Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

and the mother."
    "Which baby?"
    "There is this girl, well, she's in her twenties and she's expecting a baby." He paused for a second before saying quickly, "it could be either Raul's or mine. He wants her to abort, but I'm keeping the baby. So he better stay away from us."
    "Jesus Christ! How is it possible that the baby is yours too?"
    "Ask him, it's his fault. It was his idea, I should have never listened, but whatever it is, this innocent child is being born. So tell that baby killer brother of yours to stay away."
    "Diego! Oh, my God, How did you guys get into this mess?"
    "For the first time ever, I would rather have you listening to his version. We'll talk when you come around."
    Esteban told him what happened with his own life, and Diego explained that he was going back to Hoboken in the morning. Before ending the call, he again apologized for not answering Esteban's calls before.
    Afterward, Esteban walked into the bathroom to remove his clerical clothing, before dressing as a layman for the first time in twelve years. Taking into account the years he'd spent as a seminarian, and later as a Jesuit priest, in total he'd dedicated more than twenty years of his life to the Roman Catholic Church.
    Yet he hesitated before removing his Roman collar forever, although he didn't have an option because the day he'd been ordained he'd promised celibacy and obedience, but he had been struggling to keep the first one for years, and by walking away from the case he broke the second one. He would rather leave the priesthood now, before dishonoring his promises and offending the church and his family any further.
    When he joined his brother in the living room, Raul briefly applauded him. "Great, this is the first step. Listen, this is your house, feel free to do whatever you want."
    "Thanks. Raul, I spoke with Diego."
    "Fuck! Well, I guess he told you his version."
    "No, he wants you to tell me first, but he gave me a preview."
    "I don't feel like talking about that now. Is he coming back or are you joining him?"
    "He will be back tomorrow."
    "Okay. Do you mind if I take you there in the afternoon, I'm going to stay out all night, and I'll need to get some sleep in the morning before going out again."
    "No problem, whenever you can drive us is fine."
    Raul turned around and leaning forward whispered. "Are you continuing the celibate thingy?"
    "Why are you asking? I don't expect that you would accept my choice in case I don't."
    "I'm not homophobic, Esteban. My problems with Diego have nothing to do with the fact he's gay. It's because he is annoying, and the most stubborn person on this planet."
    "Raul, I thought you guys were making an effort to become friends."
    "I tried, I really tried, but he's impossible! I even shared one of my girlfriends with him."
    "You did what?"
    "You said that the Catholic medical association thinks gay people can be cured, right?"
    "The fact they say it doesn't mean it's possible. Besides, forcing a gay man to have sex with a woman is no cure."
    "I didn't force him, he agreed, and he liked it so much, he even stole her from me."
    In spite of Raul's upset expression Esteban laughed. "He did what? You guys are insane. I'm not getting involved anymore in this nonsense."
    CHAPTER 5
    When Javier entered the living room, he noticed Raul's expression and tried to go back, but Raul stopped him. "Javier, it's okay, we're arguing about some crazy person we all know."
    Javier noticed that Esteban had changed his clothing for a navy shirt and pair of black pants. He appeared younger, less severe looking, and Javier had to fix his gaze onto something else, before the two men noticed how interesting he found Esteban's lean sculpted muscles framed in the new clothes. He distracted himself by looking out the panoramic windows that made up a whole wall of the room, showcasing the Manhattan skyline.
    "I'm sorry, if I interrupted something."
    Esteban waved a hand. "No, you didn't. Take a seat, and listen to this craziness." Esteban waited until Javier sat down before continuing. "Raul and Diego decided to become friends, and to celebrate, Raul shared one of his girlfriends with Diego."
    Javier couldn't believe his ears. "He has more than one?"
    Raul reacted freshly. "Of course! Why should a man have only one?"
    Javier was surprised by the saucy comment, but simply said, "I see. Did she agree to be with Diego too?"
    Javier knew he sounded naive asking such questions, but he honestly was curious.
    "Sure, you can't