Chaz.”
Chaz settled back on the mattress, watching him. “No problem, man.”
“I’ll be right there, Margie,” he yelled as he ran to the bathroom.
After cleaning the cum off, he dressed in his sleep shorts and T-shirt. Before he left, he brushed a kiss over Chaz’s forehead.
“Clean up before coming to the kitchen. I’m pretty sure Margie will have breakfast
ready when you get there. I really need to take this phone call.”
“Go on, Peter. I can take care of myself.”
Peter dashed down the hallway to the office, then, after shutting the door, he went to
pick up the phone.
“Hello, Uncle Roscoe?”
“Hi, Peter. I really wanted to talk to you before I go to the hospital.” Uncle Roscoe had an interesting accent that Peter hadn’t noticed the day before.
What his uncle had said suddenly hit him. “You’re going to the hospital to see
Mother?”
He dropped into the chair behind the desk. Bracing his elbow on the surface, he
couldn’t imagine how that scene would go when Uncle Roscoe showed up there.
“Yes, I am. Like I said, she was the only one who was nice to me, and actually protested
when your grandfather kicked me out of the house. I owe it to her to at least show up and let her know that I do appreciate what she did.”
“Fine with me, but why do you want to talk to me? I’ve been disowned as well.” Peter
rubbed his forehead. “I suggest, if they let you into the room, you don’t mention me at all.”
Uncle Roscoe sighed. “I know what’s been going on, Peter. I have connections in the
town keeping me informed about the family. How do you think I came to be here?”
To be honest, Peter wasn’t surprised there were people telling his uncle what was
happening around town. What did surprise him was the fact that Roscoe had chosen to come
back.
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Chapter Nine
“I don’t mean to be an asshole, but why the fuck did you come back now? Don’t tell me
it’s just because of my mother.”
The rustle of clothes caught his attention and he looked up to see Chaz standing in the
office doorway. Chaz mouthed, “Are you all right?”
Peter rolled his eyes, but nodded.
“There are many reasons why I couldn’t come back until now, and I’d like to meet with
you to explain.” Uncle Roscoe sounded sincere.
“Why me? I’m not a part of the family anymore, and what makes you think I’d care?”
Peter cringed at his obnoxious tone. God, he didn’t want to sound like a complete brat.
“Peter, I’m not part of that family either, but I didn’t disown you, and I want us to get to know each other. Maybe we can be each other’s family, blood-related, because I know
you’ve made friends who care about you. I don’t expect you to welcome me with open arms.
I just want a chance.”
Peter stared at Chaz, but his mind raced. “If you get in to see my mother, will you call
me afterwards to tell me how she is? I’ve tried to get in there a couple of times, and they turn me away. She says she doesn’t have a son.”
“I can’t believe your mother would say that about you. Not the woman who stood up to
your grandfather like she did for me. What’s changed?” Roscoe asked.
“I don’t know. As far as I’m concerned nothing’s changed for me. I’ve always known, if
I came out, every one of them would shun me. I swear it’s like living with a cult or
something, and those who don’t drink the Kool-Aid get kicked out.”
Chaz edged closer, and Peter motioned for him to sit in one of the chairs. He watched as
Chaz sat, then propped his elbows on his knees. Peter met his gaze, and saw understanding in it.
Roscoe inhaled sharply. “I’d heard that’s why you got disowned. I wasn’t sure it was
true, but it didn’t surprise me.”
“Didn’t surprise you? How would you have known I was gay before I ever did?”
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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 93
“That’s not what I meant. I meant it didn’t surprise me that was the reason why they
turned their backs on you. Father never could accept anyone being different from him, and what he thought was the right way of things.”
Peter grunted, and looked at the clock on the wall. “I’d love to chat with you some
more, Uncle Roscoe, but I can’t do it now. I have to get to work.”
“I know, but can I stop by the ranch tonight so we can talk some more? I’ll explain to
you why I got kicked out, and maybe be able to tell you something about your mother.”
He thought about it, and decided he really was interested in finding out more about his
uncle. “All right. You know where I live, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then show up around six, and have dinner with us,” he offered.
“I will. See you tonight, Peter.”
Roscoe hung up, and Peter let the phone drop down into its cradle. He looked at Chaz
and sighed.
“Why did he have to show up now?”
“Your uncle?” Chaz stood before walking over to where Peter sat. He took Peter’s hand
and helped him to his feet.
“Yes.” Peter allowed Chaz to lead him out of the office into the hallway. “It’s bad
enough I get denied every time I go to the hospital, but now I have to deal with a strange uncle waiting to become my best friend. The only thing we have in common is that my
grandfather was an asshole to both of us.”
Chaz raised his eyebrows. “It’s a start. I mean, some families don’t even have that much
in common, but they hold together. Look, Peter, just hear the man out. You don’t have to
love him because he’s your flesh and blood. You just have to listen to him.”
Margie was standing by the sink when they walked in. She turned to look at them, then
frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Not sure if anything is wrong, but I wanted to let you know my uncle will be joining
us for dinner tonight. I told him to
