Fathers and Law: Lom and Fah Book One

Chapter 12

"Shouldn't you go after her?" asked Lom.

"I don't know. I thought I'd have to have a difficult talk with her, but I guess not." A small laugh escaped Fah's mouth before he turned serious again.

"What if she tells everyone? What will she do?"

"I'm not sure. Honestly, she can say whatever she wants. I'm so happy right now. Besides, no one has ever seen me with anyone except her, it's common knowledge I'm faithful and that we haven't done anything. People will talk, but I can't live to please other people. The only person I want to please is you."

"We can talk about that later. I don't think you're making a good decision. Run after her. Calm her down. Explain this is all new to you, and that this hasn't been going on for long. It might cause trouble for you at school. You don't want Dad finding out from someone at the university."

"Fine. Wait here, don't leave. Ugh, I can't believe I have to put on clothes before I can shower," he said noticing his sticky abdomen.

As he pulled on pants he slid his feet into shoes and pulled a shirt over his head. He opened the door and ran out. Lom got up to take a shower. He hoped Manao could be calmed down.

In high school, everyone loved Fah so he never knew what it was like to be gossiped about. People whom Fah thought of as kind had said awful and cruel things about Lom and their father. He knew exactly what it was like to be ostracized.

Manao stood on the curb waiting for her taxi. Fah ran up, panting, reached out, and grabbed her hand.

"Please, Manao, listen to me. We need to talk."

"Don't touch me with the same hand you used to touch him! We have nothing to say to each other." Pulling her arm out of his grasp she pointedly stepped away from him.

"Manao, please. I beg you, please listen to me. I want to explain; after this, I promise I won't bother you again. I gave you three years; can't you give me five minutes? Please?"

"Fine. Five minutes." Manao stood with her arms crossed, feet apart, glowering at him.

"I won't touch you, but would you follow me to that bench in the shade?" Manao wanted to refuse his request but the sun was exceptionally strong today.

They walked in silence. Fah waited for Manao to sit and then sat beside her. Not as close as he normally would. He reminded himself not to reach for her hand.

"Manao, I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. I had no idea I was this way until a few days ago."

"Why? Did he turn you gay?"

"Manao, come on. You're smarter than that. People can't turn other people gay, it's the way you're born. Please don't be angry at Lom either."

"He's your brother! Not only do you want me to accept that you're gay, but you had sex with your brother! That's incest."

"If we were actual brothers, it would be. His family took me in after my mom died and I had no living relatives. We aren't blood-related at all. I haven't seen him for three years."

"What about your father? Where is he?"

"I have no idea. Remember the old photo I showed you of my mom? That's the only thing I know about him, an arm with a tattoo on it. He could be dead Or in another country. My mom wouldn't tell me much about him except he came from a wealthy family. When she told him she was pregnant he disappeared. She wouldn't tell me his name."

"Oh, well, I honestly don't care who your dad is. How could you do this to me? Why did you date me for three years – three years? You made me believe we had a future together – that we'd marry and have children. Now I find you in bed with Lom! Why would you hurt me like this?"