Chapter 28

 

        The following day, Alex moved around the house slowly, getting ready for school. He was still upset about how his father took the news and the things he heard his father say played in his head like a broken record. Once he was ready, Alex left the house to go to school.

        Alex pulled into the parking lot of the school and parked in the usual space. After getting his backpack out of the backseat, he climbed out of the car and walked towards the building that stood before him. He headed down the Junior hall and towards his locker, completely ignoring all the jeers and snickers that were thrown in his direction. None of them made him snap out of the thoughts of everything that happened the previous night.

        Once he was finished getting his things for the first few periods, Sean had walked over. They greeted each other before starting to walk around the hall. Alex didn't bother saying anything, his mind elsewhere at the moment. A slightly saddened look was on his face and Sean took note of it.

        “Something wrong?” the dark-haired boy asked.

        “I came out to my parents last night,” Alex told him.

        “Didn't go well?”

        “Not really. My mom's okay with it I guess, but my father doesn't seem to be. I think he might hate me now.”

        “That sucks. He hasn't really done anything to you because of it though, has he?”

        “No. I overheard him and my mom talking about it last night. By the way he was talking about it made it sound like he hated me because of it though.”

        The two reached the stair room and walked in before slowly going down the stairs.

        “Maybe. He hasn't done anything though. You should probably at least be happy with that, right? And who knows? Maybe he doesn't really hate you?”

        “You might be right. I guess I'll just have to wait until later to find out.”

        “Yeah.”

        Alex smiled a little as he looked over at Sean.

        “Thanks,” he said.

        “No problem,” Sean replied, smiling back.

        The two were down at the bottom of the stairs now and just a few feet from the door. They stopped in their tracks and turned to face one another. Sean wrapped his arms around Alex, who smiled a little more as he hugged the boy back. He felt a little better about everything that happened last night. Maybe Sean was right? Maybe his father didn't really hate him? Perhaps he was just thinking things?

        The bell rang a few minutes later. They relinquished each other and said their good-byes before going their separate ways..

 

        The rest of the school day went by at a steady pace for Alex. When school was finished, he headed home with Sean. After dropping the Sophomore boy off at his house, he drove home. When the car coasted to a stop in his driveway, he got out and entered the house. He gave his mom the usual greeting before heading up to his room.

        Alex remained up there until it was time for dinner. When his mother called him down, he climbed down the carpeted stairs and walked into the dining room. After taking a seat, he started to put food on his plate.

        Throughout the entire dinner, Alex's father didn't speak once to him. It bothered Alex a little bit, partly because it made it harder to tell whether or not his father hated him. Every several seconds, Alex would glance towards his father, trying to read any possible signs that would give him his answer. By the time dinner was over though, Alex became disappointed when the answer never came.

        After washing the dishes, Alex headed up to his room where he would remain for the rest of the day. He didn't want to go back downstairs. Alex became a little more upset as he laid on his bed and thought a little. It must be true; his father really did hate him. That was probably why his father didn't say a single word to him during dinner. He usually always did, but tonight was different. That had to be a sign.

        The time for their usual show to come on soon neared. Alex didn't bother getting up from the bed to go downstairs and watch television. What was the point? His father probably wouldn't be down there again, which would destroy the purpose of spending time together as a family. Even if his father wasn't there, Alex knew he would feel uncomfortable trying to sit in the same room as his dad when he knew his father's feelings towards him.

        A couple minutes later, there was a light knock at the door. Alex turned his head to look towards the door to see it slowly open. His father stood there and looked towards Alex for a moment before slowly walking over to the bed within a few strides.

        “Hey,” his father greeted him a little quietly.

        “Hi,” Alex said.

        “Mind if I sit down?” his father asked as he motioned towards the edge of the bed with a hand.

        Alex shook his head before slowly sitting up on the bed. His father took a seat at the edge of it and looked towards Alex, who looked at him with a questioning and hopeful look on his face.

        “I wanted to apologize for how I acted yesterday,” his father began after a couple seconds of silence. “I was just a little surprised about what you told us yesterday and I guess I didn't act as appropriately as I should've. And I just wanted to let you know that I don't care whether you are gay or not. You are my son and I will support your decisions, no matter what they might be.”

        A small smile curved onto Alex's lips. He didn't say anything, but instead gave a nod of his head in response. It made him feel a little happier now that he knew his father didn't dislike him for him being gay. There was a small hint of discomfort in his father's eyes, but he knew that it would probably take some time for that to go away.

        “And I've been thinking about something else too,” his father said. “I know I've been annoying you with talking to you about taking over my business when you're old enough. If you don't want to work there, I am perfectly fine with that. It's your future, so I'll let you decide what you want to do instead of me deciding for you.”

        Alex gave another nod and said, “Thanks.”

        His dad cracked a small smile before saying, “Come on, our show's about to start. Don't want to miss it do you?”

        “No,” Alex replied after giving a small chuckle.

        The two rose from the bed and made their way downstairs so they could watch their show.

Reviews

[Amund Schofield]

The only reason I can see the dad being ok with his son not wanting to take over the business is because he doesn't want a gay kid running his company, and he probably only came around to please his wife. Besides that, the whole, I'm ok with you being gay, is far too fake for a drama story, and came way too fast.

[Amy]

Umm...I liked it, it's getting good but the dialog still seems a little fake at time. Other than that I like this chapter!!