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 Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 11:57 am
The unprompted hug was nice, even though there was a giant stuffed octopus between them. Chad smiled and nodded to show Elliot that he agreed they were going to have a good day.
“I don’t know your parents very well yet, but… I can tell they’re good people. Oh, I mean. Not just because of you. I hope people don’t see my dad and think that I’m anything like him,” he sighed, trying to keep his voice light, but there was some heavy concern buried not far beneath.
He leaned back enough so he could gently brush his fingers over the various art supplies that Elliot had laid out in front of them. It was so incredibly sweet for Elliot to… well, do everything for him. Clothes, food, art supplies, kindness, friendship. It was overwhelming to think about how lucky Chad was to have met him.
“I’ll keep the good secrets,” he promised. “You can trust me.” Because there was no one in the world Chad cared for more. “And I trust you.”
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 12:06 pm
Elliot smiled again. “I do trust you. I don’t think you’ve got a mean bone in your body. And from what I know about your father, I don’t really think I want to get to know him. I don’t think he understands you very much, and he certainly doesn’t support you. So I don’t know what’s wrong with him because you seem great. And I don’t ever want to hurt you. So,” he leaned back and smiled, looking down at the art supplies again.
“You tell me if there’s ever anything wrong, okay? I’ll do my best to help. I want you to be happy.”
Especially if he was afraid of people thinking he was like his father. He couldn’t imagine the stress of that, or how much pressure he must be under to try and conform to his father’s standards without breaking underneath them.
Also his dad seemed like a jerk, so it was probably extra hard for Chad, who seemed so nice.
“Do you want to do any art today? You’re more than welcome to any of this. We can hang out in here and talk or go watch TV in the living room until it’s time to make dinner. I’m good with anything. I’ll be happy whatever we do. And there’s no wrong answer. I know you trust me, so I just hope you can be comfortable around me, too.”
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 1:29 pm
Chad shook his head. “I don’t want anyone to get to know him,” he frowned, shifting uncomfortably where he sat. But Elliot offered, so he reached for a piece of paper and some of the sketching and colored pencils. He lined them up beside him so he could reach them easier.
He started a light sketch, not really making any distinct figures, just shapes here and there, as though he was getting used to everything.
“He doesn’t know I’m here,” Chad admitted as he got more comfortable on the ground. Eventually he laid down in front of the paper, propping himself up on his elbows. “He doesn’t like me being around other people, but he also doesn’t like when I’m around at home. He keeps the refrigerator locked, and the cabinets. He thinks I’ll steal it all for myself. We’re not poor. Or… I mean, he’s not. He and his girlfriend go out all the time to dinner.”
Part of him wondered why he was bothering to say anything. It wasn’t going to matter. No one would believe him if they tried getting someone else involved. And Chad didn’t want to end up in foster care where it could be even worse than things were now.
Another part was resigned to what would likely inevitably happen.
But Elliot was sweet, and he said he could talk to him, so… he was talking while he could.
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 1:50 pm
Elliot’s frown settled deeper onto his face. He made himself more comfortable so he could watch Chad work, but the more he spoke, the more unnerved he was just by hearing about his father.
“He sounds like he has problems. Like, a lot of them.”
He didn’t want to get to know him at all.
“That sounds really hard.”
What else could he say? Chad must have known that he could talk to a teacher if he was having problems at home, but…He also didn’t seem like he was the sort that would have sought out any confrontation.
Elliot shifted positions and drew his knees to his chest, squishing the octopus. He rested his chin on his knees and watched as Chad sketched. “And also like it doesn’t make a lot of sense. I’m guessing he never took any parenting classes. I mean–no offense. You don’t sound like you’re really close to your dad. Not that I would blame you! I wouldn’t want to be his friend. Why doesn’t he like you being around other people? I mean…if you get hungry or anything, I can get you snacks. You can come over here and eat. My parents wouldn’t mind. I mean, they’re not going to let you starve. How long has your dad had such a problem sharing food?”
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 4:27 pm
Chad glanced up at Elliot with a small smile, hoping to reassure him. But he knew he was saying a lot of pretty heavy things. Probably things most people didn’t want to hear about.
No one would believe you anyway. He could hear his dad’s voice in his head.
“Mostly when grandma passed away. His girlfriend thinks they can fix me and how I think about things by keeping my focus on, well, I guess food. She’s really into listening to church stuff, and doesn’t have a lot of nice things to say. I don’t think she would like your dads at all, which isn’t fair to them. Dad just lets her do whatever, though.”
It was really sweet of Elliot to offer and, honestly, Chad would probably take him up on it.
He chewed anxiously on his lip as he switched from the sketching pencil to some colored ones.
“When you met me that night, I… um… didn’t drop my bag of bagels in the dumpster,” he said quietly, focusing very hard on his sketch as he desperately ignored how his cheeks burned.
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 4:40 pm
More puzzle pieces, except now he felt like he had the big picture, and he didn’t like it.
He frowned again, more upset with the full story than he had been when it was just fractions of a mystery. But, he had the truth, and maybe then he could do something to actually make Chad’s life a little easier. Make him a little happier.
“If you want a bagel, I’ll make you one. A fresh one. Whatever I have, I can share with you. My dad will understand. If I asked them, I know they’d do whatever they could to help. Oh, but. I don’t want to give you any trouble. We don’t have to tell your dad anything. But you can trust us. I’m not a professional. Or a parent. But I kinda have this feeling that your dad and his girlfriend are really, really wrong. I don’t think there’s any part of you that needs to be fixed. If you like boys, you like boys. My dad–are you ever going to get tired of me having to clarify which one? It makes sense in my head. It’s so weird to call them by their names. But Oliver had some problems with his parents, I think. He doesn’t talk about it a whole lot. But I know he stayed with my dad–ugh–Asher for a while. And then they moved here to Destiny City after high school. I don’t really know what all happened or what that was like, but I know that they wouldn’t turn their back on anyone that needed help. Especially my friend.”
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 5:14 pm
“Thank you, El,” he smiled up at him from where he was sprawled out on the ground, although he couldn’t help how red his face got when Elliot so casually pointed out how Chad liked boys. He’d turned his head to rest against his arm as he drew to try and hide how flustered he was, but he had to shift around a bit to reach for another color.
“You don’t have to clarify which one. I can probably guess now. Maybe. I can try at least. Or I’ll just lump them both together. That’s okay, right?” he laughed softly. Not because it was funny, but because it was easier to make light of everything.
“You’re very sweet. And I’m sorry to hear that your dad had a rough time with his parents. It’s… not fun,” he admitted as his smile fell. “But… he’s my dad, you know? So… I should try to make him happy, shouldn’t I? I know he’s not perfect, and he’s done some mean things, but…”
Okay, he’s done some very mean things, but he was still his dad. That had to count for something.
“I’m sorry that you have to do so much to help me. I really do appreciate everything you and your dads have done for me. I just wish there was more I could do in return,” he sighed, but there wasn’t exactly much he could do.
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 5:23 pm
“But you don’t have to do anything in return,” Elliot pointed out. “I don’t have to do anything but try my best and that’s all my parents ask for. I mean, parents are supposed to take care of their kids. Sounds like your dad dropped the ball. But.”
He really couldn’t imagine not getting along with his parents. There were days when they annoyed him, sure, but they’d never had a bad relationship. And even if there were fights or misunderstandings, they always talked it out later. But, he supposed his parents were teachers. They spent all their time at work around kids, so they were good with them. And, he knew his parents wanted him, and wanted him to succeed. They’d always supported him.
“I understand wanting to make your dad happy, but.” Elliot really couldn’t remember him saying anything nice about his father. “Well. If something doesn’t feel right…I don’t know. We’ll have your back. The more time I spend with you, the more I know my parents are going to like you. I mean, none of my other friends ever came over and offered to help make dinner. But don’t think you have to come over and do work! You can come over for fun. I’ll just tell my parents that it’s important to me that you’re taken care of. I don’t see how they could disagree. They’d want to help, too.”
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 5:40 pm
Chad didn’t respond for a few moments. He appreciated everything Elliot said, everything he did. He appreciated his dads and how they welcomed him into their home. But he felt weird not being able to express his gratitude as much as he wanted. He liked the idea of being able to come over and play, but he also wanted to make sure he wasn’t a burden on them or take advantage of their hospitality.
“Maybe I can help clean the table and dishes?” he offered, because sure he could just come over to have fun, but he wouldn’t feel right not doing anything.
“I don’t know what doesn’t feel right and what’s normal,” he admitted quietly as he drew little circles over his drawing, paying close attention to where they were being placed. “I’m afraid of making a big deal out of nothing. No one would believe me, and I wouldn’t be able to prove anything…” At least that was what his father said. Maybe it was a little obvious he was repeating something he’d been told.
He seemed to be finishing up with the drawing though, and turned it around for Elliot to see. It was a happy little octopus with round eyes and a little tongue sticking out as it waved its tentacles around.
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 6:16 pm
Elliot was still mulling over the words when Chad presented him the picture, and even though there was a weight to what he’d said he couldn’t help but immediately smile when he saw the octopus. “That’s amazing! You did that so fast! And just–right out of your head! I love it! You have to show my dad when he gets home, he’ll love it, too.”
He leaned forward a bit, still grinning as he looked at how happy the little octopus was.
“Yeah, you’re my favorite artist. I want to cover my walls in your art. And, well–if you don’t think trading art is good enough, maybe we can do some extra chores. I bet my parents would appreciate it if we helped clean up, too. Then they can relax. And maybe sometimes we can, I don’t know, do some weeding or things in the backyard for the garden. I’m sure if we asked they could think of some things for us to do. And, um. Well, I believe you. Just so you know.”
He chewed on the inside of his cheek and looked from the artwork to Chad’s face. “You don’t need proof or anything. If it’s a big deal to you, it’s a big deal to me. I trust you. And, you know. You’ll be happy and safe here, and no one’s going to give you a hard time. Even when I get in trouble, my parents don’t yell at me. They just sit me down and we talk about things. Nobody gets mad and yells or anything, we just talk it out.”
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 7:27 pm
“There was a lot of inspiration around the house,” Chad admitted, blushing a little at the praise for his silly little octopus. And Elliot said he was his favorite artist? That was such a nice thing to hear. Chad didn’t think he was all that good, but he wanted to keep learning.
He smiled up at Elliot in an attempt to reassure him. He knew he said some pretty weird things and was probably making Elliot worry, but he really did appreciate him.
“I am happy here. And I do feel safe with you. Thank you, Elliot. I really mean it.”
It wasn’t often that he felt safe or wanted, but with Elliot, he never once felt as if he had to feel bad about himself. Elliot was always trying to encourage him and make him happy. He just hoped that he was able to make Elliot happy too.
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