Julian tried not to fall asleep as the preacher droaned on infront of him and his grandparents. “…And my the Lord bring peace into our lives, and protect those that have been sent to war.” The chruch said Amen with them and raised their heads. Julian stood up and followed his grandparents out of the isle. “Oh, Julian, we want you to meet Pastor Eric.” Julian looked at them. “You’re not going to try and get him to convert me into being straight or something, are you?” he asked, Joyce laughed. “Oh no, we just want to introduce you two. His father was gay you know.” Julian thought for a moment. “Then how was… he his kid?” She laughed again. “Adoption sweetie.” The last of the people left as the walked to the front of the small Presbyterian church. “Pastor Eric, this is our grandson, Julian.” Eric smiled and held out his hand. Julian took it and smiled. “So you have a boyfriend they tell me?” Julian nodded and looked at the ground, blushed slightly. “Yeah. Damond.” Eric nodded and smiled. “And I’m sorry about your parents. My the Lord have mercy on their soul.” He said. Julian tried not to be annoyed by it. He didn’t mean harm, but he didn’t believe in God much. “Well we should be going now,” Joyce said. “Have a nice day.” They nodded and left the church, out to the red SUV. He strapped himself into the backseats. “Have you thought at all about telling your mother and father?” Joyce asked after a few minutes on the way home. Julian shrugged. “I have, because maybe they’ll pay more attention to me after that, but then… they might not pay attention to me at all if I do.” Neither of them said anything until they pulled off o the side of the road where there was the common roadside vender. “You guys want some corn for dinner?” Julian nodded as well as Royce. She turned off the SUV and got out. “Why do people sell their stuff on the side of the roads?” Julian mumbled to Royce. “Well if they sell it all on their farm, who’s going to see it? And grocery stores arent going to buy it all. Plus it’s cheaper here.” This was the third roadside vender selling something they’d grown. His mom always used to tell him when he was little that Nebraska was a corn state. His grandma chatted with the vender who was talking about the up-coming growing season. Julian leaned on the hood of the cover, watching the others drive under the bridge. Another stopped and started looking at what he was selling. Julian felt his phone in his pocket. He hadn’t gotten ahold of Damond in a few days, and he was trying not to be the paranoid one, but he was worried. Someone else? Maybe he’s just busy. I mean… he’s moving after all. Or maybe he’s dealing with his parents? He kept trying to come up with his own excuses, but none of them helped much. “Julian, we’re going now.” He stood up and climbed into the back of the car. They drove home only talking about what would be for dinner the next few days. When they got home Julian was first out of the car and went right to his room to call Damond.—this time he picked up. “Hello?” he said, annoyed. “Why haven’t you been picking up your phone?” Damond grunted. “Hi. Good morning. Nice to talk to you too. I’ve been busy.” He said. “with what?” Julian demanded. “Well, I got a job.” Julian began to unbutton his shirt from church. “Oh? Doing what?” He could hear Damond roll out of the bed. “Night job at a bar. Busty Bulfrog.” Julian laughed at the name. “Yeah I know it’s lame but they pay good. Plus I only pass out the drinks. Makes school hell though. Work till two in the morning, school starts at seven…” he let out a sigh into the phone. “Sorry I haven’t been calling. Really.” Julian sat on his bed and looked out the window into a tree. “It’s okay. I was just freaking out a little.” Damond laughed a little. “m’kay. Well… Can I go back to sleep now?” Julian walked into the bathroom. “Yeah. Bye.” Damond said bye back then hung up. Julian felt a better now, knowing what most of it was. one more week.