With Eyes to Hear and Hands to Speak

Chapter 24: Of 'The Talk' and Road Trips

I'm on a roll

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John's POV

I opened the door and went outside to help Dad and Jane with the groceries. There wasn't much, mostly bread and cereal and milk.

My dad motioned for me to come to his office. I followed him upstairs and sat down in a chair at his desk, opposite from him.

He grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, and started writing quickly. When he was finished he handed the paper to me. I guess writing down what he had to say was easier than using sign language.

'John' the paper read. 'You're a growing boy, and I know that around this age, you start to get certain urges. I also know your body is a bit different from most young men, but you are still a young man. I know that Dave is also a young man, and you and he are nearly the same age. You two have been spending quite a bit of time together, and I just want to know that you two are being safe'- at this point I couldn't bring myself to read any further.

I looked up and saw my dad looking at me, resting his head on his hands, waiting for me to finish reading.

*Dad. We haven't been having-* I paused for a minute trying to remember the proper sign for the word sex. I eventually gave up and just wrote it down in the paper.

*We haven't even really gone in that direction. It'd also be really weird, what with how my body is, and the fact that Dave is attracted to- other things.* I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe I was having this talk with him. I just wanted to go to a wedding. There would be several adults there.

I looked back at Dad. *Son, I just want to make sure that you're safe, and not doing anything dangerous or potentially harmful.*

*It'd also be pretty hard to explain if I got pregnant.* I said. As far as the majority of the school knew, I was a cis boy.

Dad paused for a bit with an odd look on his face. I couldn't decide if it was amusement or if he was just done. Maybe a bit of both.

*I suppose it would.* He finally replied.

*So, can I go to the wedding?* I asked.

*Well, I'll need more information before I say yes to anything.* dad answered.

*It's Dave's cousins', and it's in Nebraska, we'll be driving, and it's on July second. I'm pretty sure Bro will be driving us. That's all I know right now.* I told him.

He looked at me confused before repeating, *Bro?*

*Yeah, Dave's oldest brother.* I then wrote down on the paper, underneath the word sex, 'His name is Ambrose, but we just call him Bro.' and pushed the paper towards Dad.

He read it and made that 'oh' face people usually make when we understand something.

*I did not know that.* He said.

*Well, now you do. You learn something new every day, after all.* I replied.

*Yes, I suppose you do.*

*So.* I prompted.

*So.* Dad repeated.

*Can I go?* I asked again, doing my best puppy dog face.

*I'll need more time to think about it.* He said.

*Ok, but the wedding is in-* I paused to count the days on my fingers. *Six days.*

He chuckled and ruffled my hair. Then he waved his hand toward the door, indicating that I could leave. I gave him a hug and walked back to my room, getting on the computer to pester Dave and inform him of what was happening.