The usual disclaimers apply - ie. no reading this if you're not of age to read it, and no peeking at this if you can't stand gay people (which would bring to mind the question of what the hell you're doing reading this anyway).
By now you've probably gathered that the odd-numbered segments are Shane's point-of-view of the story, and the even-numbered segments are Robin's point-of-view. I must give credit for the inspiration to the esteemed author of "Millenium-Love" in the Boy-bands section of the Nifty Archive. Kenitra's written an excellent story, go peek! (Even if you don't like the Backstreet Boys for whatever reason, the interpersonal dynamics are really good ;-) )
All questions etc can be directed to dcross1@home.com
Robin left his parents' bedroom and walked to his bedroom. Upon closing the door, he breathed a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. One hurdle down, one to go. He dug out his English homework and started writing the final copy of his essay ...
A knock on Robin's door brought him out of his chair and to the door. His mother said, "Busy?"
Robin replied, "Yep. Just homework, Mom. Is supper ready?"
"Yes. Be at the table in about 5 minutes, please." She turned to go.
"Mom, wait. Um... I'm probably going to tell Dad after supper. Is that OK?"
She looked somewhat surprised, then smiled and said, "Yes. As long as you know in your heart what you are. That's all we ask - that you be true to yourself."
Robin nodded as his mother turned to go to the kitchen. He stepped into the hallway and closed his bedroom door, and then followed to the kitchen table...
The Peterson family made short work of the supper that followed, and after Robin got up to put his dishes in the dishwasher, he waited until his sister had left, and then said, "Dad?"
His father looked up and said, "Yes, Robin?"
"Um.. I've got to talk about something important with you and Mom." He shivered a little.
"Sure. Why don't we all sit down, then? You look kind of nervous, by the way."
"I sort of am. How do I say this...?" He paused and just decided to plow ahead. "Dad, I've talked to Mom about this and so she knows already. I'm gay."
His father looked thunderstruck. His first instinct was to look at his wife and then his son, confused. "Ann, what's this all about? Robin?"
Ann calmly spoke. "Eric, Robin came to me this afternoon and told me this. He said he was partly motivated by our discussion the night before, since he wasn't sure how we'd react; I can hardly blame him, because we never thought something like this would happen."
Eric paused for a few moments, and gathered his thoughts. "Robin, Ann - you'll have to forgive me. I wasn't prepared for this at all. Robin, I want you to know that I don't think any less of you for telling me this, and I appreciate your doing so. Honesty is a virtue, as much as the phrase may be overused."
Robin let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "I was a little worried about this, you know, Dad... but thanks for not blowing up at me."
His father nodded and gently asked, "What makes you think you're gay? I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but..."
Robin laughed a little and said, "That's all right, Dad." He then retold the story of his dream and spoke of Shane. "So, you see, that's why I was sort of startled to realize you knew his dad. He also seems to.. I dunno, he strikes a chord in me somehow."
Eric replied, "Yes, I can see that. I'm afraid I can't help you much, but I want you to know we're both here for you."
Ann picked up the conversation at this point. "Robin, I want to explain a little more about my brother, your Uncle Henry. What I didn't tell you the other night was that the man with Henry was his boyfriend, Charles." She produced the picture with the inscription on the back which she'd taken out of her dresser drawer earlier.
Robin did a double take and blurted, "My God! Uncle Henry looks like me!"
Even his father seemed surprised, and questioningly looked at Ann. She answered the inquiry. "Eric, you haven't seen this picture yet. I know I showed you others, but this was a very private one that I wanted to keep." He nodded in understanding and reached out for her hand. She took it and smiled, grateful for the support and understanding.
Ann resumed the narrative. "They had gone out that night, just for fun. Explore Stanley Park at night, take a breather. They'd stepped off the walkway and went into some bushes and started kissing. Almost nobody was around at night, so they thought it was safe. A little later, the police officers came across them. Charles and Henry tried to get out of there, but somehow the cops caught up with Henry. Charles hid behind a tree; he saw Henry flat on the ground - he thought Henry had tripped, but they could have knocked him down. Anyway, he saw the, well, the rest of it happen, and the poor fellow had to deal with the agony of calling the ambulance and then calling me. I had to go over to my parents' place and break the news to them. As far as your grandparents know, he was walking alone and tripped over the seawall. I couldn't bring myself to break their hearts any more than that, and I've never told them differently."
Robin, awestruck, said, "Did anything ever happen?"
His mother shook her head no. "I'm sorry, Robin. Charles couldn't identify the two police officers, and in any case it would have been their word against his. Charles told me all this when I tried to find out what had happened. We did manage to get an autopsy done, and that was when I learned Henry had died of a broken neck. Charles also attended Henry's funeral along with some other friends of Henry's, and then just disappeared. I never saw him again. Even now I still sometimes check the obituaries to see if he died, but not every death is reported."
Robin just sat there, absolutely blown away. He suddenly felt very afraid and very small. He wanted to crawl into bed and never leave again. His father noticed the unhealthy white pallor of Robin's skin and said, "Robin, are you OK? You look very pale."
Robin nodded weakly, and stood. "Mom, Dad... I'm scared. I really am. I worry about what'll happen to me. I know this isn't the 1970s, but a lot of people here still wouldn't be understanding." He trailed off, groping for words. The next thing he knew, he was enveloped in a hug from both his parents, surrounding him with love and support.
That ends part 6.