XII

The day the cast came off Colin invited Tom out. To a very romantic restaurant. Halfway into the meal Colin said there was something he just had to say. Tom's heart sank.

- I know we've only been together for a couple of months, and I know you're younger than me and that sometimes we haven't quite seen eye to eye on when's the right time to tell our families... But I still want to say ...
- you're breaking up!
- ... that I love you and wonder if you will move in with me?

- what?
- what?!!?

For a minute there was total chaos, helped greatly by the waiter who just then dropped a gravy-boat and spilt sauce all over the neighbouring table.

- Tom, what was -
- Did you mean that??
- Of course! Haven't you noticed?

He didn't actually have to think. He had noticed. There was no doubt in his mind Colin loved him. And now he even said so. In a public place. The only reason he stopped at all - on all appearances to think! - was because he'd start crying if he hadn't.

11:11

Colin's cast didn't stop them from spending their leisurely Saturday in the park with a walk and a picnic. Despite their almost constant conversation they didn't touch upon the subject of family. That is, they talked about the family they were going to be - or have - but not those they already had.

The first few times they met Tom had thought that Colin couldn't possibly find him the least bit interesting, he probably just thought he was too young, immature and even stupid. But as they spent more time together, he realised Colin was just the same as him. Only better looking. Colin disagreed on that last bit, but they agreed on most important subjects.

At least as long as they didn't try to talk about anything difficult...

X

Tom's phone rang. It was Colin. His doctor's appointment had finished early, and would Tom mind picking him up before his parents had a chance to?

Finally back together after more than two weeks they were left staring at eachother on the couch. There had been no contact since Colin had left the hospital - his parents had made sure of that! - and Tom had felt rather uneasy at not being able to ask Colin what he really felt.

Now none of that mattered. Being back together was a sort of homecoming indeed. Even without speaking they knew this was it and there'd be all kinds of everything piling up in their future to stop them and tear them down, but they were in this together and it was their future.

They smiled at eachother and inched closer.

IX

Monday night Tom went home to his parents with the clear intent of telling them about Colin. He left their place later in the evening telling himself under his breath that he really should have!

He travelled across the city to Colin's parents place. They wouldn't let him in. He'd expected that, and just wanted to let Colin know he was there. But there was no sign of Colin at all. And he didn't call him that night either.

Tom began to wonder.

Looking back, he didn't see how he could have done things differently. There wouldn't have been any point telling his parents anything before he met someone, would there now. And he couldn't have brought Colin over before, they'd only just met.

And he knew he was fooling himself. He'd known since at least 15 that he'd never settle down the way they expected him to, yet - at 23 - he still hadn't told them. Or anyone else. He was choking.

VIII

Colin had to stay in hospital for a week, and even afterwards couldn't move about easily with a cast like that. His parents therefore insisted he stayed with them, an offer he felt he couldn't refuse. But that he regretted as soon as he arrived at their house.

- why was he there?
- who is he?

They spat it out. Like chameleon tongues the words left their foaming mouths.

- his name is Tom. I think I'm in love with him.

Whereupon his dinner plate was handed him so brusquely it fell into his lap and had his mother been anywhere near a decent cook he would have had severe burns. As it was, the lukewarm meal lay basking in his lap without creating much more than a nuisance.

- Colin, to your room. Now!

He couldn't believe he was hearing correctly, but was happy enough to leave them.

VII

They left it at that. The nurse could tell they were no strangers, and went off to somebody who needed looking-after. Tom would look after Colin. Besides, he needed to know just why that leg was in a cast and a sling tied to the ceiling and what exactly had he been doing since this morning?

He’d wandered off in the general direction of his bus. ”General” being the operative word here, his mind was completely somewhere else and he didn’t look at all. So instead of boarding his bus his bus at bored into his side… When he’d looked at it, his left leg was still there, but at an angle never seen before, so he’d passed out. And woken up in the hospital. Who cheerfully told him they’d called everyone on his recent incoming calls log. Including his parents and brother whom he didn’t want to see at all, and who were among his most recent calls only because it had been his birthday yesterday.

- Well, now they know! Colin said, shyly.

Tom looked at him. So this is how it begins, he thought…

VI

The man looked straight at him. Then straight past him. He went into Colin’s room and the door closed. Tom waited outside.

When the nightshift came on he was offered a cup of coffee, but still no information.

Around midnight the family (the parents and brother?) came out of the room. They didn’t look very happy. Nor particularly sad. Quite unemotional, really. All three of them looked in Tom’s direction and none directly at him.

The minute they were out of the hall an alarm went off in colin’s room. Tom started. A nurse hurried in there. Only to come straight back out. She came down the corridor.

- Are you Tom?
- Yes
- He wants you to come in

Tom rushed in. Colin was looking his usual self, not dead at all. Tom kissed him before he could stop to think and Colin didn’t stop him either. The nurse cleared her throat.

- You’re not actually allowed in here, since you’re not family …