Dividing Issues by Bradley Brady

Author:Bradley Brady
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBT, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Gay Fiction, Women
Publisher: Bradley Brady
Published: 2020-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

FAMILY

‘I’m home, not that you care. Leaving me stranded at Heathrow like an asylum seeker. Do you have a tip for the cabbie, he’s bringing the cases? Who the bloody hell are you?’

Frankie had not expected Derek to be in a great mood after such a long journey, but it surprised him how crabby he seemed. In his defence, walking into your living room and finding a total stranger sitting there is bound to be disconcerting. ‘Derek, dear, this is George.’

Derek looked the young man up and down. ‘Oh, it’s George. Why didn’t you say? George who?’

‘Bush.’ George had the stunned look many wore on first meeting Derek.

‘George Bush? That must make me Nancy Reagan.’ Derek turned to Frankie. ‘You’re a piece of work, Franklin Greenway. I’m gone for a week and I come back to find I’ve been replaced. And to add insult to injury, by a child. Is he even legal?’

‘For goodness’ sake, Derek, don’t be ridiculous. George is our guest, and you are completely irreplaceable. I realise this is a shock, but I thought it best to tell you all about it in person. Why don’t you sit down? I’ll settle up with the driver. I’ve trained the lad in mixology. Be a dear, George, and mix Derek a Negroni - better make it on the strong side.’

George gingerly stepped around Derek on his way to the kitchen.

Frankie walked over to his husband. ‘Come here, dearheart.’ He gave Derek a tentative embrace. ‘I know I forsook you at the airport, but I’ve had quite the time of it here. Once I’ve caught you up, I’m sure you’ll understand.’ He sensed Derek unclench in his arms. He held him a few seconds longer, then pecked him on the cheek and went to deal with the taxi driver.

*****

‘I’ll give you this much, the boy can mix a good cocktail.’ It took two Negronis and a full debrief on his LA exploits for Derek to mellow out.

Frankie cuddled up with him on the sofa and explained how they had acquired their new houseguest. George had wisely retreated to his room. ‘What choice did I have? I could hardly leave him sitting on that bench, half-starved and homeless, now could I?’

Derek held Frankie’s hand between both of his. ‘You are a soft touch, Franklin Greenway. But yes, I can understand how it would be hard to walk away from someone in need like that.’

‘Many do, I’ve done it myself. But he was so young, so vulnerable. You hear stories about what happens to these kids when they’re living rough. I couldn’t have it weigh on my conscience.’ Frankie held a breath, then let it slowly out.

‘How did he end up on the streets? What about his parents? Were they mistreating him? Calling him George Bush is tantamount to child abuse in my book.’

‘It’s been difficult getting him to talk about it. This boy at his school, well, George developed a little crush, which brought up certain feelings. If you cast your mind way way way back, you’ll remember what that’s like.

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