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While he’d been there, Vic had taken his phone and put her number in, saying he was Hayden’s boyfriend and he needed to be able to call them if anything happened to him. He didn’t feel comfortable calling Vic, but then he found Dianne’s number.
He hesitated, his finger hovering on the call button. It wasn’t late, not quite seven. The ice cream shop would be closed. Before he could think any more about it, he hit call.
Dianne answered on the second ring.
“Hi, Ashok. How are you?” Dianne’s voice was quiet, sympathetic even.
“You know why I’m calling.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
“I do. I guess he’s told you about what happened. Let me just go to another room. I don’t need Vic hearing this.” He could hear movement in the background and the closing of a door. “That’s better. I can talk more freely now. I’m glad you called, though.”
“Has he really changed?” Ashok asked. “Is he a different person now from who he was before?”
“He was in a bad place before. He was young, confused, stupid. Aren’t all boys at that age? Especially one who thinks he’s one thing but is, in fact, something else. Something he abhorred. I’m not making excuses for him in any way, but he’s really not that person anymore. What do you think?”
“I think he has changed, but I’m not sure I can forgive him.” He paused, wondering if he should tell her, knowing he must. “Something similar happened to me two years ago. Someone thought I was easy prey and almost beat the living shit out of me. How do I know Hayden is any different?”
“Because you see how he is now. He talked about you while you were here. He knows what he did was wrong, but he was willing to go out on a limb for you. He mentioned your bruises when you arrived and said he would have happily done to them what they did to you. He knows you have secrets of your own, Ashok, but he was brave enough to tell you his.”
“Why, though, when he knew it could ruin everything?”
“Because he cares for you. We discussed it, and we both decided it was for the best. He was willing to take the risk, knowing that it might cause you to leave him. I know it’s a lot to take in, Ashok, but know he did this from a place of honesty.”
“He took me out today to an exhibition I’ve wanted to see for ages, packed all my favourite foods and never once complained when I walked around and around. He cooks for me, brings me things from work he thinks I might like to eat.”
“Is that not answer enough? Would a bully do that for you? Does he try to control you, Ashok? Suggest you should do things you don’t want to?”
These were all good questions, and the more he thought about it, the more he realised Hayden wouldn’t do that if he didn’t care. That maybe his confession was in both their best interests, as difficult as it had been to hear.
“He’s been nothing but kind to me since I arrived. He took me in, gave me a room in his house when he could have sent me elsewhere.” Ashok laughed dryly. “He’s only recently agreed to let me pay him for the room.”
“I think you have your answer, Ashok. I know he’s my son, but if I thought for one moment he was out to hurt you, I’d tell you in a heartbeat. I don’t want to see another person hurt at the hands of my son. It almost broke us as a family, but we got through it. We forgave him. I think you should give him a chance.”
“Thank you, Dianne, for talking to me. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you to do that. I had no one else to call.”
“Why do you think I spoke to you? I knew at some point he would tell you and you’d have questions. He’s my son, but he’s not perfect. I’m presuming you’re not talking right now. Knowing Hayden, he’s lying on his bed, seriously considering his life choices, but I really do think you’ll both get through this. Hayden likes to help and will vehemently protect what he thinks he needs to. Right now, I think that’s you.”
“OK. I’ll think it over. Bye, Dianne.”
“Bye, Ashok, and sleep well. Call me again if you need anything else.”
After finishing the call, he lay back on the bed, thinking over the conversation he’d just had. Things were a little clearer now, but he needed to talk to Hayden. Just not now.
***
The following morning, he went downstairs to find Hayden in the kitchen. His hair was a mess, and he looked as if he hadn’t slept all night. If he was anything like Ashok, he hadn’t, their previous conversation running on a continuous loop. He’d decided to stay and give him another chance, although it was going to take a lot to renew his trust.
“Can I get you some tea? The kettle just boiled.” Hayden looked nervous, as if Ashok was going to jump down his throat.
“Green, please.” The civility was going to kill them both at this rate. “Are you not going to work?” It was already nine, and Hayden had usually left the house by now.
“I’m not going in. I called in sick.”
“What’s wrong?” From what he’d said, he’d hardly taken a sick day since opening the coffee shop.
“Honestly? I feel sick to my stomach. I was up all night, worrying. Thinking I should have kept my mouth shut, but I just couldn’t, Ashok. It was unfair not to tell you. I’m a changed man, and I believe in truth and honesty, no matter the consequences.”
“I didn’t sleep much either. What you told me yesterday was hard for me to hear. I tossed and turned all night too, if it’s any consolation, but I appreciate you telling me. It couldn’t have been easy for you. I’m not sure what to do with the information yet, whether or not we can carry on what we had between us. It changes things for me, Hayden. I’m just not sure how much yet.”
