Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

woman could eat. In all the years he’d known her, he’d rarely seen her eat anything other than a salad. Pregnancy must agree with her.

    “Are you having a baby shower?”

    “My friend Barbara is probably planning one, but I think she wants it to be a surprise.” Len made a note to himself to try to find something special for both her and the baby. They continued talking until it was time for him to go back to class. As usual, he walked her to her car. “How much longer do you have until you graduate?”

    “One more semester. I should be done in December.” She opened her car door and climbed inside. “We’ll have to have a party to celebrate.” He smiled and said nothing as she closed the door and drove away.
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Love Means Courage
    “HE’S adorable.” Len looked into the baby carrier as Ruby set it on the chair between them. “I can’t believe you were actually brave enough to let Cliff name him.”
    “I know, and I can’t believe he picked something as normal as Geoff. Not Jeffrey, but Geoff.” She fussed with the sleeping baby’s blanket as she took her chair. “It could have been worse. He talked about naming him after his father and calling him Howard. All in all, he made a good choice.” She returned her attention to the baby.
    “Didn’t he, Geoffy?” He was still asleep but gripped her finger and tried to suck on it.
“He looks like you.” He really did. Sweet and cute with huge eyes and a head of light blond curls.
    She smiled, and he got up to get their lunch, but she stopped him. “I’ll get it, if you’ll stay with him.” Len nodded and turned his attention to the stirring baby.
    “Hello, little guy.” Geoff’s eyes opened slowly, and he stirred a little, his hands clenching into fists that went right toward his mouth, little booted feet stretching and kicking slightly. Len held out a finger, and the baby gripped it loosely and started to squirm. He didn’t cry, which was very good, and stared up at Len, eyes wide with curiosity. “You hungry? You are, aren’t you?” Len turned and saw Ruby making her way back. “Lunch is on the way.” She set down the trays and took her seat. “I think he’s hungry.”
    “It’s been two hours, so he probably is.” Ruby picked him out of the carrier and took a blanket out of the diaper bag. Len turned and started to eat while Ruby got everything situated. When he turned back, the baby was positioned against her under the blanket, obviously having his lunch. “How have you been? Seeing anyone?”
    “No, but I’m almost done with school. Just another few days of classes and then finals.” He turned his attention to his food, trying 26 Andrew Grey
not to stare.
“Do you have a job yet?”
“I wish, but I have a few interviews later this week, and I’m hopeful I’ll get something. Mom has been working so hard, and she deserves a break.” “Have you thought about moving out?” She shifted the baby beneath the blanket.
    “Yeah, but she needs me right now. And once I’m working, I’ll be able to help with some of the bills. Give her a chance to get ahead, you know.” Len continued eating and Ruby picked at her salad while she fed the baby. After a while, she shifted him under the blanket, and after some futzing, which Len didn’t want to know about, she set him back in the carrier, and the baby promptly fell asleep. “Does he sleep through the night?”
    “Not yet, but he’s getting close.” She started to eat in earnest now that the baby was settled. “So why aren’t you seeing anyone?” She looked around. “This is a college; there have to be other gay men.” She lowered her voice so they wouldn’t be overheard.

    “I know, but I’m just not really interested in dating right now.” The truth was he was afraid of being rejected; he wasn’t sure how to approach anyone. And how did he know if anyone else might be interested anyway? He felt so awkward and unsure of himself.
    “You can’t keep yourself—” She was interrupted when someone approached their table.
“Ruby? That is you.”
“Hi, Janelle. Do you know Len Parker? He and I went to high school together.”
“I don’t believe so. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Cliff’s sister.” 27
Love Means Courage
They exchanged pleasantries, and Len invited Janelle to sit down.
They talked together until the baby began to fuss, and Ruby excused herself, telling them that she needed to get him home.
    Len stood, hugged her good-bye, and handed her a