"Good morning" said Nick placing his arms around Howie as Howie flinched. Are you ok?" asked Nick.
"I'm fine" said Howie.
"Oh God, did I do that" said Nick as he noticed the the scratch across Howie's back.
"Yeah." replied Howie.
"I'm so sorry. I don't know what got into me last night."
"You don't see me complaining. Nick we need to talk about what happened with your parents yesterday" said Howie.
"I don't want to discuss it."
"We have to talk about it sometime" said Howie.
"I think I'm going to do some cleaning today. You know were not here that often and it kind of piles up" said Nick.
"Don't you think you should have some breakfast first."
"I'm not really hungry" said Nick.
"Well some of us like to eat. I'll be downstairs.
"The phone is ringing."
No it's not" said Howie.
"Yes it is. One of our cell phones is ringing" said Nick.
"Mine is downstairs it must be yours. Where did you put it" said Howie.
"I don't know. I had it last night before we..."
"It's probably in your pocket" said Howie.
"It's not in my pocket. I had it somewhere in..."
"Not in your pocket huh" said Howie holding up the cell phone.
"Well answer it before they hang up" said Nick.
"It's your phone."
"Answer it will you."
"Hello?"
"Howie?"
"Mrs.. Carter, hi" said Howie.
"Is my home son home?" asked Jane.
"He's right here" replied Howie.
"No, I am not talking to her" said Nick motioning.
"Nick, talk to her" said Howie.
"No way. Tell her no" said Nick.
"He says he doesn't want to talk to you" said Howie.
"Howie let me talk to my son."
"She thinks I'm holding you hostage. Talk to her" said Howie.
"Mom, how nice of you to call" said Nick sarcastically
"I would like to see you" said Jane.
"Why?"
"We need to talk" replied Jane.
"I have nothing to say to you" said Nick.
"Then you can listen" said Jane.
"I don't think so." "Fine, I'll be here" said Nick. Staring out the Window a frown crossed Howie's face. He knew this was tearing Nick up inside. He wanted to help him but he didn't know how. "Is it safe to come in?" asked Brian. "Brian hey, sure come on in" said Howie. "The door was open so I just let myself in. Where's Nick?" "He's upstairs. He won't talk to me about what happened with his parents. Maybe he'll talk to you" said Howie.
"Me, I would think I'm the last person Nick would talk too" said Brian. "Please, you know how he keeps things inside." "I'll give it a shot but don't hold your breath" said Brian. "
Climbing the stairs Brian could smell the strong sent of bleach as he saw Nick bent over the toilet. "So, you've been reduced to cleaning toilets now" said Brian smiling. "Hey, what are you doing here" said Nick. "Wanted to see how you were doing" said Brian. "I suppose Howie told you" said Nick. "I'm sorry it didn't go well." "Nothing new. They've never supported me before why start now" said Nick. "What did you expect, that they would be ok with it" said Brian. "I'm their son. They should want me to be happy" said Nick. "They expected to see you get married, give them grandchildren." "Well gee, I'm sorry I disappointed them." "They can't accept it because they know it's wrong" said Brian. "Wrong." "Yes, the bible says. Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. And look at the first chapter in the bible, what happened?" "God created the earth" said Nick. "And..." "He made Adam and Eve, they did the nasty and he punished them" said Nick. "They per took of the forbidden fruit" said Brian. "Yeah, they did the nasty and now we pay for our sins." "God help the world if you ever become a minister" said Brian. "If your just going to get all holy on me, don't bother. I'm gay and nothing's going to change that" said Nick.