Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

sand castle they were building. “Janelle’s here.” Cliff stopped working for a second. “So?” “There are some things we need to talk about.”
“Sounds pretty ominous.”
“Don’t mean it that way, but there are things we have to discuss.”
    Cliff looked up and smiled. “Okay.” They walked to the blanket, from where they could keep an eye on Geoff. He seemed very occupied anyway, digging in the sand. “What’s the problem?”

    “There isn’t a problem, per se. I just wanted you to know that our behavior is being noticed. Fred and Randy mentioned it today.” A flash of fear crossed Cliff’s eyes. “What’d they say?”
    “Nothing bad. They actually asked me if we were serious.
They’re cool with it, actually.”
“They are?” It was like Cliff could barley believe his ears.
“Yes. They’re good men who think the world of you and the farm.”
Cliff shook his head slowly. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
    “And I think your sister Mari might have an idea. She mentioned to me that we both seem to come back from our rides looking really happy. And Nicole Robinson even insinuated something.”
    Cliff’s eyes clouded quickly, and Len knew what the look 162
Andrew Grey
meant. “So what are you saying? That you don’t want to be together anymore?” He hissed through his teeth in a menacing whisper.
    “No. That’s not what I’m saying at all. I just think we should decide how we want to handle it. I’m not ashamed of you, and I’m not ashamed of loving you. I won’t lie when asked about us. I’ve lied enough about it in my life; I won’t do it anymore.” That fiery look in Cliff’s eyes faded just as quickly as it flared.
    “Oh.” Len waited to see how Cliff was going to react. “I agree.” You could have knocked Len over with a feather. He’d been expecting more resistance. “You do?” That was almost too easy.
    “Yeah, I’m not ashamed of you either. I won’t be shouting it from the rooftops, but I won’t deny it either.”
“You know I’d kiss you right here, but that would probably be too much like shouting it from the rooftops.” Len said with a slight smirk. “Well, don’t you look cozy?” They both looked up and saw Janelle along with a very pregnant Vikki approaching from across the parking lot.
    Len noticed that Cliff ignored her tone. “Hi, you two. Came down here to cool off?” Vikki began opening the folding chair she was carrying. Len jumped to his feet and helped her get it settled on the sand before she slowly lowered herself into it.

    “I’ve been sweating like a pig ever since I got pregnant, and this heat isn’t helping one bit.” Len reached into the small cooler they’d brought and handed her a cold soda. “Thank you.” She rolled the can on her face before popping open the top.
    “So is it normal for employers to bring their employees to the beach?”
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    God, what a bitch! Len was starting to wonder why he’d never noticed it before. There must have been signs he’d missed. “I told you last week that I’d promised Geoff that I’d go with him to the beach.” As if on cue, Geoff ran up to them pointing at the water.

    “Wen, simmin.” He took hold of Len’s hand and began dragging him toward the water. “Simmin. Wen, simmin.” Cliff took hold of Geoff’s other hand to get his attention. “Do you need to go potty?”

    “No, Daddy.” The look on Geoff’s face was priceless.
    “Simmin.” Len got up and scooped Geoff into his arms as he walked into the cool water. Some kids splashed them, and Geoff slapped the water trying to splash them back. Len lowered them so just their head stuck out of the water and then jumped up. Geoff laughed and squealed as he did it again. Their play time was cut short when Geoff the said magic word. “Potty.”
    Len raced out of the water and walked up to Cliff, handing him his son, and the two of them took off for the bathrooms. “So Len, are you having fun playing house?”

    “Excuse me?” Her attitude was starting to bother him.
    “There’s no need to be mean, Janelle. I thought we were friends. I’m sorry you were hurt, but I never led you on.” Vikki looked up from her chair. “Jesus, Janie. I told you months ago he was just your friend. He never even kissed you, for God’s sake. That should have been your first clue. There’s no use getting yourself all upset anyway. Besides, I told you that Dan’s cousin wanted to meet you.” Vikki continued drinking