At twenty - four Alen worked 45 hours a week. In a grocery store where he started as a bag boy in high school. He was now in training for management. After two years of college for an associate's degree most of it online. He has no friends, just family, and work. In theory he makes enough to support himself. Yet he stills lives at home with no plans to move. No plans for a future, except his work schedule. He even quit going to the gym to workout at home alone. He shaves once a month and plays video games on his days off. I was worried
He moved out with his brothers during covid. They could afford and all moved back home. During that time he reportedly had overnight guest. His brother told us of a girl from work and three days later a guy he met on a gay app. I asked him if he was having safe sex and his answer was they all got covid shots. I explained if people hook up with random partners they meet on the internet, or bars, eventually you will hook up with a social disease. There are reason getting laid should not be random, with just anyone on an online application. Now I feel extremely guilty because I don't think he has had it since. That was a year ago.
I go to the store almost every other day and they all know I am Allen's dad. I am in the produce section when Carla shows up with more tomato's. She say hello Jesse dad... Larry am I right?
I say that's right. I was in line with three sons when Carla told Allen to apply seven years ago. Carla is in her mid thirties, and move to produce from being a cashier. She logged a complaint that female cashiers never get promoted. She has worked there longer than Allen. Who went from bag boy to stocking, and then rotated departments. I get brave and ask... Any ideas why my son is still single?
She smiles. It's because he tells everyone he is celibate, he don't do it. He is saving himself for marriage. No one does that anymore. The girls think he is gay or something is wrong with his stuff and the few gay that work here are too afraid to say they are gay they are all still in the closet. Your son is a great guy he deserves to be happy. There are too many choices for young people these days. My kids are too afraid of making a mistake. They can't decide or commit, so they do nothing.
I love talking to other parents, I learn stuff. I have way too much food in my cart and look for a check out line. Five in line was way too many and calls for more people at the registers. Carla leaves produce comes grabs me, but more importantly my large cart and opens up a new register. I start unloading she starts scanning, and a bag boy shows up. Carla winks and points at her name tag and then nods at him. Then she introduces us. Tim the is Allen's dad so when ever you see him be really nice.
Tim said. OMG Allen is so hot I have such a crush on him please tell me he is gay.
Allen walks by just in time to hear the question. Stopping looking directly at Tim, and in a very serious voice asks Tim. Are you asking customers' for personal info about other employees? Turning to me and saying dad not a word. Tim was in a panic and sweating trying to bag stuff and fast as possible.
Carla cracks up saying Tim just started he is starting college in the fall. He is the one gay guy that is out of the closet.
I turn to Tim and say relax young man, your job is safe, help me to my car with all these groceries and I will give you a few tips.
Allen was now slightly panicked. Dad best behavior do not mess with my job.
It was not his job that concerned me it was his love life. I am a dad that does not knock on doors and catch my boys doing stuff all the time. I know for a fact everything works and is normal. I get out to the car with Tim. He is fit but not a bodybuilder Allen. I ask so how long have you been out? Ever had a boyfriend?
He gives me the I am in college at CSN, taking class then transferring to UNLV school of nursing. Just because I am eighteen and gay people don't take me seriously. I was in the top ten students out of two thousand. So is your son gay or not? Can you help me score a date?
I fumble with my wallet and pull out a twenty. I say here is your first tip. Your second tip is check out your companies policy on relationships with other employees and follow it. He is my card and that's my address. Sundays dinner is at six get there about five thirty. This is important you cannot tell him you have been invited. Just show up. It's casual and outside.
Tim was beaming. Thanks he replies I will see you on Sunday.
For thirty seconds I saw his face light up with hope. Just the idea it could be a possibility to get to know my Allen better. I was an old man grasping at straws. For whatever I did or did not do that make my son afraid of commitment, a relationship, even casual sex. The other side of that was what I was currenting doing going make things worse?
Allen gets home from work and wants to know what I did. Tim said I gave a twenty for loading up groceries, and a tip to kiss my ass as much as possible.
I say that's funny he has a sense of humor. He said he was top ten in his class.
Allen then goes into a list of his accomplishments by correcting me. He was featured in a Newspaper article as one of the top ten students in the state. His dad is a doctor and his mom is a psychologist. He is eighteen and one of the smartest people that works there.
I suggest that how he figured out the gay stuff at such an early age.
Allan asks if that is a shot about his seuallity becuse for the record he likes both.
I ask... So, why aren't you looking? Checking out possibilities.
Then came the big bang theory on how I screwed this up. When Allen was in his two week faze and sleeping around he caught something. Just like I had warned him. He said because of that he quit sleeping around. He would like make friends with someone and fall in love, rather then check out how good they are in bed.
I asked the million dollar question... So, what did you get? His answer was crabs. It was horrible. Then he reminds of when his brothers were freaking out because he washed everything he owned in twenty four hours. The issue was girl or boy how do you make friends and get to know people. Everything is online or in a social app. Bars are about hooking up and alcohol sucks because it masks the real person for a distorted version.
Then three days later it is Sunday and a barbecue in the backyard. I snap this pic when the gate to the side yard opens. Tim walks in with a tray of homemade cookies. Allen's face lights up with that exact same hope I saw in Tim's face just days ago. Tim fit right in as Allens co worker. The two of them walked ten miles circling the backyard talking. A game of frisbee with the brothers. I started crying like an idiot watching from a window as Allen walked Tim out to his Jeep the two of them kissed. Getting to here was the hard part. Watching the two of them fall in love over the next few months was really easy. I love being a dad.
The Hard Part - Story Time Blog
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