Thicker Than Water - 18. Chapter 18

Bryan woke up still feeling like crap. He instinctively reached for the phone that wasn't on his night stand. The events of the previous day came back and made him wish he could skip school. As much as he wasn't looking forward to his punishments when he got home, he was less thrilled with the prospects before him the second he got to school.

Kenny, he was sure, was still pissed at him, then there would be the unyielding teasing and homophobia he'd be facing from the rest of the school. Although he was in a much more accepting generation, there were still the haters, like Dan and his clique. He didn't blame his boyfriend for what was to come. Bryan knew the blame was solely on his shoulders. Unfortunately, he wasn't going to be the only target. There was Kenny, who didn't have thick enough skin, and Terra, who would get caught in the crossfire.

Thoughts of making himself sick came to mind, but he knew his dad would send him anyway. Bryan had already lied enough and wasn't willing to risk more harm to his relationship with his father.

“Morning,” Caleb said, as Bryan sat down with his bowl of oatmeal.

“Morning.”

Caleb had a worried look on his face and kept staring at his big brother. Normally, this would annoy Bryan to the point where Bryan would snap at his baby brother; however, Caleb had every right to be concerned and, to Bryan, the silent sentiment was welcomed.

“Ready?” Steve said, as the boys put their bowls in the sink.

“No,” Bryan said, grabbing his backpack, “but what choice do I have?”

Steve put his hand on Bryan's shoulder and said, “If things get to be too much and you need to come home, go to the office and have them call me. I'll come and get you.”

“Don't you have work?”

“I'm taking the day off of work. I have a job interview around noon, so it seemed pointless to go in.”

“Trade you places.”

“Never!” Steve chuckled. “Going through junior high was a nightmare the first time.” Bryan hugged Steve, who returned it warmly. “You're going to be okay,” Steve whispered into Bryan's ear. “It doesn't seem like it now, but it will blow over. Remember that there are people who love you very much, Bryan, and we've got your back.”

“Thanks,” Bryan said. He pulled away and wiped his face clean.

Caleb took his brother's hand in his own, and the pair walked out to Steve's car.

Steve dropped Caleb off first, so he could have another talk with Bryan. He found a spot in the back of the parking lot where they had more privacy.

“I just wanted to say that you're being very brave about this. It isn't going to be easy, but you are one of the strongest kids I've ever known. Don't be afraid to go to a teacher or the office if things get bad.”

“I know,” Bryan said, not taking his eyes off of the queue of students outside of the building.

“Bryan,” Steve said, giving the boy's hand a little squeeze. “Remember: I can pick you up if things get bad, so don't be afraid to use that. I've already got your dad's permission.”

Bryan returned the show of affection and said, “Okay. I'm just so scared.”

“And you have every right to be, but you have even more of a right to not be afraid. Nobody in that school has the right to harass or bully you.” They sat for a few more minutes before Steve suggested that Bryan get to class before he got in trouble.

“Try to have a good day, Buddy.”

“Okay. I love you.”

Steve smiled and said, “I love you, too. See you after school.”

Bryan only said the words out of reflex, but he really did mean them. Steve had been so kind, patient and caring since he came into their lives; it felt right to say how he felt about the man. Steve waited in the parking lot until Bryan was inside the building before heading home.

* * *

Diego sat in his office rereading Calvin's messages for what had to have been the thirteenth time. His mind raced trying to figure out the deadbeat's angle. Why now after all these years? He kept saying to himself. As much as he was happy to see Bryan talking shit to Calvin (though, he'd never tell his son that), he wished that Bryan had asked some questions at least.

Calvin was a shady person at the best of times, Diego remembered. One of Calvin's weaknesses was vulnerable women. He loved cruising bars looking for drunk or upset women to have sex with. Diego always found it repulsive, but Calvin would accuse Diego of being jealous that it wasn't him that Calvin was trying to have sex with. What did I ever see in that piece of shit, Diego thought as he put the phone in his pocket.

Work was busy and took his mind off of things for a while. He was proud of the crew he had, and got involved in a lot of the banter they threw around.

“Diego, who taught you to make tortillas, man?” Jose said, “This shit is lumpy as fuck.”

“My mama taught me to make tortillas, you ass, and she also taught me how to slap a bitch, so you better show some respect.”

Everyone, including Jose, laughed.

“Diego!” Carla, Diego's hostess, called from the dining room door. “Someone wants to talk to you.”

“Who is it?”

“I don't know. He said his name was Colton or something.”

“Calvin?” Diego's blood started to boil.

“I think so.”

“Fuck,” he said, wiping his hands. “Dave, you're in charge till I get back.”

“Yes, Chef,” Dave said, then started barking orders.

Diego went to the door and saw Calvin sitting at a table in the middle of the crowded room. Of course, he'd sit there, the little bitch, Diego bitterly thought. To Carla, he asked, “Has he ordered anything?”

“Water,” she replied. “Who is he?”

“Trash,” Diego said. “Get him to order food. If he doesn't, kick his punk-ass out.”

“Okay?” Carla said, unsure of the situation. She called over the waitress covering Calvin's section and delivered Diego's instructions.

Diego watched Calvin squirm as he read the menu. Calvin loved to flaunt money when he had it, so his reaction to the prices on the menu told Diego that Calvin was broke or close to it. Calvin pointed at the menu and handed it over to the waitress. A minute or so later, Carla came back to the kitchen and told Diego that Calvin ordered the cheapest item they had: A side of chips and nacho cheese.

“What's going on, Diego?” Carla insisted.

Diego explained who Calvin was without going into most of the details. He did his best to keep his personal life and his work life separate, having seen what happened to his business partner years earlier.

“Well fuck,” Carla said. “Want me to kick him out? I'd be glad to.”

“Not yet. I want to see how long we can keep milking him for money before he leaves. He still owes me years worth of child support. You also might want to have John bus the tables near the door. I wouldn't put it passed Calvin to dine-and-dash.”

Calvin continued to watch as Calvin very slowly ate his food. There was an entire rotation of customers before Calvin finished. Carla asked if Calvin would like anything else or his check. Calvin looked around and said something Diego couldn't hear. Carla remained friendly, handed Calvin another menu and walked away. After ten more minutes, Calvin ordered more chips and cheese.

“Jose,” Diego said, “add extra salt to those chips.”

“Yes Chef.”

Calvin, once again, ate his food at a snail's pace. However, Diego instructed Carla to make sure that Calvin got as few water refills as possible. This was slightly painful to him, as he took pride in his food and crew's ethics, but it was still Calvin he was messing with. Diego smiled as he watched Calvin try and failed to get his server's attention.

It was becoming clear that Calvin was never going to leave unless forced out or Diego confronted him. He wanted answers. No. He needed answers, even if they came from a known liar. Diego took off his apron and entered the dining area. He moved around the tables, so he could come up behind Calvin.

“What are you doing here?' Diego asked, but only loud enough for Calvin to hear him.

“I want to talk.” Diego was pleased to hear the dryness in Calvin's voice.

“I'm not sure we have anything to discuss.”

“I want to see my boys.”

Diego took a seat next to Calvin. “You mean my sons.”

“A piece of paper doesn't make them yours.”

“It was a whole hell of a lot more than just a piece of paper. It was a fat stack of them, signed by a judge, and then there was raising them and all the costs associated with it.”

“I'm their real dad.”

Diego couldn't help but laugh. “I'm their real dad, Calvin. Hell, I'm the only father Caleb has ever known. He doesn't remember you at all.”

“That's not my fault and you know it.”

“You abandoned them with me. You flew across the country and never came back till now. All of that is your fault! Now, what do you really want?”

“I said, 'I want to see my boys.'”

“That's not going to happen, and you better stop trying to contact them, too, or I'll get a restraining order on you.”

“Bryan told you about the messages, huh?'

“Yeah, and I read them all. He can clearly see you for who you are. So, answer my question, and honestly this time.”

“I'm telling the truth.”

“You never tell the whole truth, Calvin. You never have. You might want to see my sons, but you have other reasons for it.”

“And what might those be?”

“I don't know yet, and until I find them out, you need to stay as far away as possible. Do you understand what I'm saying?”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Yep. I'm threatening you with legal action. I will take you to court, again, if I have to.”

“Maybe I'll take you to court.”

“You can barely pay for the food you ordered, so I doubt you can get a lawyer.” Diego stood up and told Carla to bring over Calvin's bill. “Don't forget to tip your waitress,” he said as he walked back into the kitchen.

* * *

By lunch, Bryan was greatly irritated. He wasn't directly bullied, but he plainly noticed all the eyes looking at him and the not-so covert whispers made, while looking at him. Things were made worse when he couldn't find Kenny. Bryan figured that his boyfriend was probably home, claiming to be sick, so he wouldn't have to endure the bullying.

“Hey,” Terra said at lunch.

“Hi,” he replied, as he sat down and moped.

“Have things gotten better?”

“Not really, but they haven't gotten worse. I still have P.E., though, and I don't know what will happen in the locker room. It's one thing to be accused of being gay, it's another to actually be gay in a changing area.”

“At least you don't have the class with Dan or his friends.”

“True, but there will be others. It might be the 21^st century, but acceptance isn't universal yet.”

“Then be the reason people accept you,” Terra said cheerfully.

“Yeah, because that's always worked. Might as well tattoo Live, Laugh, Love on my forehead.”

Bryan left for the gym feeling anxious. Even if there were cameras at the school, they wouldn't be allowed in the locker rooms, where kids (or anyone, really) would be undressed or even naked. It was a favorite place for the boys to fight since the gym teachers rarely entered.

He got the side eye and murmurs he had gotten earlier in the day. He was annoyed but it was better than being physically attacked.

“Hey!” Bryan said, as he rounded the corner to his locker and saw Kenny sitting on the bench.

“Hey,” Kenny replied, less enthusiastically.

“Where have you been? Terra and I have been looking for you.”

“Just around.”

“Can we talk?”

“I don't know.”

“Why not? I want to apologize and tell you what's going on.”

Kenny nodded and looked away. “Now, you want to fill me in.”

“Well, yeah? You're my boyfriend.” Bryan said, no longer concerned if anyone heard it.

Kenny scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Like that means anything now.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Bryan knew Kenny would be upset, but didn't think he'd be a dick about it.

“You don't trust me. You didn't want to tell me about your biological father because you thought I'd tell on you. I've trusted you with every personal part of my life, but you didn't trust me with this.”

“I'm sorry.” Bryan said, sheepishly.

“Are you, though? How would I really know?

“Of course I'm sorry, Kenny. I made a mistake not saying anything to you or anyone else.”

“Except Terra.”

“Yeah, except Terra. My dad knows, by the way. I told him last night, and he's grounded me again.”

“Did you come out and tell him or did he have to get it out of you first?” Bryan looked down in shame confirming Kenny's suspension. “I thought so. I used to think you were brave, but you're just really good at hiding your cowardice.”

“I'm really sorry,” Bryan said, choking up. “I know I fucked up. Please forgive me.”

“I don't know if I can right now,” Kenny said, also starting to cry.

“Come on, you two,” their teacher called out from the office door.

Kenny got up and went to the gym. Bryan, who hadn't changed, grabbed his things and went to the office, hoping Steve's interview was over.