It was just going to be a simple Spanish fabada bean and chorizo soup from his grandmother’s favorite recipe. Jake hoped for a nice meal and a better time with his widower father. His dad didn’t seem homophobic, but he just didn’t get that Jake was gay. A quiet dinner might clear the air.<br><br>But the trip to the supermarket was a disaster involving a bear and some sausage. Then his dad showed up accompanied by a health aide who isn’t quite what she seems. And the bear shows up, too.<br><br> Stress and rum piles up. Will Jake’s father get a new grandson? Does Jake have a bear in the kitchen and in the bedroom, too? Is this meal one big happy family gathering, or an even bigger disaster?

For Better or For Worse

The house wasn’t exactly quiet, but it was subdued. I could hear voices. A cat on my chest purred. The boy was standing by my side, petting Felicia.


“I’ve been hoping you’d wake up,” he said. He had the brightest blue eyes, and his blond hair fell over his forehead.


I patted the side of the bed, and he sat gently.


“Are you all right?” he asked. “The old man wouldn’t let me help clean up in the kitchen, but I straightened up the living room. I hope it’s okay that he put all my things in the bedroom over there.” He nodded at my spare room. “It’s nicer than what I had at home. You…do…uh, know I’m gay, right? Is that okay?”


I nodded. “Do you know that I am, too?”


Chapter 7