Chapter 3 Andrew

Andrew parked his car and trudged toward the front door, the weight of the day settling in his bones as he pushed open the door to the house he shared with his brother. The familiar scent of old books and pine from the wooden furniture greeted him, a comforting reminder of their shared space.

In the backyard, the evening sun cast a warm glow over the rolling hills that bordered their property. The two brothers sat on weathered chairs, the wood rough against their hands, each holding a cold beer that formed tiny droplets of condensation in the balmy air. The yard was a simple expanse of green, dotted with wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze, a natural tapestry that stretched towards the horizon.

"Andy, why was Officer Duarte at the diner talking to you twice in one day?" Joseph's voice cut through the tranquility, his eyes searching Andrew's face for clues.

Andrew's heart skipped a beat, his secret threatening to surface. "He's just checking in, you know, part of the community policing," he replied, hoping his casual tone would dispel any suspicion.

"And his sister, Gabriella, she's been around a lot, too. What's her story?" Joseph prodded, taking a sip of his beer.

"She hangs out like the others," Andrew said. Gabriella's presence was not merely a cover for Andrew to learn more about Rafael, who he found himself inadvertently drawn to. He enjoyed talking to Gabriella when she wasn't so obviously flirting. She had a way of charming him, but not quite like her brother had.

"But she's flirting with you. Are you going to ask her out?"

"The Duartes would never allow it. They hate me."

"It seems Officer Duarte is interested in you."

"No. That's so fucked up, Joe. He likes me so much he gave me a ticket today." Andrew hadn't meant to blurt out that information, but he over-shared to get out of letting something else more dangerous slip. His brother was always looking for a way to out him, but he had nothing on Andrew.

"A speeding ticket? Because you were speeding or because you're messing with his sister?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't know with you. It could be one or both. I don't like him coming into our diner. He and his sister can find another place to hang out. Our family doesn't like the Duartes." Joe's gaze lingered a moment longer, as if trying to decipher a puzzle. He had his suspicions about Andrew's sexuality, but without proof, they remained unspoken between them.

Andrew's mind wandered to Rafael, his strong jawline, and the way his uniform fit just right. It was a crush he harbored in secret, one he dared not reveal, especially not to Joseph. The stakes were too high, and the risk of losing his brother's acceptance loomed over him like a dark cloud.

As the sky turned to shades of pink and orange, the brothers sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, the rolling hills bearing witness to the unspoken truths that lay between them.

Andrew admired the lush green of the lawn contrasted with the vibrant colors of the flowers. The air was filled with the scent of blooming jasmine and roses. This piece of land, a gift from their parents, was a testament to a family legacy they were now entrusted with.

Andrew's thoughts drifted to the gleaming red sports car that sat incongruously in the driveway, a bold statement of his newfound independence.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the yard, the back gate creaked open. Their parents, David and Laura, stormed in, their faces a mix of concern and anger, fixated on Andrew. The confrontation was swift and fierce, with no greeting. They never greeted their sons like other families. They just talked as if they were all living in the same home.

"Andrew, what were you thinking? Buying such an expensive car without discussing it with us!" his father bellowed.

"And flirting with a Duarte? Have you forgotten what their family stands for?" his mother added, her voice sharp with disapproval.

Andrew felt a familiar frustration bubble within him. At twenty-four, he was tired of being treated like a child, his decisions scrutinized and judged. He was sure Miss Amelia, with her penchant for stirring the pot, had seen his interactions with Gabriella Duarte and his new sports car, making sure her version of the story reached his parents' ears before his could.

"I'm an adult, and it's my money. I can make my own choices," Andrew retorted, his voice steady but his heart racing. This impromptu visit was all thanks to Miss Amelia. He had forgotten she was in the diner when Gabriella brought him coffee and sat down at his booth.

"That may be, but you're still our son, and your actions reflect on this family in this town," his father countered, his tone softening slightly.

"Dad, we doubled our profit this week and Andy has been working during my shift and his," Joe said.

"That's great news. Andrew, you need to get a life and start dating. All work and no play is not good for anyone," his father said.

"How would you know that when we don't live in the same house?" Andrew hated when his father belittled what good he did in the diner and looked for something to ding him with.

"Andy goes out with friends, and he dates too. I just wanted you to know he had been really working a lot to bring in more customers," Joe said.

"Keep away from the Duartes. They're in a cult," his father said.

"And Isabella Duarte thinks her family is so much better than ours. She makes me sick," his mother said.

The argument ebbed and flowed, a tumultuous sea of family dynamics and generational divides. Andrew's feelings were a complex tapestry of defiance and a desire for approval. He loved his parents, but he yearned for the freedom to live his life on his terms.

As the evening wore on, voices grew quieter, and the tension slowly dissipated. He had gotten them fresh lemonade to drink as the warm evening wound down. When they finally went home, Andrew sat back down beside Joe, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air with the stars twinkling above, indifferent witnesses to the human drama below. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but he also knew he wasn't alone. Andrew was thankful his brother hadn't mentioned his speeding ticket. Joe's support was comforting, a reminder that family was both his anchor and his sail.

"Thanks for supporting me," Andrew said.

"No problem. You'd do the same."

"I'm going to take Friday night off this week, if that's okay?"

"Of course."