Chapter 4 -- Meet the Parents
Things get a bit wild & crazy in this one. Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride. And please consider supporting Nifty so that we may continue to enjoy these stories: https://donate.nifty.org/
"Why the fuck to we have to go meet you parents?" I demanded angrily. Rick shrugged. "Because they've been asking where I've been staying and who I've been staying with. So, I've told them a bit about you, and my father insists I bring you but to meet them". "Do you always do what you father `insists' on?". Rick shrugged again. "It's usually easier that way". I rolled my eyes. "Fine".
We climbed into my pickup and headed out. "It's just off Mescal Road", Rick told me; I nodded and drove on. We soon approached the property, it was immaculately mowed, everything neatly in place. A tall flagpole was in front of the house with a large American flag on top, a smaller U.S. Marine Corp flag just underneath it. "Your father is really patriotic I guess. And retired Marine?". "Yep" Rick replied. "He served 25 years in the Marines, he retired as a Colonel. And definitely avoid politics, he's a diehard Trumper". "Definitely avoid politics" I agreed.
We walked up the front porch and Rick reached out to knock on the front door, but it was opened quickly by who I guessed was Rick's mother. She was a plump lady with white hair and a big smile on her face; she reached out to hug Rick "We heard you come up. Always so good to see you, son". She reached out to shake my hand. "And you must be Mr. . . Dave'? Rick has told us you just go by Dave'?". "Yes" I said, Dave is just fine. And it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Richardson". "Well, please do come in" she smiled. We followed her into the living room. Rick's father was sitting in a recliner, the TV blared with what sounded like Fox news. He reached for the remote, switched the TV off, and stood up. He was large bald man with a stern, serious looking face, and a large pot belly. He reached out to give Rick a hug, and then reached out to shake my hand. "And you must be . . . Dave?". I nodded. "Well, have a seat".
I took a seat on the sofa and Rick took a seat next to me, unwisely close to me, I thought, in their parents house. I caught to glint of suspicion in Rick's father's eyes. "So, your parents just stopped at Dave?" he asked curtly. I shrugged. "David Parsons is my name, sir. But I've always been fine with just Dave'. When I was working at the trash station folks started calling me `Dave, the Dump Dude' and I was fine with that". Rick's father nodded. "Rick told us you work for the county?". I nodded. "Well, that's nice, steady work. And you two met while you were working at the trash station?". I nodded. "Yeah, the dumbass who was working there never got vaccinated and got Covid, so I had to cover for him". Rick's father scowled. "I don't believe in those damn vaccines, don't trust them, I'll never get one". I shrugged. "Well, millions of people have gotten the Covid vaccines and they don't get Covid, because they work. "I'm fully vaccinated with both shots". Rick's father scowled. "Actually, pops, I've gotten both vaccines too" Rick spoke up. Rick's father scowled more deeply. "You never told us that". Rick shrugged. "The power plant offered us time off to go get vaccinated. Just made sense to do it and not risk getting sick with that shit".
Rick's father shook his head. He cleared his throat. "Well son, it's real nice that Dave here has let you stay with him, but your mother and I have decided it's time you stopped with this nonsense and go back to Ellen and kiss and make up". Rick straightened his posture. "Actually, pops, I've already had my attorney draw up the divorce papers. I'm going stop by tomorrow to pick up the rest of my stuff and give them to Ellen to look over". Rick's mother gasped, his father scowled disapprovingly. "Nonsense! I won't have it! You two have been together for twenty and how many years? You have three beautiful children, our grandchildren! You will figure out what your problem with her is and make up". Rick stared straight into his father's eyes. "With all due respect, sir, it's not you decision to make. It's my decision and I've made it. I'm going to divorce Ellen and live with Dave". I looked at Rick's father.
Rick's father sat further back in his chair and looked a Rick, and then at me. "How old are you?" I told him I was 42. "And why do you live alone? Why aren't you married and have children?" I shrugged. "Um, because I never wanted to? I'm happy on my own". "Then what's your problem, son" he asked sternly. "Don't you like girls?". I smiled. "I don't have any problem, sir. I like girls -- women -- just fine, I respect them as equals. I just never wanted to sleep with one, and sure as hell never wanted to marry one". Rick's father's eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to tell me you're some kind of homosexual?". "Well, sir" I began cheerfully, "I never cared for the term `homosexual', it sounds like a clinical description for some kind of medical condition. It's not a condition, it's freedom, freedom to be who and what you are. I'm telling you I'm gay. I'm a proud gay man, proud of who and what I am". Rick's father turned to look at Rick. "Well, that settles it then. Son, you'll leave his house immediately. If you're not ready to make up with Ellen yet you'll come and stay with us. These, these . . . homosexuals are never happy unless they're trying to corrupt and recruit normal people. Do you want to be around this guy worried if he'll try to make a pass at you?". Rick laughed. "Oh, Dave made a pass at me about the first five minutes I came over to his house. As I remember he told me he wanted to bone me. And I didn't resist, I wanted to try it. We're sleeping together, and I like it, and him, a lot. I'm really happy being with Dave, he makes me feel good about myself".
Rick's mother began to softly sob. His father's face reddened in anger. "Son, I never thought I would say this to you, but you disgust me. I didn't raise -- your mother and I - didn't raise our son to be some goddamned faggot!" he spat out. Rick stood up and pointed his finger at him. "NO! You tried to raise me to try make me be exactly like you, to think exactly like you do. Well, it didn't fucking work!". His father's face reddened, I could see veins on his head bulge; he was clearly furious. He shook his head slowly. "Son, I thought we had raised you better than that. Homosexuality is a terrible sin, it says so right in the Bible". Rick sighed. "Well, that's another thing. Sorry, but I never really bought into that religious crap. Jesus never said a word about homosexuality in the New Testament, he just talked about loving, caring about, and respecting one another. It's the Old Testament that's full of that crap. Some old bastards wrote thousands and thousands of years ago Don't do that, Do only this! A man lies with another man? Kill them both! People don't honor the Sabbath? Kill them all! An unwed woman with child? Stone her to death in front of her father's house! That'll teach him to not let his girls be a little loose with their favors!. And if one dares to question why? Because God spoke to me! Oh yeah? So, he was nice enough to have a little chat with you, and you alone? What did his voice sound like? What language did he speak, did you need a translator? No, sorry, I don't buy into any of that bullshit. If you pay attention you always know what is right and what is wrong. If you let your conscious be your guide you know what is right, and what is common sense and common human decency".
Rick's father reached to open the drawer on the end table. He took out a revolver, took it firmly in his hand, stood up, and pointed it straight at Rick. His face was flushed dark red in fury. "So, you reject all that we tried to teach you. You reject our religion. Is there anything else you'd like me to know before I put a bullet in your head? I won't let my only son live that kind of sick, twisted life". Rick and his father stared into each other's eyes, neither backing down. I felt the blood drain from my head. Rick's father shifted the gun to aim at me. "Or maybe I should start with you, you cocksucking pervert". He dropped his aim to my legs. "But maybe I should start with your kneecaps, so you feel some of the pain you have caused me, corrupting my son".
What does one think about when they stare death in the face? When you think the next second will likely be your last? I thought: Well, I guess I'll finally find out if there's anything after death. But then, I really wasn't in such a big hurry to find out, I'd be happy to wait to find out. But it looks like I'm going to find out sooner rather than later. Oh, wait! If there is nothing after death I'll never know it, I'll just be a pile of decaying organic matter.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mrs. Richardson get out of her chair. She walked over calmly to stand between us. "Fred?" she began, "if you fire that gun would you please be so kind as to start by putting a bullet in my head? Because if you fire that gun my life will be over. If you kill our son, my son that I bore out of my womb, my life will be over because I won't want to live without him. It's too painful when parents outlive their children. And if you kill Dave they'll put you in prison for the rest of your life, and I won't want to live without you. So please, if you're going to shoot anyone please start with me". She pointed to the center of her forehead. "Right here, make it a nice, clean shot, please?". Rick's father's hand that held the gun began to tremble. "You know I can't do that, you're the love of my life". "Then think about US for once instead of just yourself, and your damn stubborn pride. Put the goddamn gun away, sit down in your goddamn chair, and we'll talk our way through this". Rick's father hesitated, and then lowered the gun and put the revolver back in the drawer, closed it, and sat down.
Mrs. Richardson turned to face us. "Now, Rick, I think you should start by apologizing to your father. You should be proud of your father, he's a very good man. We tried to raise you to be a good as man as your father". Rick searched his mind for what to say. "I am proud of my father, and proud of you, my mother! I'm very proud of my father's 25 years of service to our country. And I'm proud of you, mom, for the sacrifices you made while he was away on his long deployments". His voice softened. "And you - both of you - taught me all the good things in life. You taught me to be honest and hard working. You taught me to be respectful to everyone, and to care about others. And it was both of you who gave me the gift of life, and I will always be so very grateful for that. But I have to live my own life and make my own decisions, and I've made them. I've been miserable with Ellen for a long time. The longer we're together the more she tries to run my life, telling me what to do and don't do. The world is a different place then when you grew up, people are more free to make different choices in life. Ellen makes me miserable, and Dave makes be happy, very happy. I choose to be happy, and I'm sorry if that disappoints you. But you taught me to always be honest, and that's what I'm doing. It's my life and my choice, and I'd really wish you could find your way to respect my choice".
Rick's father looked sullenly at the floor, avoiding looking at us, but his anger had obviously subsided. Mrs. Richardson spoke up. "Well, I think it's best if you two run along for now, you've given us enough to think about for now". I stood up quickly, and nudged Rick to get up. "Yes, well it was nice to meet both of you, I'm sorry if we upset you". Rick's father reached for the remote and turned the TV on. Mrs. Richardson walked us to the door. She kissed Rick on the cheek. "I only want for you to be happy" she said softly, "you've always been a good son and you deserve to be happy". She turned to me. "And Mr. Dave -- Dave -- please always honor and respect my son, he deserves that". I nodded. "Yes ma'am".
I started up the pickup and waited until we were on the road before I let loose. "YOU GODDAMNED MISERABLE ASSED FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Rick was silent. "You almost got us killed, you sonnabitch. How fucking DARE you get me caught up in the middle of that? You had to know how your father would react to you telling him I had turned you queer! And you even had to make that crack that I told you I wanted to bone you, and you didn't resist. You were trying to purposely goad him, to flaunt it in his face!" "Yeah, I was flaunting it. He's always pushed me to the limit, so I wanted to push him to the limit. Payback can be a bitch". "Yeah, and revenge is a dish best served cold" I shot back. "What the hell does that mean?" "It means you don't do things in anger just to get revenge for something" I shouted. "Because all too often it comes back to bite you in the ass. Because your attempt to get some kind of revenge on your father you almost got us killed. You know what? We're done, I'm done with you. I want you out of my house and out of my life!"
I drove on in stony silence. I heard a sound from Rick I'd never heard before and turned to look at him. He was crying, tears streaming down his face. I immediately felt the desolation of regret. I've never been able to stand to see someone cry, especially when I'm the one that caused it. Rick looked up at me, tears still streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry, Dave. I'm so very sorry. I screwed up, I blew it. I way underestimated my dad's temper, and we almost paid the price with our lives. But please, please don't give up on me, I beg you. You're the best thing that ever happened in my life. Maybe I don't deserve you, but I need you, I need you in my life. Please forgive me, and give me another chance. I promise you won't regret it if you just give me one more chance to make right with you".
My resolve began to weaken, but I needed to give it one more shot. I banged my fist hard against the steering wheel, and then again and again and again. "I fucking HATE drama in my life! Hate it, hate it, HATE it! I don't want any drama in my life, I like things simple, uncomplicated, drama free. And you keep trying to drag me into your fucking drama, goddamn it! I don't want any damn drama in my life!". Rick was silent for a moment. "Well, I've heard that you can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need". I rolled my eyes. Great! Just fucking great, Mr. Rolling Fucking Stones! And just what is it that you think I need?" Rick was silent so I turned to look at him. "Me?" he said, smiling cautiously. "Me, in your life". "That's pretty presumptuous" I snorted. "Perhaps" Rick began, "but it's true. You need me in your life, and you know it. Think how boring your life would be without me in your life". I shot him an angry glance. "Yeah? Well, I think I could handle a little boredom just fine".
I drove on in silence. "Well?" Rick questioned at length. "What are you thinking?" I sighed. "I'm thinking you're right, goddamn you. I do want you in my life. You can be a real pain in the ass, but I want you in my life; I . . . I need you in my life. Do you have any idea how madly in love I am with you?". Rick leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. Yeah I do, actually. And do you have any idea how madly in love I am with you?" "Then stop being such a dumbass stupid son of a bitch!". "Then help me!" Rick pleaded. I looked at him curiously. "Help you? Help you with what?". "Help me change my life" Rick said. "Help me be gay and proud, just like you. Help me change my life, so that my family and my friends understand why I'm doing this, why I'm so happy to be with you; why I'm so happy and proud to be a part of your life". "And how in the hell do I do that?" I questioned. "By being who you are. Just be exactly who you are, and they'll get it. They'll see how proud and strong you are, how proud and strong you make me, and how proud and strong we are together. And how much in love we are. And they'll get it, I know they will".
I drove on, thinking about what he had just said, it made me feel really good and proud, for both of us. "So, are we good?" Rick asked softly. I turned to look at him, and smiled. "Yeah, we're good. You can be such a dumb sonnabitch sometimes, but we'll work on that". Rick nodded, and reached for his phone and dialed a number, I turned back to watch the road. "Yeah, Ellen, it's me. Look, I wanted to know if it's ok if I stopped by tomorrow, while the kids are in school, and pick up the rest of my things? I want to get my tools, and I'll bring my buddy Dave with me so we can tow that old pickup I've been working on and get it out of your way. Yeah? Ok, thanks. And I have those no-fault divorce papers my attorney drew up, I'll drop them off for you to check them over. Yeah, it's just like how I told you it would be - no messy he did this, she did that' thing. We just say that we have irreconcilable differences', and we both want to go our own ways. And you get sole custody of the kids I thought it would be better and easier on the kids that way. Instead a fixed schedule of who gets who on which day, you and I and the kids will figure out for what works best for all of us. What? Yes, as matter of act I am seeing someone else. Now calm down! I hear you've been seeing someone, and I think that's great, we both need to move on with our lives. Yes, it's in the divorce papers that I'll take care of you and the kids. I agree to alimony, and child support until they're 18. They're my children as much as they are yours and I love them as much as you do. Yes, I can keep taking care of the mortgage for now, and try to help with the utilities. And you have your part time job at the Dollar store, maybe you can go fulltime to help cover things? So, ok if I stop by around 10 o'clock? Great, see you then".
I drove for a minute before I spoke. "So wait, what was that part about bringing me along?" "Yeah, I was hoping you would come along" Rick said, "so that Ellen can maybe better understand why I'm doing this".
"Ah, I see" I began sarcastically. "Let me think about that -- for half a second. Nope, that would be no fucking way in hell will I do that!". "Why not?". "Because please stop trying to drag me into your drama!" "Please, pretty please?" We pulled into my driveway. "So? Please?" "Sonnabitch" I muttered. "Great! I'll take that as a yes".