Calvin finished his run and returned to his apartment. He ordered food and, while eating, he received a message from Frank, requesting to talk after work. He locked his phone screen, turning it face down, focusing on his meal.
The thought of talking to Frank still didn't please him, especially because he knew Frank knew his address. Afraid that Frank might show up at his apartment, Calvin decided to leave, opting to spend a few days elsewhere.
After lunch, Calvin packed a backpack, grabbed his motorcycle, and headed to his mother's house. After his father's death, she no longer wanted to stay in the apartment they lived in, opting to return to the town where Calvin grew up.
Calvin chose to study in Chicago, following in his father's footsteps, while his mother insisted on staying in their hometown. Despite this choice, he was a few hours away and planned to be with her for dinner.
On the other hand, Dereck decided to spend the rest of the day at home and took the opportunity to talk to his lawyer about the matter he was involved in. The lawyer's advice only reinforced the decision that Dereck had already made. He would have to somehow prove that George's accusation was false, a challenging task considering that no one could confirm that the male nurse had hit on him, and not the other way around.
After resolving this issue, Dereck chose to read a book, watch movies, and dedicate himself to activities typical of someone who enjoys solitude in their spare time. He decided not to go out, especially after the previous night's experience, which only confirmed that he was not a social person.
Dereck had no one else, unlike Calvin, who still had his mother's presence. It was to her that Calvin turned that day. He arrived a few hours later at his mother's house, who did not hide her surprise and happiness to see her son there.
"What a surprise! Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" she asked, hugging her son, who needed to bend down a little.
"If I had told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore," Calvin replied, pointing to his mother's nose with a smile.
"It was a wonderful surprise. It's been a while since you've come to see me. You arrived a little late this time, you're going to sleep here, aren't you? You know I don't like you driving at night."
"I'm going to sleep here. I'm off, so I took the opportunity to see you and get out of busy Chicago for a while," explained Calvin, as he settled in.
"Don't remind me. I prefer the tranquility of our city, even though it's not that small, it's still better than that place."
Calvin didn't argue, for he understood what made his mother dislike Chicago. She always said that if his father hadn't insisted on going there, maybe he would still be alive and working on what he loved.
"I'm going to take this opportunity that you're here and that my son has these huge arms to help me with the groceries. I haven't done any shopping this week yet, and the things you like are missing here at home."
Calvin's mother pulled him up, grabbed her shopping bag, and they left the house. She still had her father's old car, which she insisted on not trading in. Calvin drove through the streets he knew well until they reached the market. People looked at Calvin with a certain look of curiosity and admiration. Some who knew him came up to talk to him and his mother, sometimes making him uncomfortable with so many eyes on him.
"Mom, those who don't know me might think I'm a celebrity, with so many people calling out to talk to me."
"What am I supposed to do if you're handsome and attract attention?" she shrugged, and he smiled, following his mother again.
They finished their shopping, and the cashier smiled at him with a flirtatious look, making his mother's tongue itch to say a few things. When they got to the car and as he was putting the groceries in the trunk, he provoked her.
"I could already see you telling her to keep her eyes to herself, that you already have a son-in-law, like you always do when you don't like someone."
"I was. Even though it's not true, I still like the expression they make. Speaking of sons-in-law, when will I have the pleasure or displeasure of meeting one?" she asked, noticing that her son's expression had changed.
"When I have a boyfriend, then I'll bring someone to meet you." Calvin replied, as he put away the shopping cart.
She knew something was going on with her son and chose not to bring it up again, at least until they got home, because she realized that this was something that should be dealt with calmly and in a more peaceful environment. As soon as Calvin put the groceries away, she took his hand, led him to the sofa, and sat down facing him.
"The groceries are already put away. Now I want you to tell me exactly what happened. I know something is bothering you and making you sad, so tell me. I'm listening. Don't start with 'nothing is going on.' I'm your mother and I know something's wrong."
Calvin looked at his mother and gave a slight smile, knowing it wouldn't be easy to hide things from her.
"Something happened at the barracks, and I'm worried and sad to think that maybe I have to leave that place."
Calvin's mother realized that it was not something so simple and asked him to continue telling her. She wanted to understand what was going on. Calvin recounted how Frank had flirted with him for some time, talked about his expectations and how the disappointment came, and about the aggression against Frank.
His mother listened to everything carefully and thought about what advice to give her son.
"Did you talk to him? Did you give him a chance to explain himself? What reason did he give for acting that way?"
"I didn't let him talk, I don't think there's much to explain."
"You should learn to listen to the person's reasons, even if that won't change anything. He may be afraid to come out because of his family." His mother tried to find an explanation.
"I know what it's like to be afraid to tell and disappoint those we love. That's how I felt before I told you. Being your only child, I was afraid you would be disappointed, but that's no reason for him to do what he did. If he had told me, we could have snuck out. No one from the barracks needed to know, just as I tried to keep them from knowing about me, but to no avail. Everyone knows."
She understood her son's side too, knew he was hurt. Even though his appearance showed otherwise, she knew her son was sensitive, had a good heart, and always expected the best from people. As a mother, she needed to think about what would be best for her son.
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