Tenement Funster

We've Gotta Get Out of This Place...

"How do you know that?"  Roger said in complete shock.  "How...." he trailed off as he couldn't believe she knew these secrets about him.  Things he had tried to hide from so many people.  It occurred to him that she may not approve and this was her preparing to tell him she had no room in her life for a poof and to get out.  But she didn't appear to be upset or angry or offended.  In fact, she seemed somewhat amused and it threw him off seeing that.

"First...I have no qualm with you liking men..."  Olivia advised him.  "And second...I like Brian..."  she remarked with a warm smile.  

"But how did you know?"  Roger asked again.  Still trying to process how she uncovered this.  Olivia sighed a little and took another sip of her tea.  Roger waited and she looked into his eyes with a touch of guilt on display.

"I have a confession to make which requires your forgiveness..."  Olivia  told him.  "I did something you probably won't like but I did it out of concern for you..."  Roger was baffled by what it could be and found it hard to consider being angry with her.  She is such a kind and generous woman.  

"I'm sure it's okay...just tell me..."  he pleaded. Olivia nodded as she set her tea cup down and folded her hands together.

"When I met you I was drawn to you and your story...well the story you offered me about your life..."  she began.  "And I am a cautious person so I felt the need to have more information about you before I allowed you into my life..."  Olivia explained.  "You were also so young to be in London on your own...it bothered me...so I had a private investigator check into your background..." she confessed.  Roger's face went pale hearing this and he wondered what all the investigator had uncovered.  He squirmed in his seat.  Not really angry at her for invading his past but worried about her opinions of him.

"And what did they tell you about me?"  Roger asked with trepidation as he kept his eyes latched onto hers.  Trying to gauge what she knew.  

"You had told me where you lived before you came to London so they tracked you back to there..."  she advised.  "They found out you were kicked out of your parent's home due to being discovered with another boy..."  Roger realized that is how she knew he liked men.  But who told the detective?

"Did the detective say who told him this?"  Roger questioned.  Olivia nodded as she kept eye contact with the blond.  

"Yes...he spoke to your mother..."  Olivia revealed.  It made Roger swallow hard to hear this.  He remembered the pain in his mother's face when she handed him the household money and told him it was best he never come back.  She was worried about what his father would do to him if he did.  "She only spoke to my man because she wanted to know how you were and where you are living...she was worried about you..."  Olivia said to reassure Roger.  He nodded understanding.

"I knew my Mum wasn't completely on board with throwing me out...but she couldn't stand up to my father..."  Roger commented.  "I don't believe she hates me...she just hates what I did..."  he reflected.  

"That is quite astute thinking Roger..."  Olivia responded.  "You seem to have a good grasp on the circumstances with your parents..."  He nodded agreement.  

"I've had a while to come to terms with being tossed out..."  Roger said back.  "It still hurts at times but I've tried to move on from it..."    He was curious about the other remark she had made since this question had been answered.  "How did you know about Brian?"  he asked her.  Olivia formed a wide smile.

"It didn't take a detective to figure that one out...." she responded.  "You have never brought another soul to meet me and hardly ever mentioned any of your friends by name...just vague references to people you socialize with..."  she explained.  "But suddenly you show up here with Brian in tow and to be honest dear....when he read that poem you gazed at him like a moon eyed girl...." she informed him with a smug expression.  "And he seemed to feel the same way as you if I'm being completely forthright..."  she added.  Roger practically blushed which she found enchanting.