Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

Alvarez had been their friends and neighbors all their lives, and while Esteban had a great friendship with both of the Alvarez brothers, Raul had always disliked Diego for being effeminate, and thought that beating the gay out of him would work. In the long run, Diego learned to fight back and Esteban concluded they enjoyed their bloody arguments, so he didn't intervene anymore.
    "Raul, I told you hundreds of times that there was nothing more than friendship between us."
    "I get it now. The real thing was between Mauricio and you, right?"
    Esteban concluded there was no point in denying it. "Mauricio didn't want you to know, because he wanted you to preserve the image you had of him of being like you."
    Raul made a face. "Dear God! I was so blind. I suspected something like that, but I never wanted to admit it, not of Mauricio."
    "I know that being close friends you consider this a treason of sorts, but it was his life and his sexuality, so you have to respect it, even though you probably would have a lot to say."
    "What about you? I've thought your homosexuality was unwanted."
    "And it is, I've kept myself chaste all these years."
    "Whew! I'm not sure what's worse, you being gay, or that silliness of chastity." Then frowning he asked, "What did you write in those letters?"
    "Nothing ever happened between Mauricio and me, so there is very little romance in those letters. We only discussed books, some controversial, but I have the right to read whatever I please, don't I?"
    "Well, in your current situation, you probably should be concerned. What if those letters fall in the hands of the press, eh? The press can take anything and turn it around, and you would find yourself in a compromising position. You're lucky the boy didn't sell them."
    "No, he's not that kind of person. I've seen little of him, but I can tell he's honorable. Besides, at twenty-five, he's hardly a boy. "
    "Esteban, are you serious about leaving the church?"
    "Of course. Why?"
    "It would be good if you got some new clothes. Since we're here, let do it. You're calling everybody's attention dressed like that."
    Esteban agreed, and when Javier came back, he let Raul guide him into buying some new stuff. Nothing fancy, simply a few shirts, pants, and a pair of jeans, because Raul said, those were essential.
    Back in the car, Raul returned a few calls, business related, and asked Esteban, "Where do you want to go? If you want you can stay at my condo, unless you want to visit any of the clubs?"
    Esteban actually smiled at that one. "No, thanks. Your place will be okay. I'm thinking of going to the farm, but I should wait for Diego's call, in case they are coming back soon."
    "Okay, let's go home, I need a break. There is an event at the North Bergen club tonight, but I can drive you tomorrow."
    Esteban hadn't seen Raul's new place after his divorce. It was a big apartment in a high-rise on the New Jersey waterfront, in the town of West New York, only a few miles from Hoboken. Pure luxury, like Raul preferred, with three bedrooms, which were for when his kids visited him, and a panoramic view of Manhattan.
    Esteban picked up a picture featuring his four nephews as soon as they walked in. They were little devils, but he loved them and missed not spending more time with them. Maybe now he could.
    Raul stood next to him and said, "Are you considering getting your own?"
    Esteban put the picture back in place. "We already discussed that, I'm not having kids."
    When he turned around Javier was staring at him, until Raul asked Javier to follow him, so he could show him where he was going to stay. Then they disappeared down the hall that went to the bedrooms.
    Esteban tried to call Diego again, this time he answered.
    "Esteban, I hope you're calling for something other than Raul, otherwise I don't want to talk with you either."
    "Diego, what's wrong?"
    "Didn't Raul tell you?"
    "No. I spent the whole afternoon with him, and he didn't say you guys fought harder than usual. Except that he lost a girlfriend because you scratched the hell out of him, but that's old news."
    "This is serious, Esteban. If he doesn't back off, I'm getting a restraining order."
    "What? Hold on. You're not answering my calls because of Raul, and now you're talking legalese here."
    "I'm sorry, I promised never to get you involved, but he's your brother and this might get ugly."
    "Diego, you're scaring me. What have you done to one another this time?"
    "It's not because of me, it's the baby