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I hugged my coat to me tightly as I got out of the car and walked towards the restaurant. It was a modest little sandwich shop. I had told my dad I would meet him here for lunch when he called earlier to remind me about meeting up. I loved my dad but I was worried about what he was wanting to talk about. I knew it probably had to do with my mom and Thanksgiving this year. To be honest, I didn't know what to think. So I wasn't going to get the Thanksgiving dinner I had grown accustomed to having this year. So much had changed. When I really thought about it though, I was so happy with Sean that I could deal without having my mother's delicious food this year. He was the most important thing to me now.

I stepped inside the door and the warmer air from inside washed over me. I rubbed my hands together to warm them up a little before looking around and walking further into the shop. People were in line ordering various sandwiches. They were plenty busy and they only had one person taking orders. I felt bad for the guy. I looked over in his direction. He was pretty attractive, his brown hair was buzzed real short, and his facial hair was neatly trimmed. Okay he was hot. I looked around the room trying to spot my dad. I couldn't see him so I decided to go up and begin ordering a sandwich for myself since my stomach was rumbling.

I had never been to this place before, so it took me a second to understand what people were doing. Everyone was writing on a piece of paper and I quickly realized I needed to fill one out with what I wanted before I got up to the guy behind the counter. I grabbed a pen from the available cup and quickly filled out the little paper. I was in the mood for just a simple turkey and cheese sandwhich, complete with lettuce, mayo, and onions. My mouth watered at the thoughts of the sandwich, which also came with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. The line was moving fairly quickly and it wasn't long before I stood directly opposite the nice looking employee. His green eyes took me in slowly, as if he was memorizing every detail of my appearance. I almost blushed but quickly brushed off the look.

"How were you today?" He asked kindly as I handed my paper to him. He took it from my hand gently, flashing his bright beautiful teeth at me. His teeth were perfectly straight.

"I'm doing good thanks," I replied, giving him a small smile. I averted my gaze briefly before focusing back on him. I noticed his eyes were looking down to my left, and I quickly realized he was taking in the appearance of the ring on my finger. Boy this guy was super obvious. Before I could stop myself I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. I had never been hit on before. I almost didn't think something like this would ever happen. He flashed me a broad grin as I shifted my weight to my one foot.

"Alright so the total is $6.45," he said, and I took out the cash I had in my wallet. "Here's your cup, and you can go ahead and fill it up over there," he said, pointing to the wall to my left. I nodded in understanding.

"Thanks," I said before shuffling away from the counter and over to the fountains to fill my cup with some Coke. I put a lid on the cup after I filled it and then made sure to get a straw. I then wandered over and found an empty table, wondering where my dad was. He should be here by now.

I pulled out my phone to occupy my time and waited for my name to be called, occasionally sipping from my straw absent-mindedly. Suddenly the sound of my dad's voice caught my attention.

"Would you just come on? You're the one who wanted to come!" He snapped, coming in the doorway. He was talking over his shoulder. I furrowed my eyebrows and stood up as I watched him walk through the doorway. She came in behind him rather reluctantly, her purse slung over her shoulder and her head was down. She focused on the floor. I rolled my eyed and sighed, running my hand over my face. I should've known something like this was what was going to happen. My mother wanted to talk about Thanksgiving. Nevermind that I was getting married in less than a month. She hadn't even said anything about it. Dad surveyed the restaurant before his eyes landed on me. He quickly motioned for her to follow before making his way over to my table. I avoided his gaze as he approached, still standing rooted to the spot next to where I was sitting, annoyance clearly written all over my face.

"Jake I know what you must be thinking-" Dad said as he reached me.

"I've already ordered, so I'll just be getting my food and leaving," I snapped at him. He lied to me.

"She just wants to talk," he shrugged.

"Oh now she wants to talk? Well it's a little late for that. Besides you both didn't need to ambush me with this if she 'just' wanted to talk," I said, waving my hands for emphasis. I looked around him at my mom who was standing quietly behind him.

"Jake!" The guy behind the counter called. I picked up my drink and went to walk over to the counter but dad caught my arm.

"The only way things are going to change is if you talk," he said sternly. I shrugged my arm out of his grip.

"You don't understand," I told him pointedly.

"Oh for god's sake!" Mom sighed loudly. "I'm sorry! Okay?" She addressed me, apologizing almost saracastically, dragging out 'okay' rather dramatically. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Okay thanks," I said rudely before hurrying over to the counter. The guy regarded me curiously as he handed me a bag with my lunch. I took it gratefully and turned towards the doors.

"How can you be so rude!?" Mom asked as she crossed the room after me and followed me outside. I wheeled around to face her in the parking lot.

"I'm being rude!? That's ironic coming from you!" I yelled, losing all patience.

"Don't you dare! Dammit don't you dare!" Mom sneered, pointing a finger at me. "I'm trying to make things right. You think this is easy for me!?"

"Easy for you? No I'm sure it's not. It's not easy for any of us. How do you think I feel. My own mother can't even look me in the eye anymore or be happy I'm getting married, or want anything to do with me!" I snarled. She shook her head.

"You think it's that easy to just get over the fact that I have a faggot for a son!?" She spat.

'SAMANTHA!" Dad roared from behind her, catching up to us in the parking lot. I was speechless. Had she really just called me that? My own mother?

"Don't Nick! It's true. That's what he is! I won't support a faggot wedding!" She huffed loudly. Some people around us began to turn their heads in our direction.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO JAKE! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?" Dad roared. I've never seen him this angry. However, I was on the verge of tears, and didn't want to break down in the middle of the parking lot. I felt like I was going to collapse onto the ground, but I somehow managed to turn around and make it to my car. I unlocked the doors and slumped inside. I fumbled around with my keys a bit, cursing under my breath, before I got them into the ignition and started the car. I quickly threw it into gear and pulled out, tears streaming down my face. My mom called me a faggot. That's what I am to here. I cried and cried as I sped home. The traffic lights began to blur together. I went through one and didn't realize but I began drifting across the center lane. The oncoming car honked at me in warning and I quickly swerved out of the way, my tires screeching on the pavement. I slammed on the brakes when I reached the side of the road. I was shaking and clutching the steeting wheel tightly. I fumbled around for my phone. I found Sean's number and called him, holding it up to my ear and shaking wildly, my breathing was ragged.

"Hey babe!" Sean said cheerily. I sniffled. "What's wrong? What happened?" He said, his tone changing to that of worry. I sobbed loudly. "Jake talk to me! Where are you!?" He asked frantically. I tried to calm my breathing so he could understand me.

"I almost crashed, my- m-my mom-shhh-she called-" I continue to stammer and sniffle.

"Okay Jake, just breathe. Breathe okay? Where are you at?" He asked calmly and reassuringly.

"I'm on the um-side of--th-the road by Maverick, jus-just down from our h-house," I replied pathetically between shaky breaths. I hope he understood that. I was sobbing hysterically like a child. Flashes of the accident burned into my mind...Collin's face right before...the sound of the crunching metal...it could've happened again today.

"I'll be there in just a sec okay? I'm on my way!" He told me. "Stay on the phone with me okay?" He asked worriedly. I nodded before realizing he couldn't see me.

"I will," I said in almost a whisper. Just hearing his voice was helping me to calm down a little. I was trying to control my breathing by taking deep breaths.

* * * *

About ten mintues later Sean pulled up behind me on the side of the road. He quickly got out of his car and hurried over to me. He pulled open my door and bent down to my level. Pulling me into a tight hug I relaxed against him. My eyes were puffy and my nose was running I think. Sean rubbed my back.

"C'mon," he said, holding his hands out and standing up, I grabbed them and he hauled me to my feet. He wrapped an arm around my waist and gripped me tightly as he led me to the passenger side of his car. He opened the door for me and I slid into the seat. Sean closed the door and walked around to his side and got in. He didn't say anything else or ask me what happened. He simply took my hand in his as he turned the key and pulled back out into traffic.

When we got the apartment I was feeling miserable. I probably looked like hell but I wasn't crying anymore. Sean helped me out of the car and took my hand, leading me to our apartment. Once we got there he opened the door for me and held it. I made my way to the bedroom, dropping my coat on the floor and peeling off my clothes. Leaving my boxers on, I fell onto the bed, curling up in the fetal postion. Sean came in a few seconds later and laid down, spooning me from behind. I pressed my back against his chest. I felt him wipe my wet cheek gently with his finger. I reached behind me, grabbed his arm and wrapped it around me and held it to my chest, lacing my fingers with his. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck as I began to doze off. '...a faggot for a son,' I heard my mother's voice say in my head.

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