A New Day
Chapter 31
The three of them settled themselves in AJ's lounge, AJ and Howie on the sofa, and Denise in one of the comfy chairs.
Denise smiled as she saw Howie automatically wrap his arm around AJ, and AJ snuggle against him in return.
"Mom?" AJ asked softly.
"Yes Honey?"
"Are you� are you really okay with this?" AJ asked almost fearfully, but needing to know the answer all the same.
"Oh baby, of course I am okay with it!" Denise exclaimed. "I think it's wonderful." She added.
"Really?" Howie asked softly.
"Yes, really Howie. You two have something special, and now that you've found it, you'd better hang on to it with everything you've got. Not everybody gets to find the one they love you know."
"But, what about everybody else? Not everybody is s open to people like us." Howie's voice was small, betraying the fear he felt.
"Maybe not, but not everybody has to know. Not unless you decide to tell them."
"Howie, what's wrong?" AJ asked him softly, "Who are you worried about so much?"
"No one, it's nothing, I'm just being silly." Howie replied.
Denise and AJ both frowned, knowing he was lying. Denise looked at the young man, studying his face. Suddenly she knew what was bothering him.
"You know your family will be okay with this too Howie." She told him. "They won't stop loving you just because you are in love with my son."
AJ felt the shock ripple through Howie, and knew that his mom had hit the nail on the head.
"Besides," he added gently, "we don't have to tell them yet, not until you are ready. Mom won't say anything, will you Ma."
Denise shook her head. "Of course not. That is something you have to do yourself, I would never break your confidence that way. But you should tell them sooner, rather than later. I know your family Howie, they will be happy for you, just like I am."
"Do you think so?" Howie asked.
"I know so." Denise replied. "They will probably be a little shocked, just like I was, but as long as you are happy, they will be happy for you, okay?"
Howie hesitated a moment before nodding.
"Good. Now then, I came over here to make sure you were alright." She told AJ. "But it seems that Howie is taking good care of you, so I will leave you two to it." With that she stood up. AJ stood up as well, so he could see his mother out.
"I'll let Brian know you are okay, so he stops worrying."
AJ's face darkened slightly at the mention of Brian's name. Denise cupped his cheek in her hand.
"I don't know what he said to you Alex, but he didn't mean it. He's really beating himself up about it, thinking he's hurt you."
"He did." AJ replied, his voice tight.
"I know, I can see it in your eyes. But don't be too hard on him. I'm sure he was only doing what he thought was best."
AJ wanted to argue with that, tell her he wasn't trying to help, but deep down he knew she was right. Brian was wrong in thinking he had fallen off the wagon, but he wasn't trying to hurt him, only protect him from himself.
He knew how difficult it was for the guys to trust him again after all he had put them through, and it was inevitable that occasionally, they would see something that wasn't there, or read something into his behaviour that was wrong. He had to give them time, and try his hardest to regain their trust.
So instead of arguing, AJ nodded. Denise smiled and patted him on the cheek, before letting he son see her to the front door.