Son of a Preacher Man
by Robert Symes
Chapter 2
This story is set (mostly) in rural England in 2025. I hope that references to cars, TV shows or music won't spoil the story for those who don't know them. Follow the links provided for more information or just ignore them. (And yes, I know you can use a search engine just as well as I can. The links are for convenience, not to insult anyone.)
Some mildly controversial opinions will be expressed. It is this author's policy to have no opinions about anything, or at least not to state them. Any opinions you see on these pages are those of the characters or the site owner respectively and I neither endorse nor oppose them.
Memory Lane
On Saturday morning Mark was waiting at Talbot House when Aubrey and Jared arrived in a rented van with more of their possessions. Another man, who turned out to be Reverend Dennison, followed in a battered old Toyota Camry . Mark made himself useful helping Jared unload furniture and boxes and carry them into the house for the adults to put away.
Lunch was supermarket sandwiches and cans of soft drink, after which Aubrey and Jared went off in the van to get what they hoped would be the last load, leaving Mark alone with the minister.
Trevor Dennison smiled at the boy who'd worked so hard and cheerfully helping them move in. "Aubrey tells me you have 'a million questions' for me. Perhaps you could ask some of them now while we're waiting for the others. They'll be at least an hour I would think, and meanwhile we've nothing to do. So ask away and I'll answer what I can."
Mark found that when he tried to think of them his mind went blank. "I'm sure I did, but I can't think of them now. I didn't know there was gay vicars, let alone married ones. And I thought vicars were poor, but you're not, this house is amazing, it must be worth a bomb. Sorry, is that rude? It's really not my business is it?"
Trevor smiled, trying to put Mark at ease. "Well, that's two questions anyway. So, no, it isn't really your concern but I don't find it rude and I don't mind answering. First, I'm not a vicar I'm a Methodist minister just out of college and this is my first job. And no, we don't get paid much. You've seen my car, yes? It affirmed my faith in miracles when it passed the MoT ! This house belongs to Aubrey, not me. He's a very successful architect and part time property developer. I was a teacher before I joined the church. This place was a ruin when he bought it and he's done it up beautifully. He says he could get at least £200,000 profit if he sold, but we want to live here. He owns it, I pay half the bills, it works for us.
"And you're right. There are no married gay vicars. The Church of England welcomes gay people now, but it teaches celibacy for anyone not in a heterosexual marriage. And keeps tearing itself apart over the issue. But Methodists are different, pretty much unique in this country. I'll give you a very quick history.
"Way back in 1993 Conference passed the Derby Resolutions affirming 'the participation and ministry of lesbians and gay men in the church ' then in 2014 when same sex marriage was legalised Conference resolved to allow it for ordained and lay members. And in 2021 it resolved to conduct gay weddings in church. And I was able to marry Aubrey properly at last; we were in a Civil Partnership before. As the established church the C of E couldn't do that even if it wanted to, it's illegal for them. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Er, yeah, I suppose so" Mark replied. "I never knew any of that. I've never been into religion much if I'm honest. So then you became a vic... sorry, minister, and adopted a gay son?"
"It wasn't that premeditated. I was studying and also helping out at our local church at the time. I found Jared, as he now is, passed out in the church porch, blind drunk at fourteen on stolen vodka. His family situation was difficult, to say the least, and if we hadn't taken him in he'd have ended up in the care system, or worse. Neither the authorities nor his family wanted to know so Aubrey was able to pull strings so we could foster, then adopt. I don't know what happened between Aubrey and the family; he may have bribed them. But he was in a foul mood for days after he met them.
"Jared told me I can tell you all this by the way. I'm not gossiping. I think he's taken a shine to you so please be careful, make allowances and don't hurt him; he's been hurt too much already and sometimes it shows.
"And there's no pressure, it's totally up to you, but if you'd like to come to church with us tomorrow or any time we'd be delighted to give you a lift and I know Jared would love it."
"And it's in [town to south] right? That's good, I don't know anyone there so they won't see me. Yes, I think I'd like that, thank you."
"It's not a gay church, Mark, just an inclusive one. You won't be 'outing' yourself by going there. And anyone who would have a problem with you will have a much bigger one with me and go somewhere else, the Baptists most likely. You'll be fine."
"It's not that, but if my schoolmates saw me going to any church I'd never hear the end of it."
They chatted for a while, mostly Mark telling Trevor about the locality, until the others returned with the van. They unloaded it and Aubrey said he needed to get the van back by 5:30 and offered Mark a lift. "Throw your bike in the back of the van and I'll drive you home. Then I'll know where to pick you up tomorrow."
Mark waited near his house until Aubrey and Jared picked him up in a brand new BMW X5 SUV. Trevor had gone ahead in his own car to prepare. After church lunch was sandwiches and coffee in a side room, this being Trevor's busiest day. Then Aubrey drove them back, dropping them off so Mark could show Jared one of his favourite woodland walks. And ask how he came to be with his adoptive parents.
"Female nest-mate came home unexpectedly and found me with someone who was more than a friend, if you know what I mean. She told the incubator, who went nuts and only stopped screaming long enough to give sperm-donor the news. Then he went nuts as well."
"Do you mean your sister, mum and dad?"
"No. They lost any right to those titles when they rejected me. 'No queers in this family' says sperm-donor. Male nest-mate agrees. 'It goes against God and the Church' says the incubator. 'God made me what I am so fuck the Church, fuck this family and fuck you then' says I. Incubator gets even more hysterical and I grabbed a bottle out of the cabinet and ran for it before the others got violent. I don't remember much after that until I woke up with the worst head ever and puked all over this bloke's shoes. That was Trevor of course.
"He tried to help me get home and all I did was rant and swear at him. I think I was still pretty drunk but I knew I was fourteen and homeless and miserable and I just wanted to die. I thought I'd drive him away, then pick a lorry to walk in front of.
"But he wasn't having it. 'You can shout and swear all you want' he says, 'but I'm not letting you walk off in that state.' Then he calls Aubrey and they take me to their house, make me eat and drink and then I crash out in their spare bedroom. Pretty brave really when you think what I could have accused them of. Long story short, I never left, my so-called family don't want me and I haven't seen them since. I think Trevor already told you that didn't he? What he doesn't know, and don't tell him, is sperm-donor made Aubrey pay him off to hand over my stuff and not make trouble. 'I've sold you to the queers so now I'm rid of you' he told me. 'If you want cock I'm sure they'll give it you. What do you think they want you for?' Don't ask me to call that Dad. I thought Aubrey was gonna lamp him when he said that, I'm sure he wanted to."
Mark was stunned. "Oh my God, that's unbelievable! I mean I do believe you" he added hastily "but... How could anyone do that? No wonder you hate them. And I won't say anything but Trevor already suspects bribery so maybe you should tell him. But that's a real maybe; I don't know."
"I do. He can suspect but he doesn't need to know he's been accused of buying a fourteen year old for sex. Aubrey was pissed off for days. Anyway I told you because you asked but forget it now; they're the past and my future is here with my new family. And maybe my new friend. But you said you'd show me a beautiful walk and there ain't much beauty down memory lane."
They walked through the woodland in silence. Jared was moody and nervous, hoping he'd been right to trust his instinct and confide in such a new acquaintance. Mark was trying to process what he'd heard and couldn't think what to say.
They arrived at the topmost part of the trail. On their right the ground dropped away steeply revealing a breathtaking view of the valley below. "Oh my lord" said Jared in awed tones. "That's amazing. It's so beautiful it makes me almost want to cry."
Mark was taken aback. "Oh. Yes, I suppose so, seeing it for the first time. You sort of get used to it when you live round here. And we're a quarter mile from Talbot House so you can come here whenever you want, I'll show you the way."
They turned from the view to look at each other. They slowly leaned towards each other, both nervous of making a mistake, and then suddenly they were kissing. Mark had never done that before, had never wanted to with anyone likely to be receptive, but it seemed to come naturally after an awkward start.
When they broke the kiss Mark smiled happily. "If only Dad could see you now, eh?" he remarked and instantly regretted it. Jared's face went blank and hostile, his fists clenched and Mark wondered if he was going to get beaten up; he was sure Jared at least thought of it. But he just turned away and stared out over the valley.
Eventually he turned around, now looking bleak not angry. "You're not trying to hurt me, you just don't understand, I think. So I'll tell you one last time. That man is not my dad. Calling him that insults me, I want nothing to do with him. It's a purely biological relationship hence why I call him the sperm donor, that's all he is. Trevor and Aubrey are my parents now, legally as well. You own something and you sell it. Now you're not the owner any more, the buyer is. That man sold me for money to someone he thought was a paedophile. Do you know how that feels? Well, do you ?" he snarled.
Mark was shaken. "No" he said bluntly. "No, I don't. I can't even imagine. But you were right. I'm not trying to hurt you, I just don't understand. But I'm trying to. Please forgive me if I get it wrong sometimes. What I meant is being happy with me in a place like this and living where you do with who you do is like a great big F you to someone like him and he deserves it. I'm sorry if I upset you, I really didn't mean to."
"Okay. Whatever. Let's go. How do I get home from here?"
"I said I'm sorry. Can't you accept it?"
"I will do. Look, I get these moods sometimes when something triggers it. I'll go home and beat the crap out of my punching ball and then I'll get over it. I do like you but now I'm pissed off with you even though I know it's not really your fault. Trevor should have warned you."
"I think he tried to" admitted Mark. "But it looks like I didn't understand that either. Take the track on the left there. It turns into a lane that comes out near your house. Turn right at the end and you're almost there. I can walk home from here." He turned back the way they'd come.
"Please don't" said Jared, suddenly contrite. "I'm sorry. I hate these fucking moods but I can't help it sometimes. I know I'm a pain in the arse but I don't want to leave it like this. Can you come back to mine and just give me half an hour? Please?"
Mark suddenly smiled with involuntary amusement. "A pain in the arse, eh? Sounds like I'm on a promise there. And I don't want to leave it like this either. Come on then."
"What's the matter with Jared then?" asked Aubrey as he sat down with Mark at the kitchen table after making them both a drink.
Jared had walked into the house with Mark, found Aubrey and said "Can you look after him please? I need the gym." And walked straight back out again.
"Ah, I think that's my fault" confessed Mark. "We were getting on fine but then I said something about his dad and he got really angry and said that's not his dad, you and Trevor are. I thought he was going to hit me for a moment. I thought I'd blown it and I was going to go home but then he said please don't and he'll be okay in half an hour so here we are."
"Oh, I see. Well, you weren't to know but we've learned not to mention his birth family unless he does first, and even then we're walking on eggshells. And okay is a relative term. After what that man did and said I'm not sure he'll ever be really okay, we just hope for the best. But the gym does seem to help with his moods, that's why we got it. We'll give it about twenty minutes and see how he's doing."
They finished their drinks and headed outside to a brick outbuilding. As soon as Aubrey opened the door they were blasted by very loud rock music. Jared was standing in the corner with his back to the room furiously punching a ball mounted on a stand. "When the world gets in my face, I say" bellowed Jon Bon Jovi ...
"Have a nice fuckin' day!" sang Jared with feeling as Aubrey turned the volume down. Jared turned a tear streaked face to them as the music quietened.
"Too loud" said Aubrey mildly. "But maybe you needed it. Are you feeling any better? I'm sure Mark didn't mean to upset you."
"I know he didn't. But you know what I get like sometimes. Completely fu... messed up. Sorry I swore. And yeah, I do feel a lot better. That ball doesn't fight back the way mirrors used to." He looked at Mark's puzzled expression and added "They got me this after the second time I had to go to A&E after punching the bathroom mirror. If you think I'm a mess now you should have seen me two years ago. I'm amazed they didn't dump me in care, they probably should have. But I'm so grateful."
"We were never going to do that. But it was difficult at times and still is. Trevor says everything worthwhile is difficult and he may be right. But we hoped a new name and a new place might help you heal."
"And I'm really sorry if I set you back by mentioning your... 'sperm donor' like that" added Mark. "I didn't know. He sounds like a right... I'd better not say that."
"I'll say it then" said Aubrey. "He is a right bastard, you don't know the half of it. There's a reason his victim punches mirrors. Jared, we asked you not to swear in the house for Trevor's sake and your own; you'll get nowhere in life without self control. But this is not the house it's a place to let off steam so don't repeat this but what he said about me after taking my money... I couldn't let myself react at all or I'd have really fucked him up."
"I almost wish you had" laughed Jared. "He deserved it and I could see you wanted to. But then I suppose you'd be in jail and I'd be in care so it's better you didn't. And I like being Jared but Paolo is still inside wishing he was someone else sometimes. That boy can't be erased."
"And shouldn't be. How can we get past this internalised..." Aubrey stopped abruptly. "We've been thinking this for a while. Now may be the time. New home, new start. How would you like to go to London Pride this year? Mark too if he wants to and is allowed. A celebration like that might be just what you need."
"I'm sure I'd be allowed a day out in London with a friend, and that wouldn't be a lie" suggested Mark. "But knowing my luck someone I know will see me on the six o'clock news. I know it's unlikely but even so..."
"Remember Pittsburgh Pride?" asked Jared. "In the American ' Queer as Folk ' Michael doesn't want to be in the parade in case he gets recognised so his friends dress him up as a drag queen and he goes up and kisses his boss, remember? That made me so jealous. I'd love to do that to Luca, that's male nest-mate's name, when he's out with his mates. But seriously, ever since I saw Drag Race I've always thought I'd like to try that someday. Maybe we could do something like that with charity shop dresses or something."
"Genius!" Aubrey stared at Jared. "Now why didn't we think of that before? And why didn't you say something? It's a fantastic idea. Do you seriously want to try it? For Mark it's probably just a disguise, for you it could be a life line. How many drag queens have I seen who got into it because bad childhood experiences made them want to be someone else? And it never occurred to me. If you want that we'll do it properly, not some awful parody in a cheap dress looking like an insult. I'd stay away from Luca though. He looked like somebody who'd do more than just get embarrassed. But he's not likely to be at Pride. So, seriously, did you mean that or were you just joking?"
Jared thought for a while. "About Luca I was joking, sort of. It'd be fun for five seconds and then I'd need an ambulance. But the rest? If I could do it properly then yeah, I think so. But not a parody. But I can't be sure unless I try it. But a confident sassy queen instead of scared little Paolo listening to his ex-family in his head when they don't know it's him they're talking about sounds good. But I wouldn't know where to start."
"Me neither" admitted Aubrey. "But I know 'a man who can.' I'll give him a call now." He pulled out his phone. "Damn, no signal, we'll have to go indoors."
Voting
This is part of a multiple chapter tale, created for a Writing Challenge. To vote, please read to the end, where you will find the survey
Authors deserve your feedback. It's the only payment they get. If you go to the top of the page you will find the author's name. Click that and you can email the author easily.* Please take a few moments, if you liked the story, to say so.
[For those who use webmail, or whose regular email client opens when they want to use webmail instead: Please right click the author's name. A menu will open in which you can copy the email address (it goes directly to your clipboard without having the courtesy of mentioning that to you) to paste into your webmail system (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc). Each browser is subtly different, each Webmail system is different, or we'd give fuller instructions here. We trust you to know how to use your own system. Note: If the email address pastes or arrives with %40 in the middle, replace that weird set of characters with an @ sign.]
* Some browsers may require a right click instead
