A Lesson Learned

Chapter 25: Family Secrets

7 years ago...

Lawrence Franklin had always been a man of a few words. He provided what he considered a very comfortable lifestyle for his wife and thirteen year old son, and he all he asked in return was peace and quiet. Arianna and him would be celebrating their 15 year marriage anniversary that winter. They lived in a recently remolded home in Fort Lee, NJ and it was quite spacious for his family. The home boasted four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a study, a full basement, and an attic. And the Franklins were proud to admit that their mortgage was already been paid off! Lawrence and Arianna both worked hard to ensure that their family would never have to struggle.

Lawrence raised his son to be the best in everything he did and that education was of the upmost importance. But children these days wanted everything handed to them on a silver platter, and no matter what morals and values Lawrence attempted to instill into his son, the outside world around him tainted it.

But Ahmad knew better than to disobey his mother and father. Both Lawrence and Arianna ran a very 'tight ship' in the Franklin household. Chores were assigned and spot-checked, streetlight curfew was enforced, homework was done right after school, and dinner was every night at 6:00pm sharp! There were punishments for any violation to the rules set forth. Lawrence worked long hours as a chiropractor, waking up every morning at 5:45AM for his morning jog before heading into the office, his last appointment was 4:00pm every day, and he would make it home by 5:30-5:45 the latest. At that time, his expectations were for his family to be home, the house clean, Ahmad's homework completed and dinner ready to be served.

For the most part Ahmad gave his parents little trouble. He never got into fights at school or dared bring him bad grades, but he did have a poor choice in his selection of friends. At least in his parents' opinion. The flamboyant boy they often found in their yard hanging out with their son was quite odd. While he was polite and not a knucklehead-type, Lawrence wished he wasn't so sassy and feminine. In frustrated him to no end when he would come home on Saturday afternoons and catch the boy, Navarre, playing double-dutch with his niece Shelly and attempting to coerce his own son to join in. Lawrence tried to be a good sport about Ahmad choosing his own friends, however, he couldn't help but make strong recommendations that Ahmad should find new ones.

"Don't you think that boy is a little strange?" He would ask his son.

"No dad, that's my boy! We've been cool for forever." Ahmad would defend his friend, giving his dad a weird look.

"Do people ever make fun of him?" Lawrence wanted to add 'for being gay' but decided against it.

"I guess, I don't care though, he's my best friend." Ahmad was confident in their friendship.

Lawrence cringed at the comment but if Ahmad noticed he didn't say anything about it.

"Maybe you should go down to the park more often, I'm sure there are kids your age there that will let you in on a pick-up basketball game." He hinted.

Ahmad shrugged his shoulders as if he was done with this conversation.

"Okay dad," Ahmad responded but Lawrence knew he didn't get anywhere in their conversation. This seemed to be a recurring subject the two of them had.

While Navarre's wayward personality bothered Lawrence, it was his familiarity that bothered him more. It was an almost daily reminder to Lawrence of his past. Navarre looked just like his mother and Lawrence got nervous every time the boy came around. Lawrence knew it was unfair, the boy had no idea what affect he had, he didn't even know about the situation. But Lawrence couldn't help feeling guilt and shame when he gazed into the young face, the young face that looked just like her's.