Cronkri: I won't let you down

Chapter 8

That Sunday, Cronus went with our family to church as usual. It was a little bit more awkward this time, however, considering my dad's sermon topic. It was one of those adult-only sermons that required everyone ages 12 and under to go to the back room with the nursery care workers until it was over.

Homosexuality had been a well-debated subject among my family and others for as long as I could remember. Mom and Dad were on the same page about it for the most part: the Bible says it's wrong so we refuse to support it in any way, shape, or form.
I hadn't really thought much of it growing up. I was raised in the typical penis-goes-in-vagina household and that was that. It wasn't until 6th grade that I remember having my own thoughts and views in the matter, but I kept my mouth shut. At the time, I had known I was straight. Now I know that was very much so not the case.

Anyway, as Dad was on his stage, preaching about how homosexuals are going to hell and that's final, Cronus and I had to awkwardly avoid any contact of any sort. We couldn't blatantly ignore the message without getting in trouble since the worship leaders and musicians had to sit in the front row of seats, right in plain view of the elevated platform for the preacher to stand on. This led to a mind-numbingly boring session of flipping through the text and pretending to follow along, while disagreeing with just about everything Mr. Vantas was saying. Long story short, we were glad when it was over.
"Geez, is he always that into what he's saying?" Cronus asked me once we were back at his house. He was dribbling a little miniature basketball around his room and shooting it into a mini-hoop on the back of his door.
I shook my head. "Not unless it's a highly controversial topic. I feel like those are the only things he really cares about in his speech."
"Huh. So much for tellin' him about me and you."
"You were planning on telling him?!" I jumped up, alarmed, from his bed where I had been sitting.
"Nah, not really. I mean, I kinda figured he'd have some problem with the whole deal, being the pastor n' all, but from this morning... Sheesh, it sounded like he wanted to kill every gay guy or gal out there."
I sighed and flopped down onto his bed.
"He probably would if he had the chance... It's funny though, how one week he preaches on how God's message is all about love and acceptance, and the next it's this."
"Ain't that ironic."
I nodded solemnly. "I'm just glad your parents are so accepting."
Cronus shrugged and shot another basket from across his room. "Yeah, it's pretty chill. They know what's best for me, but outside of going to live in a cave somewhere in the middle of an ancient jungle, I get to make my own choices."
"I envy your freedom." I sighed. "Mom was always nice like that when I was growing up. But after the accident... Dad doesn't have that soft side to him anymore."
"Hey, on the bright side, you'll be outta the house soon."
"That's true... Then we won't have to hide from him anymore." I paused. "But what about Karkat? If I leave, then who will help him grow up with Dad being like this?"
"You'll be back for holidays, right?"
"I hope to, yes."
"Then you can give him advice when you come home, right?"
"I suppose so..." I shook my head. My back pocket suddenly vibrated.
"Who is it?"
"My dad... He wants me to come home. Immediately." I stood up.
"What happened, someone die?"
"I have no idea. I'll text you as soon as I can though, okay?"
He nodded. "Okay, chief."
I went up on my tiptoes and gave him a quick goodbye kiss before heading home.