Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

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Andrew Grey
mouth one right after the other until he looked like a chipmunk.
“Swallow before you eat any more,” Cliff instructed.
    Len looked at his mother, and they smiled at each other and continued eating. When they were finished, the waitress brought the check, and Len scooped it up before Cliff had a chance, excusing himself and heading to the register. He was next in line to pay when he heard, “What do you think you’re doing?” Len turned around and looked Cliff in the eye. “Buying dinner.
    You’ve fed me enough over the last few weeks; it’s just my turn.” Len paid the bill at the register and met them back at the table. He noticed that Cliff had left the tip, and they gathered their things and left the restaurant, getting in their cars and driving the stone’s throw to the high school. THEYmet up again just outside the gymnasium that had been converted into an auditorium. “Evening, Len.” Janelle approached when she saw him, smiling brightly. He noticed that her smile faded slightly when she saw that he wasn’t alone.
    “Hi, Janelle.” He introduced his mother, bought the tickets, and the group filed inside. The gymnasium/auditorium looked almost exactly like it had for the production of Grease five years earlier. When they got to an empty aisle they filed in and took their seats, much to Geoff’s consternation. He insisted on rearranging the seating so he sat between his daddy and Len. Janelle seemed slightly put out, but Len noticed that his mother looked rather pleased.
    Before too much could be said, the lights dimmed, and the orchestra began the overture.
Len helped keep an eye on Geoff, who seemed to enjoy the 129
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    music. Len had thought he’d fall asleep, but Geoff spent much of the first act listening to the music and watching the actors in their brightly colored costumes.
    At intermission, Len excused himself and returned with drinks and some crackers for Geoff. As he returned, he saw Janelle and Cliff talking together. They broke apart as he approached, but Len could see the set of her face and knew that she wasn’t happy about what had been said. “I’ve got drinks.” He handed one to Cliff, Janelle, and his mother, “And I got you some cheesy crackers.” Geoff took the package, and Cliff got a sippy cup out of the bag.
    The lights dimmed, and the second act began. Cliff put away what was left of the crackers, and Geoff settled on his lap, almost immediately going to sleep. Awhile later, as the play progressed, Cliff signaled that he needed to get up, so Len took Geoff. The youngster slipped his arms around Len’s neck and rested his head on his shoulder, immediately falling back to sleep. Len moved over a seat so Geoff’s feet wouldn’t lay on Janelle’s dress. Cliff returned, sat back down, and smiled at Len, who returned his attention to the play. But his attention didn’t remain there. A few minutes later, he felt the light touch of Cliff’s hand on his. He looked over and saw Cliff’s smile in the darkness. His skin felt so warm and so good, the touch so welcome and normal. It didn’t stay long, but it gave Len a warm feeling inside just the same.
    At the end of the play, everyone applauded, and the lights came back up. Geoff stirred, and Len handed him back to his father, and they filed out. “Thank you, Len. I had a nice time.” Janelle sounded normal, but her face was still set.
    “I did too.”
She smiled and then joined the crowd exiting the school before Len could offer to walk her to her car.
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    “It’s okay, Len.” He felt a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be fine.” He turned and saw Cliff still holding Geoff. “I need to get him home. I’ll see you tomorrow for our morning ride.” Len and Lorna followed Cliff to his car and helped him get Geoff settled before walking to their own vehicle and heading home.
    “You know Janelle has feelings for you,” Lorna commented as they drove.
Len didn’t look away from the road. “We’re just friends.”
    “Maybe you are, but she isn’t. I think her brother tried to set her straight, and that’s why she was so cold the rest of the evening.” He felt her hand pat his arm. “If I were you, I’d keep my distance for a while. She might get the message.” Len nodded and drove, but he didn’t want to think about Janelle. Instead, his thoughts kept focusing on the feel of a certain hand against his.
    THE horses were saddled and ready to go when Len arrived