Drown

Chapter 6

We got back to the apartment at around nine oclock.  My dad helped me stagger back into my bedroom and onto my bed.  Greyson grabbed my clothes out of my dresser and I changed into them slowly; having to twist my body in weird ways so I wouldn't put too much pressure on my injuries.  Once I was dressed I leaned back against the wall behind my bed.  So far, so good.

Greyson left me to take a much needed shower and my mom went to make herself a snack, leaving me alone with my father.  It wasn't such a bad thing, but I was still expecting it to be awkward.  See, he'd always supported what I wanted.  He said that whatever made me happy, made him happy.  But he had never really been 'okay' with the fact that I was gay.  So when he sat down on the edge of my bed and asked me what he did, it took a few extra seconds for me to process it. 

"So, can I see the ring?"

I didn't know what he meant at first.  But when I realized that he meant engagement ring I was extremely surprised.

"You mean for Greyson?"  I asked. "Dad, we've been together for a week."

"Actually, you're going on two weeks now.  Don't forget about your three day absence."

"That still isn't long enough for me to ask him to marry me."

"I proposed to your mother the day we met."  he smiled. "Of course, she didn't say yes the first time.  But she said yes when I asked her again two months later."

"Well that was different."  I sighed.

"What's so different?"  he asked. 

"Well for starters, Mom and Greyson aren't the same person.  That's a pretty huge factor."

Dad started to say something, but I interrupted.

"Why are you even asking this? You used to beg me to just try dating girls.  And now you want to know why I haven't proposed to a boy after two weeks."

I watched the look on his face turn to a sad, regretful one.  He brushed his hand through the little hair he had left, and looked up at me.

"Luca, listen.  I know I used to be a little pushy.  But I can feel the love between you two.  You weren't even awake.  All I've had to base this on is what he was doing.  If you could have seen it,"  he sighed.  "Luca, you would be heart broken."

"What do you mean?"  I asked.

"I mean that Greyson sat next to your bed, holding your hand, for two whole days.  He didn't even get up to use the bathroom or eat. The doctors made him let go of you this morning because they thought he was going to starve to death."

I laughed slightly, feeling it in my stomach.  

"I'm just trying to tell you that I approve.  Your mother and I like Greyson a lot."

"You didn't notice anything weird about him?"  I asked.

He thought for a second before answering.

"We think that Greyson is a very sweet boy who is cursed with the mind of a writer and loves our son with his entire heart." 

"I think that's a perfect way to word it."  Mom said, popping her head through the door.  "I'm going to sleep, boys.  Tell Greyson I said goodnight."

She left, then my dad turned back to me.

"I should go join her."  He smiled. "But yeah, Greyson is a good one."

"I know."  I said, smiling back.

He left the room and Greyson came in not long after.  Right away, I noticed that he was only wearing a tshirt and his boxers instead of his usual jeans.