Sky's The Limit - 14. Chapter 14

I had kept up my emails, chats, and phone calls with Sky. That day that Dex and I had it out, I called him the minute I got home. He knew immediately that I was upset. It was all I could do to keep from crying. I told him every word that was spoken. I was kinda pissed when he said that I better think about what I was asking Dex to do. I never thought I could get angry at Sky, but I was. I mean deep down, I know I was being selfish. Dex's world didn't revolve around me. Maybe I thought it should somehow. I do know that I missed him and it hurt like hell, and now even Sky was taking his side. Why did everything have to be so damned complicated? If I had simply fallen for some girl, even Lori, there wouldn't even be an issue.

Oh, yeah, almost forgot, about a week or two after the falling out with Dex, I was talking to Sky again. Hurricane Ivan had roared through Gulf Shores. Their house and just about everything else within about a quarter mile of the beach was simply gone. Oh well, house number three coming up.

The whole next month, Dex and I didn't speak. Lori was going nuts. She would beg us both to apologize. What she didn't understand, or maybe she did, was that it wasn't a matter of an apology, but a decision. A decision Dex had to make.

Ok, I know what everyone was thinking - I was being a selfish ass. Maybe I was. But I just couldn't see a middle ground here. In the meantime, I got to know Zach a lot better. He was in my homeroom, three of my five AP classes and we continued to have lunch together. Dex had migrated over to a table with some of the other tenth grade football players. Lori and a few of my friends from band still sat with me and Zach, but Dex and I just kept ignoring each other. I would never let it show, but I was miserable as hell about it. I cried for a couple of weeks when it was quiet and I would think about it.

Zach was really a cool kid. The reason he seemed so small was that he was only thirteen. He had skipped two grades going through school, . . a damn genius. He had never had less than an A or A+ in anything. He knew everything there was to know about computers, the internet, networks - a classic nerd, but on the genius level. He didn't have any brothers or sisters and lived with his mom and grandmother way out in the county somewhere.

Eventually, the problems between Dex and me became obvious to everyone around us, except my Dad of course who was so involved with his new business ventures and dating this woman that he was hardly ever home. I mean Dex and I had been inseparable for more than ten years and now all of sudden, we didn't even speak to each other let alone hang out. One morning at school, I literally bumped into Dex's dad in a crowded hallway between classes.

"Jonah, haven't seen much of you lately. How ya been?"

"Fine Doc. You?"

"Oh, we're all fine Jonah. We miss seein' you though. I saw your dad this morning He wanted you to eat with us tonight cause he's going to be late getting in. I was going to call ya after school, but I guess I won't have to now."

"Thanks for the offer, but I'll just make a sandwich or somethin'."

"No, Jonah, I'm not giving you that choice. I need to talk with you. You and Dexter."

"Yessir. I'll be over around six."

"Fine."

Damn, I did not want to go. I was even less enthused when I got over there and his Dad took us both into his den. It was really an extra bedroom where he had put all his bookcases, a desk, a couple of chairs and a small sofa. He sat behind his desk and we sat in the two chairs opposite.

"OK, what's goin' on with you two? As far as I know you haven't spoken in almost a month, you don't visit, and I don't hear Dexter even mention the name Jonah. It doesn't take a PhD to know that something's wrong."

"Nothing, really, we just have a disagreement" I said.

"Yeah," Dex said "that's all."

"That ain't gonna cut it" Dr. McGee said. "What's this about?"

"I just can't say. It's something that . . . it's very personal and I don't want to talk about it" I said.

"Jonah, I'm still the school psychologist. Anything you tell me is in absolute confidence. If we need to excuse Dexter so you can tell me what's bothering you, I will."

"No it's nothing like that, and Dex knows everything, I'm just not comfortable, . . . I mean . . . Hell, what's the use. I'm gay, OK? And apparently Dex can't deal with it."

"That's not true!" Dex yelled. "I don't care if he's gay. He wants me to choose between him and all my other friends, and I just can't. Jonah's like part of the family. I just can't tell him that if everybody at school found out that . . . well that I would still hang with him if it came down to a choice of that and the rest of my friends." Dex started crying. He put his head down into his hands. I felt like a total and completely selfish asshole. I started to cry too.

Dr. McGee got up and came over to us. "Boys, we've got this out in the open now. We have identified the issues and your feelings. Now we have to deal with it and resolve it. Jonah, I accept that you are gay. Apparently, so does Dexter. Acceptance by our peers is important to all of us. What both of you seem to be worried about is what will happen if the rest of the school finds out that Jonah is gay. Jonah, are you dating someone from school?"

"No sir, no one knows except Dex, Lori, and Sarah - not even Dad. Especially not Dad."

"Then why are we so worried about a hypothetical problem that hasn't happened yet?"

"I want to know that I can count on my friends to be there" I replied.

"We all want guarantees in life, Jonah. Life is just too short to worry about those things. I don't want you to think I'm taking sides here because Dexter is my son. I assure you I'm not. Jonah, I've always considered you like one of my own and I love you too, very much. Dexter, I need you to excuse us now."

Dex got up and left the room. "Jonah, I made Dexter leave because I want to tell you something. Dexter's probably the happiest most-well-adjusted kid I've ever seen. I'm not saying that because he's mine, but because I deal with kids every day. It's what I do. The last few weeks he's been miserable and almost impossible to live with. I've known for weeks that something was wrong and I was hoping you two would work it out together, but I saw no progress. I don't want you to be angry with me, but this had to end."

"I'm not angry, I'm relieved." I answered truthfully.

"Jonah, I also want to reaffirm that what was discussed here stays here. I understand your problems with your dad and his issues. All that military and religious dogma has him in a conflict with gay issues. I can appreciate your dilemma and your struggle with all that. I do want you to know that if you ever, and I mean ever need to talk about your feelings or your sexuality issues or problems with your dad, I'm here for you. In the meantime, I don't want you or Dexter to worry about whether your friendship will survive if you're outed somehow. Such friendships as you two have happen only once in a lifetime and they always find some way to survive.

"Do you believe that Dexter cares for you as much now as he ever did?"

"Yessir, I do."

"Another thing, Jonah, I don't know whether you're sexually active or not, but do we need to discuss safe sex practices?"

"No sir. I know how to use a condom and to use one every time."

"Good, we're done here for now. Let's go get some dinner."

"Doctor McGee?"

"Yes, Jonah,"

"Thank you, I mean it. I think I needed to talk."

"You're welcome Jonah." He said as he pulled me into a big bear hug.

When we walked out of the room and into their family room, Dex was sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands. He looked up and saw me and jumped up and nearly crushed me with the granddaddy of all hugs. "Jonah I'm so sorry. I was being so selfish."

"No, Dex, I was the selfish one. I didn't have any right to ask you . . ."

"You had every right. Jonah, I need to be there for ya. I wanna be there for ya. I was an idiot and I owe Zach an apology too."

"That one I'll agree with, but Dex, you heard what Zach said happened to him, and he's not even gay. It could be really bad."

"Bring ‘em on" he said grinning at me.

"That's my boys!" Doc McGee said smiling. "Now, go get washed up for supper."

The next morning Dex and I were waiting at the bus stop and kidding around like we used to. Lori walked up, saw us clowning around and broke into a run towards us. "Awwwww you two finally kissed and made up." She said smiling.

"I didn't get a kiss, but I did get the stuffin hugged outta me" I said smiling over at Dex.

"That is so cool." She said beaming. "What happened?"

"Dex's Dad made us sit down and talk about everything with him" I said.

"Everything?" She asked with a shocked expression.

"Well, now he knows I'm gay. I didn't talk about Sky or anything, just what started all this shit."

Everything at school went back to normal. Dex rejoined our lunch group. Dex did apologize to Zach, and they became friends. Dex got a little protective of the guy when he found out his whole story,

Dex was doing great in football. After the third or fourth game they moved him to the first string on defense. He wasn't a starter, but he played every game after that. His birthday was Halloween weekend and his folks wanted to have a party for him. His folks wanted a costume party, but he nixed that in a hurry. The day of the party was scheduled for a couple of days after his actual birthday, and his Dad took him to get his driver's license the Friday before the party. He brought it over to show me as soon as they got back. His photo looked absolutely goofy.

The party turned out really cool. He had a few of his friends from the team, some friends of ours from church, and of course Lori and I were there. We had invited Zach but he said his mom would be working and didn't have a way to get back into town. We were kinda bummed about that. Doc McKee went all out on the food. He grilled burgers and dogs, there was homemade ice cream, and a huge caramel cake. Dex's favorite. After the food was done, Doc McKee disappeared. I really hadn't noticed as Dex had pumped up the boom box and some of the kids were starting to dance.

In a few minutes we heard a horn honking. It kept honking so we all walked around to the front of the house. There in the driveway was Doc McKee sitting in the driver seat of a bright red Jeep Wrangler with a big bow on the hood. "Happy Birthday Dexter!" He yelled. I looked over at Dex and I thought he was about to pass out. He ran up and grabbed his dad as he was getting out of the Jeep. I was ready to hug Doc McGee too. Finally, one of our little group had some wheels.

Dex loved that Jeep. The best part was that for Lori and me it meant no more school bus, at least not in the mornings, as Dex had to stay late for football practice in the afternoons.

* * *

School had become a rather boring routine. Thanksgiving was coming up soon and I hadn't seen Sky since school started. Neither of our dads had said anything about when we might could get together again, but then again, I barely saw Dad, and Sky didn't even live with his. One evening I finally asked him. "Dad, do we have anything planned for Thanksgiving break?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I'm glad you asked. Sarah is coming in on Wednesday evening. We are going to have Thanksgiving dinner with Jessie and her kids. Your grandfather is going to be there too."

"Dad I'd really like to go over and visit Sky if there's some way I could get over there, or invite him over here."

"Sorry, son. I talked to David yesterday, he's taking Skyler with him up to Greenwood, Greenville, or wherever it is his parents live. They're going to be up there all that week."

Damn, damn, damn. Now it looked like it was going to be Christmas before I could see him again. This sucked big time. I called Sky and he was as pissed about it as I was, but there wasn't anything he or I could do about it.

* * *

Thanksgiving break finally arrived. Dad and I went to pick up Sarah at the airport. Man, it was good to see her again. We talked all the way home about her latest shows and travels. She was really getting a rep as a top model. More and more photographers, designers, and magazines were asking for her by name. She had gotten that apartment she wanted but wouldn't move in until after Christmas. She wanted me to come up sometime after that, maybe spring break. It really was exciting to hear her talk about her life.

That night she and I had a chance to talk about my issues. She was really glad I had supportive friends. She didn't like the idea of having Thanksgiving with "that woman" as we referred to her any more than I did. I still had only seen her the few times. I hadn't had a chance to really talk with her other than polite conversation. I knew what her kids looked like from pictures she had shown me, but since they went to a different school and church, I hadn't met them. Sarah and I both agreed it was going to be like having Thanksgiving with a bunch of strangers.

The next morning, we went over to my grandfather's house, and after picking him up, drove on over to "that woman's" house.

"Hey," dad said as she opened the door. "You already know my Dad and Jonah, and this is Sarah."

"Nice to finally meet you Sarah. Y'all c'mon in" she said ushering us into the house. "Jonah, the kids are out back somewhere, why don't you go find 'em. Ask Tammy to come in and start setting the table."

"Yes ma'am." I wandered on back through the small but very neat house till I got to the Kitchen and what I supposed was the back door. It went outside to a small covered patio. Tammy was sitting in a chair playing with a kitten and the boy I recognized as Jason was in the back yard tossing a football to some other kid about his size and age.

"Tammy?" I asked tentatively.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Jonah, I think your mom wants you to help her set the table. She told me to tell ya."

"Thanks," she said as she put the cat down and went back inside.

I walked back into the yard toward where the two boys were tossing the football. Jason was an average looking twelve year old. If he had started puberty, it didn't show much. He was maybe a couple of inches shorter than me, but he was a little stocky. Not fat, but stocky. He looked over at me and asked "You Jonah?"

"Yeah," I answered.

"I'm Jason, and this is my best bud, Tommy. He lives next door."

"Hi." Tommy said as he threw the ball back over to Jason.

"Wanna play?" Jason asked

"Nah, y'all go ahead" I went back over and sat down on the patio where Tammy had been. The cat started nuzzling around my feet. In a few minutes I heard Jessie calling us inside.

Jason started toward the house and his friend headed back towards his house. We went inside and Jessie was busy piling more food on the already crowded dining table. The dining room was rather small and the table and china cabinet pretty much filled it. I wound up sitting next to Sarah, Dad was sitting at one end of the table and Jessie was next to him on his left. Granddad was at the opposite end of the table. Granddad said the blessing and we started eating. After we had all gotten our desserts, Dad stood and said "I - we have an announcement. Jessie stood and they joined hands. Oh God, I knew what was coming. I looked over at Sarah and I felt her take my hand under the table.

"Jessie and I are getting married."

You could have absolutely heard a pin drop.

Granddad broke the silence. "Congratulations, son, and to you too Jessie. That is good news."

I looked at Sarah and she was looking at me. Both of us just stared blankly at each other for a few seconds. I looked over at Jason and Tammy. Jason had the same blank stare and Tammy was sort of smiling.

"Well, kids?"

"Congratulations, Dad." Sarah said softly, but still not smiling.

"Yah, congrats" I echoed.

Jason just got up and left the table and went down the hall somewhere.

"When's the wedding?" Tammy asked still smiling.

"Well that's the thing. We want to do it when everyone will be together. It's just going to be a small affair for family and a few friends and of course everyone from the office. We're going to try to do it over the Christmas holidays. There's more news, too. We both decided that neither of our houses is quite enough for a blended family. I've found a house with enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone and even a separate den for the kids. My new business has been doing really well, and I think it's time to move up a little."

Sarah and I just looked at each other and stared blankly again.

"When would we move?" I asked.

"We haven't decided that yet. I haven't closed on the house yet, but soon. Interest rates are so low right now I'd be a fool to pass up this deal. You and I will move in first Jonah, Jess and her kids will move in after the wedding.

I didn't know what to say. Hell, what do you say when your Dad turns your whole life upside down. We got up from the table and everyone helped Jessie clear the dishes off the table. Sarah volunteered to help with clean up and I went back into the living room and sat on a sofa. Granddad was sitting in a chair across from the sofa. "Jonah," he said "I understand this is something of a surprise to ya. It was sort of a surprise to me too, but he's been pretty miserable since he lost your mom. He worshipped that woman. I just want him to be happy again. You should too."

"I do Granddad. It's just going to take me some time, OK?"

"OK, son."

Sarah, Dad, and I didn't speak much on the short drive back from Granddad's. There wasn't much left to be said I guess.