Family Ties - Robby's Story - 1. Chapter 1

The days after meeting with my parents were the hardest. But what was even more difficult to swallow was that my brother and sisters weren’t there to support me. They were gone. I tried to call them, but with Mom home all the time, she always intercepted the calls. I could never get through. I wondered—did they think about me? Did they understand what I was going through?

I couldn’t believe they could be as cold as Mom and Dad were. Tanner practically raised me. He taught me how to ride a bike, throw a baseball, and swim. Did he forget everything just because I’m different? No, I couldn’t believe that. I know Tanner’s busy with med school, studying to become a doctor, but… forgetting me? That didn’t sound like him. At least, not the Tanner I knew.

And Sophia and Sarah. We weren’t as close, but they were my big sisters. They always looked after me when Tanner wasn’t around. Sure, sometimes that meant playing with their dolls, but I didn’t mind. So what if it wasn’t “masculine” enough for Mom and Dad? I was a kid.

Still, there isn’t much I can do. I’ve thought about trying to meet Tanner at his school, but I’m not sure how well that would go. Same with Sophia and Sarah. They’re all so busy, their lives moving forward without me in them.

Every week, I go to the park where Tanner used to take me, hoping he might show up, that maybe he’s thinking the same thing I am. But he’s never there. Maybe he prefers to forget all about his little brother. Sometimes, I go to the shopping center where Sophia and Sarah used to hang out with their friends, though it makes sense they don’t go there anymore. Both of them are deep into schoolwork, and their lives have changed. Still, I go. Usually without Manny—I don’t want to burden him with my problems. He’s got his own to deal with. And as much as I love him, I can’t give him one more thing to worry about.

One evening, I’m in our room studying—or trying to. Manny has an evening exam, so I’m home alone. The house is too quiet, and my mind isn’t on the books. The words blur into a meaningless jumble on the page as my thoughts drift back to that conversation with my parents. Their voices echo in my head, sharp and unyielding, every word another bruise I can’t see but still feel.

Then, suddenly, there’s a knock at the door. My heart skips. Who could it be this late? Manny wouldn’t knock, and Cindy, Allison, and Maria aren’t around tonight.

There was another knock on the door. I got up to answer it. As I opened the door, he was standing there.

“Tanner?” My eyes lit up at the sight of him. It had been months. I reached out to give him a hug, and he returned it—but it felt different. It didn’t feel right.

“Hey, Robby. Can I come in?” His voice was quieter than usual, almost hesitant.

“Yeah, of course—come on in.” I stepped aside, my voice lighter and my heart brighter than it had been in weeks. “You just missed meeting Manny.”

“I know.” Tanner stepped into the room, but he didn’t sit. “I waited until he was gone. I don’t… I didn’t come here to meet him. I came to see you.” His tone was clipped, carrying the same sternness I associated with Dad.

I froze. What was I supposed to do? Should I talk to him? Like Dad and Mom—was he here to insult Manny too?

“Tanner,” I began cautiously, “if you came here to convince me I was wrong…”

“No, Robby.” He cut me off with a sharp look. “I didn’t. I just came to talk. To understand. Maybe… to convince you.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Tanner, I’m not leaving Manny. I don’t need the money, the wealth, or the connections that come with our family if Manny can’t be a part of it.”

He sighed heavily. “Robby—just listen, okay? Then think about it. Keep an open mind.”

“Fine, Tanner. I’ll listen.”

Tanner exhaled, his shoulders sagging slightly, as if relieved I hadn’t slammed the door on him. “Dad and Mom told me everything that happened. They told us—me, Sophia, Sarah—that if we ever spoke to you, we’d face the same consequences. Robby… I can’t throw my life away. I love you, but—” He hesitated, looking down at the floor.

He took a deep breath before continuing. “First, you should know this: the day you came home, Dad and Mom sent us away. They said they needed to have a serious talk with you and didn’t want us around. They gave us tickets to a show and told us not to come back for hours. We figured something was up, but you know how they are. You don’t question them.”

I narrowed my eyes, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “You mean they didn’t even tell you I was coming?”

Tanner shook his head. “Not a word. When we got home, they were already rearranging the family room. Your pictures, your things—they were all gone. It was like they were trying to erase you. We were all stunned by it - we didn’t know what was going on, but… what else could we do?”

I crossed my arms, leaning back in my chair. “You could’ve done something. Stood up for me! I’m your brother, Tanner.”

He flinched but didn’t look away. “We didn’t know how to face them. You know what they are like. And then they sat us down.”

His voice lowered, and he rubbed the back of his neck, like he was trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. “They told us everything, Robby. And they didn’t hold back. They said you were a disgrace, that you’d embarrassed them. They said you’d betrayed the family, and if any of us so much as spoke to you, we’d be cut off. No tuition. No trust fund. Nothing.”

I clenched my jaw, swallowing hard. “And you just… went along with it?”

Tanner’s voice cracked slightly as he answered. “What choice did we have? Robby, I know that’s not what you want to hear, but they had us trapped. We’re not proud of it. I’m not proud of it.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on me. I felt a swirl of anger, sadness, and something I didn’t want to admit: relief. Relief that at least now, I understood.

Tanner finally broke the silence. “I should’ve reached out sooner. We all should have. I’m sorry, Robby.”

Silence. His words hung in the air, and I didn’t dare interrupt.

“I’m finishing school soon. I already have a position lined up at a major hospital on the East Coast. I can’t jeopardize everything I’ve worked for. Dad has a lot of connections. I… I couldn’t risk it. That’s why it’s taken me months to come see you.”

I swallowed hard, emotions swirling. “I went to the park where we used to go, hoping you might show up.”

“I know.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I saw you.”

“What?” My eyes widened. “Then why didn’t you come out and meet me?”

“I couldn’t. I… I wasn’t ready.” replied Tanner.

I stared at him, trying to read his face, but his expression was impenetrable.

“Robby,” he continued, “why can’t you just leave him? You could have anything you wanted. Dad was going to set you up with a trust fund once you graduate. You could’ve started your own business—Dad would’ve helped you. Then you could’ve done anything you wanted, even if it was with… Manny.”

“You know his name?”

“Of course I do. Mom and Dad wouldn’t stop talking about him for days after you brought him home. You hurt them, Robby. A lot.”

I flinched. “Tanner, they hurt me. They hurt Manny. There’s no excuse for that.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at me. “They’re your parents. Our parents. But… listen, why not just lie about it? Tell them you’ve broken up. Let Manny stay here. I’ll find you a place between here and home so you can still meet with him. Mom and Dad would never have to know. I could even set you up with someone from the tennis club. All the rich girls would kill to be with you. With Mom and Dad thinking you’re straight, you could still see Manny.”

“Tanner, what are you saying? You want me to lie about who I am? Don’t you think any of those girls would figure it out? I’m not into girls—I couldn’t… you know…”

“Have sex with them?” Tanner’s voice was coldly matter-of-fact. “Why not? Wear protection so you don’t have kids. Think of it as… doing what you have to do. For Manny.”

“Tanner!” I snapped, my voice rising. “What the hell? Could you lie about who you are?”

He stiffened, his jaw tightening. Turning away from me, he walked over to my desk, his eyes falling on the pictures of Manny and me pinned to the wall. His gaze lingered too long, his fingers twitching at his sides.

“You think it’s that easy?” he muttered, his voice low, almost inaudible. “To just… be who you are? Not everyone gets to do that, Robby.”

I stared at his back, my chest tightening. “What do you mean? Tanner… have you ever lied about who you are?”

He froze. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. Then he let out a soft, bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Let’s just say I know what it’s like to make sacrifices to keep things… simple.”

“Sacrifices? For who? For Dad and Mom?”

He turned to face me, his expression guarded, his eyes heavy with something I couldn’t quite read. “For everyone, Robby. For a life that works. For a life that doesn’t… fall apart.” His voice cracked on the last words, just barely.

“Tanner—what are you trying to say?” I took a step closer.

“Look, this isn’t about me, okay?” he said sharply, cutting me off. “It’s about you and what you want for your future. Just… think about it.”

I shook my head, tears burning in my eyes. “There’s nothing to think about, Tanner. I want to spend my life with Manny. He makes me happy. We have a good life. We trust each other. We look out for one another. And now Mom and Dad—and you—are asking me to give that up? For what? Money? Wealth? A trust fund?” My voice was shaking now, but I didn’t care. “Tanner, love should be unconditional—not transactional. Mom and Dad… they’ve made it transactional.”

“Listen, just think about it, OK?” Tanner’s tone was calm but insistent.

“There’s nothing to think about. Even if you come back in a week, a month or in a year, the answer will be the same—no. I’ll take my chances with Manny.”

Tanner sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I have to get going. I’ll come and talk to you next week, OK?”

“Manny will be home. We usually spend evenings studying. If you come again, I’d prefer you come with him here. I don’t want to keep secrets from him. I’ll tell him you came tonight.”

“Fine. That’s your prerogative. I’ll come next week.” His voice was clipped, but there was something beneath it—maybe frustration, or resignation.

And with that, Tanner left. While I was relieved he came to speak with me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mom or Dad had sent him. And I was still trying to make sense of what he’d said earlier: “Not everyone can do that.” What was he trying to tell me? And why did he come now? Wasn’t he scared of losing it all? No. Something didn’t sit right.

Later that evening, when Manny came back after his exam, I sat him down to explain everything that had happened.

“What do you want to do?” Manny asked quietly, his eyes fixed on mine.

“What do you mean? I’m not leaving you,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the emotions churning inside me. “The money doesn’t mean anything to me if I can’t be with you. As much as I love my parents, my brother, and my sisters, this isn’t something I’m going to bargain over. Our love—my love for you—isn’t a bargaining chip. If I can’t live my life openly, with the man I love, then what’s the point of living? To be trapped in a loveless, sexless marriage just to keep up appearances? No. I can’t do that.”

For a moment, silence filled the room, heavy and uncomfortable. I watched his face, searching for any sign of what he was thinking.

Finally, I broke the stillness. “What are you thinking, Manny?” I asked, my voice softer now.

He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to say,” he admitted. Then, after a pause, he added, “What do you want me to say? ‘Yes, go ahead, and I’ll be here waiting for you’?” replied Manny.

“That’s not what I mean,” I said, my frustration slipping into my tone. “Tell me I made the right decision.”

He looked down, his voice quiet. “Only you can answer that. I grew up poor—I know what it’s like not getting what you want in life. Your parents will pay your way through school. They will set you up with a trust fund. Can you survive without the money? The comfort?”

“You sound just like Tanner. I was ready to deck him when he told me to ‘fake it till you make it.’ You know me better than anyone. Do you really think I could live a lie? If money was important, I wouldn’t still be here. You’re important. What we have is important. Our future is important.”

He softened, his expression tinged with regret. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.” replied Manny. “So, what happens next?” The tension between us finally easing.

“Nothing,” I replied, my tone steady now. “There is no next time. I told Tanner no when he came, and I’ll tell him no again when he comes back.”

“He’s coming again?” asked Manny.

“Yes.” replied Robby.

“I’ll take off then, so you can both talk.”

“No. You won’t. I told him you’d be here, and you will be here. They may want to keep me locked away, but I will never keep you hidden. Never.”

Two weeks passed, and Tanner didn’t show up. I figured our last conversation had ended things for good. But as Manny and I returned from pizza and beer night, I spotted him walking toward the dormitory.

“Tanner!” I called out, my voice echoing through the cool evening air.

He turned around, his face tightening when he saw me—with Manny at my side, our hands clasped tightly together. Manny shifted slightly, as if to pull his hand away, but I tightened my grip. I wasn’t going to let go.

As we got closer, only then did I let go of Manny’s hand and gave Tanner a hug.

“It’s good to see you again, Robby,” he said, his voice warm but slightly hesitant.

I glanced at Manny, unsure if Tanner would acknowledge him. If he didn’t, I was ready to walk away. But Tanner extended his hand.

“You’re Manny, right? I’m Tanner, Robby’s older brother. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You could’ve met him last time you were here, Tanner.” My tone was matter-of-fact, maybe sharper than I intended. Manny shot me a stern look—the first time he’d ever done that.

“Hey, Tanner. Good to meet you,” Manny said smoothly, diffusing the tension. “Why don’t we go inside? It’s a bit cool out, or we can head to a coffee shop if you’d prefer.”

“No, inside’s fine,” Tanner replied.

I led the way, with Manny following and Tanner trailing behind. We walked up the stairs, took the elevator, and headed into our dorm. I opened the door and held it for the two of them.

“Have a seat,” I said. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”

“No coffee for me—gotta keep my hands steady.”

“Right,” I said, shrugging. “Can I get you something else? We don’t have much, being on a student’s budget.”

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks, Manny.”

Tanner sat on the sofa with me, while Manny took a seat on one of the dining chairs. “Before you start, Tanner, you should know I told Manny about you coming over last time. I told him everything.”

“Everything?” Tanner’s eyebrows shot up.

“Yes. Everything. And the answer is still no. It’s the same answer I gave you last time.”

Tanner nodded. “Good. That’s actually what I wanted to hear.”

I blinked. “Huh?”

“Can we talk? Openly?” Tanner asked.

“Of course. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, Tanner. But I also want acceptance—unconditional acceptance. You’re my big brother, and I love you. But if that love is conditional, then I don’t want it.”

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Robby, my love for you is unconditional. So hear me out.”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “Go on.”

“I’ve spent the last few weeks talking—not just me, but Sophia and Sarah too. You’re our little brother, Robby. We all practically raised you, and none of us want to lose you.”

I studied him, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “And?”

He glanced at Manny. “Why Robby?”

“What kind of question is that?” I asked sharply.

Manny held up a hand. “It’s okay. Let me answer.”

I hesitated, then nodded.

“The first time I met Robby, I didn’t even know he was gay. Honestly, I don’t think he knew I was either. We just ended up as roommates. It took time for me to acknowledge myself, and even longer to accept what we have.

“If you’re wondering if I knew about your family’s wealth—no, I didn’t. I only started to piece things together after he took me to meet your parents.”

Manny continued, his voice steady as he told Tanner about us—how we met, how we grew to love and support each other. By the time he finished, Tanner looked thoughtful.

“You really care for him, don’t you?” Tanner asked.

“Yes, I do,” Manny replied. “I’ve never cared for anyone like I care for Robby. He makes me laugh; he takes care of me—and I take care of him. I want to spend my life with him, but I also want him to keep his relationship with his family.”

Tanner looked between us, his expression softening. “After we talked a few weeks ago, I drove around for hours before going home. When I got there, I told Mom and Dad that I met with you and what we discussed.”

“And?” I asked, already dreading the answer.

“They weren’t happy, as expected. They said if I kept a relationship with you, they’d cut me off too. I stood my ground, Robby, but they made it clear—they don’t want you to come home.”

I shook my head, half expecting that response but still hurt by it.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Tanner continued. “Sophia and Sarah don’t either. They want to meet you, Robby. And what you and Manny have... I get it. I don’t approve of it—not yet, anyway. But you don’t need my approval. It’s something I can live with, and maybe, over time, I’ll learn to accept it.”

I stood abruptly, shaking my head. “Tanner, I don’t care if you approve of it or not. This doesn’t sound like reconciliation; it sounds like a lecture.”

Manny gave me another stern look—his second that night. “Robby,” he murmured, his tone a quiet warning.

I exhaled slowly and sat back down. “Anyway. You were saying?”

Tanner looked between the two of us again. “I just want you to be happy. If being with Manny makes you happy, then I’m happy for both of you.”

Tanner shifted uncomfortably, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. “Sophia and Sarah… they want to see you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “They do?”

“Yes.” His voice softened. “They’ve been asking about you ever since I told them I came to see you. They miss you, Robby. We all have.”

I crossed my arms, leaning back. “But?”

Tanner hesitated, his eyes flicking toward Manny. “They want to meet somewhere neutral. Just the three of us. Somewhere you’re comfortable.”

I shook my head, my voice firm. “No. If Manny can’t be with me, then we’re not meeting. I told you, Tanner, Manny and I are partners. In everything. If they can’t accept that, then what’s the point?”

“It’s not about excluding him,” Tanner said quickly. “It’s just… they want to reconnect with you first. It’s hard for them to know where to start, Robby. This is all new to them.”

I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes. “Tanner, are you sure you want to keep a relationship with me? Or is this all some elaborate setup? Because if this is just another attempt to push me into a box I don’t belong in, you can save us all the trouble.”

“No!” Tanner’s voice rose slightly before he caught himself. He took a breath, steadying his tone. “Sorry, no, Robby, this isn’t a setup. It’s not about controlling you, or changing you, or whatever you think. They’re scared. That’s all. Scared of losing you. Scared of how to make things right after everything Mom and Dad have done. Scared about how to react.”

I studied him for a moment, my heart pounding. “How to react? Look, if they want to see me then they’ll meet us both. Manny is my partner. He’s part of my life, Tanner, and if they can’t accept that, then I don’t need their apologies or their excuses.”

Manny reached over, his hand warm on mine. “I don’t want to cause a problem, Robby. If it’s easier for you to go alone—”

“No,” I said, cutting him off. “I’m not hiding. Not anymore.”

Tanner nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “Okay. I’ll talk to them. If they want to see you, they’ll see you both. That’s fair.”

I raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. “And if they can’t?”

“Then I’ll tell them the same thing you just told me. If they can’t accept Manny, then they don’t deserve to have you back in their lives.”

That caught me off guard. For the first time in years, Tanner sounded like the brother I’d grown up with—the one who always had my back. I leaned back in my chair, exhaling deeply. “Okay. Let me know what they say.”

“I will,” Tanner said. “And Robby? I meant what I said before. I love you. I’m not giving up on us.”

I nodded, my voice quiet. “Neither am I.”

Several weeks passed before Tanner returned. One Saturday afternoon, just as Manny and I were getting back from a run, there was a knock at the door.

Manny got there first and opened it. “Tanner—hey, hi! Come on in. Robby’s just in the shower. We just got back from a run. Have a seat… can I get you something?”

Tanner smiled, stepping inside. “Oh hey, Manny. OJ, if you have it?”

“Sure do. Have a seat—I’ll grab you some.”

I went to the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice. As I came back, Robby emerged from the bathroom, still drying off, a towel slung over his shoulder.

“Tanner’s here,” I said as I handed the juice over and headed to let Robby know.

“Thanks,” Robby called back as he pulled on a pair of sweats and a faded Wham! T-shirt.

When I returned to the living room, Tanner was sitting on the couch, taking in the space. I sat down opposite him, and we started chatting about school, running, and how our days were going. Tanner kept the conversation light, smiling and asking questions, though there was something careful about his tone, as if he was testing the waters.

A moment later, Robby walked in, still toweling off his hair. “Hey, Tanner,” he said warmly.

Tanner stood, pulling him into a quick hug. “Hey, little brother. How are you keeping?”

Robby shrugged, dropping into a seat. “Ah, you know. School, studying, school, studying. Not much time for anything else.”

“Yeah, I get that. Med school was the same.” Tanner paused, glancing between the two of us. “Hey, listen—I hope this isn’t too last-minute, but Sophia and Sarah are waiting at a coffee shop just down the street. We thought it might be nice to catch up. We can walk there, if you’re both up for it.”

Robby started to respond, “Well, Manny and I—”

Before he could finish, Manny jumped in smoothly. “Of course we can. We don’t have anything planned for the day. It can wait.”

Manny’s tone was calm, but his sharp look in Robby’s direction didn’t go unnoticed. It wasn’t angry, but it was firm, like he was silently saying, Don’t overthink this.

Robby blinked, then nodded. “Yeah, okay. Sure. Let me grab my jacket.”

Tanner looked relieved, sipping his juice. “Great. They’re excited to see you, Robby. All of us are.”

As Robby went to grab his things, Manny leaned back in his chair, his voice softer now. “Thanks for setting this up, Tanner. It means a lot to him.”

Tanner glanced at him, his expression briefly unreadable before softening. “I just want to make things right. For all of us.”

Robby and I grabbed our jackets and followed Tanner to the coffee shop. The walk was about ten minutes, and the crisp air felt refreshing. We kept the pace leisurely, talking as we went. Tanner gave Robby some updates about their parents, and while Robby pretended not to care, I could see the flicker of interest in his eyes. He soaked in every word, no matter what he said out loud.

When we arrived, two young women stood up as soon as they saw us. I recognized them immediately as his sisters. Their resemblance to Robby was striking. As we approached, they each gave Robby a warm hug, and to my surprise, they hugged me too.

“You must be Manny,” said Sophia with a smile. “Tanner’s told us a little about you. I hope this can become a regular thing for all of us.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see,” Robby shot back, his tone sharp.

I turned and gave him the look—the one that said, Dial it down. Why was he being so guarded? Tanner had taken steps to reach out, and now his sisters were here too. Why not give them a chance?

For the next while, we sat around the table, sipping coffee as Sophia and Sarah talked. They apologized for not reaching out sooner and explained how their parents felt about them meeting Robby—and me. It was clear they’d faced resistance, but they were here anyway.

When Sophia paused, Robby leaned forward, his arms crossed. “So Tanner already told me all this. Why bother coming to see me at all?”

Before I could stop myself, I gave him a subtle kick under the table. He glanced at me, his face twisting into an almost childlike pout, but he didn’t say anything further.

“Robby, don’t be so defensive,” Sarah said, her voice steady but gentle. “We came to see you—and to apologize. We’re sorry for letting Mom and Dad try to split us up. I know they’re not happy we’re here, but honestly? That doesn’t matter. We’re family. We’re your sisters, and we wanted to be here.”

Sophia leaned forward, her expression earnest. “Robby, you may not believe us—but we didn’t know you were coming that day. Mom and Dad didn’t tell us anything. They gave us some tickets to a show, and we went out. Had we known you were coming, we would have stayed home.”

Robby sat back, his expression softening slightly, though his arms remained crossed. “Right. I just don’t want to be a part of some game you’re all playing.”

Sophia leaned in, her tone earnest. “It’s not a game, Robby. We’re here because we care about you. We miss you and we don’t want to lose any more. That’s it. No strings, no conditions.”

I reached over and gave Robby’s hand a squeeze under the table. He looked at me, then back at his sisters, his gaze lingering on Sophia. “I don’t know. It’s just… hard to believe.”

“It’s okay,” Sarah said softly. “You don’t have to believe us today. Just let us try.”

The four of us spoke a little more, the conversation light but carrying the weight of everything unspoken. Eventually, Tanner glanced at his watch and sighed.

“Robby, Manny—we have to go, but we’ll keep in touch. I have your phone number, so I’ll call you. There’s no point trying to call the house. Mom keeps a close eye on the phone and won’t tell us if you try to reach us,” Tanner said, his tone heavy with regret.

I nodded. “Okay, Tanner. Sophia, Sarah—it really was good to see you again.”

Sarah gave me a warm smile. “It was good to see you too. We’ve missed you, Robby. Really.”

Sophia reached over, briefly squeezing my hand. “Take care of yourself. And Manny.”

They stood, gathering their things. I watched as they walked toward the door, pausing briefly before stepping outside. For a moment, I just sat there, staring at the empty chairs they’d left behind. The coffee shop felt quieter now, as if their absence had taken the air with them.

It was sad to see them leave, but for the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe this wasn’t the end. Maybe this was the start of something new.