Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 11:34:44 -0400
From: Sean Roberts <seanr_13@yahoo.ca>
Subject: The Silver Compass - 13

The Silver Compass - 13
By: Sean Roberts

Author's Note: Please send feedback to seanr_13@yahoo.ca

Conversations

He woke up alone.  Cameron had gotten up an hour
before, and had breakfast on a cart in the room.  Michael
slipped on his shorts and got up to have some coffee.

"Good morning," he said.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," Michael said.  "I slept really well."

"Good."

"Do you have any idea why Matthew would do what he
did?"

"No.  I think you should ask him.  Actually, I think
you should just ignore the whole thing."

"That isn't working.  He's not talking to me.  And I'm
not talking to him.  I can't keep that up.  I need to be
talking to him.  And I need him to accept that I'm gay."

"That obviously won't be a problem.  After what he
did...he's probably gay as well."

"What?  No, Cam, I don't think so.  I don't know why
he did that but that can't be it.  There's no way he's
actually attracted to me!  I mean, we've seen each other
naked before, and he's never been, well, hard...God this is a
disgusting conversation."

"It is unusual.  Listen to me Mike," Cameron said,
stepping up to him and kissing his neck.  "All of this
stuff has happened really quickly.  I think your brother
needs some time.  And Sarah too.  Just leave everything
alone for a while.  You've been Sarah's friend forever, and
Matthew's your brother...they'll come around.  I promise."
Cameron's hands on Michael's arms were more reassuring than
his words.

"And my parents?  I don't think they will."

"You don't have to worry about them yet, they don't
know...you told them?" Cameron said, judging the look on
Michael's face.

"No!  I'm not that stupid!  But, but they know.
Matthew's told them.  He has to have, because of the way
they've been acting.  They haven't said anything yet, but
it's only a matter of time.  What about your family?"

"Well, you've met Jules.  I haven't told my parents,
but I will, soon.  I mean, it's good that your parents
know, because sooner or later they'll have to meet me, and
you'll have to meet mine..."

"Whoa, Cam, you can't meet my parents, ever...not after
what Matthew's told them..."

"Mike, I'll have to.  How are we going to be able to
see each other without our parents finding out?  I mean, we
don't have to tell them today, but..."

"Shit, Cam.  Please.  Let's not talk about this right
now, I don't think I want to start worrying about my
parents."

*

When Michael arrived home, he climbed the stairs to
his bedroom, but suddenly found himself walking into his
brother's.

"Hi Matthew."

"Hi Michael," he said sheepishly.

"Can you tell me what the fuck you were doing in my
room the other night?"  Michael had not meant to sound so
angry.  But it was an awkward question.  He needed the
confidence to ask it; it came from anger.  And he
immediately felt sorry for his brother, who had to answer
it.  Matthew turned away from Michael.

"I don't know," he said.  His voice shook slightly.

"Okay Matthew.  By the way, you were awesome.  The way
you scored that first goal...that was really good."  He had
paid attention to some of the game.  Michael left Matthew's
room.  Cameron was right; he would have to give his brother
some time.