Disowned
by Victor Thomas
Chapter 30
Kenny
I lay in my bed. It was Saturday morning, and I couldn't remember when I had slept in this long. Normally, mom would have called me to eat breakfast and do some house work hours ago. I didn't miss mopping the spic and span kitchen floor, but my stomach yearned for something to eat.
Pancakes, maple syrup, whipped cream and sausage would have been so delicious, but I only got them at sleepovers at Chris' house when his mother wanted to pamper us. Now, I was too old for sleepovers, and apparently adults only ate oatmeal or cereal, at least at my house.
I lifted the blanked and felt the cool air on my skin. Immediately, I wrapped the blanket around myself and enjoyed the warmth of my cozy bed. The room temperature had dropped during the cold night, thanks to my mother's energy saving campaign. Maybe she wouldn't notice if I sneaked down to the living room and adjusted the thermostat a bit. Or I could just invite Javier into my bed to keep me warm.
The thought of him brought a smile to my face and a firm erection between my legs. It didn't take long before my hand had found it. If mom didn't make me pancakes, at least I could whip up some cream. I closed my eyes and imagined his fingers wondering over my body. Unfortunately, the doorbell interrupted me far too soon.
Five seconds later, I was dressed in my boxer briefs and was fixing my shirt, which seemed to be inside out or backward no matter how many times I turned it. If it was Chris ringing the bell, I wanted to get dressed before he darted to my room. I was tying my sweatpants when my bedroom door opened.
"What are you doing here?"
My eyes widened.
"Come to the living room," my father said.
What on earth is going on?
Dad hadn't stepped into our house since mom had kicked him out of our lives. Was he sick and dying? Were my parents remarrying? My mind was full of questions, some of them unsettling, and the rest simply ridiculous. When I arrived in the living room, I found mom and dad on opposite sides of the couch.
"I take it you're not getting back together," I said, letting out a nervous laugh.
Mom's face stayed severe.
"Sit down," she said.
"What is it?"
I took a place on the edge of an armchair.
"We've decided that you're going to live with your father."
I stood up with my arms crossed and my muscles tensed. I opened my mouth but I could only stare at her. She had on her usual white shirt and black skirt; not a single hair out of place. Her lips were tightly pressed together and her sharp eyes fixed on me.
"Why?" I asked.
"Your mom and I…" dad started, but mom interrupted him.
"It's best for you," she said. "You clearly need a fresh start."
"No! I don't want to move anywhere."
Living with mom was far from great, but it was still a million times better than moving to my father's old ranch in the middle of nowhere. Besides, all my friends and my school were in Chouteau. And so was Javier.
"What about my college scholarship? I need to finish high school."
There was growing panic in my voice.
"I'll drive you to school every day," dad said.
"To Chouteau High?"
"Don't be stupid. There is a school in Blackford."
Not believing my ears, I collapsed in the armchair. Was I really expected to spend almost an hour every morning driving with my father from his ranch to Blackford? And what was I supposed to do on an isolated ranch in western Kansas with no friends? Jerk off and die from boredom?
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
"One day you'll understand this was best for you," mom said matter of factly.
"If something is clear, you two don't understand anything," I said, raising my voice.
She pointed at me with her finger.
"Watch your language."
"I won't move anywhere. I'm not a damn child!"
Dad stood up and glared at me. The man with craggy, uncultured features was wearing a flannel shirt, which couldn't hide his big belly that hung over the waist band of his worn-out jeans. His dirty cowboy boots looked comical. Luckily, he must have left his Stetson in the hallway, even though his mostly bald head with some greasy overgrown hair on the sides didn't make him any prettier. It was hard to understand what mom had ever seen in him.
"You're still seventeen, and you will do exactly as we say," he said.
"I'm surprised you even know how old I am," I muttered bitterly.
"That's enough," mom said with a sharp voice.
There was an awkward silence. I gathered my thoughts and wished there was a way to stop this nightmare. My whole life was in Chouteau, and now my own parents were planning to ship me off. I couldn't think of a worse betrayal from the very people who should be on my side.
"Okay. So, when are you planning to ditch me?" I asked, staring at her.
Her face didn't flinch.
"After the semester ends."
I sighed. She seemed to have made up her mind, and there wasn't anything I could do to change the course of events. The whole idea of changing schools a few months before my graduation was so foolish, there had to be only one explanation, and since I had nothing to lose, it was time to let the cat out of the bag.
"You're doing this because of Javier," I said.
"I'm concerned that you're hanging out with the wrong people," she admitted. "This keeps you safe from negative influences that might grab you."
"That's ridiculous."
"You're welcome to think so. One day you'll understand, and then you'll thank me."
The hypocritical smile on her face irritated me more and more. The blood in my veins began to boil, turning me face red. She was ruining my whole life because of her stupid beliefs. The tension in the air was as thick as mud when I considered whether to use my last weapon to stop this insanity. My heart was beating fast when the words began to come out of my mouth.
"Mom, Javier will not turn me gay," I said, pausing before I continued, "because I already am."
"Don't you say something like that," she hissed.
"I'm gay." I looked at both of them with a confidence I didn't know I had. "I love Javier, and I'm going to date whoever I want. You better get used to it because nothing's going to change that."
Mom narrowed her eyes.
"You should be ashamed of yourself."
I wasn't. For the first time in my life, I was proud telling my parents how I felt and not caring what they thought about it. The rush of adrenaline streaming through my veins felt amazing, and for a short moment, I was invincible.
Unfortunately, that moment was way too short.
"Pack your things," dad ordered. "You're coming to the ranch with me. Today!"
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