Saturday afternoon, they sat on Robert's bunk with their backs against the wall. Robert leaned against Les who had his arm draped around his shoulders. Robert had already resigned himself to being in jail for a least a year for his attack on Jake. As they sat quietly enjoying each other's presence, Robert wondered if there was any possible future for the two of them together. Would Les wait for him? Would he still be interested in him once he was again on the outside where he had other choices in a mate? He knew that he'd soon have to discuss the future, but right now he was just enjoying what he'd denied himself all his life.

The claxon blared. The steel door to the outside clanked, then the footfalls of a single guard approaching. Robert hoped he would keep on walking, but he stopped at his cell. His heart beat harder as he heard his name called out. Les kissed him on the side of his head and let go of him. Robert looked at the guard. "You've got visitors. They must be important to get in to see you at this hour."

"Who are they? Do you know?"

"Hey, man," the guard said, "that's something you're going to have to find out for yourself."

Robert looked at Les. Les winked and smiled. "Could be good news, Rob." Robert nodded, but couldn't see anything good coming to him. 'Except Les,' he thought to himself. He followed the guard out, feeling like he was heading for his execution.

The guard led him to an interrogation room and opened the door. Robert hesitated. "Go on in, Man, like your buddy said, it could be good news." Robert stepped through the door and looked into Jake's eyes. He wished there was a rug he could crawl under when he saw his buzzed head and the red lines of the healing scars.

Jake and Charley stood behind the table in the small cubicle quietly talking while they waited to see Robert. There was a mirrored window on the wall behind them. When the door opened and Robert stepped in, Jake suddenly felt like yelling, "Surprise." Instead he smiled at the frightened man dressed in a bright orange jump suit who looked like he'd bolt any second.

"Jake." Robert whispered as he sank to his knees. "Oh God, forgive me. I am so sorry, Jake." He didn't even notice his brother standing behind Jake.

Jake stepped around the table and lifted Robert to his feet and wrapped him in a hug. Charley stood with his mouth agape. He hadn't been privy to the conversation that Jake had with the D.A., nor had Jake said anything about it on the way to the jail. He'd kind of half expected Jake to at least give Robert a lecture, even if he was trying to get his charges reduced. He was amazed to watch Jake guide Robert into a chair and then sit next to him with a protective arm around his shoulders. He was more amazed to see Robert open up to Jake and tell him about his epiphany. Charley saw his tightly-wound brother's eyes light up and his whole body relax as Robert told about Les. Jake had hardly said a word.

When Robert wound down and again apologized, he looked up and noticed Charley still standing on the other side of the table. He held his arms up to him, beseeching. Charley stepped around the table and kneeled next to his brother and hugged him. Robert burst into tears as he apologized to him about his treatment of Jake and then he started blubbering a whole litany of apologies for all the things he'd done his whole life. Charley shushed him, telling him that it was all in the past, that he should just leave it behind and go on with his life.

When Robert had calmed down and was only rocked by an occasional shudder, Jake placed a hand on his back and rubbed. "You'll be out of here Monday, Robert. The D.A. is getting the charges reduced. And some of them dropped. Your dad will be posting your bail."

Robert again burst into tears. "God, I don't deserve this. I'm such a fuck up."

Charley held him tighter and said, "Yeah, you are. But you are being given a second chance. I'm sure you'll do better this time."

For a moment the old attitudes flared up in Robert, but he immediately squashed them. He grinned at Charley and said, "Fuck you, Little Brother."

Charley grinned back. "Nope, only Jake gets to do that."

Robert laughed and then looked doubtful. "Do you think Les will still want me when he gets out?" he asked.

Jake couldn't help but chuckle at the change that had been wrought in the little man. "Robert, you need to have a discussion with Les about that. Only he can answer that question."

Robert's demeanor was introverted and thoughtful as the guard ushered him back into the cell. He stood just inside the door and studied Les, not saying anything.

Les watched him for a few moments and then said, "Well, was it that bad?"

Robert blinked and shook his head. "The charges are being reduced. The charge of attempted murder is being dropped. I'll be getting out of here Monday." He continued staring at Les looking for a clue of how he felt.

Les smiled at him. "I'm happy for you, Rob. Why aren't you smiling?"

Robert walked over to the bunk and sat down next to Les, not touching him.

"For the first time in my life I've felt free to be myself, here with you. I don't want to leave you, Les. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Les pulled the smaller man up against his side. "Robert, I'm going to lay it all on the line. I hope I don't regret this." He took a big breath and let it out slowly. "When I lost Sammy I figured I would never have another chance at love. When I first saw you, my heart did a flip. But I had no thought of you being gay, that there might be a chance. I fell in love with you that night, that first night holding you while you slept.

"My heart broke the next morning when you were so hostile. I could see your problem, but I didn't know how to fix it, so I closed up and let you be. You don't know how happy I was when you asked me to hold you again. I love you, Rob. If you'll be willing to wait until I get out of here.... it will only be seven more weeks..... I'd like to see if we could make a life together."

Robert looked up at Les. His eyes lit up. "Do you mean that, Les? You really want to see me once you get out of here?"

Les squeezed him. "I want a hell of a lot more than just seeing you, Rob."

The two men started making plans for the future. They opened up to each other, shared their pasts and hopes for the future. They talked late into the night cuddled together on the lower bunk. Sunday was much the same.

In the early hours of Monday morning Robert felt Les's big cock pressing against his butt. He thought about how it would feel inside of him. As badly as he wanted to know the feeling, it would have to wait until they were both free. He crawled out of the bunk and relieved himself. He stood and gazed at the marvelous man that had helped him change into the man he wanted to be. He recalled standing beside the bed looking at his wife in the early morning light and feeling resigned to having to crawl back into the bed with her. He was eager to get back into the bunk with Les. He suddenly remembered that this early morning hour was probably going to be the last time for a while before they could make love to each other again. Instead of putting his back to Les's chest he crawled in facing him. Les's arm automatically pulled him in close. Their legs intertwined as their cocks touched and pressed together. Rob ground against his lover and kissed his chest. Les groaned and pressed back against him. "G'morning, Humpy," he mumbled. Robert giggled.

Robert was in a quandary as to why Les had also been summoned to appear in court the next afternoon. Les simply assumed that he was going to be asked to testify about the change in Robert's demeanor. Chess, Tom, Charley, and Jake sat in the gallery grinning as they were led into the court room and told to stand before the judge. The D.A. was standing to one side trying to look serious. Les looked at him and Frank winked, almost breaking into a smile. He wondered what it meant.

The judge studied the paperwork before him. He looked down at the two men and then at the D.A.. He glanced at the four men in the gallery. He studied the papers on his desk some more before looking back at the two men before him. He studied Les for a few moments. Les held his gaze.

The judge then turned his eyes on Robert. Robert was reviewing his actions the last time he'd appeared before this same judge. Tears of shame filled his eyes and overflowed. He bowed his head.

The judge nodded. "This proceeding is a bit irregular, but in reviewing your case, Robert, I feel justified in doing this. I have discussed this with the D.A. and had an interesting conversation with Mr. Shipman.

"Robert, you are a good lawyer. I've studied the cases you've handled. You've shown that you have integrity. I am impressed by the number of cases you've taken on gratis. It would be a shame to lose you. Since, Mr. Shipman refuses to make any charges, and at the urging of the District Attorney, I am dropping all charges against you. However, I insist that you go through six months of psychological counseling. You will be seeing an approved psychologist once a week and you will pay his fees out of your own pocket, and if I see you back in my courtroom as anything other than an attorney, I WILL throw the book at you."

"Thank you, Sir," Robert said with tears still running unchecked down his face.

The judge turned to Les. "Lester, you've always been an upstanding member of this community. If you weren't so tight-lipped you wouldn't be standing before me now. It has just been brought to my attention that you just recently lost your life partner. My condolences. We all can do uncharacteristic things when we are grieving. I was surprised at what you did, but you have made complete restitution to the owner of the bar. I am rescinding your sentence and re-sentencing you to six months of community service. I want you to work with the Juvenile Authority, counseling troubled youth.

"Now, I want to be the first to wish the two of you the best. I hope you succeed in developing a lasting relationship. Oh, Robert, Les is not on the list of psychologist you can choose from."

Jake and Charley had to chuckle at the malicious grin on the judge's face. Robert, at first embarrassed to be outed, looked at Les with his face filled with surprise, he'd had no idea that Les was a psychologist. Les just grinned and shrugged.

Monday evening Charley and Jake were on their way back home. Jake was happy, he'd done what he'd hoped to accomplish. He really felt that Robert was on his way to a healthy happy life. And Gloria? 'Eh,' he thought. There wasn't much trust to be placed in her. It was anything that she done recently. Actually she'd been quite nice to him. It was just a basic instinctive feeling that she might turn on him at any time. Chess? Well, there was no one like him in the world. A rare, precious gem of a man. He'd come to love the man more than he ever thought of loving his own father. When he thought about his own father he felt an emptiness that would never be filled. The man had cared for Jake, and took pride in the fact he was his son. But Jake felt that the man had taken better care and more pride in his show horses. Jake turned his mind to his lover who was driving. Here was another rare gem, another one of a kind man, and Charley was his. Jake's heart filled to near bursting with love for his man.

Charley glanced over at his lover occasionally as he drove through the dark night. Jake appeared to be sleeping, but after the last glance he had the distinct feeling that Jake was watching him. He looked at him again in the dim light from the dash and saw a little smile on his face. Charley looked back at the road and then back at Jake. Jake's eyes were open and his smile was bigger. He had the seat tilted back so he was half lying in it facing Charley with one leg up on the seat. Charley smiled back at him. "I love you, Babe," he said, grasping Jake's bent knee laying next to his thigh.

Jake's hand covered his. He didn't say anything. Charley didn't need to hear it, he could feel it in the way Jake caressed his hand.

"You want me to drive the rest of the way? You've got to be tired."

"Nah, I'm okay. We'll be home in half an hour."

"I must have dozed for a while. I didn't realize we were that close."

Quiet reined for a few minutes. Both men were comfortable with it. Eventually, Charley spoke. "I am still agog at the change in Robert. That Les is an amazing man. My brother is so lucky."

"You and I are the lucky ones. Neither of us had to go through a crisis to find ourselves like Robert did."

"You never told me about your visit with Elaine."

"I didn't, did I?"

Charley waited. When Jake didn't say anything he asked, "So are you going to?"

"I was just thinking about how she's reacting."

Charley glanced at him and then back at the road. "Is she taking it hard?"

"No, actually I think she's okay with it. I thought she'd be bitter. Its gotta be hard finding out your husband and the father of your children is queer."

"She had no clue?"

"Yes, she long suspected it. She loves Robert. She wants to see him find happiness. At first she was angry and was blaming Gloria for Robert's predicament, but then after thinking about it, she realized that for years Robert had been a bomb just waiting to explode, and that I, unwittingly, had been the detonator."

"You can detonate me anytime, Babe. Just light my fuse," Charley said grinning at him.

"It's such a short fuse. You might explode in my face," Jake replied looking very serious.

"I like doing that." Charley looked just as serious.

Jake grinned and then chuckled. "I love you, you sex pig. And your fuse isn't short by any standard." Charley made a face at him. "Anyway, back to Elaine. She was worried about letting the boys see their dad. I explained to her that there is a big difference between being gay and being a pedophile. Of course, some gays are pedophiles, but I told her she needn't worry about Robert."

"Did you tell her about Les?"

"It wasn't my place to do that. Actually, I didn't even tell her that he is gay. She just assumed that. Robert's going to have to tell her himself."

Charley nodded. "I really thought Robert would move right in with Les. I know Les asked him to."

"Yeah, Robert told me he wanted to get his life straightened out first. He doesn't feel comfortable dumping all his problem's on Les."

"It sounds like Robert has started maturing."

"He's certainly not the same person that sent me those hateful notes a couple of months ago."

"You know? I love Robert as my brother," Charley sighed. "I may yet learn to like him."

Tuesday morning Gloria had been released from the hospital. Chess took her home and made sure she would be okay alone. He'd headed back to the office. She sat at the desk where she'd passed out three days earlier after taking the bottle of sleeping pills. She stared out the window not realizing it had been broken and replaced.

She still hadn't found a way to talk to Chess. She had been given an anti-depressant. It was working, but she didn't feel connected to her old world any more. She vowed to herself that she was not going to lock herself away in her rooms again. She poured the remains of the bottle of vodka down the sink and swore it would be a long time before she took another drink.

After calling a couple of long time friends she dressed and met them for lunch. She sat and listened to the two women talking, gossiping and dissing. She felt disconnected from them and the life she'd led all these years. After the table was cleared and coffee was served, she suddenly knew what she had to do. She asked her friends pardon without giving a reason for suddenly leaving. She paid the check for the three of them and left them to wonder what was going on with her. She'd been the one to invite them to lunch. They were still unaware that Gloria had been in the hospital.

Once home she went into her bedroom, made several calls and started separating her clothes into those she'd keep and the ones she'd give away. When she finished with her clothes, she started on all the personal items in both her bedroom and her study. She stuck notes on the items she wanted to give to each of her sons.

When Chess came home from the office she had her bags packed and in the trunk of her car. She was sitting calmly at the kitchen table as he entered the back door. He asked her how she was doing.

"I'm fine, Chess, sit down a minute. I need to talk to you."

Without a word Chess set his briefcase on the table and laid his suit jacket over it. He sat down and looked at her.

She took his hand and patted it. "Chess, I know you love me and I love you, but it's simply not enough to hold us together as a couple. There's not much left of our relationship. We're just living in the same house. Our sons are all pretty much settled into their own lives. I think the time has come. I'm leaving." She paused.

Chess studied the table top a moment while his mind processed what she was saying. He'd subconsciously half expected this for a while. He thought about how it was going to affect his life. He couldn't see that much would change except the house would feel empty without her in it. He nodded and looked up at her. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"California. To Amanda's."

He nodded again. "It's funny how your oldest sister and you, the youngest in your family, have always been so close."

Gloria shrugged. "She filled the role of mother after my mother died when I was young."

"Do you want a divorce?"

"Would you protest if I asked for one?"

"No."

"You haven't acted surprised."

Chess sighed. "No, I kind of expected it would come to this."

"You are a good man, Chess. What are you going to do?"

"He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I'll sell the house and travel."

"Have you thought of giving the house to Tom?"

"Yes, I've thought of it. This house holds many happy memories for this family. It would be nice to keep it in the family."

Nothing was said about splitting the wealth. Gloria had come from a well-to-do family. She'd helped support Chess through law school. But after he had started practicing law he took over the support of his family that by then consisted of his wife and their first son. Gloria had invested her inheritance intelligently over the years and had accrued a lot of wealth on her own. Chess in turn had done the same with his income. They had each placed equal amounts in saving accounts for each of their sons' educations. There was no reason to ask for a divorce settlement; both were aware that eventually all they had would be equally divided between their three sons.

After a little more discussion Gloria stood. "I guess there is no reason I shouldn't be on the road." She gathered her purse and a sweater. Chess stood up and watched her with his hands stuffed in his pockets. She kissed him lightly on the lips and said she'd call him to let him know she'd arrived safely. He walked her out to her car and told her not to pick up any hitchhikers. She gave him a last broken smile, started the car and backed out of the driveway. They waved and she disappeared down the street. Chess sighed, went into the house and called each of his sons to inform them of their mother's decision.

Charley's response was, "Come live with us, Dad. A change of scenery might be good for you."

Tom said he kind of expected something like that from her. He wasn't surprised that she'd

left without saying goodbye. Chess offered the house to him, his oldest son. Tom's response was, "I'll buy it from you, Dad, but I won't accept it gratis. That wouldn't be fair to Rob or Charley."

"That's admirable of you, Son. What price should I put on it?"

"Fair market value, Dad. Get it appraised."

"I love you, Son."

"I love you, too, Dad. What are your plans?"

"Oh, I don't know. A small condo maybe."

"There's speculation around the office that you are thinking of retiring."

"Oh there is, is there? Someone trying to put the old horse out to pasture?"

"There's not any truth in it, is there?"

"You know Son, I think I'll take a vacation. Drive down to the Keys and visit your Uncle Bob. I haven't seen him for a while. I'll let you know the answer when I get back."

"You going to be okay without mom?"

"Tom, you know your mother has always been her own person. Of course, I'll be okay."

"Well, if you need company don't hesitate to come over. Our door is open anytime."

Robert had moved into a small efficiency apartment after he'd been released from jail. Elaine had offered to let him have the guest room, but Robert felt he needed to make a clean break. He was visiting with her the day his mother left. Elaine had just told him about Jake's visit and he'd ended up crying again and apologizing for being such an ass.

"Robby." Elaine was the only one who he'd ever allowed to call him that after he turned twelve. "I have no regrets. We have two beautiful sons. And we had a pretty good time together. We'll continue to be friends."

"You are my best friend, Elaine. You've stood by me through all the mess I've been going through. I do love you, you know."

It was while he was talking to Elaine that his cell phone rang. Elaine watched him as he answered it.

"Oh, hi, Dad. Thanks for everything you did for me."

She watched his face crinkle in emotional pain as Chess told him about his mother leaving.

"What? You're kidding me. She didn't even say anything to me. No goodbye, nothing." Robert at first felt it was his fault that his mother left, but his dad explained that it had been an eventuality for a long time before Robert's escapade, that Robert had nothing to do with it.

"I guess you're right, Dad, but I still feel partly responsible for it."

There was a pause.

"So how are you taking it Dad?"

Pause.

"You want me to come stay with you?"

Pause.

"I'm here for you, Dad. Anything I can do for you just call me. I love you. Bye." Robert snapped his phone closed and turned to his wife. "Do you believe that? Mom just packed up and is driving out to California. She's planning on living with Aunt Mandy. No good-byes. Nothing. She just up and left."

Elaine held her tongue. She'd never gotten along with her mother-in-law, and had nothing good to say about her. She let him stew at the news for a bit and then reminded him that they still had things to talk about. "Robert, did you get the notice that I've filed for divorce."

Robert nodded, leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "I failed you, Elaine. I failed you and our boys."

"Stop it, Robert. You haven't failed us. The only one you failed was yourself. And you're rectifying that."

He sat up and looked at her. He didn't say anything as she watched a series of emotions flicker across his face. At first his expression frightened her, and then he started to tear up

"What is it, Robert?"

He studied the floor and then looked up at her. "What reason did you give for requesting the divorce?"

She shrugged. "Incompatibility."

"So you know."

"Know what?"

Robert jumped up and strode across the room and whirled and stared at her. "You know I'm queer."

Elaine knew what he was saying, but she couldn't help but get in a little dig. "Well, your actions recently have been a bit strange. Maybe even peculiar. But I wouldn't call you queer."

A look of frustration swept his face. He walked back across the room and sat back down. "I'm gay, Elaine. And I'm not saying I'm happy, I'm a homosexual."

"Oh, well, yes. I had figured that out. And after talking to Jake I fully accept it and it's okay."

"You talked to Jake about me being a fag?"

"Robert if you ever use that word again I'll..... I'll slap your face off your head. Jake came by to see me after he got you out of jail. He explained a lot of things to me that I didn't understand. I asked him if you were gay and he told me you would have to answer that question yourself." She thought for a minute and added, "Which you just did."

Robert took a moment to digest the fact that Jake had helped him again, and then changed the course of the conversation. "You know, I never acted on my urges in all the years we've been married. Well, until I went to jail."

"You weren't raped, were you?"

"No. It was nothing like that. Why don't we get a cup of coffee and I'll tell you the whole story."

They sat across the kitchen table from each other. Robert stirred his coffee as he thought about where to begin. Elaine held her mug with both hands, her elbows on the table as she studied her husband. She realized he was still her best friend. It had been a long time since she'd felt in love with him. Now as she studied him she felt a deep abiding love of old friends. It had been in a knee-jerk angry reaction that she'd called a lawyer and started the divorce process, but now she was satisfied that it was done.

She felt bad about lashing out at Gloria. She'd never liked her mother-in-law, but it had been wrong to blame her for Robert's actions. Robert had deserved to go to jail. She still had a difficult time believing that he'd physically attacked Jake. Jake who had brought nothing but good into their lives. She felt he'd gotten off a little too easy, thanks to Jake and Chess, but she also felt that he'd learned his lesson. 'Now,' she thought, 'let's see what he says.'

Robert finally looked up at her and met her gaze. She thought about how long it had been since he'd done that. He cleared his throat. "It feels so good not to be filled with anger. I've been so full of anger that I don't know how anyone could stand to be around me." He picked up his mug and sipped the coffee. "There is so much I need to apologize for, especially to you."

"Yes, yes there is. But now that you know that, I think the rest should be easy."

"Easy? Are you kidding? I am so ashamed." He set his mug down, picked up the teaspoon and started stirring again.

"You were going to tell me what happened in jail."

"Oh, yes. Well...."

Robert proceeded to tell her how he lashed out in hate and anger at everyone, about how he stewed for days in a cell by himself and then the advent of Les having been put into the cell with him. Gloria could see at the mention of Les's name that Robert revered the man. And as he described the following time of having to be near him all the time and the calming effect that Les had on him, she knew that he had fallen in love with him. She considered how she felt about that, and then decided that she was happy for Robert. She knew that their time as wife and husband had ended whether Robert loved Les or not.

And then Robert held her gaze as he told her that he had fallen in love with Les. She smiled at him to let him know she was okay with it. And then he continued with telling about Jake's visit and the court appearance the next day.

"So what happens now? Are you two going to live together?"

Robert blushed. "We haven't gotten that far yet."

Elaine reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. "Robert, I want you to know I really am happy for you. I'm glad that you've finally stopped denying who you are. God! I can't believe I'm going to say this." She took a deep breath and let it out. "Robert, I'm glad you've found a good man who loves you."

Robert blushed. "Thank you, Elaine. You really are my dearest friend." He covered her hand.

"We need to discuss how this is going to affect the boys. They are old enough to soon start realizing what is happening. I've been honest with them about you being in jail and why. I think they are both angry with you at the moment."

"Where are they?"

"They're with Mom and Dad."

"How are they taking the news that your husband is a jailbird?"

"They are upset. I've discussed it with Mom, but Dad just left the room when I tried with him."

"I guess it's only going to get worse when they find out I'm a fag."

"Robert, stop it. Don't start getting down on yourself. You may be gay, but you are not a fag." She'd forgotten about her earlier threat.

Robert stared at the tabletop. "I just seem to cause problems wherever I go."

"There's no problem we can't deal with."

"I don't understand why you are being so easy with all this."

"It's simple. You are my friend."

Robert looked up at her. She smiled at him. He managed to smile back. Elaine looked at her watch. "It's time for Mom to show up with the boys."

"Maybe I should go."

"Don't you want to see the boys?"

Tears filled Robert's eyes. "May I?"

"For God's sake. They are your sons. Of course you can."

"I was so sure you wouldn't want me around them."

"Are you a pedophile?" She mentally thanked Jake for setting her right on that misconception.

"No."

"Then why wouldn't I want you to be with you sons?"

"I love you, Elaine. God, how I wish I could be straight." He buried his head in his arms on the table and sobbed.

Elaine moved around to hug his shoulders. "But you're not, Robert. We'll just have to learn to live with it. I think everything will eventually turn out okay. Now go in the bathroom and wash your face and get your act together."

Robert stood up and sheepishly grinned at her. "Yes, Mommy," he said as he headed toward the bathroom. She slapped him on the shoulder as he passed.

He was still in the bathroom when he heard his young sons' voices. He dried his face and stared at himself in the mirror. "Keep your act together," he said to himself. "Make Les and Jake proud of you." He squared his shoulders, cleared his throat and headed for the living room to see his two little sons.

When he stepped into the room Elizabeth, Elaine's mother immediately saw him and bristled. "Well, if it isn't the jailbird. I'm amazed you have the audacity to show your face here."

"That's enough, Mother." Elaine snapped. The two little boys, seeing their daddy ran to him screaming with delight, "Daddy, Daddy."

Robert knelt and scooped both boys into his arms and kissed each on his cheek and in return got hugged and kissed back. He looked up red faced, ashamed, but he was determined to face his problems head-on. He looked his mother-in law in the eyes, and asked, "Do you know why I was in jail?" He glanced at Elaine. She was frowning, her mouth a tight, thin line. He looked back at Elizabeth, who had lost a bit of her hostility. "I lost my temper, because I couldn't deal with my emotions. I attacked my brother-in-law, Jake, with a tire tool." He glanced again at Elaine. Her expression of pride made him feel better.

"My word. Did he try something with you?"

"No ma'am, Jake is the consummate gentleman. Besides he's so in love with Charley that there's no way he'd look at another man. No, the problem was totally mine."

"You were .... ah... homophobic?"

'You could say that."

Elaine moved to put a hand on his arm. "Robert you don't need to do this."

Letting the two little boys go, he stood up and kissed her on her forehead and quietly said to her, "Yes, I do. If she can't deal with the truth, then that's her problem." He turned to his soon to be ex-mother-in-law. "Elizabeth, I've fought it all my life, but the fact is I am a homosexual. You see, I tried for years not to be. I've tried to hide it, not just from the world, but from myself also. Jake's presence simply brought out feelings I've hidden from for years. In my twisted thinking it was Jake's fault that I was feeling all these things I've hidden from for so long. In my frustration I took out my anger on him."

Elizabeth stared in shock at her son-in-law for several seconds, then grabbed Elaine's arm and ushered her into the kitchen. With tears in his eyes, Robert listened to the loudly whispered conversation.

"I can't believe you allow him near the boys."

"Mother, Robert is a good father. He is gay. He is not a pedophile."

There was a moment of silence then he heard Elizabeth say, "Oh, I've always been led to believe they're one and the same."

"That's just good ol' Christian bullshit, Mom. Statistics indicate that more straight men molest children than gay men."

Robert glanced up when he heard the two women return to the livingroom. His mother-in-law's smile looked a little guilty. He waited a moment to see if she was going to say something to him. When she didn't he looked at Elaine and said, "Thanks for defending me." He then looked at Elizabeth. "Rest assured that I would kill anyone trying to molest my sons."

"Robert, I apologize for thinking that you would do such a dastardly thing. I'm going to have to rethink some of the things I've been taught over the years. It looks like I have my job cut out for changing my husband's thinking, too."

Robert stood and lifted his little sons into his arms. "It's time for a nap, Men. Kiss your Grammy bye." He carried the two boys into their bedroom assured that Elaine would continue to be his staunch friend and supporter.