Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

Whispers and the din of overlapping conversations met his ears, but he tuned them out as he listened for a particular voice, a certain timbre. And he heard it, cutting through the other sounds like a ringing bell, drawing his attention. He turned and smiled, hoping Joey knew it was for him.
The audience applauded and the concert master tuned the orchestra, in a cacophony of planned aural chaos. The room became quiet again, followed by more applause as the conductor stepped out on the stage.
     
Robbie felt his footsteps across the stage, and then a familiar soft tap signaled all was ready. Then came an equally familiar vibration as the conductor tapped his foot setting the time.
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Love Means … NO Boundaries
    The first note carried Robbie on a journey as he drew the bow across the strings. Music always carried him away, filled his acute senses with beauty. He played like he’d never played before. The blood surged through his veins, his ears full of the sounds of the other musicians, their efforts heightening his own. The auditorium may have been full of people, but he played for just one. His fingers flowed nimbly over the strings, his bow an extension of his hand, the music an amplification of his voice and emotions, sending his joy to Joey.
All too quickly, the music came to an end. The applause rolled over him as his full heart pounded in his chest, fueled by the adrenaline of performing. A tap on his shoulder signaled him, and Robbie stood and bowed.
     
Heady from the performance, he made his way back stage and gathered his things together. His violin and bow went back in their protective case, and he waited for Joey, Eli, and Geoff. Then his phone rang.
    “Hi, Mama.” His excitement extended to her call. “The performance was great.”
“I’m glad.” She sounded off, upset.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were staying on a farm? I found out from Arie that you fell and hurt yourself.” Now Arie was acting as his mother’s spy. “Mama, it was nothing. I just lost my balance, I’m fine.”
“Not a farm with all those animals and huge, sharp pieces of equipment.” Her voice was just dripping with worry.
“Mama, I’m just fine,” he reiterated, as he thought of killing Arie. “You don’t need to worry.”
“I know. I worked it out with the lovely people Arie’s staying with. They’re going to take you as well.” 53
Andrew Grey
“What?” Robbie felt like someone had punched him in the stomach.
“Arie will be able to help you and watch over you to make sure you’re okay.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.” He knew he was talking loudly and that others could hear him, but he was too upset to care.
“Well, you need someone. When Arie told me you’d fallen in a barn and were bleeding, I almost got on a plane myself.” Her voice was becoming more frantic. “So you go back to that farm, and Arie will help you pack your things. Tell them thank you and all, but it’s just not safe.”
    Robbie’s first reaction was to go along with her—she knew best, she always had. Whether it was his Southern upbringing or the fact that she’d taken special care of him for the last ten years, he almost went along. He felt almost helpless to do anything else. But he liked the farm and his new friends. He liked the fact that they encouraged him to do things on his own. He’d done things on the farm his mother would never have allowed. And most of all, he’d miss his chances with Joey.
    “Mother, would you listen to yourself? I’m not helpless.” Why did he seem to be saying this so often lately? He didn’t want to leave the farm, but he wasn’t ready to tell her the real reason why. He couldn’t tell her that he liked Joey and was finally figuring out what it meant to be gay. He’d never talked about any of this with either of his parents, and he knew he didn’t want to tell her over the phone.
    Joey… if he were honest with himself, the real reason he didn’t want to leave was him. He wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him again, maybe do more than kiss, but he wasn’t going to get that chance if he had to leave. “I like it on the farm. They make me feel useful.” He could hear that she was gearing up to say something else. “Yes, Mama, useful. I helped plant a garden and got to ride a horse. They don’t treat me like I’m broken.” 54
    Love Means … NO Boundaries
“Honey, you’re not broken.”
“I know, Mama, but everyone treats me like I am, including you.” He