20. Abigale

The last twoweeks have been like a nightmare. I've slept more than I ever have. Dr. Cora has been out twice, though now I'm on the mend. No one else came down with whatever this was, so I'm grateful for that. Life is slowly getting back to normal. Joshua has been a lifesaver and I can see how much he cares for my mom. Good for both of them. To find love at this stage of life is a miracle in my eyes, so I can't imagine how both Mom and Joshua feel.

Grey has been a saint, which just goes to show you that we should always listen to our inner voice, gut feeling, or whatever you want to call it. God only knows what would have happened if I was taken into one of the big hospitals and they started running tests and shit. Dr. Cora seems to think that I was burning the candle at both ends. Grey and I have been talking forever about adding on maybe one or two new employees. It's time as we're continuing to grow left and right. Not only has our ranch grown, so has our chosen family. Grey and I have all types of friends and family now, and we look forward to having folks over and going to parties and all the fun stuff with people in our lives.

Finally able to get around on my own, I'm in the kitchen trying to relax as I eat my eggs and toast down, when Benjamin walks in and stops dead in his tracks when he sees me. I wave him on and he cautiously enters the kitchen, taking a seat at the island. I wait to see if he's going to tell me what's bothering him. I've noticed he's been extremely quiet and withdrawn as of late.

"Benj, you know I'm not prying and am not one to gossip, so if you need a friend or a shoulder to cry on, I'm available. Come on, don't keep trying to be a badass. There's not anything you can tell me that will change the way I feel for you, mister. And I have your best interests always. That's what friends—nope, you're part of my chosen family—do for each other. Now I'll shut up, your turn."

At first, he totally ignores me and I know he's pissed. Great, this meeting is going to take a turn for the worst. I watch him until he drops his shoulders and sits down with his head between his hands. Not knowing what to do, I grab his hands and squeeze. When he smiles, I feel good, but something is so bothering him. Then he point-blank tells me.

"Abigale, I need you to listen to me and don't say a word. I swore I'd not discuss this, but I do trust you. I've finally came out to my family. I'm gay and, somehow, a few ranchers found out and are causing trouble because they refuse to listen that this is my life and choice. Dad is losing his mind to think his friends want to go after his son. Someone even put some derogatory shit on the barn at home. After that, I was planning on leaving but that's when Grey asked for some help when you were sick. So thinking this was a sign, I've been working here because it's so secluded and not many townsfolk come by, unless you happen to be having an open ranch day. I'm really contemplating moving somewhere where people are a bit more accepting, but Dad doesn't want to lose me. Neither do my brothers, they accept me for who I am."

"Benj, my friend, don't let the bullies win by pushing you to move away from your family and hometown. Be true to yourself and just live your life. That's all any of us can do. I get not wanting those you love hurt or dragged into your personal business. Remember, you didn't do anything wrong so hold your head up high. Why don't you move in here at the ranch? We have plenty of room and maybe it'll give you the time to really think about your options. Leaving might not be the best one. I'm not trying to pressure you, just giving you some options. Friends don't do pressure, they support each other. If you decide you might want to move here, maybe in the future you could become our foreman and we could maybe build a small cabin for you as part of your compensation, who knows. I'd have to speak to Grey but that's another possibility. Now come here and give me a hug."

We talk for about an hour or so, then he tells me he's going to run home and grab some of his stuff. After he leaves it runs through my mind that, once again, a small group of haters are trying to cause trouble because they don't have open minds and don't want people to be true to themselves and find their happy. This time they aren't going to get the opportunity to push someone out of their home and away from their family and friends. We all have Benj's back. I'm realizing lately that no matter where you live, there will always be people who just aren't fulfilled or happy with their lives, so they have to make others as unhappy as they are. As I putz around the house kinda cleaning up here and there, I like the idea of Benj becoming our foreman. It would allow me to do more educational seminars and forums while Grey does his work at the sanctuary.

Thinking of Grey, I can't believe how far he's come. The weight has been lifted and he's sincerely happy. Shilah has a lot to do with that. He's always with Grey nowadays. Like right now he's at the sanctuary while Grey does his work. They are expanding once again, so they are building more barrack-like buildings. If Ollie could, he'd take in every single soldier who applies, but that's not possible. Some of the people on the waitlist are now living at the Devil's Handmaidens' ranch. They are not charged but have to either work the ranch or if they have skills then they help with the survivors who are rescued and come to live at the DHMC ranch. Grey told me Ollie and Paisley just bought another seventy-five acres from his parents. I guess it was a huge argument because Ollie's parents wanted to just give or donate the land to the sanctuary, but Ollie said absolutely not.

I'm so glad Mom and I get along just fine. As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, if she decides to eventually move in with Joshua—if she's okay with it—her cabin could become Benj's home. I'm getting excited for whatever the future holds, though my heart breaks for what my friend is going through. People can be so cruel. I realize I just offered a major job at the ranch and never talked it over with Grey, so I grab my phone and put a call out to him. Thank God he isn't busy, but I explain what is going on with Benj and he agrees that him moving to our ranch is a good idea. He tells me he is going to put a call out to Joshua and find out who's giving Benj trouble. I am about to tell him not to get involved, but that's just who he is and what I love about him.

We talk for a few minutes until Grey tells me he has to go. After that, I walk outside with lil' Fern at my side, heading toward the cabin Mom, Nicholas, and Jorgie live in. I knock then walk in, heading toward the kitchen. Mom isn't in there so I head to the other kitchen and she's there working on a batch of cupcakes. She looks up when I call to her and must see something on my face.

"What's wrong, honey? Is it Grey?"

"Nope, Mom, just talked to Benj and he shared some personal stuff. I don't want to divulge his story, so have you talked to him at all?"

She walks over and sits on one of the stools at her island. I follow her and wait for her to let me know her thoughts.

"Abigale, the talk he had with his dad and brother included me also. I've never seen such unconditional love like I did that night. Benjamin sobbed because he thought his family would disown him and never talk to him ever again. Instead, two of his brothers told him they knew years ago, while Joshua held him, telling him how much he loved him and how proud he was. I'm glad he talked to you about it. He needs a friend. Hey, don't want to change the subject, but need to talk to you about something."

She stops and I know what she's going to say but is so uncomfortable because she doesn't want to leave me by myself during the day. Then she must have figured it out.

"Joshua wants us to move in with him. I'm on the fence and need to talk it out with you. If I do that, I'll need to speak to you about maybe renting the second kitchen space as I'd like to continue baking here. Everything is set up already. But I'm jumping the gun. Something is on your mind, so just spit it out, baby."

"Well, I kinda figured out that you two wanted to take the next step. I'll miss you and the kids, Mom, but you so deserve happiness, and I've not seen you so happy in a very long time. My idea is if you do decide to move in with Joshua, I'm going to offer Benj the foreman job and included in his compensation will be the cabin to live in, with the stipulation that you can use the extra kitchen in the buildout we did for you. If you're okay with that, I think it's a perfect answer so we don't lose him and he can maintain his freedom. Whatcha think?"

She stands and grabs me close. Hanging on, I know how much this means to her so I give her time to think on it. I get up walk to the fridge and grab a bottled water. By the time I sit back down on my stool, Mom is leaning over, grabbing onto my arm.

"It's a deal, sweetie. I pray Benjamin takes your offer because being here will help him heal. It certainly did me. Now, do you want to feed your sweet tooth before Nicholas and Jorgie get home? Once they walk in, don't expect to grab anything, they are like little vultures."

So I sit at my mom's island, drinking some milk, while I eat her cookies and one cupcake as we shoot the crap, cracking each other up. Just another normal day in our lives.