A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 62: "Covered By Love"

"Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes

And hurt, I know you're hurting, but so am I

And love, if your wings are broken

Borrow mine 'til yours can open too

'Cause I'm gonna stand by you."

- Stand By You, Rachel Platten

Uriah followed his father into the house, through the living room, past the kitchen where the women were preparing dinner, and down the hall. Abraham opened the basement door and waited for Uriah to go through, then went in after him, closing the door. A wooden staircase led down to the basement, which his father had claimed as his private meeting room. His father hadn't yet had time to remodel the area and it currently consisted of an oblong table with a few chairs. Eventually, the basement would be carpeted, the walls paneled, wall lamps installed, this old table replaced with a new polished one and the folding chairs exchanged for cushioned high-backs. At the far end of the basement would be a more comfortable meeting area with leather easy chairs and possibly a sofa.

His father pointed to one of the folding chairs. "Sit."

Uriah obeyed. His most recent dose of painkillers was wearing off and his face pinched as he sank into the hard chair. His father remained standing and the dim overhead bulb cast an ominous light on the man.

"We'll begin with Joshua," he said. "Tell me what you witnessed."

Put on your game face and convince him you're telling the truth—or Josh will pay severely.

"They went to the campground up by the lake," Uriah said. "They gathered rock samples for their project, which took them a while. Their interaction was impersonal, there was no physical contact or suggestive looks. What conversation that did pass between them was on the subject of school and the project. Josh kept his distance whenever possible, and made no attempts to discreetly touch him. In fact, he seemed anxious to be done with the project assignment and leave."

His father stared at him thoughtfully, eyes scrutinizing, and slowly rubbed his chin. "All right," Abraham murmured. "We'll hear what Joshua has to say. In just a little while."

"What?" Uriah frowned.

"Joshua will give an account of his activities today. If you're telling the truth, then your two stories will line up. If you're not..." his father's stare turned cold and dark. "...Joshua will take your punishment along with his own."

"Why did you have me follow him if you weren't going to believe what I told you?" Uriah asked, unease creeping into his gut. "I gave you my word I would report back what I witnessed between them."

"I didn't say that I disbelieved you," Abraham stated. "But it wouldn't be the first time you've gone back on your word."

Uriah just stared at him.

"Twice now," his father went on as if Uriah's memory needed refreshing, "you've succumbed to your lust for that filthy faggot. You swore to stay away from him, then the very next day practically fucked him right there in the school restroom, took his filthy, disgusting cock in your mouth. So, forgive me if I have difficulty taking you at your word."

Uriah lowered his eyes and remained silent.

"Now, tell me...between the time you dropped the kids off at school and the time school let out...what did you do?" His father looked down on him with narrow, critical eyes. "That was a lot of hours to fill. Perhaps the faggot skipped school and helped you fill up those hours?"