Authors: E. M. Leya
"Yeah. My parents ran the ranch up until they died. My sister was off and married and didn't want the place so it came to me. I couldn't leave it anyway. I love it here."
"I can understand why, and I've only been here an hour."
"Uncle Travis, look. I have red hands." Jason came running out holding his hands up. "Jake said it would wear off, but I kinda like it."
Travis bent and lifted Jason up, setting him on the top of the fence and wrapping an arm around his waist. "You look like your wearing gloves."
Jason giggled. "I know. Isn't it cool?"
"Enjoy it while you can. It won't last but a day or two." Travis smiled at Evan. "Guess I should be glad it wasn't purple or something."
It was nice seeing someone encourage the boy. Most the time in his job, parents would have been upset at the child for getting covered in paint like that. Evan admired Travis for the way he had handled things.
"Evan is going to go riding with us one night, is that okay with you?" Travis asked as Tiko pressed his head between the two and Jason turned carefully to pet him.
"Yeah." He glanced at Evan. "Are you Uncle Travis's boyfriend?"
Evan watched as Travis stiffened and stared at the young boy in shock.
"No." Evan laughed. "I'm just a friend."
Travis coughed and glanced at Evan, looking a bit embarrassed. "I don't have a boyfriend right now. Did someone tell you I did?"
Jason nodded. "Grandma. She said you had a lot of sick boyfriends and I should stay away from them or I might get sick, too."
Evan felt the jab to his stomach and knew if he felt it, Travis was feeling it even worse. He watched as Travis's hands tightened on the bar he was holding and his jaw tensed.
"Your grandma was wrong." Travis looked angry enough to spit nails, but his voice remained calm as he spoke to Jason.
"Well Evan doesn't look sick, maybe he could be your boyfriend."
Evan smiled and looked down at his feet, almost afraid to see Travis's expression, but curiosity won out and he glanced up to find Travis staring at him. The two held eye-contact for a moment then Travis turned away.
"I'm sure that Evan would make a great boyfriend. But he and I just met and we are just friends." Travis smiled at Evan and mouthed "Sorry."
Evan grinned back and shook his head. "It's okay."
"Well mommy and daddy were just friends before they got married." Jason looked at the two of them.
Evan shifted and tried to hide his smile.
"That is true." Travis shrugged his shoulders. "But I'm not looking to get married, Jas. I have a ranch to run and you here with me now to keep me company."
Jason glanced back and forth between the two men, and then back at the horse. "If you say so, but mommy said someday you would find a boyfriend and be happy just like her and daddy."
"And someday I will, Jas. Just not today." Travis lifted Jason down off the fence. "Why don't you go get a bucket of grain and bring it out for the horses?"
Jason ran off without another word and Travis turned to Evan. "I'm sorry about that. I had no idea he even knew I was gay. My sister must have explained it to him. As for the other part… I won't apologize for his grandparents, but I do apologize you had to hear that." Travis shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at the dirt under his boot.
"It's okay. You can't help what kids say, especially if someone else is giving them the information. He seems to be okay with the fact you're gay. And it's probably a good thing you know about the sick part so when you do date, he isn't scared."
Travis nodded sadly. "I can't believe they would tell him that. I mean who tells a six year old that kind of stuff?"
Evan reached out and ran his hand down Travis's arm, then realizing what he did, he let his arm drop. "I've heard a lot worse said to kids, but it was wrong and out of line."
Travis looked down at his arm where Evan had touched him and rubbed the spot, pulling his arm close to his stomach. "I didn't plan on hiding it from him. I was going to tell him when the time came and I was dating, but I thought I would have to explain what that meant. I guess I can thank my sister for saving me from that. Sorry he dragged you into it though."
"It's really okay. He probably is just looking for some normality right now and you being in a relationship like mom and dad were might have been comforting to him."
Travis sighed as he watched Jason coming out of the barn with a bucket of grain, struggling to carry it to them. "True, but I'm not about to rush out and start dating just because of that. Besides, sadly it would just give his grandparents more ammunition and you one more person to worry about questioning."
Evan gave him a sad smile even though he spoke the truth. Things weren't going to be easy for Travis once this went to court and almost everything he did would be questioned. "I can't take sides, but personally, I think you handled that rather well."
"Thanks." Travis looked up and met his stare for a moment before turning and rushing to help Jason carry the bucket.
Once the horses enjoyed their treat, they all headed back inside.
Travis watched Jason jump into the water and doggy paddle across the pool. He really needed to teach the boy to swim, but for now he let him have his fun. Flossie dove in after him and swam around him in circles, and then back over to the stairs and out of the pool to shake.
"Thanks for the steak. It was delicious." Evan pushed his plate back and reached for his glass of sweet tea.
"No problem. It's nice to have company." Travis reached over and placed a napkin over Jason's half eaten steak before looking back at Evan. One would have thought it would be uncomfortable sitting down with the man who was investigating you for child neglect, but Travis found it to be relaxing. The small talk they shared came easy and he found himself liking the man more and more. "So you live close?"
"Just in town a bit." Evan set his drink down.
Travis watched Jason dive down in the shallow end after a couple diving rings. "I'm going to need to get a lawyer for this, aren't I?"
"Probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Some cases are cut and dry, but even then it never hurts to have someone who knows the laws. I can get you a few names if you need them."
"I have someone, but thanks. I guess I was just hoping I could handle this on my own, but if it means the difference in keeping Jas or losing him, I will get council."
"I meet with the Steeles tomorrow. Then will do a few random drop-ins and see what life is like for him and make my recommendations to the court. Is Jason supposed to stay with his grandparents anytime soon?"
"Monday through Wednesday and then once school starts he will go one or two weekends a month. At least that is the plan for now. We will see what happens in the future." He relaxed back, stretching his long legs out in front of him. He had changed into his swim trunks after offering to loan Evan one, which he refused, but Travis had yet to get in the pool.
"Once this is over if you need the court to work out visitation, that is possible. No matter who wins." Evan leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "I wish I could tell you this will be easy, but it won't."
Travis once again met his stare, grateful for the honesty. "I'm expecting it to get worse, but what has me most worried is that sooner or later Jason will figure out what is going on. I hate to have him in the middle and feeling like he has to make a choice."
"Maybe it's best to warn him now. Ease him into it. The courts are most likely going to have a child counselor speak to him. Better to prepare him for that now, than just spring it on him."
Travis frowned. "You think he's old enough for all this?"
"No, but what kid ever is. He seems to handle things pretty maturely for his age. Just give him the basics and let him know what is going on."
Travis slumped forward, resting his arms on his knees. "I can't help but to wonder what my sister is thinking as she watches all this."
Evan smiled. "God is with her. She may already know the outcome."
Travis glanced over. "You go to church, too?"
"Calvary Chapel."
"Really, that's where we go also. Pastor Reed?" Travis sat up and turned toward Evan, still keeping Jason in his view.
"Yep. I haven't ever seen you there."
"Like I said before, I haven't always been great at getting motivated on Sundays. That will change now with Jason. My sister and he would go at ten in the morning. I would join them from time to time."
"I go at eight so that is why I probably haven't seen you. I attend the later one every now and then, when I'm too lazy to pull myself out of bed early."
Travis was pleased that he and Evan had so much in common. It had to help his case. "Jason is very active with the youth group there. His grandparents go from time to time. I hope if they have him on the weekends, they will still let him go."
"Seems like your sister kept him pretty active."
Travis watched Jason play. "She was close to a perfect mother. I can't even hope to be half the parent to him that she was." He sighed. "Still hard to believe she is gone."
"You were close?" Evan seemed generally interested.
"Not growing up. We fought like crazy, but once she married, my parents died, and the two of us grew up a bit, we were very close. Her husband and I got along well, and they would come out all the time to let Jason ride and play here." He smiled. "She said once that she knew I probably wouldn't have any children of my own so it was her job to share hers with me. She was the first person I came out to. I was getting hounded by some of the guys at school because I never dated. I think she knew before I told her, but she let me tell her myself. Helped me realize I didn't need to hide. I can't imagine going through that time without her."
Travis hung his head, wondering what had caused him to tell that story. He didn't talk to anyone about that and here he was opening up to a complete stranger about one of the most personal experiences of his life.
"You're lucky you had her. I wasn't so lucky. I dropped out of school at fourteen. It was too hard for me to face who I was. Admit who I was. My parents didn't take it so well either. They didn't full out disown me, but nothing was the same once I told them."
Travis felt for Evan. It made him grateful his family had been so loving. "You didn't have brothers or sisters?"
"No. I am an only child." Evan ran his finger over the rim of his glass. "I finally got my shit together and went back to school. Got my degree."
"Are you from Helena?"
"No. I'm actually from a small town in California, but moved up here for the job about two years ago."
"That's quite a change. Do you like it here?" Travis covered his head as Jason splashed.
Evan was silent for several moments, and Travis wondered what he was thinking.
"I guess I am. I can't say I'm happy, but I'm content. Just feel like there is something more out there for me. I feel a bit like I'm at a dead end here." He brushed his hands down his pants. "Can't say for sure what is missing, just sometimes I feel like I need something more."
Travis knew exactly how he felt, well, maybe not exactly, but he felt that same yearning for something more. That something which would make him want to wake up and face each day. He glanced at Jason and wondered if maybe Jason was his something. The kid did give him reason. He couldn't fail him. "I'm hoping Jason fills that void a bit for me."
Evan glanced over at the pool as Jason did a belly flop into the pool. "He seems like a good kid."
"He is. Too good to have to face what he has at such a young age." Travis sighed. "To think he might have to face a full custody case now just makes me sick."
Evan reached across the table and placed his hand on Travis's. "We'll make this work somehow. I promise to do everything I can to keep him out of the middle of this. I want to make it easy for all of you."
Travis resisted the urge to turn his hand over and link his fingers with Evan's. "If only his grandparents felt the same way."
Evan eased his hand back, but Travis still felt the warmth against his skin. He smiled at Evan, wishing things were different. Evan was easy to talk to, he liked his company, and if he wasn't working the case, he might just have asked him out.
Turning away from Evan to try and clear his head, he watched as Jason swam, wondering if he dove in with him if it might help clear his mind. So much seemed to be happening, he wasn't quite sure what to do anymore. Part of him wanted to pack up, leave town and force all this behind him, but he wasn't a quitter. Once more he reminded himself to trust God and let things work out as they would.
"You want more tea?" Travis nodded to Evan's empty cup.
"No thanks. I probably should be going. I'm sure I'm breaking rules sitting here like this. Even if I am, I can't recall enjoying myself so much in a long time. Tonight, even though I am technically working, I have relaxed and had an enjoyable evening."
Travis was pleased. "I meant what I said, you are welcome anytime. Even if it is off the clock. I've enjoyed getting to know you. Can't say I'm happy about the reason we met, but I am happy we did." Travis stood as Evan did.
"Thanks for dinner. I will be back soon." Evan moved to the edge of the pool. "Bye, Jason. I'm going to head home."
Jason waved, swimming to the edge of the pool and looking up at Evan. "Bye. I will see you soon to go riding."
"Yes you will. I look forward to seeing if you're as good as your uncle says."
"Better." Jason smiled.
Evan laughed and gave another wave as he stepped away.
"I would walk you out but I don't dare leave him." Travis glanced at the pool. He wanted to ask Evan to call him once he talked to the Steeles but knew that would be out of line. "You want to plan on Friday for that evening ride?"
"Sounds good to me. I'll be over around five."
"I'll have dinner ready to take with us."
The two stared at each other for a long moment before Evan stepped back and turned around. "Thanks again for tonight. See you then."