Hide Your Heart

Wandering

Tommy was trying to find his way home in the dark after running off. He wished he hadn't snapped at Paul and taken off. Looking for his cellphone, he found it in his pocket and pulled it out. "Eleven?" he said squinting. Suddenly he found something hard with his knee and cried out. Hoping he dialed the right number, he hit send and listened to the ringing. 

"Where the fuck are you?" snapped Eric as he came on the line. 

"I-I-I don't know." "It's cold out here." "I'm hurt. Please find me."

On the other end, Eric considered telling Tommy he was on his own but instead he told him to look for the nearest street sign.

"Tom, do you see any road signs or markers?"

"L.A.X. next two exits." came the reply soon. 

"Stay there. I'll let Pat know."

Hanging up, Eric texted Pat just as a text came through. "He spotted him."

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Pat had spotted Tommy's white sweatshirt and blonde hair just as Eric's text came through. he pulled over and ran to Tommy. "It's 30 fucking degrees out here! Where's your jacket? And why are you  all the way out here?"

Tommy looked at the ground as he started shivering. "I-I-I had a fight with Paul and I-I-I took off." "I-I-I blamed him for getting me pregnant again and_"

"WHAT?!!" cried Pat as he wrapped a blanket around Tommy and put him in the car. "Already?"

"Yes. One  month and two weeks."

Pat turned the heater up as he drove to Paul's place. "Go on inside and really talk to your husband." "I'll check back with you tomorrow."

Tommy couldn't look at his husband as he headed upstairs. He was too worried Paul was really mad at him enough  to not want to talk. 

"Baby, come here please." "Let's get you warmed up and then we'll talk." 

Tommy just nodded as he headed to the bathroom to shower. He heard Paul come in a few minutes later. "Paul. I'm sorry."

"Tom, please don't ever do that again." "Gene had to put the girls to bed so I could concentrate on finding you." "I  don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

Tommy could barely finish his shower before bursting into tears.