Labyrinth

Chapter Nineteen

Cameron is currently packing his duffel bag that he came to Iowa with. Christian is sitting on the bed watching him.

"I'm going to miss you; you won't be gone for long right?" Christian asked sadly.

"Love, I was thinking...Why don't you come with me?" Cameron said hopefully. "I will miss you like crazy, and this way. if you come, you can meet my parents and see where I'm from."

"But what about your dad?" Christian said nervously.

"I'm going to have to tell him eventually."

Christian is proud of how far Cameron has come, but he still had a bad feeling in his gut about this trip.

Christian grabbed his own duffel bag and began to pack his own clothes.

The two boys walked onto the bus and took their seats in the middle. In public, the two have to be extremely cautious of what they let other people see. Christian wanted to be free, but Cameron was there to make sure both were staying safe.

"Tell me more about Cameron from Missouri," Christian said with sparkling eyes.

"Cameron from Missouri is the exact opposite of Cameron from Iowa. I much prefer Cameron from Iowa." Cameron laughed.

"I was living in a shell, I had no friends, no relationships, James was my only friend, and you know how that ended. I worked at the bakery in town to make money." Cameron said sadly.

"No wonder you're so good with your hands, Mr. Baker" Christian whispered in his ear causing a light blush to bloom on Cameron's cheeks.

"Stop it, Mr. Parker," Cameron said.

It was an accidental slip, but both boys froze their movements.

Before they knew it, the bus stopped in Missouri.

"The drop off is a little further from my house, so my dad is picking us up. Is that okay?" Cameron asked.

Christian gulped but nodded.

This is much more suburban than where Christian is from. This coupled with his nerves made his stomach upset, but one look at Cameron and he feels better. Cameron has that effect on him.

Standing out like a sore thumb, was a white car with the word "Sheriff" written on the side. Cameron walked over to his dad urging Christian to follow.

"Dad," Cameron hugged his dad.

"Son, who's this." Cameron's dad asked after breaking the hug.

"Dad, this is Christian. Christian this is my dad, William." Cameron introduced.

"It's nice to meet you son," William shook Christian's hand.

"Likewise, sir," Christian said politely.

"Let's go home," William said.

The three walked into a small white and yellow house that had a small garden in front. The house smelled like gingerbread and marshmallows calming Christian down a little. A woman came running to the door and gave Cameron a huge hug.

"Oh, son, I've missed you so much," she said.

"I've missed you too, mom. Mom, this is Christian." Cameron said, accidentally putting his hand on Christian's lower back. William didn't notice, but Cameron's mom certainly did.

"Please, call me Wendy," she introduced.

Everyone sat on the couch in the living room.

The air is quiet but comfortable. Wendy had a feeling of what this is, but she will wait for her son to talk first.

"So, you were making trouble over there with a fellow named Lawrence." William broke the silence.

The mere thought of that man made Cameron angry, but Christian put a hand on Cameron's hand. Wendy is squealing inside at the action. This is what she thinks, right?

"Yes, father. He said some horrible things about Christian, and I defended his honor." Cameron said like he was in front of a judge. He might as well be with the look his father is giving him.

"What's Christian to you, Cameron?" William asked.

"He's the love of my life."

There it is. Cameron said it.

Christian hugged his side giving a small kiss to his cheek causing Cameron to smile back at him.

Wendy was smiling, William was not.

"You're gay," William asked his son.

"Yes, dad, I am." Cameron said confidently.

Christian was so proud of Cameron.

"Well, it's not like I'm surprised," William said, causing both boys to look at him wide eyed.

"What?" William laughed.

"Cameron, I saw you with that boy, I never once saw you look twice at a girl, and you never had a relationship. I was chasing girls at 15." William laughed.

"You're not mad or disappointed," Cameron clarified.

"No son, sending you away, I realized how harsh I have been on you. I am disappointed I had to bail my son out of jail." William said.

"I'm sorry, dad." Cameron looked down.

"But it looks like I am not getting you back anytime soon." William teased.

"No, I don't think you are," Cameron smiled down to Christian.

Wendy got up from her seat and gave both of them a big hug.

"Welcome to the family, Christian," Wendy said happily.

Christian felt a motherly warmth he hasn't felt in years. He hugged her back tight.

"Thank you," he said.