Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 01:07:14 -0500
From: Jesse McMillan <writingafewstories@gmail.com>
Subject: Giving Us A Chances-Chapter 3

Betty Jo McManus leaned heavily against the hallway wall outside Mason's
apartment, her breathing heavy and her heart pounding. Had she done the
right thing? The proof of Mason's loving her son was still moist on her
jeans; there wasn't any doubt about that. But what about Aidan? How would
he react to this? How would he react when he realized it was she who'd
encouraged Mason to confront him with the truth? What if things didn't work
out between them? What if Aidan was angry? What if he was angrier still
with her? Countless questions buzzed in her mind as she placed a hand
against her chest to steady her breathing. She took several deep breaths in
an attempt to calm herself before moving back to the door. Her hand was
halfway to the door to knock before re-entering when she heard a wavering
voice beyond.

"Hey.......it's me. Did....did I wake you up?...........Oh, good......Look,
I know it's really early and everything, but there's something I need to
talk to you about............Okay, I'll meet you there.....bye."

She stood in silence for some time, listening for some reaction from Mason,
some indication as to whether Aidan's suggestion for meeting was a signal
to a good start to the difficult conversation she knew was coming for them
both. But there was nothing......only silence.

Well, that was that. Whatever would come after today would come. But all
the same, the unease that churned in her stomach didn't make for a very
promising premonition.

============================================================================

He was upset. That was the first thing Aidan noticed about his best friend
as he made his way through the underbrush of the woods that spilled onto
the ledge of the sheer cliff along the side of the mountain. The outcrop of
rock that formed a shelf along the side of the high peeks of the Blue Ridge
Mountains had been a favorite hangout of Mason and Aidan since they'd
discovered it as teens driving the local stretch of the Blue Ridge
Parkway. They'd spent countless hours camping and exploring along this
rocky ledge, listening to the sounds of the Southern Appalachians. And more
than once they'd both remarked to the other of how this small overlook
along the parkway had grown to be something of a second home.

This overlook was where Mason had consoled Aidan after his return from
Iraq. It was where Aidan mourned with his friend every September after the
loss of his father. It was where they'd shared their deepest secrets and
desires with each other. This should've been the place they met for solace
and peace. Yet as Aidan observed his friend through the underbrush that hid
him from Mason's view he couldn't help but notice his friend's body
language. His feet drug and his shoulders sagged. His eyes were sunken, and
his complexion was pale. Something was wrong with Mason.


============================================================================

Mason's stomach churned and knotted at what, at who, he knew was coming.
How was he to do this? How did one go about telling their best friend
they'd been in love with them for years? And if that weren't enough, how
did one go about asking this same friend to halt their upcoming wedding,
all for the sake of a chance at showing that friend how they feel?  His
head grew light at the thought of what he faced. Why hadn't Betty Jo
McManus given him some bit of advice, some way of tactfully going about
this? After all, she'd been the one who'd told him he should be honest with
Aidan! The least she could've offered was a bit of advice on how to go
about this impossible task!

But he'd no more than thought the accusing words against Betty than he
regretted them. She'd graciously accepted that he, Mason loved her son. And
she'd all but offered her blessing to them both, provided Aidan agreed to
call his wedding off. What more could he expect of her? He shook his head,
mentally rebuking himself. But a sudden crunching of twigs nearby shook
Mason from his perturbed reverie. And as he looked up into the face of his
friend and the piercing blue eyes that surveyed him his heart raced within
him. It was time.

============================================================================

There was something different about Mason that morning, something that
tugged at Aidan's heart. Whether the frightened face or the tremor in his
voice, Mason's small form seemed to remind Aidan of some small child afraid
to speak. Indeed, the emotion that took shape across Mason's face so tugged
at Aidan's heartstrings that he felt compelled to simply take his friend
into an embrace to shield and comfort him from whatever worry brought him
such grief.

"Hey!"........ "Hey.......I wasn't expecting you here so soon." "Yeah, well
you know me. I've always been a speed demon. So what's up? What's this big
deal you've got to talk to me about?" Mason was silent for some time. His
brown eyes darted from Aidan's face to the ground and surrounding
objects. It seemed as though, for whatever reason, he couldn't bring
himself to look into Aidan's eyes. More than once as the minutes ticked by
it seemed he was on the verge of tears. Aidan found himself growing more
than a little concerned by Mason's behavior. What was going on?

"Look, dude, whatever's going on, just spit it out. You're starting to
worry me a little here." At this a genuine tear truly did trickle from
Mason's eye. "You're not gonna like what I have to say." "Why? What is so
terrible that you can't even look me in the eye and tell me?" Mason's face
turned crimson as he mumbled something barely more than a whisper and
turned away. Aidan found himself growing a bit impatient with Mason. What
the hell was going on? Mason had always been shy, but he'd never acted like
this before!

Mason's small form spun effortlessly into Aidan's arms as he grasped
Mason's hand and jerked him round to face him. But still Mason would not
bring his gaze to meet Aidan's own. Aidan began to grow frustrated. "Dude
what the hell is the deal? You've got to talk to me before I can help! Is
this some kind of deal of you liking guys or something?" Still Mason said
nothing, merely nodding slightly as his face grew still more crimson.
"Okay, so it's about a guy. Well then, what's the problem? We've been over
this a thousand times. You like guys, so what?"

Mason's small form trembled beneath Aidan's hands as he stared at the
ground. Even as he spoke he couldn't bring himself to look at Aidan's
face. "It's not just some guy.............it's you."