other, and I had the feeling, that it would be extremely hard for us to hide our relationship from the world. The questioning looks from his sister confirmed my suspicions.
The three Stone children said their goodbyes and started their way home. For a while I looked after them, then I went back into the house. In the kitchen both mom and Tim were smiling at me.
"Congratulations!"
In stereo! But I guess the gratulations were justified.
"Thank you, thank you. Please no jealousy."
"Why should we be jealous? Tim has his Veronika and I have Reinhardt. Now everyone is taken care of, isn't it great?"
Mom was right.
"I mean, everyone IS taken care of, isn't it? I already know about Danny and Philipp being a couple, but what's with you, Tim? It's serious with Veronika too, isn't it?"
My little brothers face reddened, then he gave a nod.
"Wonderful! I think it's time to celebrate with a bottle of champagne!"
Huh? I guess mom was really very happy, she seldom asked for such celebrations.
"And what about YOUR loved one? Shouldn't we wait for Reinhardt?"
"Don't worry, he'll be here as soon as the bottle is open. But ... I totally forgot to ask you... Tim, he already suspects about you having a girlfriend. But Danny, do you want to tell him that you're taken now, too? He'll be happy for you."
I didn't need to think long about it.
"Yes, I'll tell him."
"Great! Danny, will you get the glasses please?"
"Sure."
We went into the living room and I got the best champagne glasses we had. Shortly later mom showed up with the open bottle, and just when she filled the first glass we heard Reinhardt coming into the house.
"I'm back!"
"Get out of your clothes and come to the living room, we have something to celebrate!"
While Reinhardt took of his coat mom filled the other glasses, and when she was done my step dad came into the room.
"Champagne? On friday? Did I miss a birthday or something?"
We let mom give him the good news.
"Reinhardt, our oldest is in love."
Tims dad looked at me.
"Successful or hopeless?"
Before I could even answer he continued.
"I see, with this beaming face it has to be successful. And who's the lucky one?"
"Philipp."
Reinhardt frowned a bit.
"Philipp? I've heard this name already, but where... But wait! Isn't that the boy whose parents you went to meet today, Maria?"
"Exactly. There were a few stupid misunderstandings today, but in the end everything went well."
"Well, in this case: congratulations!"
"Thank you."
Reinhardt started to raise his glass, but mom stopped him.
"Wait, that's only half of the story!"
"What? There's more to celebrate? On one day?"
"You still remember what we talked about yesterday? Well, we were right. Our little one isn't single anymore, too."
"What? You're together with this Veronika?"
Of course Reinhardt wasn't as surprised about this news like he was about mine, but still he was smiling happily."
"Yes, dad."
"Now this are really great news today. Congratulations to you too, Tim!"
"Thanks, dad!"
I had watched Reinhardt closely, I wanted to see his reaction to the confirmation that his beloved son really was straight. I expected at least a little bit of relief, I mean, accepting a gay step son was one thing -- a gay biological son was something completely different. But no. The only thing I discovered on Reinhardts face was true, open joy, and when he turned back to me I noticed that this joy wasn't only directed at Tim but at me also! This was really a day to celebrate!
"Can we drink the champagne now or do you have more such news?"
"No, Reinhardt, that's all for now. And it's enough for one day, isn't it?"
We all hard to agree, so we clinked our glasses and drank champagne. Then we sat down, and everybody told the others about the things they hadn't experienced themselfs. Of course this took a while, and slowly I became restless. How was it going with Flips coming out? Did he tell his parents already? How did they react? After a while the others noticed my nervousness.
"What's wrong, Danny?"
"Why doesn't Philipp call? He promised to tell me how it want at home."
"Don't worry, Danny. Everything will be fine. But it takes it's time."
"You really think so, mom?"
"Sure. Just wait, he'll call you later. And meanwhile we'll have dinner."
This was a good idea. My head was throbbing from the events of the day, but now this throbbing was drowned out by my grumbling stomach. We went to the kitchen and prepared dinner.
"By the way, I called Ludwig this morning. It wasn't easy to get his phone number, but I found it finally."
Ludwig, Ludwig... What Ludwig? I searched my memory, but still, I didn't find anything. Tim and Reinhardt were as much in the dark as I was.
"Uncle Ludwig. Helgas ex husband."
Oh. Yes. THIS Ludwig. The rich guy who was married with Helga for a few months.
"I asked him if he knew a reason why Helga freaked out this way."
"And?"
"At first he was quite dismissive, but I realized that he must knew something, so I grilled him more. Finally he gave in. Danny, do you know why he and Helga divorced?"
"Didn't he cheat on her or something?"
"Exactly. She caught him in the act. And now listen: with a man!"
Three jaws hit the table.
"Yes, Ludwig is bisexual and had a lover for a long time. He only married Helga for social reasons."
This explained much, if not everything. She made a very bad experience with "one of us". I now could understand her shock, but still, this was no reason to treat me, her own nephew, this way. Or mom. That I was sure I would never forgive her. And I didn't think that she would ever change. The topic "Aunt Helga" was over for me once and forever.
I didn't say anything to the news, to be honest I only wanted to forget everything about it. At this moment the phone rang, and with my sprint to the phone I broke all existing world records for short track racing.
"Flip?!?"
"Ah, yes. Danny?"
"Yes!"
"You have a funny way to answer the phone."
Now as he said so...
"Sorry, I was waiting for your call for hours!"
"Hehe, sorry that it took me so long, but I had a long talk with my parents."
"And? How did it go?"
"Aren't you the impatient one? Could it be that you were even more nervous than I was?"
"Could be. And if you don't start telling me now at once, I'll crawl through the phone line and tickle it out of you!"
"That sounds more like a promise than a threat, but okay. Everything went great. My parents took it quite well. They were a bit shocked that I came out to them so soon, but I guess my being gay wasn't a big shock to them anymore."
A big rock fell from my heart. The first part of Flips confession went well.
"They'll need a little time to get used to it, but they said that the most important thing was that I'm happy."
"That's great! I'm so happy for you!"
"Haha, talk about being happy. My knees were totally shaking. But your mom did good work with my parents, would you please say thank you to her? Both from me and my parents?"
"Sure, she'll be happy to hear that everything went well."
"Thanks. Well, and then I told my parents that you're my boyfriend now."
"And? How did they react? Come on, don't keep me hanging!"
"How they did react? Well, I'm not allowed to ever see you again, I have to change school, and if you ever again come near me they'll sue you for seducing a minor."
"WHAT????"
"Just kidding, relax."
"You're playing with my life, Flip! An old man like I could die of a heart attack!"
"Old man, oh yes. I guess I have to think about being your boyfriend again. If a little joke already has you on the edge of a heart attack I don't know how you could survive a relationship with me."
"Oh no, I'm not THAT old!"
"I hope so. Not that in the end I'm the one being sued. For seduction of a senior citizen."
"Okay, okay. But now tell me: how did your parents react?"
"Well, my mom seems to really like you, I guess you impressed her at the dojo. She said I found myself a good boyfriend. And my dad trusts her judgement. Alltogether they trust ME and won't interfer with my life. But..."
Ohoh. There was a "but".
"But what?"
"I had to survive a lesson on safer sex."
Haha, that sounded quite familiar to me.
"You're not the only one, Flip. But, to be honest, I'm in no hurry. I don't think I'm ready for sex yet."
"It's the same for me, and I'm glad that we're on the same wavelength."
"I'm just so happy to have you, there's no reaso to rash into anything."
"Yes, that's what I think, too."
"To change the topic: do you have anything planned for tomorrow?"
"No, why? You got an idea? I'm okay with everything, as long as we do it together."
I was beaming for joy.
"I wanted to go shopping, now after christmas many things are cheaper, and I need a few things."
Really needful things in contrast to the stuff I bought when I was frustration shopping with Tim.
"Okay, good idea. Can you pick me up?"
"Sure, when?"
"Around 9, 9.30am? Or is this to late?"
"No, it's okay. We'll take the tram, it will only take us a few minutes into the city."
"Fine. Well... I guess that's it for now."
"Yes, and thanks again for calling me. See you tomorrow?"
"You can count on it!"
A few seconds of silence.
"And Danny?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too. I'm sooooo happy..."
"Me too."
Again silence.
"See you tomorrow, Flip."
"Ciao, Danny."
Even though we said goodbye I didn't manage to hang up. And because I heard no clicking noise I knew that it was the same for Philipp.
"You're still there, Flip?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll count up to three, then we hang up together, okay?"
"Okay."
"Good. One ... two ... three."
Surprisingly I really did it this time, I hung up. Carefully I layed the phone down, then I lost my self-control.
"Yippiiiieeeeeeeee!"
I guess my dance of joy would have qualified for the role of medicine man in an indian tribe. Because of my loud cry the rest of the family stormed into the room, watching my dance. When I managed to calm down a bit I looked into three grinning faces.
"Does this mean that everything went well with your Philipp?"
"It sure does!"
"Told you so, Danny."
"Yes, mom, I know. I should trust you more."
"Finally, I hope you'll really do so in the future. And what will you two do next?"
"We'll go shopping to the city center tomorrow."
"Good, you know that you still need a few things for winter break."
Did she really have to remember me? Our class would spent a whole week in a winter camp. In the mountains. To go skiing! I wanted to talk me out of it, but mom insisted that I go. Well, at least I now had Flip, and with him at my side I just might survive it.
The rest of the day went by in a happy mood, I teased Tim about his Veronika, he teased me about my Philipp, and our parents teased us both about our lovers. Shortly after 11pm Tim and I were in our beds, and not much later I was sleeping...
..*
to be continued in part 15