Tolerance and Tears

The winter snows melted into spring again. Darren and Daniel had been dating for almost a year now and the two were more in love with each other than ever before.
As for Daniel's family, he'd nearly broken all ties with them. After New Year's he came back to fetch his personal belongings- leaving whatever he didn't care about behind for Oliver to sell.
His mother would call every so often- just to check up on him- but other than that- Daniel had nothing to do with them.
Darren's family lovingly "adopted" him and though his life was quite different from the wealthier environment he had grown up in, Daniel could not have been happier.
He was surrounded by people who loved him and accepted him for whom he was.
But most importantly, he could be with Darren.
Daniel had moved into his love's room without complaint- though his parents were a bit weary about the two sharing the same bed- they didn't seem to mind as long as they kept it down in the middle of the night.
Daniel didn't even mind doing a few chores around the farm. He made peace with their cow and she eventually let him milk her without giving him a black eye in the process.
His extra income at the store helped his love's family a lot- it was the least he could do to repay them for their kindness.
Life was good- at least at home.
School was another story.
Walking to class was a nightmare- Oliver had spilled the beans about his brother-
the taunts and name-calling worsened significantly-
Though Darren took almost all the physical abuse- Daniel had his share of verbal and it was grating on him.
The teachers did nothing- most of them were just as prejudiced as anyone else-
Except for Mrs. Karlin who punished kids as much as she could- life was still rough-
and the two were miserable.
School wasn't the only place that was awful-
Being such a small town, word spread around Summerdale quickly- by the middle of January everyone knew about "those two faggot boys living at the edge of town".
When Daniel would walk to work everyday, total strangers would glare at him, call him names, anything to be rude-
Everyone in town was congratulating Daniel's parents for kicking their son out of the house- and condemning Darren's for taking him in.
At least Daniel didn't lose his job- and he worked twice as hard to make sure that he could keep it.
By the end of the year Daniel was so fed up with school he announced that he was dropping out.
Darren was even toying with the idea himself- though he only had one more year left- he couldn't bear the thought of surviving another nine months in that place-

The kids were worse enough as it was- if Daniel wasn't there to place a few deserved shiners on those big bullies- Darren didn't know what he would do.
College had always been out of the question for Darren anyway- his family couldn't even dream of affording that-
Daniel on the other hand, had once wanted to go to a university- maybe study medicine- or law- something that would make him lots of money-
But ever since his life had taken such a sharp turn- his priorities had changed significantly-
Making money had plummeted to the bottom-
Making music was slowly rising to the top-
And when summer arrived again, he decided to run his ideas by Darren.
It was a blistering hot day in June- Darren was pulling weeds as Daniel spouted forth his dreams.
Darren listened patiently, but he had a frown on his face.
"How will ever get enough money to move to the City?"
Daniel hadn't thought about that, "Well- we can play our music here- get some gigs- save up our pennies and move."
That only made Darren's frown deepen, "Do you actually think anyone would listen to us?"
Daniel sighed, "There has to be someone in this town who isn't prejudiced or judging."
Darren merely shrugged- but Daniel didn't want to leave it at that.
Late at night he would sit by the open window, softly strumming his beloved guitar, humming melodies-
He knew Darren would watch him- probably thinking he was crazy-
But on the contrary- one day in the middle of summer Daniel was presented with a torn-up notebook- the blue cover ripped-
"What's this?"
Darren smiled, "Open it and see."
Daniel thumbed through the pages, "Th-these are lyrics."
Darren nodded, "Do you like them?"
His companion nodded, "Dazza- these are great- did you write these?"
Darren nodded excitedly, "I can't help hearing them when you play at night."
Both of them set to work and wrote a few songs together by mid July.
Things were looking up for the two- they were even toying with the idea of playing their music at the local bar downtown.
But their dreams were abruptly shattered when a small tornado ripped through Summerdale.
Seven people were killed, many homes destroyed-
Daniel had wished his parent's house was blown away to the next county- but unfortunately- there was no damage whatsoever-
His love's property wasn't so lucky.
The storm ripped the doors off of the barn, killed a few chickens- almost ripped the roof off of the house, but not before it destroyed nearly all of the crops they had been growing.
Farming was Darren's family's only source of income- they were already poor enough- this led them nearly to bankruptcy-
Daniel worked overtime to help compensate- but it wasn't enough- Darren's parents could not support their children anymore-
Though they were always welcome back with open arms- Darren and his siblings had to move out-
Both Darren and Daniel were scared- they weren't even eighteen years old yet and here they were financially independent and desperately in need of a place to live.
Of course the whole town knew about it- but they were too absorbed in their own damages and loses to bother with other people's problems.
None of Daniel's family stepped into help- Daniel had a pretty good idea that his father had something to do with that-
They tried to get an apartment- it would be cheap and they could save enough money to get out of town into the city-
But no one would take them in- the neighbors all threatened to move if they had to live next to "them faggots".
So Darren and Daniel were forced to move into a very old house where barely anything worked.
It was in the part of town where everyone kept to themselves- even more so now that Darren and Daniel had moved in.
The house was incredibly small, a tiny kitchen, one bedroom and a living room.
At least they didn't have an outhouse like some of the houses around them- indoor plumbing was always a plus.
It was starting to get cold by the time Darren and Daniel had settled into their new home- the radiator broke the second night- prompting them to stock up on firewood.
They bought old rugs, the cheapest they could find, and covered the bare concrete floors-
Daniel scrounged around in alleys and managed to find a beat-up old chair and some dusty curtains. Darren's parents were generous enough to give their son some silverware and plates- They had to sell his bed frame- but they let him keep his mattress and blankets-
There weren't many lights- so they used several candles- Daniel was more afraid of the house catching on fire from the old wiring than from a candle tipping over.
The water was always cold- which made for horrible showers in the morning-
The stove was even worse- it rarely worked so they were usually stuck cooking their small meals over the fireplace- the only source of heat.
Even though nothing matched- they didn't care- they had found a place to live- and were happy together-
Still- life was rough. Daniel was working double shifts at the market- Darren worked endlessly at the bar- nobody cared who he was there- people's only purpose was to drink their own troubles away.
It was very stressful- trying to make ends meet- dealing with snippy customers and praying that they wouldn't lose their jobs.
But at the end of the day- the two lovers would come back from work- exhausted- but grateful they still had each other-
They moved the mattress into the living room where the fire was after the first snowfall- it was just too cold any where else in the house-
They held each other close on those freezing cold nights- sometimes forced to burn old scrapbooks or mementos just to keep warm.
Their dreams would have to be put on hold- every time they would think they were getting somewhere- some huge expense would come up-
Something would break, somebody would get sick, and it would set them even further back from moving to the city.
Maybe someday though- it would all turn out for the better.
Love can survive anything- and Darren and Daniel were most certainly passing this test and as Daniel lay on that old mattress- holding tightly onto his shivering companion- he thought back to his old life in Addison-
He had given up everything he had for love- and didn't regret a single moment that had brought him here.
Here he was free- here, he was with the only person he really cared about- the old concrete walls didn't laugh at them- tease them or hurt them-
That was what the city would be like- no one would care who you were- you were free to live as you pleased.
And that cold wintery night- Daniel Jones made a promise to himself, and to Darren. They would get out of Summerdale and move to the city- no matter what it took.
The snow gathered around the windowpane- the wind whistled in the trees-
Huddled together, Darren and Daniel fell asleep in each other's arms that night, the fire quietly burning beside them.

Five Years Later . . .

"Darren!"
Silence.
"Dazza!"
Silence.
"Darren! Where are you mate?!"
"I'm in here Jonesy."
Daniel wandered into the bedroom to see Darren hanging up some brand new curtains. "Wow- those look nice."
"Don't they." Darren smiled and stood back to admire his handiwork.
"Not as nice as you of course."
Darren giggled as Daniel came behind him and set feathery kisses along his neck before settling on his lips.
When they broke for air Daniel held up a small paper bag.
"What's in there?" Darren reached for it but Daniel snatched it out of reach. "You'll see."
"Jonesy!" Darren pushed his bottom lip out- Daniel laughed-
"Oh fine." He sat down onto the mattress and pulled out a package of meat.
"Daniel! We can't afford that- that's so expensive!"
Daniel hushed him, "I got it for free at the market- no worries."
Darren put his hands on his hips, "You didn't steal it did you?"
"Of course not!" Daniel rolled his eyes, "Manager was handing them out, wife just had a new baby."
Darren gave him a strange look, "Don't new father's hand out cigars?"
Daniel shrugged, "Food's just as great."
Darren sat back and smiled, "Well- I'm going to cook you a feast tonight then Mister." He kissed his cheek, "Hopefully the oven will work today."
Daniel shrugged, "If it doesn't I'll just kick it until it does."
Darren took the meat, shaking his head, "That's why it hardly works."
He proceeded to the kitchen- Daniel crumpling up the paper bag and tossing it at Darren's ass.
Soon a rich aroma of meat floated around the tiny house-
Daniel set the table- poured water into their glasses, lighting two candles as well. Something was missing- Daniel glanced out the window and got an idea. While Darren was still in the kitchen he hurried outside and picked a few flowers from the neighbors' yard, put them in water and set them next to the candles.
He turned off the lights and waited for Darren to come in with their dinner.
"Oh Jonesy- this is so romantic." Darren smiled above the plate of meat as he set it down in the middle of the table.
He touched one of the yellow flowers sitting in a cup, "Where'd you get these?" Daniel shrugged and Darren shook his head, "These are the Ashtons' flowers aren't they?"
"Well- they've got so many- they won't miss a few of them."
Darren laughed and set a kiss on his partner's lips, "Let's eat."
Darren served Daniel the meat and potatoes- handing him one of the two rolls of bread they had.
"Wow- you went all out Dazza." Daniel had forgotten what it was like to have more then one type of food for a meal.
Darren nodded, "I even made dessert- chocolate pudding."
Daniel grinned cheekily, "My favorite."
The two ate in silence- relishing the fact that they were actually getting a decent meal and it wasn't even Christmas.
After dinner Daniel helped Darren cleaned up- then they ventured out onto the back porch- sitting down onto the rickety old swinging chair that hung from two rusted chains. "Such a beautiful night." Darren nestled against Daniel who put his arm around his love's shoulder.
They looked out at the never-ending fields- the sun setting behind those huge oak trees that littered Summerdale everywhere.
"It's so peaceful here." Darren whispered, closing his eyes-
The birds were chirping in the distance- one could hear children playing somewhere nearby and the occasional dog bark at something unseen-
A light summer's breeze carrying the scent lilacs and other perfumes tickled their faces.
A single star shone high above the pink and purple clouds.
"Wish upon a star love." Darren's companion whispered, setting a gentle kiss on his forehead.
Daniel leaned back, and smiled.

The temperature dropped even lower as night fell.
The fire was nearly out-
"I'll have to burn some books Dazza." Daniel said.
Darren only nodded, huddled in a tiny ball-
Daniel threw some of his old high school books from English class onto the dying embers.
"And good riddance." Daniel nodded his approval as the flames licked the edges of the paper- turning them black.
"There ya go baby." He took his small companion into his arms, getting him as close to the fire as he could- rocking him back and forth-
A few hours later Daniel tried to get Darren to eat- but he barely ate anything-
Daniel looked down at the bowl of soup and sighed.
Darren coughed hoarsely, "Jonesy- I'm cold."
"I know baby- I know." Daniel kissed his burning forehead, "As soon as the store opens up, I'll get someone over here to the fix the radiator."
Daniel lifted a cup of warm water up to his companions cracked lips, begging him to drink.
When Darren was finally down and asleep, Daniel paced the room.
Not like there was many good sides to being dirt poor- but this was probably the biggest downside there was.
They didn't even have a phone to call anyone for more medicine- not like they had anything to pay them back with-
All their money had gone into Daniel's stitches when he slit his thumb carving that blasted jack-o'-lantern.
Daniel didn't know what to do- no one in town would help them-
They were still those "stupid queers on Pine Street".
The town hadn't changed- no one had-
Daniel paced some more- his footsteps echoing on the bare patches of concrete.

* * * * *

The next day was even colder.
Daniel was cursing up a blue streak. Darren was crying- he was so sick- his companion held him tightly for hours while trying to find anything to keep the fire alive-
Finally- after the sun had set and Darren had thrown up for the umpteenth time- Daniel knew he had to get his love to the hospital.
They'd worry about money matters later.
Setting his companion down onto the mattress Daniel wrapped all of the blankets they had around his love's shivering form.
"I'll be right back baby- I'm going to get some help." Daniel bundled up, tying a tattered scarf around his neck- He hurried outside, not expecting it to be that bloody cold out.
"Holy shit." He mumbled as he ran from his yard to the neighbor's house.
Miraculously, Daniel didn't slip on the icy steps as he reached the wooden door- pounding on it loudly. "Mrs. Ashton! Mrs. Ashton!!"
The door soon opened to reveal a petite woman in her sixties bundled up in a shawl and blankets, "Mr. Jones- what are you doing here?"
She ushered him inside and hurriedly shut the door from the frigid cold.
Daniel undid his scarf as Mr. Ashton came in from the kitchen.
"Please." He patted the snow that had blown into his face off of his gloves, "I need your help- my partner- he's so sick- I've got to get him to the hospital- can we please use your car?"
Mr. and Mrs. Ashton exchanged glances.
They were the only ones who ever even said a word to the pair in the whole neighborhood. Daniel knew they didn't approve of their relationship- but at least they treated them nicer then anyone else.
Mr. Ashton nodded, grabbing his coat, "I'll back the truck out- you get your friend and I'll meet you in front of your house."
"Oh God- thank you so much-." Daniel was nearly in tears.
Mr. Ashton took off while his wife gathered a few spare blankets and handed them to Daniel, "You'll need them." Daniel smiled, "Thank you- so much- you have no idea-."
She waved him off, "Go on- my husband'll be waitin' for ya."
Daniel thanked her once again before heading out the door back to his love.
"I'm back baby." Daniel slammed the door shut and dropped the blankets next to Darren. He wrapped several more blankets around him as his companion weakly asked what he was doing.
"We're going to the hospital love- you're gonna be okay."
"Oh no-." Darren protested, "W-we can't afford it."
"I don't give a hoot in hell about the money right now- I just want you well." Daniel lifted his small friend up and hurried outside- not even locking the doors-
Nothing to take, he thought sourly as Mr. Ashton waved him to the passenger side of the truck.
"I can't thank you enough for your kindness." Daniel said as Mr. Ashton slowly made his way down the icy roads. It was clear to Daniel that Mr. Ashton was very uncomfortable-
Daniel was holding Darren in his arms- whispering things to him- kissing him- telling him he loved him- anything to keep his friend calm-
Mr. Ashton would glance every now and then, a faint look of disapproval crossing his hardened features. Still- Daniel was touched-
He hadn't expected anyone in Summerdale to ever help them out- let alone drive them all the way to the hospital in Appleton with negative temperatures.
When they arrived a half an hour later Daniel turned to thank Mr. Ashton again.
"Think nothing of it- just." He nodded, "Don't tell nobody bout this- ya hear?"
Daniel nodded, that normally would've stung a bit- but he was so grateful it didn't matter.
"I won't- promise." He crawled out of the passenger side and rushed Darren into the Emergency Room- the freezing cold following him in through the double doors.

But that smile faded when she rung up the price.
He dug deep into his pockets, bringing up a wad of rolled up ten dollar bills- nearly all their savings- and laid them out before her-
"I-I don't seem to have enough here." He stammered, frowning deeply. "Do you have insurance sir?"
Daniel shook his head somberly, "I- is there anything cheaper?"
She sighed, obviously irritated, motioning for someone else to come to the register. A brief explanation- the two discussed the issue for a bit- finally the pharmacist turned back to Daniel, "We'll put the rest on the hospital bill, you can pay it off later."
Daniel smiled, relieved once again, "Thank you so much." He pushed the crumpled bills toward her and received the medicine in return.

* * * * *

By the time Daniel returned to the Emergency Room, Darren was about ready to be released.
He had fallen asleep, Daniel lovingly carried him out to the Mr. Ashton's truck.
The ride back was one in silence once again. Daniel felt bad, it was almost three o'clock in the morning- None of them had gotten much sleep-
"I-I'm sorry for this being so late- it's just-."
"Don't fret about it." Mr. Ashton shook his head, "I'd be just as worried as if it were my wife. I may not understand why you queers do what ya do, but any human bein's entitled to be treated like any other human bein' is." He shrugged, "I ain't got nothing against ya- haven't done me no wrongs."
Daniel regarded him in shock, but he didn't say anything, only nodded.
When they finally arrived back to their house, Daniel thanked him once again, then brought Darren into the house. It was freezing cold, the fire had died long ago.
Daniel cursed as he laid Darren down who was now shivering. He scrounged around and found some more books to burn-

~Chapter Twenty~

The day the bill came, Darren was just beginning to feel better again.
But the many digits that stared back up at him from the white piece of paper made him feel sick to his stomach.
"How are we ever going to afford this Danny?" Darren looked up at his partner who sighed deeply.
"I-I didn't think it was going to be so high- it wasn't like you spent the night there or anything." He frowned, "We're going to have to sell some things Dazza."
Darren nodded somberly, fingering a small band on his left finger that Daniel had given him on their third anniversary.
Daniel looked around their tiny house, "We could pawn off some stuff- like the new curtains we got."
Darren nodded, "I've got some old baseball cards that might be worth something." He sighed deeply and took off his ring.
"No no Dazza- don't even think it. We'll find something else to sell- that means too much to both of us- besides- we wouldn't get much for it anyway."
Darren frowned, "But what else do we have to sell- we don't have anything of real value."
Then both of their eyes fell upon the fireplace.
Daniel's guitar leaned up next to it.
They both looked at each other, Darren spoke first, "Danny- that means the world to you."
Daniel walked over and gently brushed his fingers against it, "I could pawn it off, and get enough to pay the bill."
"But Jonesy, th-that's how we're going to get to the city- remember? How will we write music? Play our songs, without your guitar?"
Daniel looked up at his companion and sighed, "I don't know what else to do Darren. We can't work anymore than we already are-." Somberly he looked down at his beloved instrument, "I'm going to have to sell it."
Darren came up from behind him, wrapping his thin arms around Daniel's waist, "I'm so sorry love."
Daniel turned to face him, putting on a brave face, "It'll be all right baby- I'm just so glad you're well again. No point in having this," he waved a hand at the guitar, "if you're not here to listen to me."
Darren smiled and kissed him tenderly.

* * * * *

The next day Daniel somberly took his beloved instrument downtown- pawning it off and making enough money to pay the bill.
As he trudged away from the pawnshop, depressed and angry that his dreams had just been destroyed, he began to make plans.
He'd save a little each month, and maybe someday- he could buy that guitar back. If fate would let him . . .