The Curse Of Reality

The Agoraphobia Story

Chuck and Manny had...

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Manny interrupted when he cleared his throat. Chuck started the story again... The right way.

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Manny and Chuck had been together for a couple of years. Chuck was loving his job in real estate and was good at it. He had finally found his passion.

But there was something that weighed on his mind a lot... Manny. He needed to get the nerve to ask Manny about his story.

Chuck got brave one night and decided to finally ask Manny the question that was burning his brain up.

They finished dinner and cleaned up as Chuck cleared his throat.

Manny smiled. "You have a question? I sense that you wanted to ask me something. Out with it."

Chuck sighed. "It's about...never leaving the house?"

Manny smiled a sad smile. He knew this was coming and he felt that he needed to talk about it. He knew this was important to Chuck. "Okay. You want to know why?"

"I do but you don't have to tell me! It's not really my business and if you don't want to talk about it..." Chuck started talking faster and backtracking. He shouldn't have asked.

Manny moved to the living area. "It's okay. I can talk to you about it. It's simple really. I used to go out and I was a regular person. I was. I was a junior in high school when it happened." He took a breath as Chuck sat and moved closer.

"The day was normal... A normal day at school. It was a nice day close to the end of the year and everything was great." Manny smiled a sad smile at the memory. "We were talking about colleges we wanted to go to after graduation the next year. We were discussing what we were doing over the summer. We were just all there together." He sighed. "It happened so fast, Chuck."

Chuck nodded. "We don't have to talk about it." He had no idea what happened.

Manny had this far away look and didn't listen to Chuck. "I mean it. We were talking and joking one second and the next... my best friend.... I heard the shots but I had no idea what it was! I thought it was fireworks at first. Like someone brought firecrackers into the school...." Manny inhaled.

Chuck stared at Manny. "Oh, baby! We don't have to..."

Manny wiped a tear. "I won't get into it... I can't but I got home and I couldn't step out of the house. I tried, Chuck! I did but I just couldn't move! I would get to the porch and freak out!"

Chuck sighed. "I'm sorry!" He didn't know what to say. It was a school shooting that caused this for Manny. Chuck found out later that most of Manny's friends were killed right in front of him. Manny's best friend fell on top of him and saved his life. The shooter walked over him thinking he was dead.

Manny sighed. "So, I stayed home. At first, my parents let me and then... I physically couldn't leave! This house is where I grew up!"

Chuck looked around. "This?"

Manny chuckled as he wiped his tears. Those memories always bring tears every time. It always just feels like it happened yesterday and he relives it every day. "No! I had it worked on to fit my style! It's nice, right? It used to be a small two bedroom cottage. I have had a lot of work done on it!"

The house was so amazing and it had a finished basement that Manny was thinking about putting a bar in. He wanted to take some classes and learn to be a bartender, for fun. He wanted to learn to mix drinks.

(Of course this was the bar the guys were currently sitting in while listening to the story.)

This house had a beautiful kitchen, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Chuck smiled as he thought about the indoor pool also. They spent a lot of time in the pool.

This house had everything. Manny's office was gorgeous and comfortable too. He had plants everywhere and a cute room that was filtered with sunlight so he could get his daily sun.

"Manny, I love your style!" Chuck smiled at him.

Manny nodded. "Of course you do!" He paused and took a breath. "So, I finished high school online and took business classes online for college."

"My parents retired. My mom was in the Marines and my father was a lawyer. They moved to Florida and left me the house." He shrugged. "My mother is still there and we talk once a week. She knows about you."

"She does and I don't know about her!" Chuck glared.

Manny chuckled. "You can meet her!"

"Good!" Chuck sighed. "I'm sorry about everything, Manny. I'm glad you're here!"

"Thanks! I felt guilty for so long!" Manny sighed. "My best friend gave his life up to save me and I'm too chicken shit to leave my house!"

Manny sighed and waved his hand at the sentence as if to wipe it away. "I took up baking and played with some recipes. My mom had a dog. His name was Paws. She would visit and I would bake these healthy biscuits for him. My mom joked about this being something I could sell!"

"And that was how this all started!" Manny smiled. "I worked on making my company."

"From home!" Chuck laughed. "Manny, I believe that your friends would be proud of you! I am! Hell, my dad loved you and neither of us knew I was gay when I met you!"

Manny laughed. "I didn't know that!"

They both chuckled on the couch. Manny felt so much better after telling Chuck his story. He loved Chuck because he didn't judge or accuse or get mad... he was just supportive and this man was exactly what Manny needed. He was so grateful in that moment.

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Simon sighed as he listened to the story. "Manny, I had no idea! I admire you so much!"

Jett nodded. "Me too!" He would be in the same boat if that happened to him; probably more messed up. "So, I'm glad you agreed to see someone!"

Manny nodded. "Me too! It's helping. I'm not ready to go rock climbing but I love what it does to my man!" He squeezed a very muscled arm. "Mmm!"

Chuck flexed and Manny stood up. "We have to go! Now!" He pulled Chuck from the room and shouted over his shoulder. "Talk soon!"

Simon laughed. "I guess we will finish this conversation later!"

Jett laughed. "Come on! Our son will be home soon anyway!" They walked to the door and to their car as Manny was enjoying his favorite meal in his room with Chuck. By the way, Chuck is his favorite meal but you probably got that.