Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

SHAME
    almost see Eli choosing his words. “Like Len. Some people shunned him just based on the rumor.”
“It sounds harsh.” Actually, it sounded beyond harsh to Geoff.
To those who fit in, it was probably easy, but to those who didn’t fit the mold, it could be very difficult.
    “I don’t want you to think we’re all harsh. We have fun, too, and my family loves me. That’s why they gave me the year away, so I could come back and fit better in the community.” Geoff looked at his watch. They’d been talking for a while, and they had things to do. “We should be getting back.” He stood up and took Kirk’s reins, mounting the horse with ease, and waited for Eli to do the same with Twilight. “Whatever you decide, I’ll respect your decision.”
    Eli and Twilight walked up next to him. “I’d like to stay if I can. You and Len have been nice to me, and part of the purpose of a year away is to spend time with people who are different.”

    “I’m glad.” Geoff really was. He had worried about how he was going to tell Eli, but the young man seemed to accept the news well and was willing to stay.

    “Yesterday you said that you’d show me how to use the oven thing so I could make bread. Can we do that today?” Eli’s eyes were wide with hope and expectation.

    “Sure. Once our chores are done.”
    They headed down the trail and back toward the pasture. The sun was bright and warming as they emerged from the woods. At the edge of the pasture, Geoff watched as Eli gave Twilight her head and the two of them raced across the field. Kirk was itching to follow, and when Geoff gave him the signal, he was off.
    When they reached the barn, they unsaddled their mounts and brushed them again before making sure each had plenty of water and 67 Andrew Grey
oats. They then went back to the house where Len had breakfast waiting. Eli ate quickly and took off for the barn to get his chores done. Len cleared the plate. “Looks like you two had a good ride this morning. He’s so happy he could barely sit still.”
    “He asked if I’d show him how to use the oven so he could bake bread. I think he’s feeling a little homesick. And yes, the ride was exhilarating. We rode to the clearing where you and dad used to take me as a kid for picnics.”
    “I haven’t been there in some time.”
“He asked if you were my uncle.”
“What did you tell him?”
    “The truth. I was concerned how he’d react, but I’m not ashamed of you or my dad.” Geoff smiled. “It seems that our Eli has a bit of a rebellious streak in him. He took the news remarkably well and told me some things about himself.”
    “You like him, don’t you.”
“Yes, he’s a nice kid and a good worker.”
    “Don’t you try to fool me. I’ve seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you.” Geoff snapped his head around so fast his neck hurt, but Len just smiled. “You can’t tell me that lovely young man with that angelic face hasn’t caught your eye, and I know he’s been watching you.” “Look, Len….” The confrontational tone Geoff was about to use slipped away. “He’s one of the men; he works for me. I can’t think about him that way, and you know it. And as for him looking at me, I think you’re seeing things.” 68

    Love Means … NO SHAME

    “Maybe, but I know you. Just be careful.” Len got up from the table. A firm hand clasped Geoff’s shoulder, and then Len went outside, calling to the men, getting them started.
    Geoff cleaned up the kitchen and went to the office, spending the day with the books, still working on getting them up to date. At lunchtime, Len brought him a sandwich, and he ate and kept at it, determined to get this done. It had taken him a few weeks, but by the end of the day, he had everything together and computerized so he could spend more time working and less time with the books.
    As he was finishing up, he heard the back door open, and Eli called his name.
“I’m in the office.”
    Eli came in holding his hat. “I was wondering if now was a good time?” Eli would work himself to the bone, but every time he asked for anything, he was almost apologetic.
Geoff knew this was part of his upbringing, but it made him a little angry every time he saw it. He kept that to himself—saying anything to Eli would only upset him and would probably be interpreted as an attack on the community. “It’s the perfect time. My eyes are crossing, I’ve spent so much time in here.” He closed