The Judge's Blessing (boyxboy)

Back From the Chill (Fall, 9th Grade)

Danny laid on his bed, his usual ebullience nowhere to be found. Dale came in to see if everything was OK, if there was anything more that Danny needed before going to sleep for the night. Although he was quickly recovering from his pneumonia and his leg was similarly healing, Danny needed rest. Dale was determined that Danny get that rest.

"Is there anything else you need tonight, son?"

"No Dad, I'm pretty much OK."

"You know, I trust, that your friend Asher never left your side while you were in the hospital."

"He was there when I woke up. Asher is a great friend. Make that a great boyfriend."

"Boyfriend, Danny? You've never mentioned a boyfriend—Asher or otherwise. I've grown fond of Asher since meeting him. He's your first?"

"Yes Dad, he's definitely the first."

"He's a nice boy. You have good taste in boyfriends."

"Yes Dad," Danny said with an evil grin and a wink of his eye in as innocent a manner as he could muster, "he does indeed taste good. A real cutie, so sweet. And you know how much of a sweet tooth I have. And he's handsome, too, don't you think?"

Dale grinned for a moment and responded, "I think that's a bit too much information. Way too much. I remember my first girlfriend. The mystery of someone new, the adventure, the discoveries about both her and myself. And learning not to be uncomfortable with her or any other woman." Dale paused, thought wistfully, then looked Danny directly into his eyes. "Danny, do we need to have the talk?"

"The talk?" Danny paused for emphasis. "If you are referring to what I think you are, then I don't think so. The Internet's pretty good about such things. Thanks for asking, though."

"It's my duty to ask, Danny. I'm your father."

"I know, Dad. And thank you for caring enough to ask. Amongst my friends, few parents seem to do so."

"Sex isn't something to be coy about, son. It's not so long ago that it could kill you. And for many, it did—and still does."

"Yes, Dad, I know all about AIDS, and you forget that the walls in this house are thin, and I have—by your own admission—great hearing."

Dale's face went beet red.

"But I wouldn't give it much thought, Dad. Parents and sex? Ewwwwwwww. Gross," he said with a smile gracing Danny's face.

"Danny," Dale began, his face beginning to drain of the intense color, "some things don't change from generation to generation, I guess. I was once 14, too, you know. We were the same way. But remember, Danny, you didn't come from the stork."

"I know, Dad, but it's not something kids like to think about. Too much information. Dad, could you come here for a moment?"

Dale went over to Danny's bed. Danny reached out and hugged his father, saying in a soft voice, "Thank you for being my father." Momentarily, Dale didn't know what to say or do. Danny had always been expressive with his emotions, but showing affection to his father was not a part of their relationship. When he regained his composure, he went to the door, turned and said with a smile to Danny, "I love you too, Danny. Now I'm turning off the light. Get some rest, loverboy, or your boyfriend's going to be upset that you don't have enough energy to get together with him."

"OK, Dad."

As soon as Dale had closed the door, Danny reached for his cellphone on the night table and began to text Asher:

"Talked with my dad tonight. We almost had THE TALK. I think they know all about us. ALL of it. My dad seems cool though," Danny texted to Asher.

Asher responded, "I don't think they know. I KNOW they know. My father gave me a box of condoms this morning. My guess is that your father knows too."

"OMG, a whole box? Condoms?? He really gave you a whole f'ing box? What do they think we are, rabbits? LOL"

"I dunno, but he didn't seem bothered by it either. I wonder..."

They texted back and forth into the early hours of the morning, until Danny fell asleep with his phone in his hand.