Page 62 of The Road Home

Orson shrugged.

"What the hell does that mean?"

It's complicated.

Harry laughed. “What is that, a Facebook status?"

Orson grinned at the joke.

He knows I'm interested, but probably not about how interested.

"Ah, so you have discussed this. So, he is gay?" Harry raised his eyebrows.

Orson bit his lip and shrugged.

"What aren't you telling me?" Harry shook his head. "I can see it in your eyes. There is more going on than you'll admit. I know you're not some closeted… Holy shit, that's it, isn't it? He's closeted. He's not out."

Orson didn't respond, but he was sure his eyes gave away the truth.

"Shit, that's a mess. I didn't expect that. Jared does know that it's pretty obvious he's gay, right?"

Orson shook his head.

"Fuck, what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into?" Harry laughed. "And you are falling for this guy?"

Orson didn't even bother to answer. Harry already knew.

"So now what?"

Orson shrugged. "I don't know."

"Is he scared to come out?"

Orson nodded and reached for the notebook.

Please don't tell anyone or let on you know. He was scared to come out years ago to his parents and just got used to hiding. I'm trying to show him it's okay, but he's not ready and I won't force it.

"Has he admitted it to you?"

Orson nodded, wishing they were somewhere less public to have this conversation. With it being where Jared worked, he worried that someone would hear them.

"Are you happy?" Harry stared directly at him as if he was studying his reaction.

Yes, very. Happier than I have been since I got kicked out of my parents' house. I'm willing to wait, willing to try. He might never come out, might never be willing to go into public, but right now, that is okay. This works for us.

Harry smiled. "I'm happy for you. You deserve this. You were never one meant to live out there. You're so much more than most of us."

That's not true. There are a lot of us out there who don't deserve to be.

Orson knew Harry's story and if anyone didn't belong on the streets it was him.

It doesn't matter though, we're there, and all we can do is our best to help those left. I don't know how, but I'm going to find a way.

He handed the notepad to him just as one of the nurses came in carrying a tray of food. Orson stood and smiled, getting out of the way so she could move the tray table over the bed.

"Go get yourself something to eat." Harry smiled. "I'm okay here. Go home and relax. You don't need to babysit me."

Orson shook his head and reached for the notebook again once the nurse was gone.