Carlos and Sam reassure Emma that Hempe can't get to her, and they will protect her, no matter what. Carlos tells them a little about getting beaten up for being gay.
"I have never understood that," Emma said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Why does anyone care who sleeps with who, and what you do in bed? The very same people who make those rules probably break them as soon as they possibly can. I've noticed that men who yell the loudest about gays are closet homosexuals. And the women who yell the most about stopping abortions are the ones least likely to get pregnant."
"Thank you," Carlos said. "Run for president, would you? We need some common sense in Washington."
Emma laughed. "Well, I've certainly got the dirty little secrets covered. Can you imagine what they would dig up on me? Drugs, sex, wild parties. Oh, and that sex tape Sam and I made...."
Sam's face turned bright red and hit his palm. "Oh f**k, you had to bring that up."
"Sex tape? As in Mr. Sammy himself naked and buff? Joy in my heart! Is it available for our viewing pleasure?"Carlos fanned himself.
"No! It's not! You had to bring that up," Sam growled. "It wasn't like that."
"Daddy had a Nanny cam in my room. Apparently the pervo liked to watch me undress. So, we figured it out and decided to give him something to look at, to see if he brought it up."
Carlos leaned close. "Did he?"
"Juvie visit number—four, was it?" Sam asked Emma.
"I think so. Might have been the fifth."
"No, that was something else," Sam said, dropping his chin. "Not your dad that time."
"Jesus, did you have your own personalized bunk?" Carlos asked, shocked.
"Just about."
"Here I am complaining about being jumped for being gay—you two have had so much more shit to deal with than I ever had. My folks weren't happy, but they weren't exactly surprised. I mean, I did fashion shows with Barbie dolls and my GI Joe's had a really good time together. It's not like there weren't little clues along the way. But no one ever did to me—" He blinked hard, looking away. "No one treated me like you were treated," he said softly. "But no one defended me either."
Sam clapped his hand on Carlos' shoulder. "If anyone ever raises a hand against you again, you call me. I got your back, bro."
Carlos sucked in his cheeks, eyes watering. He nodded his thanks and dashed from the room. Emma and Sam watched him go. Emma took Sam's hands, kissing them.
"You've done so much for me, above and beyond what most guys do for their girlfriends. Why?"
"Because I love you more than life," he replied honestly. "And one of these days, you'll figure that out." He chuckled somewhat sadly.
"But you're that good to everyone. I don't get it. Life has done nothing but hand you shit on a plate, and you just keep fighting it."
Sam gazed into her eyes, brushing hair from her cheek. "Because as much crap came my way, from every direction, there was always this bright spot—you. Even with everything your dad did, my parents did, other kids, the school, the judges, child services. It didn't matter, because we were in it together. Always us. Always together." He held out his pinky.
Emma giggled with tears in her eyes. "You goof. Pinky swear?"
"Don't you remember?" He hooked her pinky and did the usual handshake, following it with a complicated series of movements.
Emma's body remembered, even if her mind had forgotten. It was their ages old secret handshake, developed before all hell surrounded them, when they were still young and innocent.
"If it hadn't been for my old man, none of this would have happened," Emma whispered. "We wouldn't be here, we'd be in school—normal kids. We'd be happy!"
"I am happy," Sam said defiantly. "Sure, we're here, but this is the best place either of us has ever lived. I'm happier than I've ever been and I'm with you. That counters everything else."
"Sammy, I love you so much," Emma gasped.
"I love you too, Em." He pulled her close and she clung to him.
©2020 Dellani Oakes
No comments:
Post a Comment