Mortified, Ben wished he could just sink through the floor. This had to have been the worse day of his life. Nothing, not even being ostracized by his home town could even compare. He’d had to bury his little sister, the one person he’d counted on his entire life to be on his side. Then his mother outed him to the minister. If that wasn’t bad enough she’d called social services to try and have the children taken from him. Could this day get any worse?
A hand pressed firmly against his low back reminding him that all of this had been witnessed by the sexiest man alive. Not that it mattered, Darius was straight, so it wasn’t like Ben had a chance with him but still it was mortifying. He should probably be thankful the man didn’t seem to care that Ben was gay but all he could think about was almost losing his nieces to his vindictive mother.
The fact that Zoe blurted all this out to his brother-in-law was just icing on his already fucked up cake. Not that he blamed Zoe, she’d been traumatized. Hell, he’d been traumatized.
“That will have to be one of those discussions we have when you are older,” Jon told his daughter. “Can you go get your sister while I talk to your grandmother and Uncle Benji, honey?”
Zoe didn’t even answer. She just took off toward the back of the house.
Ben hadn’t even realized Anya wasn’t there. Maybe he really was a bad caretaker. What did he know about taking care of children?
“Jolene, could you come to the computer please?” It was framed as a question, but the cold tone Jon used made it more of a demand.
“Don’t use that tone with me, Jon,” Jolene told Jon, although she did as he asked.
“With Darius’ help I have hired an attorney, who filed paperwork with the court making Ben the girls’ official guardian when I’m away,” Jon told her.
Not one to let things go Jolene protested. “I don’t feel Ben is the best choice to take care of the girls.”
“I don’t care what you think.” Jon’s words were harsh but deserved. Ben had to admit he was tempted to do a happy dance. “My attorney has also drawn up a restraining order to keep you away from Ben and the girls unless I’m in town and even then, you will only see the girls under my supervision.”
Silence filled the house as Jolene fumed.
“Now I want you out of my house and I promise you, if you come near Ben or the girls again you will be arrested.”
Jolene turned on her heel and walked out but not before turning her hate-filled eyes on Ben. “You will pay for this,” she warned.
He really didn’t need an all-out war with his mother. Experience told him it wouldn’t end well for him. But it was what it was.
Jolene didn’t get a step before Darius issued a warning of his own. “Don’t forget Jolene, this time I’m the one who knows everyone in this town. You may have been able to turn Winfield, Kansas against a seventeen-year-old but try it this time and you’ll find out just how many friends I have.”
“How can you defend him? You’re supposed to be a man of God. He’s an abomination against everything the Bible teaches,” Jolene yelled at Darius.
It amazed Ben how he could be still be embarrassed by his mother’s hateful words. Only his mother could make him feel bad about being gay. Once he’d moved from Kansas he’d been proud to be who he was. No matter the insults from others, he’d never denied his true self. Then why did he wish he could deny her words?
“I don’t know what you’ve been taught but I prefer to believe that God loves all his children. I’ve never understood how people could consider someone an abomination when we are all God’s children, created by him. For you say someone is a mistake, that would be saying that God made a mistake.”
Since being thrown out of his home and his home town, Ben hadn’t believed in God, but he had to admit Darius’ words made him want to believe. Maybe it wasn’t God who was at fault for how others treated Ben.
Ben didn’t think he’d ever seen his mother speechless but there she stood, her mouth agape as she struggled to come up with something to say. For the first time in Ben’s life, she didn’t make a snide retort. Instead, she walked out the door without another word. If he hadn’t been so strung out, Ben would have cheered. It kind of felt like when the wicked witch had been defeated.
“Is daddy still there?” Zoe yelled as she ran as fast as her little legs would carry her into the living room, where the laptop was sitting on the table. Not waiting for an answer she practically dove in front of the screen to check that her dad was still there.
“I’m here, pumpkin,” Jon told her.
Those little hands went on her hips as they had when Ben had called her pumpkin earlier. “Daddy, I told you only Mommy can call me that.”
Not caring what her sister wanted, Anya sat on the sofa, so she could see her dad. “Is it true?” She didn’t elaborate, but the sadness in her eyes spoke volumes.
Ben watched helplessly as Jon explained he had to rejoin his unit now that the funeral was over. That he would do everything in his power to come home safe but until then they needed to be brave. At least they would have another day to absorb the news before having to go back to school, since this was Saturday. Not that one day would help much but it was something.
When he had to sign off, Jon sent the girls out of the room to leave instructions with Ben. “You heard what I told Jolene.” Jon’s strong features hardened further as he talked about his mother-in-law. “You know how Stacy felt about you. I have done everything in my power to make sure Jolene can’t interfere but if she does, Darius has my power of attorney to step in and take legal action, if necessary.”
Stunned, Ben glanced over at Darius before turning back to the screen. “Are you sure you still want me to take care of the girls. I know my mother and she’ll make life hell around here as long as I’m in Killeen.”
“Stacy and I talked extensively over the years. We both agreed you are the only one we trust. Darius is second and he’s agreed to help you anytime you need him, but you are their uncle. Stacy and I knew you would always put their needs first, which is what we want for them.” Jon’s eyes focused at something off to the side. “They’re telling me I have to go. I’ll call as soon as I’m able, but it probably won’t be until Thanksgiving.”
“Stay safe and I promise to take care of your girls.” Jon gave him a nod before the screen went blank. Shutting the lid of the laptop Ben sat there in a daze as he wondered how he was going to manage two girls for the next five weeks without any communication with their father.
“Hey,” Darius said as he sat down next to Ben, so close their legs were practically fused together. Then the man put his arm around Ben, pulling him into the side of his body. “I promise you won’t be alone. I’ll help with whatever you need.”
It felt so good to relax against Darius’ hard body that Ben let himself enjoy the moment. But eventually, the reality of their position had Ben pulling back. He needed to keep reminding himself Darius was off limits, or he’d find himself in love with a straight man.