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- 07/25/2013
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Life Changes - 4. Chapter 4
“Now why on earth would I do that?” I looked thunderstruck at Harry.
“Don’t you want to go to the gay pride parade with me?”
I looked at the shirts Harry wanted us to wear and shook my head.
“You know I just came out, but I’m not ready to wear that anywhere.”
Harry laughed and picked up one of the matching shirts. It was neon pink and read “My boyfriend wants me” on the front and “Again” on the back.
“I thought they were cute.”
“You are crazy.” I pushed him and laughed. “Besides your mother went out and bought a rainbow flag to fly in the front yard. My mother is still asking me if I am sure.”
Harry laughed. “I was lucky to get in the door. Sometimes I wonder if she thinks it is catching.”
We were sitting in the family room relaxing. The parade was this weekend and I really wanted to go. I was curious as to what I would see.
“Hey guys, want to go to the store with me? I need to pick up some diapers and we can stop at the Carvel stand for ice cream while we are out.”
Harry and I looked at each other and shrugged.
“Sure, Neil.” I noticed he wasn’t holding Maryann. “Where’s the munchkin?”
“Mom’s got her. Figured I would take the chance to pick up some odds and ends. Besides, I want to talk to you for a minute without having to worry about the baby.”
Harry and I looked at each other and followed Neil out to his car. We climbed into the back once we noted the diaper bag and toys in the passenger seat.
The drive had been quiet and I wasn’t sure what Neil wanted to talk about. Usually he just came out with things, but the last two months had caused a lot of changes in him.
“Do you two need a lift this weekend for the parade?” Neil looked into the rear view mirror as he spoke.
“How did you know we were going?” I asked.
Harry looked at me surprised.
“Oh come on. Since you came out you have been talking about the parade. I know there is no way the two of you would miss going to that. Hell, even Uncle Chris talks about those parades.”
I smiled. Leave it Neil to know what I had planned.
“Thanks. We might take you up on that.” I watched Neil’s face from the back seat and knew there was more to his invite to tag along than just asking about the parade.
“I just figured I’d offer. If you need me, I’m here.”
“Alright, it’s your turn to spill bro. What’s up?”
Harry squirmed in the seat beside me. He hadn’t planned on getting caught up in my family dynamics, but there wasn’t much I could do. Neil needed to say something and I wasn’t sure when he would have the chance to do it again
“I see you are following my example.” I could see the way his eyes sort of twinkled in the mirror.
“Stop playing for time. I am missing my make out time with Harry for this.”
Harry blushed and nervously laughed beside me.
“I have a job offer.”
Neil had been applying to jobs ever since he had finished his degree last month. He didn’t want to have to depend on Mom and Dad. He had put all of Maryann’s money into accounts. Her parent’s apartment had been cleared out, furniture sold, and jewelry was put into a safety deposit box for her. Neil was looking to start the next chapter in his life; it just meant he had a daughter to consider as well now.
“Okay?”
“It’s in Indiana.”
“Holy shit, Neil. That isn’t around the corner. Do you really want to go so far from home?”
I heard him chuckle.
“You forget, I was going to college in California. I only came home,” there was a pause as I heard Neil let out a breath, “well, you know why.”
It had been a rotten situation that had brought Neil home, but I was happy to have my brother around full time again. There were things I was facing that Mom just didn’t understand, and Dad would help me with some stuff, but he wasn’t around much. That left Neil as my rock and I wasn’t sure what would happen if he left home again.
“Yeah but that was before you had Maryann. Will you be able to take care of her without help out there?”
“And what about Ralph?” Harry had taken my hand. He knew how close I was to Neil.
“Relax guys. I am just trying to figure out if I want it right now. I guess you could say I am sounding out the family.”
I saw the look on his face and knew something more was bothering him.
“Neil, what’s really going on? I know you were originally looking for something here. Why the sudden change to Indiana?”
“Lisa is becoming impossible. She wants to fight the will and take Maryann away from me. If I move, she will have less access to the baby.”
I sat there stunned.
“Are you kidding?” Harry looked as upset as I felt. “You are great with the kid.”
“She says she is family and I have no right to Maryann. I'm not going to lose her after all of this.”
I didn’t know what to say. Harry reached out and pulled me into a hug.
Neil parked the car and we climbed out robotically. My only thought was to call Uncle Chris. He had a law degree and might be able to help Neil. So much for my happy weekend.
I do apologize for the space between chapters. They have been written but needed my beta and editor to go over and one was on vacation.
Comments are always welcome. If you are enjoying the story feel free to hit that like button.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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