Tolerance and Tears

"Daniel- Daniel- wake up darling."
"Huh- wha?" Daniel opened his eyes and was greeted by Darren's mother.
"Mrs. Hayes?" He mumbled, blinking the sleep out of his eyes.
"Good morning." She smiled warmly at him.
"Morning?" Daniel sat bolt right up, "Oh my God!"
"Shh- don't worry about it." Darren's mother was still smiling as she ruffled his hair, "It's all right- would you like some breakfast?"
Daniel shook his head, "Um- no thanks- I- I'll just stay here until Darren wakes up."
After she had left Daniel stood up pacing. What had she seen? When he woke up Darren was snuggled safely in his arms-
Surely she wouldn't think anything more of it- just a friendly gesture of protection.
"Hey."
Daniel turned and smiled, "Hey yourself."
He walked over and kissed his friend good morning, "How are you feeling?"
Darren put a hand gingerly to his forehead, "I've got a bloody headache." He reached over to his nightstand and took a few aspirins dry.
Daniel looked over at the rising sun, "Looks like it's gonna be a pretty fall day."
Darren sat up suddenly, "Oh shit- I've gotta do chores-."
"Oh no you're not- you rest love." Daniel stood up, "I'll do them for you."
Darren laughed, "You?"
"Yeah me- don't think I can handle it?"
Darren covered his mouth trying to suppress his giggles, "but Jonesy- you're a city boy- I don't think you've ever milked a cow in your life."
"Ah come on- how hard can it be?" Daniel stood up stretching, "No arguments, I'm doing your chores."

* * * * *

The long list of Darren's chores that Mrs. Hayes gave him wasn't intimidating. Sure, he had a few minor set-backs feeding the chickens. He didn't know that if you got too close they'd try and peck you.
Feeding the pigs wasn't so bad- even though he tripped and fell into the mud-
The sheep were nice and friendly- except when one got a little too friendly and he got his feet tangled up in the hay trying to get away from it.
Cleaning out the horse's stall wasn't bad- though it tried to pee on his head-
Even milking the cow wasn't so horrible- until the damn thing knocked Daniel over with her hoof- spilling milk everywhere-
All right- so maybe he wasn't cut out for the rugged farm boy-
What normally took Darren an hour took Daniel three-
"The things I do for love." He muttered, kicking over an empty milk can, "I don't know how Darren does this every bloody morning."
He trudged back from the barn and up to Darren's room.
His love looked up from breakfast in bed and burst out laughing.
"Oh Jonesy- if you could only see what you look like now."
"What?!" Daniel walked over to the mirror and winced. He looked like he'd gotten in a fight with those pigs he had attempted to feed. "Well sorry Mr. Farm boy."
"Aww, Jonesy- I was only teasing." Darren set the tray down and held out his arms, "Forgive me?"
Daniel couldn't keep up his mock anger. Smiling he leapt into those arms, kissing Darren savagely.
"You certainly earn your keep Dazza." Daniel commented as he picked at the leftovers of his companion's breakfast.
Darren nodded, suddenly looking serious, "Are you going to school today?"
Daniel laughed, "Yeah- right- if I had it my way I'd never go back to that hellhole."
Darren frowned, "I- I don't think I could go back- not after what happened."
His partner nodded, mouth full of bacon, "I sure as hell don't want you to go back-
hey! Let's skip out- we're old enough to- we could go on the road- play our music- it'd be great. . . Hey- what's wrong Dazza- baby- why are you crying?"
Small slivers of diamonds feel from those shimmering sapphires, "I- I just feel so bad- that you have to suffer along with me- it's not fair!"
"Hey- hey now- shh- it's all right." Daniel gathered his companion into his arms. "Oh Danny- you should just leave now- before your reputation gets ruined- it's not fair to you- you shouldn't be stuck with me-."
"Hey- now listen here." Daniel took on a commanding air, "I don't give a damn what those losers over there think- anyone that picks on somebody just because he's different deserves a swift kick in the ass- Dazza- I'm never going to leave you- when you hurt- so do I- that's why I know I love you so much- I can't stand to see you hurting- and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that you're happy."
Darren was so touched, "Oh Jonesy." He leaned over and hugged Daniel tightly leaning in to kiss him tenderly-
A few minutes or an hour passed- Daniel couldn't tell- but it was heaven just the same-
When they finally broke apart Daniel stood, "Guess I better be getting home- my folks are wondering what happened to me."
Daniel winked at him, "Love you baby."
A swift kiss on the lips and then he was out the door- trudging to his hated household.

Daniel announced his presence by slamming the front door shut and trudging upstairs to his bedroom.
Mrs. Jones didn't give him much time to relax for she quickly came in to invade his privacy.
"Shouldn't you be in school?"
"Not going today mum." He turned over- not wanting to look her in the eye.
His mother sighed, sitting down next to him, "Daniel- we need to talk."
"Nothing to talk about-."
"Well besides the fact that you took off in such a huff last night- you had no right to hit your brother-."
Daniel sat up quickly, "The hell I didn't! Don't you hear the things he says? They're horrible! I can't just sit there and listen to him cutting my best friend down."
"I know he does- but I really can't change people's opinions." Mrs. Jones bit her lip, "Your father and I have been talking about some things."
Daniel didn't want to hear it, but he listened anyway.
"We're new to this place Daniel- we're all still trying to fit in and- well- I just don't want you getting into the wrong crowd or anything-."
"Mum- I'm not in any crowd- I hardly talk to anybody here."
"Except Darren."
Daniel nodded, "What's so bad about that- aren't you happy I've finally found a great friend?"
"Yes. . ." She paused, "but- the fact that- well- with all these rumors and everything- I mean- I hear so much at the market- how could it not be true-."
"Mother! You of all people! I don't give a damn what father or my brothers think- but you! You're supposed to be tolerant and loving- how could you even put a label on someone-?"
"Daniel- we're just trying to protect you. We love you very much and don't want you to get any bad ideas in your head- and your father and I both agree that Darren could be a very bad influence on you."
"What are you talking about?"
Mrs. Jones patted her son's knee, "Honey- you know I can't stand to see you unhappy- but this is for your own good- W-we think that you should back off from Darren- stop spending so much time with him- people are beginning to ask about you as well- I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea."
"What- you're saying I can't even see my best friend anymore?" Daniel was about to fly into a rage but stopped himself- blowing up at his mother would just make matters worse. "It's for your own good honey- you'll thank us later- I promise you." She kissed his cheek; Daniel scowled at her.
As she turned to leave he flipped her off, brooding most of the morning.
By mid-afternoon he had gotten bored just staring at that stupid crack in the ceiling.
His stomach rumbled.
Lunchtime.
"Well- the prodigal son has returned I see." Mr. Jones lowered the magazine he was reading.
"Hello father." Daniel quickly made himself a sandwich and sat down at the opposite end from his parents.
"Darren called- I told him what we had agreed upon-."
"We didn't agree upon anything- you two decided it for me."
"Now don't get snippy with your mother." Mr. Jones tossed the magazine aside, "It's for your own good- none of my boys are gonna be caught running around with those fairies- bad enough they're allowed to be in the same town as us- if I had it my way we'd ship 'em off to Appleton or wherever else- let them deal with 'em."
Daniel bit angrily down into his sandwich. He didn't really hate his parents- it was their opinions that made him want to scream.
Boy would they get the shock of their lives if he ever told them about his sexuality.
He grinned behind his glass of milk, what a great Christmas present that would be for the both of them.

~Chapter Thirteen~

The bell rang signaling lunch. Daniel jumped out of his seat- he couldn't wait to see Darren. He could only talk to him at school now- no phone calls- couldn't come visit. It was awful-
"Hey you." Daniel plopped down on the bench across from his companion.
"Hey-." Darren leaned up against the wall polishing his apple.
"Mmm- those look great."
"Picked 'em myself this morning." Darren grinned, "Want to share?"
"Sure." Daniel took out his Swiss army knife and divided the apple in half.
"Well lookie who we got here- Mr. Jones and the fairy boy."
Darren frowned, obviously hurt by that comment. Daniel looked up to see none other than his brother and a few other boys.
"Fuck off Oliver."
"Sure- I'll fuck a girl anytime- unlike you who only fucks fairies like this faggot over here."
Daniel looked at him in shock, "You are such an asshole-."
Oliver snickered, "Whatsa matter little bro? Upset cuz we're makin fun of your boyfriend?"
Daniel stood up, enraged, "Look Oli- just get the hell away from me- you hear? Go bother somebody else- but leave us alone."
"And what are you gonna do if I don't." His brother burst out laughing and threw his half empty coke bottle at Darren.
It shattered- Darren stood up startled, dripping with sticky pop and bleeding.
If Darren wasn't hurt Daniel would've beat his brother shitless- but he was too concerned about his love to seek revenge at the moment.
"Are you all right?" Daniel had jumped over the table to inspect Darren's wounds. "It's okay." Darren was near tears- boiling Daniel's anger even more.
"You're gonna pay for this you motherfucker!" He screamed, knocking his brother to the floor.
By now the whole lunchroom had gone silent. The bell rang for next class but no one moved.
"Fuck you Daniel Jones! Fuck you!" Oliver spat back at him.
"Enough of this!" The principal came running into the lunchroom after a student had gone and told her about the fight. "Oliver and Daniel Jones- my office- now!" Mrs. Karlin hurried to Darren who sat holding his bleeding hand.
The nurse came soon after- shooing the inquisitive kids back, "Nothing to see here- go on- get to your next class."
Darren was hurried away by the nurse, Daniel wanted to follow but was literally dragged by the collar by the principal to her office.
The two brothers sat down glaring at each other. Mrs. Karlin shut the door and looked the two over.
"Somebody want to tell me what the hell that was all about in there?"
Neither boy spoke up-
"Want to tell me why you were fighting again Daniel?"
"It's cuz he's in love with a faggot-."
"Shut the hell up you bastard." Daniel made ready to punch him by Mrs. Karlin intervened.
"Stop this! Both of you!" She glared at Oliver, "You had no right to hurt a fellow student like that- I believe proper punishment will be the correct course of action, for both of you."
Daniel groaned, no more detention- please.
"Oliver- I'm suspending you for five days- you will not be able to make up any homework or exams missed in that time period."
"All right- a week off from school! Sweet!" Oliver nodded his approval, Daniel rolled his eyes.
"I would not be so cheerful, Mr. Jones." She motioned for him to stand up, "I'm calling your parents to have you personally escorted off the premises."
Oliver groaned, "Oh God- they're gonna kill me-."
Daniel snickered as he watched his brother leave, serves him right.
Mrs. Karlin apparently wasn't done with Daniel, "Don't think you're getting off the hook either." She sat down facing him. "Daniel- this is the second fight you've gotten into this month- now this isn't like you- what's going on here?"
Daniel sighed, "I- I just can't stand to see my friend get hurt- that's all. He can't really stand up for himself- somebody has to."
Mrs. Karlin nodded, compassion on her face, "I understand your intentions, but there are alternatives to violence."
"Reasoning doesn't work with those idiots- they're just out to hurt him- make fun of him- I can't just sit and watch."
"Daniel- I know that a true bond of friendship is the hardest one to break- and the fact that you would stick up for your friend in his time of need is most honorable."
Daniel nodded, "So how many detentions am I getting this time?"
Mrs. Karlin smiled, "None."
"Huh?"
The principal shook her head, "I find no reason to punish you- you were just defending yourself and your friend- no action deems necessary."
Daniel grinned, "Thank you!"
Mrs. Karlin nodded, "Now go on- get to the nurse's office- go see how your friend is doing."
Daniel beamed and hurried out the door to check on his love.
Maybe the good guys didn't always lose after all.

~Chapter Fourteen~

Christmas was coming. And he was dreading it.
This year was going to be horrible- he just knew it.
Daniel had been at odds with his family for months since they forbade him to see Darren.
Not like that stopped him from constantly disobeying his parents.
Almost every night he would sneak out and go visit Darren-
His parents tried to punish him at first- but to no avail-
Meals were awkward- Daniel would barely say two words to his parents, nothing to Oliver- he was hardly even home to begin with-
Daniel just didn't give a damn what anyone thought anymore- if they were going to judge people for being themselves- then he was going to have nothing to do with them- family included.
When Christmas finally arrived Daniel decided to come clean.
He was sick of hiding it- lying- sneaking behind people's backs.
Though he hadn't told Darren about his plans- he knew his love would understand and not be angry with him.
So standing before almost his entire family that evening- presents scattered around the living room which was festively decorated with lights and what not- Daniel rose his hands to quiet down the meaningless chatter.
"Everyone- I have an announcement to make."
Talking ceased- Daniel suddenly felt very nervous as all eyes fell upon him.
"What's wrong Daniel?" Mrs. Jones looked up curiously from her teacup.
"I just have a few things to say- now that everyone's here- together."
"Good news I hope." His grandfather nodded approvingly at him.
Oh great.
Daniel sighed, "Look- I know you guys don't like the fact that Darren is my best friend.
I've just been so ticked off because you've been trying to keep me from seeing him- and that's wrong." He paced a bit, "Darren is a great guy- he's been nothing but a positive influence- helps me with my classes- Mum- you even said my grades are much better since me and Darren have been friends."
His mother couldn't disagree.
"Well-." Here came the big part, "Mum- dad, I know you all are set in your ways- and you think homosexuals should burn in hell- well- I'm just wondering what you would say if you found out one of your sons is in love with another man."
Daniel's mother dropped her cup- a few gasps ran around the room.
Mr. Jones stood, "What are you talking about Daniel?"
Another deep breath, Daniel looked him straight in the eye, "I'm in love with Darren father- I love him more then anything- he means the world to me- I've been dating him for nearly a year now-."
"What?!" Mr. Jones bellowed, flying off into a rage, "Aw no- this is just some kind of sick joke- none of my boys are queers- you see? It's all because we let him hang around that fucking faggot for too long- he's gotten my boy's head all messed up-."
"Father- stop it!" Daniel shouted back at him, "Stop calling him these names- I love him! You can't stop me from loving him either- you call him a faggot- well then you're calling me one as well!"
Nobody said anything- Daniel wanted to crawl into a hole and hide from the world.
Very slowly Mr. Jones raised a finger, pointing it right at his son's heart, "Get out."
"What?" Daniel was a little surprised.
"You heard me- get out." His voice was deadly cold and quiet.
"John, please." Mrs. Jones tried to pacify him.
"No arguments- get out of my house this instant!"
Daniel stood there with his mouth open, stunned- everyone else was too shocked to speak- even Oliver.
"Why are you standing in my living room. I said out!"
Daniel shook his head, "Fuck you- all of you! You are all a bunch of prejudice bastards!"
"Get out of my house now!!!" Mr. Jones screamed, turning red.
That was it- Daniel stalked out of the living room- grabbed his coat and left- not even bothering to close the door behind him.

~Chapter Fifteen~

Mr. Hayes was very surprised to see Daniel standing on their doorstep shivering and crying. "Daniel! Come in- come in."
"Jonesy!" Darren exclaimed, running in from the kitchen, "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
Daniel couldn't speak, he was too upset and angry.
"Here- sit by the fire- you'll catch a chill." Darren led him to the hearth and promptly wrapped a blanket around his shivering friend.
Darren's mother fixed him a cup of warm tea and eventually Daniel began to warm up.
He looked at all the worried expressions of his love's family, "I- I don't mean to be rude- but- c-could I please talk to Darren alone for a little while?"
"Oh sure- sure." Mrs. Hayes kissed his cheek, "Go right ahead."
They moved to the kitchen, leaving the two alone.
"Oh Danny- what's happened?" Darren kissed him after everyone had left.
"Dazza- oh Dazza- - my father's such a fucking asshole- I hate him- I hate all of them!" Fresh tears began to pour down his already haggard cheeks.
"Danny- shh- calm down- what's happened?"
Daniel set his tea aside and looked up at Darren, "I- I've been kicked out of the house."
"What?! Why? What happened?"
Daniel frowned and said very softly, "Because I told them."
He left it at that, Darren furrowed his brow, "Told them what?"
A pause. "That I love you."
Daniel said it so softly he wasn't sure he had been heard but Darren did indeed hear if for he sat back, stunned, "Y-you told them- about us?"
His companion nodded, "Dazza- I'm so sick of hiding this- I can't keep my feelings boxed up like this- I love you- more then anything else in this world- and if my family can't accept it- well- then they can just burn in hell for all I care."
Daniel wasn't sure what his love was thinking- for Darren just sat there chewing on his bottom lip as he was told the rest of the story.
More silence after he had finished.
Finally, Darren spoke, "T-this is all my fault-."
"No! Don't even begin to think that Dazza." Daniel shook his head forcefully, "It was my choice- I wanted to tell them- and I'm suffering the consequences from it."
Darren again was silent- then a tiny tear slid down his pale cheek and he dove into Daniel's arms, "Oh Danny- you're so wonderful- I love you more then anything- the fact that you would do something like this- stand up to your father- for me."
Daniel smiled for the first time all day, "I'd do anything for you love."
Darren looked up with shimmering eyes.
The moment was appropriate for a tender kiss- and give one to Darren, Daniel did- ´

When they broke apart Daniel smiled, "I think I'm warm enough now- because you're here."
Darren sighed happily and kissed his forehead.
"You can stay with us as long as you'd like. Mum and papa won't mind."
Daniel grinned, "I like your parents more than I do mine."
Darren nodded and looked towards the kitchen where his family was waiting.
"Come on- dinner should be ready- you can be our guest of honor."

* * * * *

Even though Darren's family was very poor, their Christmas feast barely much more then a small dinner, Daniel could not have been happier.
The fancy dinners and presents his family had were all meaningless- half his relatives were at odds with the other half- they just argued and tried to outdo each other in gift giving. Daniel always hated it- what a waste of Christmas.
But here- no one was at odds with each other- you were accepted for who you were- and when Darren and Daniel both made the announcement that they were in love- Darren's family could not have been happier.
This was his home, Daniel discovered that Christmas night while watching the younger children play with their new toys, the other relatives laughing and singing along with the old beat-up piano in the corner, three generations of mothers cooking in the kitchen, and seeing the humbly homemade ornaments on the small fir tree.
This was what Christmas was supposed to be about, this was what love was supposed to be-