4.2 Being There

"Andrew wait," Sheree called out as he was about to leave for class. Stopping he waited for her to catch up. He had hoped Charlie would wait for them but he kept going barely acknowledging Andrew as he flew past. Andrew wished he knew what was bothering him but Charlie had been reluctant to talk to him since orientation almost two months before.

Andrew knew that Indira had said something to Charlie to make him so stand offish. Knowing his sister she probably told Charlie about his teen crush he had on him. It had been a mistake to confide in her. At the time he needed someone to talk to and he hadn't been ready to mention it to either of his parents. Now he can see how big of a mistake that had been. He was suffering the consequences of that decision by watching his friendship with Charlie fall apart. It's not like he didn't like girls because he did or he wouldn't be semi dating Sheree. Did that make him bi? He wasn't sure. All he knew for sure he wasn't ready to face that part of himself just yet. He already felt out of place. He didn't need that complication on top of it.

"Thank you for waiting," Sheree smiled up at him as he took her backpack from her.

"No problem," he mumbled holding the door open for her

She watched Charlie half jogging ahead of them before asking "is something wrong with him?" Her brow furrowed in concern "he hasn't been the same since orientation."

Nodding Andrew sighed "somethings on his mind. I can't seem to get him to talk about it though."

She turned her concerned look on him "I hope his dad is alright."

"His dad?" Andrew asked heart beating faster.

"Didn't he tell you?" she asked.

"No he never said anything to me," Andrew looked after the disappearing figure of his best friend. He hated to admit it but he had been too wrapped up in what his sister might have told Charlie then in thinking something else might have been wrong.

Sheree took his hand as they walked to class. "His dad was injured on the job a week or so ago."

"Do you know what happened?"

"Not really" she admitted "Charlie didn't seem to want to talk about it and I didn't want to pry."

They came to her class first. He handed her backpack to her. "I'll see you later," he mumbled his mind elsewhere.

***

Indira watched Andrew as he said goodbye to Sheree before approaching him. She ran up along side him as he turned to go towards the Fine Arts building. "You should be nicer to her," she told him.

He could hear the repressed anger in the way her voice vibrated. Frowning  "what?" he asked not wanting to get into a debate with her.

"Sheree, your girlfriend," she grabbed  his arm "she really likes you. But you spent the entire time talking about Charlie."

"She's not my girlfriend," he jerked his arm free from her "besides she's the one who brought up 

Charlie not me. If you're going to eavesdrop at least get your facts right."

"I suppose now you know about Charlie's dad you're going to offer him a shoulder to cry on?" She scowled at him letting her distaste for the guy show.

"What if I am?" Andrew demanded "he's my friend Indira. He'd do the same for me if something happened to one of our parents." 

"I just don't want you getting hurt," she said her tone sweet, concerned "I know how hard it was for you when he didn't reciprocate your feelings...."

"That was over two years ago and it was just a stupid crush," he growled walking away "why can't you just let it go?"

"Because I don't want you to throw away what you have with Sheree," she told him coming up beside him again "she's good for you..."

"Don't you mean she's good for the image you want me to have?" Andrew scoffed "you're really not interested in anything but how it'll effect how people see you and your family by extension."

"That's not true," she cried hurt at the accusation "I care about you too..." she sighed letting him go on without her. She turned to go to her first class her mind occupied with the damage control she would need to do.

***

Walking into his room later that day Andrew was shocked to find Charlie crying curled up on his bed. Tossing his backpack to the floor Andrew sat on the edge of the bed "why didn't you tell me?"

Charlie turned red rimmed eyes towards the sound of Andrew's voice. "I...I" he mumbled before blurting out "he's all I have. I can't lose him. I just can't."

Andrew pulled him close while Charlie sobbed upon his shoulder. "I'm here for you buddy" Andrew said rubbing small circles on his friends back.

A few minutes later Charlie straightened and moved away wiping his eyes. "Thanks," he mumbled.

Eyeing his friend in concern Andrew asked "why don't you go home?"

Shaking Charlie ran his fingers through his messy hair "it was always a possibility that my Dad could get hurt on the job." He took a deep shuddery breath "he made me promise that I'd stay in school...."

"I don't think he meant you couldn't go and see how he's doing. I think you need to go home. You'll never forgive yourself if ..." He put a hand on Charlie's shoulder "it'll make you feel better if you were there in case...." Andrew knew if he were in Charlie's shoes he wouldn't let anything keep him from going to be with his parents.

Charlie took a few deep breaths before nodding "you're right. I need to go home. I need to see my Dad. Will you..." He shook his head moving towards the window.

"Will I what?" Andrew prompted following him.

"It's just" he sighed "I don't want to go alone. What if..." He wrapped his arms around himself as the tears began to flow. "He's in critical condition," he looked up with unfathomable pain and sorrow in his light blue eyes "the doctors don't think he'll make it."

Not sure what to say Andrew put a hand on his shoulder "of course I'll come if you think you need me." No sooner were the words out of his mouth then he found Charlie falling into his arms sobbing.

***

Andrew didn't expect Indira to be happy with his decision to accompany Charlie to Bridgeport but he wasn't prepared for the animosity that it caused. He stood rooted to the floor watching his twins lips twist in anger as she groped for words. "You can't go," she managed to spit out through clenched teeth. Crossing her arms she glared at him "I won't let you" she added as his jaw hardened into stone. It was similar to the look their Dad had often given them as teenagers when they had pushed his buttons once too often.

"You're not my boss," he growled "you can't order me around. I make my own decisions."

"Dad put me in charge," she reminded him with a sneer "what if you have an anxiety attack? How do you think that will make Charlie feel? You know how you are in stressful situations." Seeing his jaw relax and the doubt in his gray eyes she continued "you know I'm right."

Andrew took a step way from her refusing to be coerced into abandoning his friend. "Charlie needs me. I can't abandon him in his time of need. Just because I've reacted badly in the past to stress doesn't mean I will again. I've gotten better...."

She took a step forward putting a hand on his shoulder "I only want what's best for you. I know you want to be there for him but think how it would make him feel. Do you think it's fair to have him worry about you while his Dad is in the hospital?" She saw the doubt deepen in his eyes making his gray eyes darken "he needs to be there for his Dad not worrying about how freaked out the situation has made you. All I'm asking of you is that you think about what's best for him." She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek before walking away with a knowing smile gracing her lips.

***

He watched her go. What she said made sense. What if he did freak out? He could be making a bad situation worse. What if he did more harm than good? He sat down on the nearby couch, unmoving as people came and went around him. A soft touch on his shoulder had him looking up into a pair of bright green eyes.

"Are you ok?" Sheree asked sitting beside him.

He wanted to say he was fine but only an inarticulate sound escaped his lips. Looking away he sighed wishing he had answers to all the questions whirling around inside his head.

"Are you going to Bridgeport?" she asked. He shrugged in response "Charlie needs all the support we can give him right now." She spoke softly without pressure. "I'm sure he'd appreciate your company."

Andrew turned to look at her "what if I make things worse? What if I panic? He doesn't need to worry about me on top of everything else."

"Did you ever consider he might need something else to focus on other than himself?" she asked him "he needs you. All you need to do is be there for him. He doesn't need you to do anything else."

He lifted his face as her words resonated with  him. "I can do that. I want to be there for him."

"Then go" she urged him "I'll see you when you get back." She followed him up and gave him a hug before he walked away towards his room.

***

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Indira demanded once Andrew was out of sight.

"Being a friend," Sheree said turning to face her irate roommate "which is more than I can say for you."

Indira's eyes narrowed "I'm his sister. His twin sister. I know what's best for him."

Sheree snorted "in what world is encouraging someone not to help a friend a good thing?" She gave the other girl a long thoughtful gaze "what are you afraid of? That he'll come back gay or something?"

"Aren't you?"

"No," Sheree stated simply "whether he is or not isn't up to me or you to decide."

"How can you be so calm about this?" Indira asked cocking her head to the side "don't you like him?"

"I do," she admitted. She lifted her bright green eyes to meet Indira's cold gaze "that's why I'll except whatever he decides. We can't decide who we love or who loves us back. I like him enough to let him make that decision for himself and wish him every happiness in the process." She reached out and touched the other girls arm "won't you do the same? He's your brother, don't you want him to be happy? To find love and be loved by his soul mate?"

"This is ridiculous" Indira broke eye contact "he's my twin. I think I know him well enough to know who he should be with."

"Are you sure about that?" Sheree asked "or are you more concerned how his choice may impact your ambitions?" She looked at the pretty dark haired girl with an almost angry gaze. "You do realize that I have two dads, right? Aren't you concerned about your precious image rooming with me?"

"That's different. I have no interest...." her mouth closed tight around the words she was about say.

Shaking Sheree stood rooted to the floor, disgust twisting her mouth. "You were about to say you're not interested in me, right? So I'm ok for your brother because it gives him the appearance of being straight not because you think he and I are good together." Shaking her head she walked past Indira unable to stand the sight of her any longer.

Indira grabbed her arm as she passed "it's not like that..."

"Then what is it like?" she demanded wrenching her arm free as she whirled around to face the other girl.

"I have ambitions and goals that don't include having to explain my brother's sexual preference. It's already going to be hard enough to be taken seriously with the parents I have."

"And you think the only way to do that is to cover up who your family is, because your embarrassed by them? I feel sorry for you because all you're going to accomplish is alienating yourself from your brother and family." Snorting Sheree moved away from the girl "you're delusional if you think this will help you succeed. Family should be a where you feel safe and accepted no matter what or who you are."

Indira put a restraining hand on the girls arm "it's not as bad you make it out to be. All I need is for you to play along for a little while. Andrew doesn't know what he wants yet. A little more time and encouragement from you could tip the scales in your favor..."

"No I won't do this" she shook herself free "it's not right."

***

Indira watched Sheree walk away. She breathed in deeply exhaling slowly through her nose. Why couldn't Sheree see this was for the best? Andrew wasn't strong enough to withstand the ridicule he'd encounter being gay. Being with Sheree would keep him safe if not happy. Helping her image was a side benefit she wouldn't deny. She wanted to be taken seriously and she'd be the first one to admit that her family was a big drawback in that regard. Her dad was in a rock band and had pink hair people see him and presume she's frivolous and flamboyant. Then her mom's interest in the paranormal and the articles she's written chronically her ghost hunting experiences. When people make the connection to her they assume Indira is just as whacked out as her mom is for writing it. She didn't need the added stigma of having a gay brother too. That would be one too many strikes on her credibility. 

"Girl problems?" a deep voice asked behind her.

Scowling she turned to face the speaker. "No" she snorted before walking away.

"Could have fooled me" the male said laughing softly as she stopped to glare at him.

"I'm not...she's not..." snapping her mouth shut she crossed her arms staring daggers at the man.

Putting his hands up in surrender "sorry my mistake."

Indira glared at the purple haired young man with the infuriating grin fixed on his handsome face. 

She had a strong overwhelming desire to help him remove it. "Yes it was," she said turning to walk away.

"Want to talk about it?" the guy called out to her.

"I don't tell strangers my business," she tossed over her shoulder without turning around.

"Well next time honey don't air your dirty laundry in the commons area."

"What did you call me?" she whirled around nostrils flaring.

"Honey" he repeated with a slight smirk, his eyes bright with amusement.

"I'm not your honey" she declared turning her back on him, dark hair whirling around her shoulders.

"Nope I guess not," he said loud enough to be heard.

As she bounded down the stairs she felt the man's eyes following her. His laughter taunting her as she went. How dare he call her honey! She wasn't some sweet confection or some brainless bimbo. Her anger spurred her on until she found herself outside staring up at the night sky.

***

"Your sister doesn't like me very much" Charlie said as they waited to board their plane.

Shrugging Andrew grunted "that's nothing new." He picked up his magazine pretending to be engrossed in the article he was reading.

"It's more than that," Charlie muttered. 

Andrew glanced up then quickly looked away. He didn't want to have this conversation. Things were strained enough between them as it was. He had excepted that there was nothing but friendship between them years ago. He had Sheree now too. He couldn't hurt her. She trusted him, encouraged him to do things he never thought he could. Plus she's the only one he didn't feel uptight around. "You know how Indira is," he mumbled in response.

Nodding Charlie grumbled "I do." A moment later he got up and went to stand in front of the window facing the airstrip.

Andrew watched him with his eyes. He seemed to have more on his mind then just his dad. He had been acting weird since Andrew told him he would be staying with his Uncle and Aunt in Bridgeport. He seemed to have taken it personally that Andrew would want to stay with relatives instead of with him at his dad's place. Andrew couldn't tell him it was a concession he made with Indira. The only way he could get her off his back about taking time off from school to accompany him. Personally he didn't understand why she had been so hung up on it. What would happen there that couldn't happen in their dorm room? Regardless of how stupid he felt her demand was he complied with it. If it made her happy he didn't see the harm. He knew it would only cause more friction between her and Charlie so he kept it to himself.

Things remained strained between them until they boarded the plane. "I'll see you when we get there" Andrew said as he stood to board the plane. He was in first class while Charlie was in coach. It wasn't ideal but it couldn't be helped. They had taken the only seats available on an already overbooked flight. Andrew had agreed to take the higher priced seat knowing that Charlie didn't have the funds. 

He looked up from his seat as Charlie walked past. The stiffness in his movements and the way his eyes darted from side to side made Andrew ache to pull the guy into a brief hug to comfort and reassure him that things would be alright. He smiled up at him hoping to get Charlie to acknowledge him but he just stared straight ahead concentrating on getting to his seat.

Andrew waited for Charlie to deplane before going to meet his Uncle at baggage claims. "You didn't have to wait," Charlie grumbled coming along side him.

"Wow what crawled up your butt?" Andrew mumbled half jogging to catch up when Charlie didn't even stop.

"I hate flying" he said as Andrew caught up with him "sorry I'm...."

"It's ok," he shrugged off the apology "I understand."

As they entered baggage claims a voice called out to them "Charlie".

"Uncle Jeff" Charlie smiled in relief as the older man engulfed him in a hug.

Andrew soon found himself pulled into the huddle. "Andrew I wish I could say it's good to see you but under the circumstances...."

"That's alright Uncle Jeff" Andrew took in his Uncle's appearance. The bruises on his face, the bandage peeking out from under his shirt. "You've been hurt," he exclaimed.

"I'd be dead if it weren't for my partner" he told them. Turning to Charlie "Your dad saved my life." 

He blinked several times before continuing "I know you have lots of questions but it's late. I just want to get you home and in the morning we'll talk. Aright?"

"I don't want to intrude," Charlie protested when he realized Jeff meant for him to stay with him and his family.

"Nonsense," Jeff said to the boy "you're like a son to me. It's what Zayne would want and besides 

Lisa would kill me if you I let you go home to that empty apartment. You're staying."

Once they walked into the house Jeff's wife Lisa welcomed them with hugs and kisses. "I hope you boys don't mind sharing a room..."

"We kind of already do" Charlie stammered as they were escorted to the guest bedroom.

"Will this be ok?" Lisa asked indicating the double bed "if it makes you uncomfortable to share a bed 

we could rustle up a sleeping bag from somewhere..."

"No this will be ok," Andrew said "don't go to any more trouble on our account. We'll manage."

"Don't be silly" she gave each of them another hug before stopping in the door "it's late and I know it's been a long day for you. We'll let you get settled in and we'll talk in the morning."

They nodded as she closed the door behind her. "Are you ok with this?" Charlie asked.

"I am if you are," Andrew said moving to unpack his bag and change into his pajamas. Charlie moved to do the same. "What's the difference? We sleep in the same room all the time anyway." Andrew said sitting on one side of the bed.

"Yeah" Charlie agreed taking the other side. They lay in the dark each lost in their own thoughts refusing to move. "Thanks for coming with me," Charlie said breaking the silence between them.

"You're welcome," Andrew said into the dark. There was so much he wanted to say but couldn't. The darkness of the room seemed to hang heavy around them until they both finally fell asleep.

[Author's Note: If you want to know more about Jeff Bennett and his partner Zayne Thompson (Charlie's dad) you can read their story here.]