Chapter 1 Hope
I've been through hell and back all my life but being homeless is just the cherry on top of the cake. I thought coming out to my best friend would lead to him saying cool now do you want to play COD but no he kicked me out after kicking the shit out of me calling me a dirty fag whilst he did it.
Knowing that I have no where to go I just picked up my shit and walked away... lucky for me I do have a couple of hundred in my wallet from odd jobs tattooing but that's it. After catching a coach out of the city I check my kit to see if my ex best friend broke any of it... heaving a breath I thank god that it's all in good nick and not damaged. Although I have no idea what or how I'm going to earn any money with no where to actually do my job.
I jolt awake when the driver wakes me, she smiles sadly at me as she says "Sorry to wake you pet but we've arrived in Boston and its my last stop... I've written down a name for a pub I know with room and board and called ahead for you. So tell them Shelly sent you and ice those ribs yeah."
I wince remembering my bruised side and thank her grabbing my things she gives me directions and I begin my slow painful walk to The Gallows pub. After a 30 minute walk that felt like days I finally find the place Shelly told me about. From the outside it doesn't look like much an old Victorian style building with aged windows with flowers hanging from two hanging baskets either side of the door... deciding not to let the outside scare me off I open the door to be greeted by soft piano music being played... the walls are covered by red wallpaper and the furniture is mahogany looking around I see a women looking at me. Taking a steadying breath I walk further into the pub walking straight towards the women who is now accompanied by a man covered in tattoos...
Clearing my throat I say "H..hi umm Shelly told me to come here she said you would be able to help me with a room and board." at the mention of Shelly the women brightens and walks out from behind the bar straight up to me wrapping me in a cuddle so quick I have no chance to decline. Her voice comes out smooth like whiskey "Shelly called telling me a strapping lad needed a home with no questions and told me I'd know you by the tattoos covering you arms... so sugar what's your name?" Taking a second I answer "My name is Remi, ma'am." she chuckles before responding with "You can call me Carla and that burly man over there is my husband Jackson." the man nods at me and says "That all the stuff you got boy? Doesn't seem like a lot."
After scoffing I say "Yeah it is and well that's what happens when your best friend kicks you out for being gay." I don't realise that the pub is still quiet so everyone heard I shrink into her hold even more... I expect to hear slurs thrown at me and for Carla and her fella to kick me out but that doesn't happen... and I'm shocked when I hear one of the customers shout... "What a fucking prick...well Remi you're safe with us." Carla laughs and says "Ain't that the truth, well Remi let me show you to your room and then we'll get you fed and bathed so you can get your head down and rest yeah." I don't argue with her because not having to make choices of my own right now really helps. So I just nod my head and try to ignore the approving look in her and her partners eyes.
After following Carla to my now bedroom as she called it, and having a bath in the ensuite I'm now in a pair of soft comfy pyjamas provided by Jackson who is now cooking me some food whilst I sit at the bar... the customers are still here and chatting together... once the food is done he places a plate of Spaghetti Carabonara in front of me before he says "Now Remi I'd like to eat as much of that as you can slowly okay. And then once you're done you can have some warm milk and cookies." I don't know why that sounds nice but I nod and begin to eat... after eating all of it I look up to see Carla and Jackson watching me I squeak out "W..what is there something on my face." Carla shakes her head as she says "No sugar you don't but I think you like the idea of being looked after so we want to ask you a question?"
I nod my head and say "Okay." Carla steps forward as she asks "Where are your parents sugar?" nibbling on my lower lip I say in a low voice..."They kicked me out before I moved in with my best friend because they found out I was gay and gave me an ultimatum either go to a conversion camp or get out of their house. So I left their house with what I have now moved in with him and then I told him thinking he wouldn't judge me but he did then he kicked me out too." I didn't realise that I'm crying until Carla wipes my tears off of my cheeks and says "Well nobody around here will ever judge you on who you love sugar least of all us." sighing I nod my head as she says "Now let us look after you, time for bed and in the morning we will sit down and sort everything out okay." I nod my head.
POV Tanner
Sitting in my flat with friends is starting to get boring and tedious, looking around my flat I think I need a boy to take care of but the question is where do I find one.
My phone rings breaking my train of thought... I see Jacksons name flashing across the screen picking it up I say "Hello Jacks, you and Carla okay?" the line is quiet for a moment before he answers "Hey Tan, yeah we're both good was hoping you could do me a favour we've got a guest here to stay who's down on his luck and needs a job.. by the looks of it he is a tattooist so I was hoping you could employ him." taking a breath I say "Sure I can I mean I've been looking for one anyway."
