Challenges

Part XXI

***2015***

As they took the exit off the interstate, Justin decided to take him directly to his parents house. He was nervous as he had never brought a boy home, except for Nate. He had called his dad prior to leaving Albuquerque to see if they could take one of the RZRs out for a drive along the river bank.

Apparently Matt had already called and informed his dad of the most interesting coincidence that Jason was one of the kids that he had met in LA, along with the fact that the letter he had asked Justin to write was for Jason. His dad seemed eager to meet Jason. When he asked how his mom would feel about him bringing Jason home, he said not to worry and that he would deal with it.

He trusted his dad and decided to bite the bullet.

Pulling up into the driveway, the two dogs again greeted him.

"Don't worry." Justin said, undoing his seatbelt. "They are teddy bears and will just lick you to death."

They both got out of the car and made their way to the front door. Unlike his last arrival his mother was nowhere to be found. Just wasn't sure if it was a good sign or a bad sign. Making it past the two dogs, they entered the house.

"Dad?" Justin called out, closing the door.

"In the kitchen." His dad called back in response.

Justin grabbed Jason's hand and pulled him down the hall into the kitchen. He stopped short as he saw his mom and dad sitting at the table with cups sitting in front of them. It was surreal to see his mom in the kitchen and not cooking.

"Hey mom and dad." Justin said with a squeaking voice. He was behaving like he was in high school all over again and had been caught doing something wrong. "This is Jason."

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Leary." Jason said in his most diplomatic voice. He could feel Justin's had turned clammy. He squeezed it.

"Oh." Justin said, looking down at his hand. He forgot that he had grabbed Justin's hand. He suddenly felt the air leave his lungs and the room started to spin.

***1999***

Junior year of high school had been the best year for Justin. His relationship with Nate had gotten better once they had decided not to go to church anymore. They had not taken their relationship to the next level, but that was okay. They enjoyed each other, and Justin figured that was all that mattered.

"So what's on the list today?" Mark asked the group, as they waited for classes to start.

Everyone seemed to be paired up, with the exception of Mark and Scott. Justin knew Scott wanted to have someone, but also knew that his nature made it hard for him to show it. Mark was an oddity of his own, and didn't seem to care one way if he was with someone.

"Just the normal." Nate responded looking over his math homework. "Well abnormal I guess. This makes no sense to me!"

"I told you to call and ask for help if you needed it." Grayson said, eating a burrito. There was a worry that he would have a hard time when Cody graduated, but he was doing good. He had spent almost every day with him, and even started to go to the gym with him for workouts. He was getting a little bulk on him.

"I know." Nate grumbled and closed his book. "I will have to call you this weekend I think."

Justin shook his head but decided to stay quiet. Kimberly and Neil had not arrived yet, which was not unusual. She still went to seminary and would be arriving shortly once that ended. Justin did not miss seminary at all. Well, he did miss attempting to get the teacher confused and flustered, but that was not worth it.