Tyler

On Sunday my whole family always went to church. My father usually went during the week too, but Sundays we all went together. I struggled to find something to wear. I couldn’t exactly wear any band rags into a church, so I had to dig into my wardrobe, far back, for something presentable to wear.

I settled for a plain grey and put it on with a plain black beanie. The cuts on my wrists were slowly fading. I smiled, feeling proud of myself for not cutting all weekend. I felt like I wanted to video call Ana and tell her. I knew that she’d be proud of me, even if I was clean for just the weekend.

“Are you ready?” my mother asked with a smile standing at the door.

My father drove us to church and that meant we were early as always. I had time to roam around. I spotted Chris on the other side of the room and smiled. I made my way over to him.

“Hey,” I said casually.

“Hey, Ty,” he turned to me and smiled.

My heart leaped at the sound of his nickname for me. His lips moved toward my ear as he whispered to me, sending chills down my spine.

“By the way, my parents know,”

My eyes nearly popped out of my skull.

“What?!” I whisper-yelled.

“It’s okay, they won’t tell anyone,” he replied. He turned around and got his parents. “Mom, Dad, this is Tyler,” he said, a little anxious. His father raised an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you the preacher’s son?” My heart rate increased and I felt like I was going to have a breakdown. I simply nodded my head, looking down as I held my hand out to shake hands. Chris’s mother turned to me and offered me a bright smile and said.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

“Do you want to sit in the front with me?” I asked turning to Chris. He looked to his mother, who nodded, and we both walked to the front aisle to take a seat. I had to sit in the front; it was my father’s rules. If I didn’t, I would be in trouble later. I hid my hands behind my body, and Chris reached over to intertwine his hand in one of mine.

No one could see us holding hands, so I squeezed his hand, feeling better than I had been a few moments ago. Everyone quieted down as my father took the stand, ready to start the service.

“Today’s sermon,” he started, “will be about homosexuality and how God forbids it,”

My cheeks heated up instantly and my heart rate went through the roof. I felt like I was going to throw up.

“Remember everyone, God made man and woman, not man and man or woman and woman,” my father said as he finished his speech.

I blinked my tears back, afraid of what they would show to others if they saw them. Chris, though, had a frown on his face. He knew I was on the verge of crying.

“Come on,” he said, “I’ll get you out of here.”

He stood up, letting go of my hand and I followed him out of the church. Only when we were around the block did I let the tears spill from my eyes.

“Shhh,” Chris said holding me to his chest, “everything will be okay.”

But would it?

*****

It had been about a week since that day at church, and I had been extra careful around my father. It was Monday, so I had school. The only good thing about school was seeing Chris. Surprisingly, Chris and I had all the same classes. We just hadn’t really seen each other.

I got dressed in a Pierce the Veil T- shirt, red skinny jeans with matching red converse, and I threw on my jacket, not bothering to zip it up.

I found my father in the kitchen alone.

“Your mother had to get to work early this morning, so I’m taking you to school,” he said, packing his briefcase. I didn’t say anything. He looked up and gave me a ‘look’ of distaste. “You’re wearing that to school?” he asked, “are you sure that’s appropriate?”

I nodded and walked to the car.

“I don’t know why you like those… bands. All they do is scream,” my father said as he drove out of the garage.

I was starting my morning with Pierce the Veil.

“They save lives,” I whispered as I put my ear phones on. We drove in silence.

“Was that your dad, loser?” Shane called to me as my dad drove off.

I sighed and walked away. I didn’t really feel like putting an effort in today. I searched for Chris before the bell rang but couldn’t find him. Then I got a text from him.

I won’t be @ skul 2day. Have a dentist appointment. Sorry. Love you! Cx

I frowned. He wasn’t going to be here today? That sucked. I texted him back.

Awww… Can I come over after school?

Yes!

The rest of the school day passed by slowly. Occasionally, I got a comment from Shane. Other than that, though, no one gave me any problems. When the final bell rang, I was the first one out of the school gates.

I reached Chris’s house and knocked on the door quietly. His mother answered the door and smiled at me.

“Hi, Tyler. Chris is in his room,” she said, letting me in.

I found him spread out on his bed, watching Supernatural.

“So, this is what you do when you don’t go to school?” I smirked and watched as he jumped, obviously not aware I was there until now. He smiled and got up.

“Hello,” he whispered, giving me a soft kiss. I smiled into the kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulled away. “Sorry. I’m not allowed to do anything with my mouth except talk for about an hour,” he said. “But I had to kiss you at least once.”

I sat on his bed with him and he wrapped an arm around me.

We talked about school and I gave him his homework for the day. But then I got a text from my mom.

Come home. We have a surprise for you!

“I have to go. My mother wants me home,” I said, getting up from the bed.

“Okay,” he smiled and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Love you,” he said as I closed the door.

Downstairs, I ran into Chris’s dad.

“Tyler, do you love my son?” he blurted out, shocking me into losing my step. “Just answer truthfully,” he said with a concerned-parent look.

Why had he asked me? How the hell do I answer that? I thought shaking.

“Yes.” I whispered.

“Does your father know about this?”

My heart rate sped up in anxiety. He was going to tell my father. This wasn’t good.

“N-No,” I stammered.

“I’ll keep your secret, don’t worry,” he said with a sigh. “Just remember, you’re always welcome here, okay?”

I was shocked.

“Okay, thank you, sir.” I quickly replied.

I opened the door and sprinted to the streets. That was a bit weird, I thought, but I was glad he accepted us. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.

*****

Do you support the way Chris’s father reacted? Why? Why not?