Episode 18

Calvin woke up and stayed in bed for a while longer; it seemed like the more he thought, the more indecisive he became. He decided to get up, showered, and went to the kitchen, passing by Hector, who was still sprawled out on the couch, only wearing his underwear.

"This is what happens when you say 'make yourself at home'; they abuse it."

The complaint wasn't heard by the other, who slept peacefully and only started to wake up when he heard the noises in the kitchen, of dishes being placed on the counter. Hector woke up and looked towards the kitchen, seeing Calvin moving around, still shirtless and wearing sweatpants.

"Do you have to make so much noise?" he asked, grabbing his cell phone afterward.

"You're lucky I didn't kick you off my couch. Still complaining about the noise?" Calvin replied, leaning on the counter.

"What's for breakfast?" Hector asked and started to put on his pants.

"Do you think my house is a hotel, dude? If you want to be treated well, pay for the daily rate," he replied and gave a slight smile.

"We don't charge that kind of thing to our best friends, where's your consideration?" He said, approaching the counter.

Calvin placed the plate he had already prepared for him on the counter, watching his friend's smile emerge.

"I knew you wouldn't forget about me." He smiled and grabbed his plate, heading for the couch.

"You can come back here, the place to eat is here and not on my couch."

Hector had to go back and sit on the stool that was at the counter. Calvin was very organized with his things and didn't like them eating on the couch, running the risk of spilling something on it. The two started to eat, but Hector couldn't keep quiet.

"What are you going to do on your extended leave?" he asked, seeing Calvin become pensive.

After a few seconds, still pondering what he would do, he replied.

"Do my exercises as always, try to relax, and think about what I'm going to do and what decision I'm going to make about this situation. Maybe I'll go for a run in the park," he replied, continuing to eat.

"What decision are you talking about?" he asked with a more serious expression.

"I don't know how it's going to be from now on at the station. You heard the jokes, not to mention that everyone might feel uncomfortable with me while showering. Hector, that was one of the reasons I avoided talking about my sexuality, the fact that it makes people uncomfortable and, at the same time, makes me embarrassed."

"Are you afraid that they will start discriminating against you or making fun of you?"

"Hector, I know myself, and honestly, I don't know how I'm going to react when they start with the jokes. I'm a calm person despite everything, but when it comes to homophobia and discrimination, it throws me off."

"So what's going through your head?" Hector wanted to know more.

"It will depend on how things go from now on. I'm not going to lie, Hector, I'd rather quit than get kicked out of the station. I'm not going to tarnish my father's name."

"Quit? But wasn't being at that station your dream?" he asked, stopping eating.

"What do you think will happen if I lose my temper and hit someone in there? Frank didn't press charges, but that doesn't mean someone else won't do the same, besides it being a repeat offense. I can't take that risk."

"Are you thinking about it because of prejudice or because of Frank?" He had his suspicions.

"I'm not going to deny that seeing him every day isn't going to help. Look, it's going to be a mix of the feelings I was starting to have for him, with the anger I also feel, both towards him and myself, for believing in him."

"That station won't be the same if you leave. There are people there eyeing your position. If you give up, you'll only leave the way clear for them. On the other hand, I also understand what you mean, I don't know how you feel when you see Frank or when you hear the jokes. I can be on your side, but only you can know the pain this causes," he said, showing his support.

"Exactly, and if I leave there in any other way, it's going to hurt even more. If I have to leave, it will be with my head held high, knowing that I didn't do anything wrong and didn't dishonor my father's memory."

"Whatever your decision, I'll support you. If you leave, I can go see you at the station you're at or I can request a transfer." Hector showed his support and smiled afterward.

The subject ended there, and they talked about other things until they finished eating. Calvin got dressed, and they went to the parking lot where the motorcycles were. From there, Hector went to the station, as he wanted to work out before starting his shift, and Calvin went to a gym he used to go to.

As soon as he arrived, Hector greeted everyone and went to the weight area, starting his workout. Shortly after, Frank appeared, and Hector realized he wanted to talk to him. He took off his headphones and waited for him to speak.

"How's Calvin doing?" he asked, a little awkwardly.

"Good morning, Frank, how are you?" he replied ironically. "Calvin is doing well, why do you ask?"

"Is he still mad at me?"

Hector gave an incredulous smile.

"Are you really asking me that? Man, you played with his feelings, did you want him to forget about it overnight? Why don't you cut to the chase and just ask what you want to know?" Hector was direct, imagining what he was wanting to ask.

"The person who was with Calvin, is that really someone he's dating? Are they seeing each other, or have they known each other for a long time?"

Hector was incredulous at what he was hearing. He never imagined that Frank would be so shameless as to question who his friend was dating, being that he was engaged, and he was the one who screwed up. Thinking about it made Hector want to continue with the story he told at the club, and that's exactly what he was going to do.

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