My Gay Roommate

Chapter 26 - I'll Have The, Er, Second Best Dress!

Chapter 26 - I'll Have The, Er, Second Best Dress!

"Bye Zack!" I called, pulling my bag over my shoulder as I waved to him.

He waved back at  Dan and I, running down the sidewalk as he headed back home. In a flash, his blond tufts of hair disappeared around the block.

Dan piled the last suitcase into the trunk and slammed it shut. "Well, that's it," he said uncertainly, looking back at the house and away.

Yep, it was time to leave. We could have stayed the night, but Dan decided there was no point; it was clear that things between his parents and him couldn't be mended.

And that disheartened me even more. I'd wanted him to patch up everything with his family, but it was no use. His parents didn't see him as the son they'd raised anymore and he didn't see them as the parents that had unsuccessfully raised him.

Jamie ran out the front door, grabbing Dan around his waist. "Don't leave!" he exclaimed, his voice broken with emotion.

Dan seemed surprised but he smiled and bent down to Jamie's level. "I'll be back," he said softly, ruffling Jamie's hair.

Jamie had bright tears in his eyes. "You're the best big brother ever," he sobbed. "I'm so lonely here. I...I don't want you to leave!" He started crying even harder.

It felt as if a heavy weight was balanced between my shoulders as I watched sadly. Jamie, all alone here with no one who considerably cared about him. If only we could take him back...

Dan gave him a hug. "You're an amazing little brother, but I can't stay here. I'd take you with me if I could but...this is your new home."

"I wanna come with you."

"I'm sorry, Jamie." He kissed his forehead.

Jamie sniffled, spotted me and ran my way, tackling me in a waist-high hug. I stooped to his height and hugged him back tightly. "I'll miss you," he said to me, still choking on sobs.

I could have cried myself. "I'll miss you, too," I said, giving him another squeeze. "But we'll come back and you never know, maybe you can stay with us for a few days."

"Really?" he asked, pulling back and wiping his tears with hope.

I smiled and nodded. "Yup."

"Okay." He smiled feebly and I stood up, holding his hand tightly in mine. Dan, now leaning against the car, caught my eye and smiled.

The front door opened again and Mr. and Mrs. Robins stepped out, their expressions emotionless. I saw Dan tense as he looked away.

"It was nice seeing you again, Dan," his mother said. "Feel free to come back. We enjoyed your stay."

Dan probably would have said something sarcastic, but instead, he sighed heavily. "Mom, Dad....I didn't come here to fight with you. I wanted to make things better between us so...I'm sorry. For yelling at you, calling you terrible parents and for being an awful son. For not being able to live up to your expectations."

I stared at his parents, waiting for their answer. Dan's father slightly wiped his eye, avoiding our gaze. Mrs. Robins stood there, blank faced.

"You'll always be our son, Dan," his father finally said. "And you never were an awful son. And despite everything we did and said...you still came back."

My heart lit up with hope. Dan swallowed hard, exhaling slowly.

"You gave your brother a chance," Mrs. Robins spoke up, her voice still flat. I really wanted to smack her. "I'm proud of you for that."