Stephen - 14. Chapter 14

Two months had passed, when Aunty asked me if I thought I could run the farm while she went to visit a friend. I just had a letter from Nohr, so I knew who the friend was.

"Yes, just leave the phone numbers so I can call for the milk pick up and eggs. You need to let them know that I'll be calling. Also leave me a number where I can reach you.”

The following Monday when the man came to get the milk, Aunty introduced me to him and told him I would be calling for the pick up while she was gone.

For the next two days, Aunty made sure I had enough food to last till she came back, which by her estimate, was two weeks. I knew I’d have no problem with the food, there were always the crabs as well as fish, plus I had a lot of eggs. I could always walk to the village and get bread if I needed it, and I might try and bake some bread as well. I’d be ok, but try and convince Aunty of that. The day she left, Nohr's grandfather brought me dinner. I thanked him for it and he told me to go to his place for dinner. Breakfast and lunch I was on my own. Aunty was making sure I was taken care of properly.

I took eggs, milk, and cream with me when I went to dinner. I also took fish occasionally and on occasion crabs. It was nice, I enjoyed myself in their company. I never had grandparents, so it was treat to be treated as a grandson. They knew about Nohr and me, so that helped.

For the next two weeks, I was getting quite comfortable being by myself, except for dinner. I haven't gone to church for a while, neither had Aunty. I stayed away from the tavern on Saturdays. I enjoyed the quiet and being by myself allowed me to read, and do my homework. I did miss Nohr and wish, many times, he was with me.

The two weeks were up and no Aunty. I was concerned so I walked to Nohr's grandparents to ask if they heard anything. They said they hadn't heard anything, but they were sure she was ok. Nohr's letter arrived the next day that explained everything. It seemed John and Aunty hooked up and Aunty was helping John setting up his apartment. Since John's apartment was close to the Gymnasium, they kept in contact with Nohr. I wrote back to Nohr thanking him for keeping me informed about Aunty. I told him I was quite worried since she was to be back and I didn't know if something happened or not. Then I told him how I missed him, how his grandparents were feeding me, and lastly, I loved him. I posted the letter that night and as I was walking home, I saw Jeppe on the road crying.

"Jeppe, what’s wrong?”

"I did something bad, now I'm not allowed in the house."

“What did you do that was so bad for you to be outside on a cold night?”

"I told my mother and dad that I think I like boys better than girls.”

"How old are you?”

"I'll be eleven in three weeks.”

"How do you know you like boys better than girls?”

"Girls always tease me, call me names because I'm small. Boys don't do that.”

"Yes, girls can be mean. Did you explain that to your parents?”

“No, I didn't have a chance.”

"Come with me and you can talk to them.”

"No, they say bad things about you.”

"Don't let that worry you, God has my back just like He has yours."

I was a little afraid of Jeppe's parents what they were doing was wrong. I knocked on the door. Jeppe's dad answered, "What do you want?”

"I think you need to hear what Jeppe has to say. You jumped to the wrong conclusion. Jeppe isn't gay, Jeppe, tell your dad what you told me.”

I stood there as Jeppe explained to his dad what he meant when he said he liked boys better than girls. I could see his mother standing behind his father, tears were running down her face.

"I think you owe Jeppe an apology. You jumped to a conclusion and almost lost a son. In many ways you are like my father that almost got me killed. Jeppe isn't gay, he's a small boy that doesn't like angry girls teasing him. You'll be ok now, Jeppe, don't forget fishing tomorrow.”

I walked away with a heavy heart, are fathers like that all over? Is there no place where people are accepted as God intended? That night, laying in bed, tears came again. It was a long time since I cried myself to sleep, but that night I did.