Thicker Than Water - 6. Chapter 6

Tuesday came too soon for Bryan. His suspension was over, and he wasn't looking forward to returning. Despite the revelation of the new surveillance system at the school, Bryan didn't trust that Dan and his goons wouldn't retaliate. Not that he was scared to get hit, but he was concerned that Dan would target Kenny, who wasn't a fighter in the slightest.

Once again, Steve drove Bryan to school, since it was on the way to Steve's job. Just as they got onto the road, Steve said, “I know we don't really talk, but I think what you did for Kenny was pretty brave.”

“Thanks,” Bryan replied, already feeling the situation was awkward enough without conversation.

“I was part of an anti-bullying campaign in high school back in Franklin,” Steve continued, ignoring his passenger's disinterested tone. “I had friends of all kinds, as I never fit into just a group or two. I was a jock and a nerd. I played basketball and ran a Dungeons & Dragons club. I was on the student council but also didn't let the administration get away with anything.”

Bryan knew that Steve had been a jock. The man was close to seven feet in height, and was still very muscular. He doubted any coach would let someone like that go to a school and not play on a team.

“A really good friend of mine got us going. People started bullying him for being black and gay, so I got the council to accept our anti-bullying proposals. It took a while, but it worked out in the end.”

“What happened to your friend?”

“He moved here, to Washington, the following year. He's now married to another old friend of mine, and is a counselor at Washington High School.”

“Does he know you're gay?”

Steve chuckled. “I'm actually bisexual, and yes, they know. It took me till college to fully understand that I like boys too.”

“College? Why that long?” Bryan was genuinely interested. He figured most people sorted out their sexuality when puberty started.

“That was the first time I ever messed around with a guy. I went to a party, got drunk, made out with another football player as part of a dare, but we didn't stop. After I got sober, I realized that I wanted to do it again. Before then, I had no problem cuddling with my gay friends. I even held a friend's hand crossing a street once. None of that ever bothered me. My friend, Tyler, and I had sex a couple of times, but realized that we couldn't be boyfriends.”

“Why not?”

“He was in love with the guy he shared his dorm room with.” Steve chuckled. “Tyler pulled a dirty prank on the kid to get the ball rolling in their relationship. They've been together ever since.”

“That's nice to hear.”

“Yeah, it is. My point being, however, you can find ways to stand up for your friend and be who you are without having to fight as your first act.”

“Did you ever get into fights?”

“A lot, but it was never my first option. There's more than one way to put up a fight.”

“Thanks, Steve,” Bryan said, and really meant it. Maybe he isn't so bad, after all, Bryan thought.

They pulled up to the school, where Kenny and Terra were waiting. Steve said, “Try to have a good day, and remember that I'm picking you up after school, so meet me here, alright?”

“Got it.” Bryan hesitated for a second, turned around and gave Steve a very quick hug. Steve didn't have time to react before Bryan was out the door.

“Welcome back,” Terra said. “How was life in exile?”

“Exhausting,” Bryan replied. “Any word if dumbass is around?”

“No sign of Dan or his friends,” Kenny replied. “I wish the three of us had more classes together.”

Bryan felt the same way. Elementary school was so much better, since they only had one teacher the entire day. “I think we'll be alright. Dan now knows about the cameras, and I doubt he'd want to get suspended again.”

“What about his friends?” Kenny offered.

“If they're smart, they wouldn't risk it.” Terra said.

“You're giving them too much credit,” Bryan said in a low voice as he spotted Dan and his buddies standing by the main entrance, with not a single adult in sight.

“I got the two on the left,” Terra said, pointing out Peter Smith and Mike Danby, the two smallest members of the wrestling team.

“Jeez, thanks,” Bryan said, mirthlessly.

“We can't stay out here all day,” Kenny said. It was then that Dan and his gang noticed the three of them. They all turned to look at Kenny, Bryan and Terra. Dan had a wide, malicious grin, as he pointed at Kenny. He mumbled something that caused the other boys to laugh, and Kenny assumed it wasn't very nice.

“Come on,” Bryan said. “Kenny, stand behind me. If things go south, run to the office.”

As the three of them walked up the steps, the doors opened behind Dan's group. Mr. Deacon stepped outside, cleared his throat causing Dan to jump, and said, “Mr. Thomas, my office, now!” He sounded angry. Dan gave Bryan a dirty look and complied. However, Mr. Deacon wasn't finished, as he ordered the other boys to follow Dan. He looked at Bryan, Kenny and Terra, nodded and said, “You three better hurry so you're not late to 1^st period.”

“Thanks,” Kenny said, as they passed.

“Not a problem, Mr. Mitchell. If you have any problems, you come and tell me. Got it?”

“Yes, Sir.”

The first half of school was frustrating for Bryan, as he had missed so much of what was going on. None of the teachers let up on him, either. He wanted to feel sorry for himself, but he was too concerned for Kenny who had two classes with Dan Thomas before lunch.

At the break between classes, Bryan made sure to find Kenny and check on him. Kenny said that Dan wasn't in either of the classes, but Terra did confirm that Dan and his friends were still in school. Bryan was nervous as lunch came. They took their usual table, and Terra spotted Dan with his group on the other side of the cafeteria.

“According to Becky Taylor, Dan's schedule got changed.” Terra explained. “I guess Mr. Deacon threatened to expel Dan if he or any of his friends so much as spoke to us or were reported for bullying.”

“I don't see that lasting long,” Bryan said, though he wished it could extend into high school.

“Well, I'm glad I don't have anymore classes with that homophobe,” Kenny said. “I think I can relax for the rest of the day.”

Without thinking, Bryan reached over and took Kenny's hand in his. “You're going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you.”

Kenny blushed and pulled his hand away quickly. He looked around in a panic. Only Terra had seen the public display of affection. Her eyes were wide with shock and confusion.

“Are you two—?” Terra began, but was cut off by Kenny.

“Shut up!” Kenny in a harsh whisper and was visibly shaking from anxiety. “Please, just let it go!”

“Okay,” Terra said, feeling guilty for upsetting Kenny.

“If it's alright with Kenny, I'll explain after school.” Bryan offered. To Kenny he said, “Sorry. I forgot.”

“I gotta go,” Kenny said, as he gathered his things and left. Bryan moved to get up, but Kenny snapped and said, “Don't.”

“He's going to be okay,” Terra said, though she didn't sound convincing.

By the time 6^th period PE came along, Kenny seemed to be better, though he didn't really say a lot to Bryan other than he was fine. Bryan did apologize, but Kenny only nodded, which didn't help Bryan's guilt. He had grown very comfortable with Kenny over the last week, and just didn't think about how Kenny, who was still very closeted, might feel. Bryan didn't even register what he had done until after Kenny pulled his hand away.

He and Terra talked about in Art class, but they only had the same circular conversation Bryan had been running in his head since lunch. Bryan ran and caught up with Kenny just outside Health class. “Wanna come over after school?”

“Can't,” Kenny said, avoiding eye contact.

“Why not?”

“I just can't.” Kenny moved passed Bryan and took his seat.

Bryan felt worse as he took his own seat next to Kenny.

“How was school?” Steve said, as Bryan got into the car.

“Okay, I guess,” Bryan said dismissively.

“Did something happen?” Steven sounded concerned, but Bryan didn't want the man's pity.

“I said, everything's fine. Can we just go, please?”

Steve considered not leaving until Bryan opened up, but the teen wasn't his kid. He made a mental note to text Diego. They stopped at the Bryan's old school and picked up Caleb, who had won an award for getting a 100% on his class work. To celebrate, Steve took them out for ice cream. Bryan was quiet the entire time. He did send Kenny a couple of texts, apologizing for screwing up, but Kenny didn't respond.

Diego came home from work with food. The best part of being a co-owner was the ability to get meals at cost. It usually wasn't something he did often, but he didn't feel like cooking at home. After dinner, Diego, Steve and the boys were in the living room watching a movie. About halfway through, Diego got a phone call, which he took in another room.

He came back, put the movie on pause and said, “So, that was the Madison County Medical Examiner's office. They're going to send me the official report, but she said, your mom died of an overdose. I'm really sorry guys.” Caleb looked upset but held his tears in check. Bryan wasn't surprised in the slightest and had already assumed that was the case. “Apparently, there was a priest that reported her death at a shelter, and I'm guessing that's where the obituary came from.”

“What about funeral expenses?” Steve asked.

“I guess the priest is taking care of it. I'm going to call him now and leave a message. Again, I'm sorry boys.”

“It's alright,” Bryan said, holding Caleb close. “It's not like it was your fault.”

Diego nodded and called the number he was given. By pure luck, the guy was in his office, and he was trying desperately to find any of Donna's family. Donna had already been cremated, which Diego was okay with, and it was paid for through church and community donations. Diego offered to repay the church, which was accepted. Diego really didn't want to, but since it was ultimately for his boys, he was willing to do anything for them. Diego and the preacher arranged for the service to be held that Saturday, so the boys could attend. He was prepared for Bryan to object but knew the teen would agree to go for Caleb's sake.

Sure enough, once Diego explained the plan, Bryan began to object, but Diego put his foot down. Steve offered to go, as well, since he didn't work weekends and wanted to be supportive. Diego accepted the offer, not really caring what Bryan thought of it. Bryan never liked any of the guys he had brought home, so it was really par for the course. Diego assumed that Bryan didn't want to get attached to another father figure out of fear that the man might abandon him like his birth father had.

Diego remembered how long it took for the little boy to warm up to him, which happened just before Calvin bailed. Prior to Diego adopting the pair, the boys had been in and out of foster care several times, while the state tried tracking Calvin down. He had a long history of leaving Donna for other women, once right after Bryan's first birthday, then shortly after Caleb was born. Each time, Calvin would move in with Diego, claiming to divorce Donna and get full custody, which never happened, until the last time. It was sometime after the last time Calvin bailed Donna got hooked on drugs. Diego guessed it was due to the stresses of being a single mother and frequently homeless, since she refused to work and Calvin refused to keep a job.

Donna had always refused to work and demanded to be a stay at home mother, while Calvin had to bust his ass--or at least pretend to--to provide for them all. The only error in her plan was relying on the exceptionally lazy Calvin, who didn't want to work. Calvin had once mentioned that his goal was to find a woman to live off of, so he could make YouTube videos for a living. Calvin's error in thinking was not only finding his ideal sugar mama but that he had no discernible personality and had severe resting bitch face, which was actually worse on camera.

Diego had been dating one of Calvin's friends when they first met. The relationship was toxic and ended quickly; however, Calvin took it upon himself to change allegiances and took Diego's side. They began to hang out and became best friends. Unfortunately, Calvin would show his true colors once Diego had nothing more to offer. Calvin would then turn emotionally abusive, accusing Diego of wanting to be with him and being controlling, which Diego was neither. Calvin would take off and not contact Diego again, until he screwed up his life and needed help. This cycle repeated often until the night Diego found the note and custody papers.

There was, of course, more to all of this. Details that Diego didn't share with the boys and rarely told his exes. Steve knew everything and was very supportive. Diego really loved him and hoped they could be more than just boyfriends. He had given up on marriage a long time ago, believing nobody would want to marry him, given the boys, but Steve was different and Diego was thankful.