Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

“Thank you. I haven’t been on a horse in a while.” “Why don’t you ride? The horses need to be exercised, and if 150
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you let me know, I can have one ready for you.”
“Do you ride much, Len?”
    “Cliff and I go three or four times a week.” He most certainly wasn’t going to tell her where they rode or what they did, and he definitely wasn’t going to invite her along.
    “I know.” Mari got this weird look in her eye. “You and Cliff both return from those rides happy and, ah… very relaxed.” There was a wicked smirk on her face. Len had to tell himself that there was no way Mari could know what they were doing, that she was just being funny. But he still got a very unsettled feeling in his stomach. “I should get going.” She walked to her car and quickly drove off as Len walked Misty back to her stall, unsaddled her, and got her ready for the night.
    Once everything was set, he walked to the back door and knocked lightly. Cliff appeared almost immediately and opened it. “You don’t need to knock; just come on in.” Len walked inside and closed the screen door after him. “I need to call Mom and let her know I won’t be home.”
    “What are you going to tell her?” Cliff suddenly looked very concerned.
“The truth: that I’ll be home tomorrow morning. She knows about me and how I feel about you.”
“She does?” Cliff’s surprised look was priceless.
    “Yes, I told her a few years ago. She was super-supportive and understanding. Looking back on it, I don’t know why I was so scared that she wouldn’t understand. She has always been a great mom, and I wondered afterward if I thought she’d suddenly stop being a great mom because I was gay.” Fear makes you do stupid 151
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things.
Cliff returned to his cooking. “I wish I’d had your courage.”
“Things worked out for the best. You had Ruby, and you’ve got Geoff because of the choices you made. I’d say you made out pretty well.”
    “I guess I did.” Len slipped his arms around Cliff’s waist, pressing his chest to Cliff’s back. “I really did.” The sound of toy car crashes and “broom, brooms” interrupted their romantic interlude, and Len nipped at Cliff’s ear before releasing him and going to find Geoff in the living room.
    Cars were strewn everywhere along with toy horses, trucks, blocks, and everything else he’d been playing with. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you to put your toys back in the toy box when you were done?” Geoff just looked up at him with big eyes and shook his head. “Well, then, why don’t we put the toys you aren’t playing with in your toy box? That way, you’ll be able to find them.” Len began picking up all the blocks, putting them in their bag and then putting it into the toy box. “I bet I can pick up more cars than you can.” Len began racing around the living room, picking up cars and putting them in the box. Geoff followed Len’s lead and began running around, his little legs and diapered butt just flying.
    “I’m gonna pick up more than you.”
Scream and giggles floated through the room. “No you not!
I’m beadin you.” He continued zipping around on his little legs.
    Len noticed Cliff standing in the doorway trying to keep himself from laughing as Len tricked Geoff into picking up and putting away his toys. “Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.” Len smiled as the last of the cars disappeared into the toybox.
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    “Let’s get the horses into their stable.” Len found a cloth bag that still held a few solemn horses, and he held it out as Geoff ran around picking up all the animals and putting them in the bag. They’d just finished when Cliff called them to dinner.
    Geoff ran into the kitchen, and Cliff lifted him into his chair and placed his dinner on the tray before putting a heaping plate in front of Len. They’d just started eating when the phone rang. Cliff answered it and then handed the receiver to Len. “It’s your mom.” His voice had that fake “you’re-introuble” tone.
    “Hi, Mom.”
“Are you coming home for dinner?”
    “I’m sorry. I got busy here and forgot to call.” He felt like a little kid. “I’ll be home in the morning.” The line was quiet. “Oh.” Was she angry? “Well, it’s about time. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”
    “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too. Sleep well.” He heard his mother laugh as she hung up the phone. Len handed the