The Silver Compass - 13 By: Sean Roberts
Author's Note: Please send feedback to seanr_13@yahoo.ca
Conversations
He woke up alone. Cameron had gotten up an hour before, and had breakfast on a cart in the room. Michael slipped on his shorts and got up to have some coffee.
"Good morning," he said.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes," Michael said. "I slept really well."
"Good."
"Do you have any idea why Matthew would do what he did?"
"No. I think you should ask him. Actually, I think you should just ignore the whole thing."
"That isn't working. He's not talking to me. And I'm not talking to him. I can't keep that up. I need to be talking to him. And I need him to accept that I'm gay."
"That obviously won't be a problem. After what he did...he's probably gay as well."
"What? No, Cam, I don't think so. I don't know why he did that but that can't be it. There's no way he's actually attracted to me! I mean, we've seen each other naked before, and he's never been, well, hard...God this is a disgusting conversation."
"It is unusual. Listen to me Mike," Cameron said, stepping up to him and kissing his neck. "All of this stuff has happened really quickly. I think your brother needs some time. And Sarah too. Just leave everything alone for a while. You've been Sarah's friend forever, and Matthew's your brother...they'll come around. I promise." Cameron's hands on Michael's arms were more reassuring than his words.
"And my parents? I don't think they will."
"You don't have to worry about them yet, they don't know...you told them?" Cameron said, judging the look on Michael's face.
"No! I'm not that stupid! But, but they know. Matthew's told them. He has to have, because of the way they've been acting. They haven't said anything yet, but it's only a matter of time. What about your family?"
"Well, you've met Jules. I haven't told my parents, but I will, soon. I mean, it's good that your parents know, because sooner or later they'll have to meet me, and you'll have to meet mine..."
"Whoa, Cam, you can't meet my parents, ever...not after what Matthew's told them..."
"Mike, I'll have to. How are we going to be able to see each other without our parents finding out? I mean, we don't have to tell them today, but..."
"Shit, Cam. Please. Let's not talk about this right now, I don't think I want to start worrying about my parents."
When Michael arrived home, he climbed the stairs to his bedroom, but suddenly found himself walking into his brother's.
"Hi Matthew."
"Hi Michael," he said sheepishly.
"Can you tell me what the fuck you were doing in my room the other night?" Michael had not meant to sound so angry. But it was an awkward question. He needed the confidence to ask it; it came from anger. And he immediately felt sorry for his brother, who had to answer it. Matthew turned away from Michael.
"I don't know," he said. His voice shook slightly.
"Okay Matthew. By the way, you were awesome. The way you scored that first goal...that was really good." He had paid attention to some of the game. Michael left Matthew's room. Cameron was right; he would have to give his brother some time.