The season ended with no big to do. Both Michael and Dale had just ok season’s. Everyone looked to Michael saying he did the best he could under the circumstances, everyone expected more from Dale and he didn’t care.
Thanksgiving quickly approached and unbeknownst to everyone they were making Dale and Michael’s lives easy. They were concerned with all the demands from family how they would spend some time together but Dale’s family made that decision for them. DW and the rest of the Waltrip clan would be getting together a few days after Thanksgiving and he sent the girls to stay with their grandparents so Teresa and Brenda had invited Michael to spend some time with them for the holidays.
They were spending the afternoon at Teresa’s then the evening at Brenda’s. They had just finished eating when Michael excused himself from the room. He walked outside to get a breath of fresh air and was sitting against the fence that surrounded the pool when Dale joined him.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, it’s just hard you know."
"Yeah I do." He slid down the fence sitting on the cold ground next to Michael.
"You know it’s just, man, I couldn’t even drive the kids up, I mean that’s how she…" The tears started falling. "God, June I’m so sorry, you don’t want to hear this."
"Listen to me, I do want to hear this. I’ve told you I don’t ever want you to hide your feelings about her. I know you loved her and I know how hard this is but I know you love me too and we can get through this together."
Michael fell into his arms and let the tears fall. After a few minutes he sat up and forgetting where they were Michael couldn’t fight the lust he felt and pulled Dale into his kiss. Lost in their passion they didn’t hear the footsteps growing closer.
"What the fuck?"
"Oh, shit." They heard the female voice say.
Dale and Michael jumped apart and to their feet. "Kerry." Dale was out of breath. He looked to his sister pleading with her to help him.
She was lost she didn‘t know what to do. "I didn’t know you guys were out here."
"You knew about this." Kerry said getting upset not believing what he had seen.
"Yes I did, Kerry listen to me, we need to talk about this, it’s not what you think."
"It’s not, so these two aren’t…oh man." Kerry sat against the fence his head in his hands. " I don’t believe this."
They looked at each other not knowing what to say and it didn’t matter, they never stood a chance.
"What is all the yelling about?"
Everyone turned to see Taylor, Teresa, Grandma Martha and the rest of the party walking outside to see what the commotion was about. Dale looked to Michael, then back to the family, his entire world was about to spin out of control and he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it. Michael looked like a lost kid wiping the final tears away from his cheeks not knowing what Dale’s next move would be.
Kerry stood up moving towards Teresa. "So who else knew about this?"
Kelly’s eyes closed for a brief second, she realized this was really about to happen, right here, right now. She quickly stepped beside her brother and he knew he had her support if nothing else. Sides had been taken and everyone stood staring as if they were in the old west and a shootout was about to take place.
"Knew what, what is going on?" Teresa demanded.
Dale eyed everyone and took a deep breath. "Michael and I have been lovers for over 3 and a half years. I don’t really care what any of you think, or if it ruins my career. I love him and that’s all that matters too me." He let the breath out that he was holding, whatever happens, it felt good to say out loud.
Michael tried to suppress the small smile that came to the surface hearing Dale announce his love for him in front of everyone. He laid his hand on the small of Dale’s back letting him know he was there.
Teresa look wide eyed at them not knowing if this was true but when she looked to Kelly she had a feeling they weren’t lying. She opened her mouth to speak but no words would form. Everyone stood in a stunned silence for several minutes, until Dale’s 16 year old sister spoke up.
"So you’re gay?" Taylor asked bluntly.
"I don’t know. I‘m just in love. Why does it have to have a name? You wouldn‘t even question it if he was a she." He replied turning to her shocked she was the one questioning him.
"Do you still like woman?"
"Well, yes."
"So, your bi." She shrugged. "I want desert, can we go get the pie?" She turned towards the house, noticing no one following she stopped and turned. "What? Oh for Gods sake, don’t tell me you all are freaked out by this." She got looks of shock and disgust all rolled into one. "Come on people, none of you have friends that are gay or bi, it‘s the year 2003? Hell there are two guys in high school that are gay."
"Taylor that’s enough." Teresa said.
She sighed laying her hand on her head. "I’m going to have pumpkin pie, Michael, Junior, care to join me?" With that she turned and went to the house.
Dale, Michael, and Kelly took their cue and quietly went into the house. Taylor was cutting the pie when they entered the back door. "Here."
"I’m not hungry, thanks." Dale said sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar, watching her closely.
She slid the plate in front of him after handing one to Michael and Kelly. "Eat skin and bones."
He half smiled at her as he took the fork out of her hand. Taylor sat next to him and they were half way through their pie, as the others walked into the kitchen. "Dale, you owe us an explanation."
"What more do you want me to say? This is how it is, end of story."
"This is ridiculous. You are Dale Earnhardt Jr., you know, one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet, one of the 50 most beautiful people, the Bud Boy. You can’t be a fag."
Dale sat in shock at the sarcastic tone in his brother’s voice. "Kerry?"
"Don’t." Kerry said throwing up a hand.
"Do you know what this would do to your father? I can’t believe you would do this to him and his name. Do you honestly think he could love you after this?"
The room grew silent and even Kerry raised an eyebrow. "Teresa that’s…"
"Mom, I can’t believe you said that." Taylor yelled from the other side of the kitchen.
Michael knew Dale was falling apart quickly now. He looked to Taylor and Kelly for help. Taylor stepped up. "Let it go mom, today isn’t the day." She helped Karsyn with her coat as Michael led Dale to his.
"You aren’t leaving we are going to discuss this." Teresa said following them.
"Ter, Taylor is right, we all need time, let them go." Kerry said realizing this was getting out of hand quickly, even he though Teresa had just gone to far.
"No!" Everyone looked at Teresa like she was crazy. She grabbed Dale’s arm and pulled him from Michael’s grasp. "You two will stop this now or you are gone." She turned looking directly to Michael.
Dale finally snapped out of the trance he was in. "Take your hands off me." When Teresa didn’t react Dale pushed Teresa off of him and back towards the others. "I will say this once, he goes, I go."
"You are willing to give everything up, your career, your life, your family." Dale couldn’t believe she was talking like this. "You really think, your fellow drivers will stand beside you after they find out, your fans, all those screaming girls who want you. You will be completely alone, look your own brother is disgusted by you."
Dale was on the verge of tears as he met Kerry’s stare and Teresa relayed all his worst fears to him. "That’s enough." Everyone turned to the voice in the back that they hadn’t heard yet. Grandma Martha stepped forward. "If I’m not mistaken you need to be getting to your momma’s." She ushered them to the door.
As Dale, Kelly, and Karsyn stepped onto the porch, Michael turned looking back to Teresa. "He will never be completely alone." With that he joined Dale, taking his hand in his and leading him to the car.
Kelly and Karsyn beat Michael and Dale to their mom’s. She was already in the living room talking to the family watching Karsyn run around and play with the other kids. She looked at the door as Dale and Michael stepped in. Brenda jumped up and hugged Michael then her son.
Dale wrapped his arms around her, not wanting to let go, scared that he would lose her too. As he stepped away from her she saw the tears and pain on his face. "What is it Junebug? You’re scaring me."
He looked back to Michael who had stepped up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it for moral support. Dale took a deep breath. "Mom, there is something we need to tell you."