Chapter 23 Andrew

The last two people Andrew thought he would see at his door were his and Rafael's mothers, with a smile on each of their faces. Of course, his mother wanted him to see a doctor at once, so he agreed to just to please her. Both told him they didn't agree with their husbands. They made him feel so much better that he and Rafael were out to their families, though not by choice.

After their mothers left, his phone buzzed.

Rafael: Can you meet me at our Love Nest? Midnight?

He'd told Rafael he needed time to think. He wasn't sure if he should meet him or not. Andrew looked into the mirror and saw the black eye Rafael's father had given him and the bruise on his jaw from his father. He had some time to spare time, so he called up his friend Cedric.

"Hey, Andrew! Are we going to meet tonight?" Cedric asked.

"No. I called to tell you I got outed by a letter sent to my father today. He disowned me and sealed it by punching me. Rafael's father also gave me a black eye," Andrew said.

"What the fuck is wrong with old men these days?"

"Rafael's father disowned him too, but our mothers came here together and told me they were okay with us. Our two families hate each other, but the mothers joined forces to support us. They said they were going to see Rafael too."

"Power to women! What about the cop? Anything happen to him other than his father disowning him?"

"The same person sent that letter to the police department and now he doesn't want to meet me publicly. Only in secret. I told him I needed time to think about that."

"To think about what? You have loved him for years. There's nothing to think about. See him in secret and save his job. I know that's not the best of worlds, but it's a lot better than wishing you were with him."

"Yes, you're right. He sent me a text to meet him at our hideaway. I wasn't going to go, but I might just surprise him."

"That really sounds romantic. He's probably stressed about losing his job."

"He is worried. Too much happened today to both of us."

"You remember when my father visited us at the dorm, and he asked you why you roomed with a black guy?" Cedric asked.

"I remember. I told him I couldn't hide my color, the same way you couldn't."

"Yes, you broke the ice. Sometimes, people get caught up in shit, but eventually they see what's important and get over it. At least we hope."

"Your dad did. Now, I hope my father gets over disowning me."

"I think everything will work out. Just don't expect things to change overnight. That was a big step, even though you had no part in telling the family."

"Thanks. I always feel so much better talking to you. I love you, Cedric. You're my best friend forever."

"Love you too. I expect to meet this new guy of yours."

"We'll come up there soon."

They ended the call and Andrew looked through his messages and reread Rafael's.

Rafael: Can you meet me at our Love Nest? Midnight?

Instead of answering, he'd surprise him.

A thrill shot through Andrew, followed by an odd nervousness. The Love Nest was the special place they first made love. The allure of a secret rendezvous, the thrill of stolen moments, was irresistible. He thought coming out meant he accepted who he was, but he worried about Rafael's job. What would he have to deal with at the police department? He had been working there for years. They should respect him, not ostracize him. Andrew knew the people of Foggy Basin had loved him even when he was a troubled teen. No matter what he had done, they didn't judge him. The only one who did was his father. His mother sided with his father in public, but in private she told him she loved him and no matter what he did, she'd forgive him.

Armed with a flashlight, Andrew cut through the familiar woods, the path illuminated by a sliver of moon struggling through the canopy of trees. The trailer, squat and weathered, loomed ahead. He unlocked the creaky door and pushed it open. A wave of stale air and the bittersweet scent of their dreams lingered. He turned on the lights and air conditioner. Inside, a sadness echoed deep inside Andrew's chest. Where was Rafael? He'd said to meet him here. Why isn't he here yet?

He settled at the chipped table, preparing the paint and brushes. Rafael had meticulously sanded and primed the walls for a fresh coat of paint. Andrew painted each wall, following the exact order which Rafael had laid out after they painstakingly scraped off the wallpaper. With a creak, he opened a dusty window, and the breeze wafted in, carrying the scent of damp earth.

Time blurred as he worked, the silence broken only by the rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. He glanced at his watch quickly, then again. Midnight had long passed, yet Rafael remained a no-show. An icy dread crept into Andrew's heart. Had Rafael changed his mind? Was it all a cruel joke because he had walked out on him so he could think? Each brushstroke grew heavier, mirroring the weight settling in his chest.

He decided to surprise Rafael. Dipping his brush in white paint, he began transforming the space, painting over the first coat on the walls. It was a desperate attempt to fill the void left by Rafael's absence, a futile effort to paint over the growing sense of betrayal.

After painting, Andrew stood in the cramped kitchen of the trailer, determined to make it clean for them. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to tackle the mess that had accumulated over who knew how long. The sink was piled high with dishes, and the counters were cluttered with various items that had no business being there.

He started with the dishes, scrubbing each one until it gleamed. The repetitive motion was therapeutic, allowing his mind to wander. He thought about Rafael and their recent decision to start dating. It still felt surreal, but in the best way possible.

Once the dishes were done, he moved on to the counters, wiping them down with a disinfectant spray. He made sure to get into every nook and cranny, leaving no spot untouched. Finally, the kitchen was spotless and organized.

Next, Andrew tackled the living area. He picked up stray paper and tape used when painting the baseboards, putting everything back in its rightful place. The room felt fresher, more inviting.

Finally, he moved to the bathroom. This was his least favorite part, but it had to be done. He scrubbed the toilet, the sink, and the shower, making sure everything was shining. By the time he finished, he was exhausted, but satisfied. The trailer was clean, and he felt a sense of accomplishment.

As he stood back and surveyed his work, he couldn't help but smile. It was a small space, but it was theirs, and he was proud of it. He couldn't wait to show Rafael. He took a shower, then wrapped a towel around himself, and slipped into bed, hoping at some point Rafael would find him.

The sun pouring into the trailer woke Andrew up. He slumped back against the headboard. Exhaustion warred with the raw ache of disappointment. He'd poured his heart onto the walls, only to be left alone in silence. No Rafael.

He decided to chill out in the trailer and take the time he needed away from everyone. There were groceries in the refrigerator and a coffee pot. He could have kicked his own ass for leaving his phone at home. After snacking on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and coffee, he returned to bed and fell asleep again.