The Homeroom Bunch

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2005-2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Then Shawn kissed Colin gently on the lips. Colin returned the kiss and waved goodbye to his friend as he left to go to his house. Sunday flew by for Colin and the next thing he knew it was time to get dressed and ready for school and to meet the rest of the homeroom bunch.

Chapter 5

Colin did his morning ritual of emptying his bladder and taking a shower. He dressed and went down to have his breakfast. When he came out to eat, he saw his mother sitting there waiting for him. “Good morning son. How did you sleep last night?” she said. “You have been very outgoing these past few days since you met your new friend. Is there anything I should know, son?”

Colin remained composed and looked at his mother and asked, “What do you mean mom? I finally meet someone and I’m not moping around here anymore and you think there is something wrong?”

Mrs. Ferguson looked back at her son and said, “Son, I’m not asking is something wrong like are you in trouble. Let’s get that clear right now. I’m asking if there is something I should know because I can see a big change in you and I may have an idea what it is even if you don’t.”

Colin thought for a minute then replied, “Mom, if you are trying to say something here, please come out and just say it because I have to leave in a few minutes.”

Mrs. Ferguson said, “It’s not that important. We can talk about this later. Your Dad has to work late so it will be just you and me for dinner. Have a good day at school and I will see you this evening. Make sure your homework is done before going out to play then be home by 6.” She kissed him on the cheek as she went out the door.

Colin finished his breakfast and went to meet Shawn and the rest of the homeroom bunch. Lance and Maggie were crossing the street to meet Colin when Shawn and the rest of the gang came walking up the street. Colin looked at Lance and said, “I think my mother knows about Shawn and me. She asked me at breakfast this morning if there was something she should know about. Why I have been so happy these past few days. I’m worried now Lance. What if she says I can’t see him or you guys anymore?”

Shawn and the rest of the group met up with Colin, Lance and Maggie. Lance looked at Shawn and said, “Shawn, calm your babe down. He’s getting worked up over what may be nothing at all.”

The group headed to school while Colin filled Shawn in on his mother’s observations at breakfast. “What do I do Shawn? I won’t be torn away from you, I can’t. I love you and you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Shawn stopped Colin and slipped his hand into Colin’s and looked him in the eyes and said, “Calm down babe. No one said we have to break up. You seem to be forgetting one important thing and that is my parents are on our side here. Plus, we are in every class together.”

Colin seemed to relax as Shawn spoke to him. Everything he said made total sense to him. Having his boyfriend’s parents on his side was a definite advantage. The fact that they have every class together was also a plus.

The school day flew by as well as the walk back home. Colin decided to save his reading assignment for after dinner so he could get out of having to be interrogated by his mother. On the surface, this seemed like a good idea but he forgot his mother was not above talking with him over the meal and this is just what she did.

Mrs. Ferguson looked at her son and said, “Son, I’m your mother and I know you probably better than you think you know yourself. I remember the last place we lived and your last school. You moped around here all the time and you never went out of the house. Now you are happy, full of life and you even have friends. I see the 5 other children you are playing with. If you think I am going to stop this, you are mistaken. I don’t know what has brought about this change in you but I for one, like the new Colin Ferguson that is sitting here with me. Now can you fill me in some on what has brought about the change in you? I know you have a new best friend in Shawn. I’m glad he has gotten you out of your shell.”

When he heard Shawn’s name mentioned, Colin lit up like a Christmas tree. Colin was leery at divulging too much information but he knew his mother could see through him if he didn’t tell her enough either. Mrs. Ferguson spoke again saying, “See son, all I have to do is mention his name and you light up. I know a look like that when I see it. Now please talk to me son.”

Colin felt he was stuck in no mans land. Tears filled his eyes and he could no longer contain himself. He broke down and started crying. Colin was crying so hard he didn’t hear the doorbell ring. His mother got up to see who it was and when she opened the door, Shawn heard Colin crying and immediately went in to calm his friend. Colin looked up and saw Shawn coming towards him and he flew right into his arms.

The one thing Colin hadn’t seen was the Maxwell’s were there with Shawn. It seems Shawn had talked with his parents about Colin’s fears so they decided they would all go and pay a visit to Colin’s home to see if they could provide moral support for him. Mrs. Ferguson was a little confused but also seems to have some answers now too. She walked over to her son and rubbed his back while Shawn continued to comfort him. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell had made their way into the living room and were standing nearby also. Mrs. Ferguson spoke softly to her son. “There, there son calm down now it’s alright. I think I see everything I need to.”

Colin looked at his mother in total fear. He slid over to the Maxwell’s for protection. He looked at his mother and said, “Alright Mom, tell me, what do you see now. I would like to know what you think you may see.” Colin was starting to get angry and Shawn saw this. He touched Colin’s hand to try to calm him before he said something he may later regret.

Mrs. Ferguson walked over to Colin and said smiling, “I see a young man who is in love. You don’t think I see how this boy cares for you and how you care for him. Every time I mention his name, you light up like a neon light.”

Colin leaned on his mother’s shoulder and started crying again saying, “I’m sorry mom. I couldn’t help it. Neither of us could.”

Mrs. Ferguson looked at her son and said, “Don’t you think I know this. I may be older, but there are some things a mother knows. I have known you were different for a long time. I had always hoped that you would meet that special someone so you could be happy and now you have. I just wanted to hear it from you son. That’s all. Every mother wants to hear her son tell her that he’s in love.”

Colin stepped over to Shawn and took his hand and said, “Mom, This is Shawn and I am in love with him.”

Mrs. Ferguson smiled at him and gave Shawn a hug and said, “Boy’s I won’t begin to say I understand what you are doing and I do have concerns and I see Shawn that your parents are here in your support as well. I am glad because I will need their support because I have no idea what your father will say when he finds out.”

Mr. Maxwell spoke up and said, “Mrs. Ferguson, if it would help, I could speak with him. I have a question. Does he love and care about Colin and his happiness? Has he seen the changes in him since he met Shawn because I have noticed the changes in my boy? I don’t fully understand everything here but I do care about my boy’s happiness and that's all I need to understand right now.”

Helen looked at Colin and said “He has seen the changes in Colin and he is happy for him. I knew he would worry when Colin stayed inside all the time and play his music. Don’t get me wrong, Colin plays beautifully but it was always such sad tunes that he would play. Now he sees his son doing what every other boy should be doing. Maybe we could take it a day at a time and if he raises questions, we could deal with it then. For all we know, he may be just as happy as we all are for both our boys.”

Colin took Shawn to see his room while the adults talked for a few more minutes. Shawn gave Colin a hug and looked into his eyes and said, “I don’t know how I got so lucky babe. I never thought my parents would support me the way they have and your mom is behind you too. This is just so hard to believe.”

The boys came out into the living room just as the adults finished talking. Mr. Maxwell looked at Shawn and said, “Well son, we better be going home. You need to get a shower.”

Shawn heard this and said, “Dad! You don’t need to tell everyone do you?”

Colin smiled at him as they turned for the door. He hugged Shawn goodbye and whispered to him, “I’ll see you tomorrow babe. Sleep well and I love you.”

Shawn returned his hug and gave his love a kiss also. The rest of the week went smoothly and Thursday evening, when his Mother was working late, Colin asked his Father if it would be all right if he could spend the weekend at Shawn’s. “Hi Dad, how was your day at work today?”

Mr. Ferguson slid his paper down and looked over at his son and said, “My, my. You have sure been chipper here lately. What has brought about this change? Don’t get me wrong son, I love this change.”

Colin wasn’t quite sure what to make of this so he thought he would try to feel him out some. He replied to him saying, “I met a kid in my homeroom and he and I seem to have a lot in common and we really hit it off. There are a few others in my homeroom to and we have all become friends. I am so glad that we moved here Dad?”

His Dad smiled back at him saying, “I saw how miserable you were at your last school and I even heard the taunts and names you were called. Son, you don’t know just how bad I hurt for you. There wasn’t a thing I could do to help you. Heck son, there were things I wanted to talk with you about but I didn’t have a clue as to how to bring the subject up with you.”

Colin was surprised now. He read in the web site with Shawn that people that were gay could tell when they were around others who were gay. “Dad, what are you trying to say? I didn’t let the stuff those kids say bother me.”

Mr. Ferguson went over and sat next to his son. “Colin, you are 14 years old now and you aren’t a little boy any more. What is the name of your friend? Ah, Shawn isn’t it?”

As before, when Colin heard his name, he had a small smile come across his face. Try as he might, he couldn’t keep that from happening. He answered his Dad saying, “Yeah Dad, his name is Shawn and he is so cool. I can talk to him and he listens to me and there isn’t anything I don’t think, that I can’t tell him.”

Mr. Ferguson thought it was time to explain some things to Colin. “Son, there is nothing more special than when a person has a friend who he can talk to and tell things to. I can remember my best friend when I was about your age. For me, the hardest thing had to be away from him at the end of the day.”

Colin sighed and said, “I know Dad. I just don’t know why it is. I’m always thinking about him.”

Scott Ferguson was feeling comfortable talking with his son now. He felt he could now tell his son something about his past that should get him to open up and confide in him. “Son, I can still remember Shamus as if it were yesterday. I hope what I am about to tell you doesn’t shock you because it’s not uncommon for this to happen. I had known Shamus for a good part of my life and we grew very close. In fact, and I’m not the least ashamed to say this, but we did love each other.”

Colin was surprised. Here was his Father telling him that he had loved a boy just like he is in love with a boy. This was unbelievable. “Dad, did you ever tell him this?”

Scott smiled at his son and said, “Oh my yes, son. This was something we told each other all the time. You want to know something else? I acted just like you are now, son. I was a very shy lad when I was a few years younger than you. When I was around Shamus, I was happy and sure of myself but alone I was a different person. I think it was when I was around 13 that I finally came out of my shell for good. And that was because of Shamus and how I felt about him. To this day, I still love him as I did back then.”

Colin couldn’t believe his ears. His Dad admitted that he loves a boy. Colin decided to go for broke. He said, “Dad, I have something to tell you. I love Shawn. I think about him all the time. I hate to be away from him but it is getting a little easier than it was when we first met. When he touches my hand, I feel pins and needles go through my entire body. I even think that I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”

He watched his son very closely when he spoke. He wanted to see if he could tell whether or not this was just a passing fancy. He could tell this was much more than a fling or infatuation. “Son, I am very happy for you. I hope you and Shawn have a long and happy life together. But there are a few things I feel I must tell you. People that don’t understand or see things as you or I do can be very cruel. They will call you names and may even want to try to hurt you or Shawn. I know when I met your mother I wanted to tell the world how I felt. Society today accepts men and women being together but it’s not with people of the same sex. I guess what I’m trying to say here son is that I think you need to be careful who knows about you and Shawn.”

Colin was ecstatic. Not only was his Dad telling him he totally understood about him and Shawn, but he was even giving him his blessing to be with Shawn and to love him here at home. Colin let his Dad in on something else. “Well Dad, there are some kids that know and they are all real cool with it. The kids Shawn and I hang out with all know and they support us just like you, mom and Shawn’s parents do. Shawn and I aren’t the only two guys that are boyfriends. There are two others and I can’t wait for you and mom to meet them. They are real cool Dad and they love each other just like Shawn and I do.”

Scott had one final thing to talk to his son about. So far his talk was going well and he hoped this wouldn’t ruin all the good that has come out of it so far. “Colin, there is one more thing I need to talk with you about. I know you and I have talked about sex. I also know you are growing and boys your age get other feelings. I just want you to go slow so that nobody gets hurt.”

Colin had a completely new appreciation for his father. Just thirty minutes ago he felt he couldn’t talk with him about a single thing and now he can talk with him like he can with Shawn. Colin blushed a little when he said this to his Dad saying, “Don’t worry Dad we will go very slow there. We haven’t done anything like that yet except hug. So, is it all right if I spend the weekend with Shawn? I can have him come over to meet you if you’d like. Can I Dad, please?”

Scott hugged his son and said, “Yes son, you may spend the weekend with him. Why don’t you give him a call before he has to go to bed?”

Colin hugged him back and said, “Great Dad thanks. I love you.” He had to keep himself from running to the phone he was so happy. Colin dialed his friend’s number. “Mrs. Maxwell this is Colin, may I speak to Shawn please? Oh, before he gets there I need to tell you something. My Dad is so cool. We just talked and he thinks it’s great about Shawn and me.” Mrs. Maxwell conveyed their happiness for the boys then handed the phone to Shawn. “Hi Shawn, Dad said I could spend the weekend with you. We even talked. It was great Shawn. My Dad is so cool. Can you come here before we go to your house tomorrow? He wants to meet you.”

Shawn was taking in everything Colin was telling him. “Babe, that’s great. We have our parents behind us and our friends are too. I would love to meet your Dad. We can go to your place and meet your Dad then pack your stuff for the weekend. Well babe, I have to get to bed. See you tomorrow. Love you.”

Colin hung up the phone after he said he loved Shawn as well then went and gave his Dad a big good night hug. “I love you Dad. Thanks for understanding. See you in the morning.” As soon as his head hit the pillow, Colin was in dreamland thinking about his love.

To be continued...

Posted: 07/04/08