Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

by a gay couple as well.
They're nice people. So you'll give it some thought?"
"Yeah." He looked up at Preston and said, "I promise."
    Preston nodded his head, and Jasper pulled him into a hug. "You're going to be fine." Jasper got up and walked to the bedroom door. "Call me if you need anything." He opened the door.
    "Let's do something this weekend."
"Yeah." Preston was drained, but he felt better than he had in a while. Jasper raised his hand and then left the room, closing the door behind him.
    His friend was right--but one thing at a time. He needed to get better, and that was only going to happen with hard work and therapy. Reaching to the table, he picked up the card, looking it over before dialing the number. "Laughton Farms," a male voice answered, "Robbie speaking."
    Preston looked at the card. "I'm trying to reach No Boundaries Therapy Riding, but I think I have the wrong number."
"No, that's us as well. What can I help you with?"
    "My therapist recommended that I call you. I was in an accident a few months ago and I'm just regaining the use of my legs. I can walk with help," he said, exaggerating a little, "and I was wondering if you would have room for me?"

    "We're pretty full right now. Let me check a second." The phone was set down, and Preston heard someone moving around. "We don't have any group sessions available."
    "I'd prefer private sessions." He didn't want to be on display for everyone anyway.
"Then when would you like to come out to see our facilities?"
"How about tomorrow at... uh... one?" If this would help, he figured the sooner the better.
"Can I have your name, please?"
"Preston Harding," he answered, and he waited while Robbie obviously wrote it down.
"What should I wear?"
"Jeans and a warm shirt will be fine, along with a pair of boots if you have them, although that's not strictly necessary."
"I can do that." Preston had a closet full of clothes for every occasion.
    "Thank you, we'll expect you tomorrow at one." The line disconnected, and Preston hung up the phone before sliding off the bed and back into his chair, gliding to the door. "Mom, will you be able to take me to therapy tomorrow at one?" He actually found himself smiling and looking forward to something new.
    "Of course." She came around the corner and stopped, smiling. "What's got you so happy?"
"New kind of therapy." Preston answered.
"I thought you were excited about going out tonight." She wiped her hands on her dishtowel.
    "Not going out." He swallowed as Kent's rejection hit him again. "Kent and I aren't seeing each other anymore. So I'm concentrating on walking again."
    "Good. I never liked him." She looked relieved and more than a little pleased. "So what's the new therapy?"
"Riding horses." His mother's surprise made his smile even wider. "Why didn't you like Kent?"
    Her eyes became firm. "He didn't love you." She swallowed and then continued. "Neither of us were thrilled when you told us you were gay, and I know your father has never accepted it, but I love you and want you to be happy. I can accept you being with a man as long as he loves you. Kent was just a freeloader."
    Preston was shocked and pleased. He opened his arms, and she bent down so Preston could hug her. "Thank you, Mom." She straightened up, her smile increasing. "So tell me all about this therapy, I used to ride horses, you know...." Preston followed her through the house and into the kitchen, the two of them talking, really talking, for the first time in months.

    STONE unzipped the coat that Eli had given him, letting it hang open for ventilation. The work kept him pretty warm, but cleaning stalls meant traveling outside constantly, and it was bloody cold outside. "You doing okay?" He heard a strange voice float over the wall of the stall.
    Turning, he saw a stranger standing in the doorway. "I'm Joey; you must be Stone. Geoff said I could find you in here."
Stone stopped mucking, leaning on the handle of the wide-bladed shovel. "I'd shake hands, but they're dirty."
    Stone saw the man step into the stall, extending his hand anyway. "Don't care too much about that around here." Stone shook it, and then Joey looked around. "Nice job. I take it you've done this before?"

    "Yeah, my dad and I had a small farm up north raising pigs. This is a whole lot easier and a good sight less smelly."

    Joey smiled a bright smile and Stone noticed the faint scars on his face. "Sorry I didn't get to meet you yesterday, but I didn't get in until late and you were