A prompt a week - 10. Spring Confessions - Prompt 313

“Did you say the crocuses were blooming?”

Ray looked up from his computer and faced his son. “Yeah. Finally some signs of spring.”

“You always told me to look for the pussy willows to open and that was a true sign of spring.”

“Oh, so finally paying attention to your old man are you?”

Nick blushed and looked at his feet. “I listen … sometimes.”

Ray laughed out loud and pushed himself away from his desk. “So what brought on the interest in spring? You finally find yourself someone to moon over?”

“Jeez Dad. What am I, a little kid?”

“No.” Ray stopped and looked at his son. His boy resembled his mother more than him. Nick was small like his wife, with the same fine features and dirty blond hair. He had taken to swimming and was thin as a rail. “No, you aren’t a little kid. However, you haven’t shown much of an interest in dating at all. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to want get into a girl’s pants.”

Nick blushed a deep shade of red that colored his face and his neck. He kept looking at the floor.

“Maybe, I’m wrong here.” Ray paused as he watched his son squirm uncomfortably before him. “Maybe you are like your Uncle Rich and just haven’t found the right man yet.”

Ray watched as his son’s shoulder’s nearly crumbled before him.

“You know it doesn’t matter to me either way son. I just want you to be happy. Besides, your sister and older brother are pretty much working on making me a grandfather already. I don’t need you to worry that you aren’t living up to that standard.”

Nick giggled and tried not look up.

Ray walked over and hugged his son.

Nick hugged his father back and tried to slip away, but his father didn’t let go so quickly.

“So why are you so interested in the crocus and spring?”

“Um, spring dance is coming up. I was … asked out.”

“Hmm. Are you going to make me guess by who are you going to tell me?”

“Sam.”

Ray stepped back and waited for his son to look him in the eye.

“Sam Western, Mrs. Western’s daughter or Sam Christopher, Mr. Christopher’s son?”

“Christopher.”

“Okay. So is he picking you up or do you two need a driver?”

“Dad!”

“Don’t dad me. You don’t have a license and it is too far for you to walk. So either, he is picking you up or I am taking you both? You know you have a curfew.”

Nick stood there biting his bottom lip and shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Spill it Nick. You know you are horrible with secrets.” Ray rolled his eyes and waited for Nick to tell him what was wrong.

“His dad is going to kill him.”

“Why?”

“Cause his father doesn’t know.” Nick nearly whispered this to his father.

“Know he is gay?” Ray tried to keep his voice even so his son wouldn't get spooked.

“Yeah.”

“Why would that be a problem?”

“Cause not everyone is like you and mom.” Nick hugged himself and looked back at the floor.

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

“Oh, God! No. Please, Dad, let mom do it.”

Ray shook his head. Unlike his petite wife and son, Ray was a mountain of a man. He was just over six foot four and solid as a rock. Being a cop with a busy family kept him in shape. Didn’t hurt that there were only five men working in the county and there was little in the way of crime other than the occasional drunk driver. However, whenever Ray walked into a situation it was usually stopped before he reached the people involved.

“Fine. I’ll let your mother handle this. However, I want you to keep an eye on Sam. If anything happens to him I want you to tell me. Understand.”

“Yeah, I understand.” Nick walked up and hugged his father again. “Thanks for being you, Dad.”

Ray smiled patted his son on the head. For a sixteen year old, his son was really on the way to becoming a good man.