"Guess what came in the mail today!"
~*~
"Guess what came in the mail today!" the older man says excitedly.
"What, dad?" he asks not looking up from his laptop.
"A letter from UCLA. I think it's a sign. You're meant to go there son." His dad nudges his shoulder and smiles proudly. Kaden takes the letter from his fathers hands, and puts it on the table in front of him before resuming his time on Tumblr. His father sighs and picks up his car keys from off the counter. "Michael will be back from soccer in 10 minutes. Let him in when he knocks please."
Kaden grunts in response and continues to scour the internet, entranced in the world of YAOI and what it has to offer him. Johnathan looks back once before reluctantly heading to his little bookshop. His store isn't the best nor most modern bookstore in Connecticut, but he prides himself on the hospitality that they offer. Johnathan has two sons, Michael (his youngest only 10) and Kaden (Now 17). While Michael is the social one who likes to be involved in sports and clubs, Kaden is the responsible one. Always making sure that the family is on time with bills, meals, and finances overall.
His sons are his pride and joy and he would sell his own soul for the two of them to feel happy. Yes, he wishes the best for them and aspires to be their role model; however, his sons have slightly different feelings towards the actions of their single father. Do the boys love their dad? Of course. Do they want him to be happy? Sure. But they feel like burdens. Ever since their mother left 5 years ago Johnathan has been left to take care of the boys on his own. While his ex-wife was on some beach in Argentina with some Bolivian model, Johnathan raised the boys under a strict Baptist hand in hopes that they would turn out well. Barely able to take care of the boys on his meager earnings, Kaden took the initiative to get a job to help.
Starting as a cashier at a clothing shop Kaden was able to help out some with the money the family needed. When that job turned into something more he kept it hidden. And when his father found he was making more than the typical teen folding clothes Kaden lied and said that he was promoted at the store Mona worked at. When Mona asked why he needed to lie, he lied again and said he was doing people's math work. When his dad assumed he and Mona were dating, he didnt have the heart (or the balls) the tell him that he was gay. When he moved away to Dreamwood to continue his job and go to school he went to community college to save money for himself and his father.
~*~
"Helloo? Kaden. I said guess what came in the mail today." His brother Michael says over the receiver.
"Oh, what?"
"I got a hundred bucks from mom. And a postcard that says 'Wish you were here'." he scoffs and there's rustling on the other side of the line "He boyfriend Juan signed it too. Dick."
"He you're 13. Calm the language bro."
"Whatever...Kaden?" his brother sounds nervous.
"Yeah?"
"Do you not want to see me and dad? Are you ashamed of us or something, because I'm sorry if I did anything...and i'm sorry if dad did anything. But we haven't seen you in almost 2 years and I miss you...no homo." his brother admits. The end of his confession kind of hurts, but he can't explain why.
"No, no, no. It's not that. Its just...its nothing. I'd love to have you guys visit. Just...let me know when you're coming and Mona and I will fix the place up." he says. His brother cheers and then he talks to someone who has entered the room. "Ugh, I got to go. Church with dad. We'll see you soon though, yeah?"
"Yeah. Of course. Happy birthday again."
"Thanks. Tell Mona she owes me a birthday present. I accept money and/or blow jobs, cause ya know. Shes hot as hell."
"Oh fucking hell. GO away. Fucking perv. Talk to you later." Kaden laughs and rubs his temples at his brothers humor.
"HEY I'M SERIOUS THOUGH IF SHE EVER WANT TO SUCK MY-" Kaden hangs up and tosses the phone away before Michael spews out more inappropriate comments. He misses his brother he does, and he misses his dad. But, he knows they would get weird after finding about his sexual orientation....and especially if they found out about his real job...Mona included. He just hopes he can keep it all together when they come to visit. Maybe, just maybe it won't all come tumbling down.
