A Place in the Sun - cash au-

You Are For Me

Cameron grabs my hand and squeezes, I give him a grateful smile then turn my attention back to my shocked silent parents. My father looks angry, as angry as I've ever seen him while my mother just continues to stare at me with an open mouth.

"I've known that I've been gay since... well puberty really but I was too scared to tell you guys and I never had a boyfriend anyway but now I do and I'm not ashamed of him. I want to be honest with you guys now because you're my parents and I hope that you'll be happy for me. I know it's a shock..." I trail off, unsure of what else to say. Cameron strokes my hand with his thumb tenderly as I wait for a response from my parents.

"So he's not a friend, he's your boyfriend? How old is he?" My mother asks, I know she's trying to process the information but she's acting like Cameron isn't sitting right next to me.

"He's 28." I answer because I'm not ashamed of our age difference either. "I'm really happy with him, mom. The happiest I've ever been, he's been so amazing to me and I know you can see that."

I don't want to bring up the fact that he bought them a house or that he's been so generous with me because those aren't the reasons why I'm so happy with him. They're perks I guess but I'd be with him even if he didn't do all of that for me.

My mom is reacting better than my father, he has a stoic look on his face and I know he won't accept us. I swallow nervously because my mother usually goes along with what my father says or does.

"Homosexuality is something that I cannot support," my father says shortly and my gaze falls, I had been expecting that but it still hurts to hear him say that he doesn't support me.

"Chad..." my mother starts off but one look from him shuts her up.

"If you're to live with us, under our roof, you are going to abstain from being in a homosexual relationship. We can go to our pastor who can work with your... deviant nature." My father continues and I frown because I wasn't expecting to be kicked out of the house, especially considering the fact that it's because of my relationship with Cameron that they even have a house instead of that dumpy trailer.

"You're losing your relationship with your son by doing this, Chad. I'm sure you realize that but I feel that you should rethink your stance." Cameron tells him quietly, I'm so grateful for his presence because I don't know how this would turn out if I was telling them by myself.

"If that's how it's going to be then so be it but I can't in good conscience support such a relationship. I am not a hypocrite." My father states and I fight the urge to roll my eyes because he's acting like he's perfect when he's far from it.

I wasn't expecting to move out so soon, I thought I'd have until January but it looks like that won't be happening. I worry about where I will stay while I finish my semester at school.

The rest of the breakfast is tense and quiet, my mother meekly eats her food and I try to catch her gaze but she avoids my eyes.

I never had a close relationship with my parents but it hurts, I can't deny it.

The ride home is just as quiet and tense, my stuff is still packed up in boxes and Cameron helps me carry them to his car.

When we close the trunk I lean against the car with a sigh and look down at my feet.

Cameron steps in front of me and places his hands on either side of my head.

"Finish up your semester from New York, baby. You can fly down for your proctored exams. You don't need them, I'm here for you. I'll support you no matter what, you have nothing to be worried about, it's truly your parent's loss because you're an amazing person. They won't see you develop into the successful man I know you're going to be and one day they will regret missing out on your journey." He murmurs tenderly and I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders.