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"When my life is through, 'ADAGE: noun. 1. A condensed or memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.' Chris could almost see those words as if they were printed in the air. 'Deaths come in threes'. That's an adage...and in most cases it becomes reality even if we have to search distantly to find the third person to complete the trio...movie stars, important people or leaders, family members, but especially friends. First it was Mark, a couple of days later, Alex, then a few more days, and it was Steve...to set the final arc of the circle. Chris called the Atlanta PD and the EMS to come to Steve's apartment to make a report and pick up Steve's body. There was no foul play in Steve's death. He hadn't overdosed. The Phantom illness had finally taken him after he had put up such a fight for so many years, experiencing brutal pain and mental anguish during thousands of hours and nights of loneliness, trying to remember, or relive, better days when he'd been well and gay. After Steve's body had been taken away to the hospital and then on to the morgue, Chris made another phone call to Felix Sizemore tell him to be prepared to pick Steve up for either embalming or cremation. "Oh, Lord, another one!" Felix said...'Another one without money...' was actually what Felix was thinking. Chris, David, and Randy all sat on Steve's worn sofa, tired, depressed, and speechless. "Is there anything left to do here?" Randy finally asked. "I don't think so..." Chris replied. "I...I would like to come by sometime and go through Mark's things to see if there's anything I'd like to keep, but I can do that later.... or tomorrow." "I'd like to call Thad," Randy said. "I think he should know about Steve....and there are several other things I need to talk over with him." "Yes, there's someone I want to call, too." Chris said. "I...I have to get to the airport to pick up a friend as soon as I know what time he's arriving," David sighed. "Oh, yeah, that's right. He's supposed to call you at my place. I guess we'd better get back to the church and hop into my car and go back there," Randy replied. "Yes, come on, guys. I'll get you to your car." As the three pilgrims got up to leave, Chris took another long, hard look around the room, still expecting to hear one of Steve's witticisms or hoping to gaze at Mark's smiling face. The room seemed about to explode with memories as they left. Driving back to the church, Chris thanked David and Randy no less than a dozen times for their help. Neither David or Randy wanted or needed to be thanked; both had gathered thousands of memorable moments from the faces of those whom they had fed. "Hey, Father, don't you have an evening meal? And what about tomorrow morning?" Randy asked suddenly. "Well, yes...but I can't ask you to..." "Bullshit!" Randy exclaimed. "Just try to keep me from helping you! This morning was the first honest work I've ever done in my life...and to think I did it for free. Ya know something? It feels great!" "All right then, but I will try to get someone else to help me in the morning. Father 'D' said I should ask for some volunteers from one of the church's men's group." "I thought you had three boys helping you..." Randy said, innocently. "They...they can't help for a while..." "Typical teenagers, I imagine. I was just like them...could never be depended upon..." "That's not the case, Randy, I'll explain it to you later," David said before Randy said any more. "Chris, I hope you get things worked out. I'll be back with Randy this evening. Who knows? You might have an additional helper from Virginia." "Yes, and,, help or no help, I'll be back to help you in the morning!" Randy added. "Can you get up early two mornings in a row?" "Who said anything about getting up? Hell, I just won't go to bed. I'm used to staying up late. I can sleep after I get through with the breakfast run." "Randy," Chris said, "I hope you won't be offended if I tell you I've seen quite a transformation in you during the past few hours." "You mean from a gay Hugh Heffner to Mother Theresa?" "Well, yes..." "I felt it too! It's the greatest feeling in my life. I've never had so many people say, 'thank you' to me and, frankly, I loved it! I actually felt useful, like I had some sense of purpose." David smiled..."Randy...a new purpose in life...and a new person in your life, all within twelve hours!" "Yeah, life can be good, can't it?" "There's a new person in your life, Randy?" Chris asked. "Well, an old/new person..." "Yes, Chris, Randy and Thad became a 'couple' last evening." "Maybe a 'couple'," Randy said, correcting David. "That's wonderful, Randy!" Chris exclaimed. "It's wonderful when two people who both need someone suddenly realize it and do something about it." "You talk as if you've had some experience in that category before you became a priest." "Let's just say I didn't start out my life with the intention of becoming a saint. And I still don't..." "Father? Are you saying...?" Randy began to ask. "Randy, shut up and read the billboards all the way back to the church. There are things better not said...and even more important things which shouldn't be asked..." David's smile was full of understanding. Chris smiled at David's knowing remark, but didn't offer an explanation to the inquiring mind of the good-looking rich kid. Soon they were back at the church parking lot. Randy and David offered their, 'see you later's' to Chris and got into Randy's car to go await Luke's phone call at Randy's apartment. Chris didn't get out of his car. He wanted...no, he needed to talk with Andy, no matter the consequence. After David and Randy left, Chris drove his car away from the church to head for the Thompson house. * * * At 11 the next morning, Luke called to say that he would be arriving via United Airlines at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 2:00 PM. Before Randy drove David to meet Luke, the two took time to fix brunch at Randy's. David took a shower and changed into some of his new duds from the wardrobe Randy had given him the night before, all this while Randy called Thad to tell him about finding Steve's body. The news of Steve's passing rocked Thad's boat. Now he, like the others, had one more death to accept. Thad noted a different quality in Randy's voice and in his conversation...more sincerity, less flippancy---and Thad loved what he heard. Thad thought perhaps it might be the result of their reuniting last evening, but he had no idea of the drastic change in Randy's demeanor, the direct effect on him of his morning visitations delivering breakfast. Thad was sorry he had gone back to work; he wanted to see Randy right away. Were things happening too quickly for Thad? In less than a week, he had lost Alex, fallen slightly for David, spent thousands of dollars redecorating his old digs, and rekindled an old relationship with someone whom he thought he hated, but to whom he now felt emotionally attached. After Randy left Thad the night before, Thad found it difficult to believe how much he really liked Randy...maybe even loved. It had been so long since Thad had been in love, really in love, that it was hard to decipher what being in love was all about. He was damned sure that Randy had never cared for him before when they had tricked, but in one night, everything had changed. The new world he'd found gave him the confidence to let his feelings go, allowing him to be more comfortable with his old/new 'friend'! Thad had promised Randy that he would be by to see him after he finished his shift at the stationhouse. He was truly anxious to see Randy and pour more fuel on their newly lighted relationship. Randy and David left at 1:00 PM to get through the congested Atlanta traffic, traveling on the freeways. each of which seemed to span a different Peachtree Street, Avenue, Way, Trail, Terrace, or Boulevard. The drive took them nearly forty-five minutes to get to the airport and find a parking space. Since Homeland Security had made practically every space off-limits to visitors, David had to wait until Luke got off his plane, received his luggage, and came through the passengers' exit. During the enforced wait, David grew more impatient, more frightened, more excited. Luke had no difficulty recognizing David since David was almost a dead ringer for Luke's first love, Mark. It was David who didn't know if he could remember what Luke looked like. However, as soon as they saw one another, and though they had never embraced before, the two ran toward one another like the climactic scene in a Hollywood romance. They went into each other's arms and hugged like two long-lost lovers or buddies. "God, I'd have known you anywhere in any crowd," Luke said. "I swear I thought you were Mark...only a bit older." "It's great seeing you again, Luke," David replied. "I must say that you look older too." He became aware that the sight of a face from home eased much of the burden of sadness he'd been carrying. And thinking of the people who had been his life, a strange thought flashed into his mind----'Jenny! Was she still his anchor?' He forced himself back into today.....And Luke. The skinny little kid Mark had brought home to study with in his room was no longer skinny...nor was he a kid. Granted he was Mark's age, but he had had an average build, He was now filled out with muscle in all in the right places. He didn't look like a bodybuilder, but Luke would have turned heads, both men's and women's, in a bathing suit on a beach. His face was pale which went well with his blonde hair and green eyes. Luke was not drop-dead handsome, but when he smiled with his almost perfect teeth, and the dimples sank into his cheeks, he was more than just cute. The biggest difference David noticed about Luke was that he had dropped his Virginia drawl. When he spoke, there wasn't a trace of a southern accent. "I had butterflies in my stomach during the whole flight," Luke said, smiling at David. "Flying makes you nervous?" "No, it was the anxiety of seeing you again. I didn't know if you'd greet me with a warm 'hello' or a not-so-welcome handshake." "Why would you say that? You were Mark's best friend at one time and I don't remember ever having a problem between us." "Yes, but I remember how your dad felt and what he did after he caught Mark and me together. I wasn't sure if you'd have your dad's attitude toward me." "You mean am I homophobic?" "In a clinical sense, yes." "Not in the least. I've actually made it my business to learn as much about Mark's lifestyle as I can...since Mark and I never discussed it as brothers." "I talked with Jenny and she told me that the two of you were talking marriage before she left for London. I could only assume that you were straight, not like Mark. I was afraid you might not want to see me, but I did want to attend Mark's service since I got the impression there wouldn't be one in River Oaks." "Not yet, anyway. I'm sure Jenny told you that I haven't told either of my parents about Mark dying." "Yes, and I've kept the secret from everyone who might disclose the news to your mom and dad." "Thank you for that." David turned and saw Randy observing his and Luke's reunion. "Come on, I have someone I want you to meet. I think you'll find out you two have a great deal in common." David took Luke by the hand and led him over to where Randy was waiting. "Randy, this is Luke. Luke...Randy." "Glad to meet you, Luke." "Same here. I hope we get a chance to have a long talk while I'm visiting Atlanta." "Me too. David said we seem to have a lot in common." "More than you know, but we'll get to that later." "David, were you able to get me a room at the hotel where you're staying?" Luke asked. "Not exactly, but I did find you a place to stay. It's very elaborate and expensive-looking, but the price is more than reasonable." "Oh?" "Yes, you're gonna be staying at Randy's place...where I've been staying." "I...I don't want to be in the way. I...I'm sure I can find a hotel room..." "Nonsense!" Randy exclaimed. "You're in the deep South now, not so near the Mason-Dixon line and all those damn-Yankees who live across the river from Virginia. It would certainly be a black mark against my Southern hospitality if I didn't supply a fellow rebel with a place to stay...especially if he was a friend of Mark's and David's." "That's very kind of you, Randy. Thanks." "It's the very least I can do. I mean you flew all the way down here for Mark's service. Mark would be furious if I didn't offer you my apartment and anything else you desire." "You've got to see Randy's apartment to believe it!" David said. "Well, as long as you insist..." "We do!" David and Randy replied as one voice. "Now let's get your luggage to the car," David said. Randy and Luke's 'gaydar' alarms went off at the same time and each sneaked an extra long look at each other. David, who had no concept of what 'gaydar' is, was able to recognize that Randy and Luke liked one another immediately and he was pleased. To say that Luke was impressed by Randy's digs would be an understatement. Luke's parents had reared him in a old two-story Virginia plantation, but Luke had never seen anything quite like the furnishings at Randy's outside an 'Architect Digest'. David took Luke's suitcase into the guest room where he had slept the night before. "You'll be sleeping here in the guest room," David said. Luke slightly raised an eyebrow and asked, "Will you...I mean, are you and Randy sharing a bed?" "Good Lord, no!" David laughed. "I'm sure that since you were both Mark's best friend at different times in his life, it's no secret that both of you are gay. You are, aren't you, Luke?" "Well, sure, but, if you aren't sleeping with Randy, where are you going to sleep." "Didn't you get a good look at those million dollar couches in the living room? One of them has become my best friend," David replied. "Oh, please! I can't take your bed. Let me sleep on the couch," Luke said, adamantly. "Okay," Randy said, "we seemed to have encountered a slight problem with the gender arrangements. David has just openly revealed that you and I are gay---thank you, blabbermouth! And in case you haven't figured it out, David likes to broadcast to everyone that he's super straight." "I do not and you know it!" David retorted. "Please! I haven't finished!" Randy said, interrupting David's outburst. "You two are old friends and even though you and I are gay, we've only just met. Let me suggest that since you are old friends, perhaps you can trust one another and respect the other's sexuality and share that huge king-size bed in the guest room. If either of you ever saw the movie, "It Happened One Night" with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, they were unmarried and slept in the same bed with a blanket hanging from a rope to divide one side from the other. If either of you feels the need for some kind of barricade from the other, then I'll see what I can do with some throw pillows to guard you while you sleep. I mean, it's senseless for either of you to sleep on the couch for no reason at all except lack of trust." David and Luke looked at one another and both laughed. "It does seem stupid, doesn't it?" David asked. "I've never attacked anyone in his sleep before and I'm not about to start with Mark's straight brother," Luke replied. "Then it's settled. You two will share the guest room. It's too late in the day to call in an architect and interior decorator to construct an additional bedroom." Randy jested. "Are you sure it's okay?" Luke asked David. "Why the hell not?" David shrugged. "Now, while the two of you are reuniting and getting to know one another again, I have to go meet someone and I'll be back later to make plans for dinner," Randy said. "Sure, go do what you have to do, Randy," David told him. "Luke and I will be fine." "Luke, unpack your suitcase and put your things in the closet and use whatever dresser drawers you find empty. David will show you where I keep the guest towels and toiletries and---please!---make yourself at home!" "Thanks, Randy..." Luke replied. Then Randy turned with a smile and a wave and left his apartment. "Was he Mark's lover?" Luke finally asked as he start unpacking. "Yes, his last one. I think you were Mark's first." "I think I was, too. Only Mark was not the first guy I slept with..." "Oh? Did Mark know?" "I'm quite sure he didn't. Oh, David, that's what I came to talk with you about. I...I'm so ashamed." "Relax, Luke. Sit down and tell me about it," David said. "There's so much to tell. I hardly know where to begin." "Why not start with the night my dad caught you and Mark together..." "Mark and I were simply teens...gay teens, but teens. We had done the usual experimentation with one another that even most straight teen boys do. I knew I was falling in love with Mark. I...I had had sex with others, but Mark was the first person I ever loved. I was almost certain that Mark loved me as well. I've spent hours, days, weeks, and even years thinking about what might have happened if your dad hadn't walked in on us the way he did. I...I'm quite sure that Mark and I would still be together in a relationship. However, the worst came when your dad told my parents about finding us together. Ha! You think your dad had a fit? Mine had a conniption. He didn't throw me out of the house as your dad did Mark, but he pulled me out of the River Oaks High School and had me tutored privately until the fall when it was time for me to go to college. He gave me one of two choices. I could either apply at the Citadel in South Carolina or I could go to VMI where he had some pull to get...both were military schools. Those were the only choices he offered. He thought that the military discipline would cure me from being gay. Little did he know how many gay affairs occur between cadets at both schools." "So which one did you choose?" "I settled on VMI because of my dad's connection there. It was easier for me to get into and it was closer to home. However, one of the pre-entry requirements was that I had to have a complete physical examination...not just a routine doctor's check-up, but lab work, chest x-rays...the works! A few days later after the exam, I got a notice from the admission director at VMI that my application had been denied for health reasons. It scared me half to death, but I got the medical reports only to find that I had hepatitis C. Now I was totally scared to death. As soon as my dad found out, he was furious and certain that Mark had infected me. I was confident that Mark hadn't been the one because I trusted Mark when he told me that I had been the only person he'd ever had sex with. I knew that it was one of my other partners, not Mark. I finally convinced my dad that it wasn't Mark, but it wouldn't have mattered because after 'that' night, Mark had left town and no one knew where he was." "Oh, my God..." David was getting the picture of what had happened but he wanted to know all of Luke's story. "So at any rate, my dad still wanted to get me into VMI one way or another and he began contacting doctors and hospitals who specialized in liver treatment. Finally, he spent a fortune by sending me to Mayo's in Rochester, Minnesota. I stayed there for months receiving all kinds of drugs and procedures, hoping to find a cure...for what most people think is incurable. Someone sent me a book Naomi Judd, the country singer, had written, telling of how she was cured from Hep C, by diet and Interferon injections. Before long, the shots did their task and one day, the doctors told me that I was completely rid of Hep C. It had just vanished...Poof! just like that and I was no longer contagious. I was happy as a lark to be cured but not so eager to go back to VMI. I was not going to let any school or any person change me from being gay. I loved being gay. That's who I was and who I still am! But getting back to my story...Incidentally, I did go to VMI for one semester and flunked out on purpose. I had one goal. I wanted to find Mark and start a life with him." "And you never found him? Never phoned him or saw him?" "No, but I met a guy at a bar who said he knew Mark casually but was afraid to go to bed with him because he was infected with some incurable liver disease which was highly contagious. I...I actually dropped the glass of beer I was holding in my hand when I heard that. I was sure...and I'm still positive...that I was the one who gave it to Mark. I caused his death and I've been so goddamned depressed since Jenny told me that Mark died. I killed Mark, David. It's all my fault and I'll never forgive myself." During his last speech, Luke tuned up to cry and when he told David about his guilt, Luke dropped to his knees, weeping out loud. David was moved to tears as well, but he felt no anger toward Luke. Why should he? Luke might have given the disease to Mark, but David felt as if he was just as guilty by not trying to contact his brother earlier, keeping in touch, or taking care of him. David knelt beside the weeping young man and put his arm around Luke. Luke turned to put his head on David's shoulder and the two held each other while they cried together. "It wasn't your fault, Luke. Believe me! If there's anyone to blame, it's I. If I had known where to reach him...if I had come to Atlanta six months earlier to see him...I could have taken Mark to the hospital to get the same treatment you had. He might have been cured and still alive, if I had been the brother to Mark that I should've been." Neither David or Luke knew how long that they remained huddled in the floor together, but it was long enough for each to 'cry it out' until there were no more tears to shed. * * * Chris sat in his car in the Thompson's driveway for nearly fifteen minutes before he could drum up enough courage to get out to knock on the door and talk to Todd and Marcia, and, hopefully, Andy. He had no idea what he was about to say or how he would be received by the angry, hurt parents with whom he had been friends since first becoming assistant rector at St. Thaddeus'. Chris hoped that Andy had told them the truth about the diary and that Marcia and Todd would have believed him enough to look at Chris in a more amicable light, rather than the accusing glare from the night before. He barely had his finger on the doorbell before Todd opened the door. It was nearly ten o'clock. "Good morning, Father," Todd greeted Chris cheerily. "Please come in and have a cup of coffee with Marcia and me." "Good morning, Todd," Chris replied, surprised by his friendly greeting. "I...I would love a cup of coffee. It's been a rather hectic morning." Chris followed Todd into the kitchen where Marcia was sitting at the table. She arose and went to Chris as soon as she saw him. She gave him a slight hug. "Good morning, Father. I'm so glad that you came by." "Morning, Marcia. I felt there were a few things I'd like to say." "Please sit down, Father. Marcia, would you pour Father Chris a cup of coffee? Father, I'm afraid there are a few things we'd need to say to you first." "Very well, but I do have to say what I came to say." "Only after Marcia and I have our say first." "All right." "Usually, Marcia and I...and Andy come to church to ask God to forgive us for whatever sins we might have committed. But this time, it's not God that we need to ask but rather you personally. Perhaps in the eyes of God, we've sinned against Him as well, but it's your personal forgiveness that both of us ask. I'm afraid we've done you a grave injustice and maybe ruined your reputation and endangered your vocation at St. Thaddeus' in the process." "My job at St. Thaddeus' is not as important as regaining your friendship and trust," Chris humbly replied. "I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to find Andy, but I thank God that he's home and safe. May I ask if he's at school?" "No, Father. After his long, tiring ordeal, we thought it best if he stayed home a few days to recuperate, both physically and emotionally. He's up in his room... asleep, I suppose." "That's good." "Father....about Andy's diary..." "He...he...uh...talked with you about that?" "Yes, Father, I think he told us everything...at least we hope he did. Father, we now know that the things he said about you...the things he described in some explicit detail...weren't true and didn't happen. I won't call them lies because Marcia and I feel that they were more like wishes, things Andy wished to happen between you two. I think he'll find a way to ask your forgiveness, but maybe it's not his fault. Marcia and I should never have invaded his private world or thoughts. He wrote his fantasies in a secret diary which no one was ever suppose to read, much less having them found by two hysterical and over-reactive parents who'd take them to their priest to read and in turn put the object of Andy's affection...you, Father...in jeopardy of losing respect, even your job. We both realize that it would take a big person even to begin to forgive us...but we are both sorry...sorry more than you can imagine and we do beg your forgiveness." "Todd...Marcia...the Almighty is much bigger than I and if He can forgive all of us for the many misguided things we do, then how can I not do the same?" "Father, I couldn't sleep at all last night. I was so glad to have Andy home, but my heart and mind were so heavy with the wrong we had done you. So the first thing this morning, before you returned from the breakfast run, I drove as fast as I could to the church to be there when Father 'D' arrived. I walked with him into the church and then into his office and I told him the truth. I hope and pray to God that I was able to convince him of your innocence. This time, unlike what we read in the news, it was the priest who was the victim." "Father, I am so sorry. We do ask for your forgiveness," Marcia added, choking back tears of shame, guilt, and embarrassment. "I...I...Todd, I appreciate your going to see Father 'D', but part of what I have to say to you was that I hold no hard feelings toward you, Marcia, and especially Andy. I shouldn't say this to members of my parish, but it was Father 'D's attitude which disturbed me. It was he who accused me, not you. Even though you had the diary, it was my superior who wouldn't give me benefit of the doubt. I knew I was innocent and he distrusted me, though I was telling the truth. I have to find a way to forgive him. I'm afraid that this whole priest/altar boy molestation business which has the Church and most of the world turned sideways has made us, the leaders of the Church, point fingers at one another and make rather quick judgments without rationale, which makes us think that any or all of us are guilty with or without proof." "The Boston ordeal seemed to hurt all of the Church," Todd added. "I hope you won't be angry if I relate some of the conclusions Marcia and I have reached, but, and I'm sorry to say this, but we believe that the Vatican is often wrong. We are faithful to God and to the Church, but even Christ went on a tirade and cleaned out the church. Maybe it's time someone cleaned out the Vatican and adapted their doctrines and edicts to the people of the twenty-first century. We feel that if priests were allowed to get married or even to have a gay lover, there would have been no cause for the scandal. We respect your position, but we also know that priests are human, just like us. They eat, sleep, go to work, use the bathroom, do everything that laymen do, so why must their sexual needs go ungratified? We're not stupid. We know that you can't just 'pray away' your physical and emotional desires. It's not normal to suppress such needs. The Church won't permit us to use birth control because God intended us to procreate and enjoy sex just the same. I know that when I was a young man, there was no way on earth that I could restrain my sexual urges. I was taught not to masturbate, but to me, pardon the expression, that was bullshit. I don't see how it's possible for anyone...even a priest... to go for the rest of his life without experiencing some relief. Dear God! Don't you guys get 'blue balls'?" "Todd!" Marcia exclaimed. "Sorry, Marcia, but it's the truth. I used to wonder if that's why priests wore all those long robes, to hide their erections and swollen testicles. My God, a priest must have to wash his sheets every morning after having one or two wet dreams every night. That's the way God made the male body. If my wife isn't allowed to take birth control pills, I'm quite certain that the Vatican doesn't make you take...what did they used to call it in the army? Saltpetre? Potassium nitrate?" Marcia blushed, but Chris laughed out loud. "No, we don't take anything like that to quell our urges." "Damn! I don't know how you do it! If I went three days in a row without having some kind of orgasm, I'd...I'd go nuts!" "I'll admit, sometimes it is difficult." "I guess, Father, what I'm trying to say is...I'm sure it's no secret to you since Andy says his confession to you, but now Marcia and I know that Andy is gay. He told us last night. Even if he had done half the things with you as he described in his diary, it'd still be all right with both of us. I know all about your vow of chastity. I don't know if you were gay or straight before you became a priest and it's none of our business. I hope to God that you had lots of sex before you decided to---well, to 'do without' for the rest of your life. But if you and Andy did have feelings for one another...if you had had secret sex...then Marcia and I would've looked the other way and let you and Andy do whatever you chose, as long as it was mutual for both of you." Chris was amused by Todd's ideology concerning the sex life of priests and felt an inward relief about his and Andy's misconduct at Steve's last night. Still, he was their minister and was reluctant to admit his personal misdoings, especially with their son. Chris knew what he came to the Thompson's to say but didn't know how to say it. "Both of you know how fond I am of Andy. He, along with his two friends, Jeff and Tommy, have been my right-arm helpers, assisting me with the meal routes twice a day with no pay, only 'thank yous' from the daily clients we see. I can say that I love all three boys...no, they are all eighteen years old now, I love all three men...but most of all, Andy. I sometimes become envious of both of you when I bring him home and he, once again, is your son, and not my twice-a-day companion. Looking at Andy, I can see how any priest might overstep his religious boundary and want more than just a priest/parishioner relationship. This may shock you, but since you've been so openly honest about the way you feel, I hope that you can understand my saying that if I were gay, I would want no one more than Andy. He's everything any man or woman could ever want in a mate, husband, or lover. Yes, even though I'm bound by my vows not to proceed any further in a relationship with Andy, I do love him." "Do you really?"a voice asked from the doorway. Neither Chris nor Andy's parents had seen Andy standing there, nor did they know how much of the conversation he had heard. Chris suddenly stopped talking and wished the floor would open and swallow him. He had told Andy that he loved him while they were having sex, but now Marcia and Todd had heard Chris declaration of love for their son. "Yes, Andy, as much as I am allowed to." "Then I suppose I'm allowed to tell you and my parents that I love you, too." Marcia edged toward her husband's back and placed her hands upon his shoulders. Both she and Todd looked at their son and their priest and recognized that their love was real...and they both approved of what they saw. |