Flag on the Play

by Sherrie Henry

  “Remember when I went to summer camp when I was ten? I was gone for three whole weeks. You didn’t break down like this then.”

  “You didn’t see me after you left.”

  Liam shook his head and gave her a smile. “I’m going to be fine. I’m coming back for my checkup and hopefully get this cast off. You can call me anytime.”

  “I know.” She tucked her tissue in her pocket. “You have the name and address of the new therapist? Please don’t stop going.”

  “I won’t. Probably going to need to talk to someone more than ever, being away from everything familiar.”

  “Good.” Sarah hugged herself. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “I’m going to miss you too.”

  Cody came through the door. “Any more bags?”

  Liam pointed to the backpack next to the door. “Just my laptop and a few books.”

  “I’ll put it in the backseat. About ready to go?”

  Liam gave his mom a hug. “Just about. Where’s Dad?”

  “Right here.” Steven came in from the kitchen with a bankbook and a credit card in his hands. “I want you to have this. I’ve already made arrangements with the Williamses regarding your food intake, but in case you need something.” He put the items in Liam’s backpack. “Just don’t go crazy.”

  “No, sir. I still have my own money.”

  “You don’t touch that. That’s for college. It’s okay to go to the movies, get a pizza, just no buying sprees at the comic book store.”

  “I promise. And don’t worry, once the cast comes off, I’ll be pulling my weight around the house. I swear.”

  “Don’t worry, Mr. Hartley. We’ll make sure he earns his keep.” Cody gave Liam a little slap on the back.

  “Well, you boys be safe.” Steven gave Liam a hug, then put his arm around his wife.

  “Always.” Liam nodded to the door. “Ready?”

  Cody slung the backpack over his shoulder. “Let’s hit the road.” He turned to Liam’s parents. “See you in two weeks.”

  Cody and Liam headed out the door and down the porch steps. Cody placed the backpack in the backseat, then helped Liam into the passenger’s seat. Both buckled in, and they headed north.

  LIAM SAT at the kitchen table, Cody seated next to him. Cody’s parents sat across from them.

  “Just some ground rules.” Marissa sipped from her mug. “No make-out sessions in front of Kelly. Mild kissing, holding hands, is okay.”

  Liam squirmed in his seat. Cody grasped Liam’s hand.

  “I understand you both have raging hormones, but Marissa and I would appreciate some discretion.” Jason poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “I-I uh, of course.” Liam felt the heat building in his cheeks.

  “Mom, Dad, we aren’t planning on having sex in this house, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  Marissa nodded. “You know I’m more of a realist when it comes to these things, and I have no qualms about sex outside of marriage.”

  “I know, Mom. But we’ve already talked about it and no sex here. But there might be other avenues of intimacy, as you’ve put it before, that we might explore.”

  “Locked doors and after Kelly goes to bed.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Liam and Cody spoke at the same time.

  “Good.” Marissa picked up her mug and motioned to Jason. “Let’s let them get settled.” She pointed down the hall. “Liam, your room is the second on the left. You and Cody have connecting bedrooms, sharing a bathroom.” She left with Jason to the living room.

  Liam looked at Cody. “Well, that was uncomfortable.”

  “You rather they come out and say we can’t do anything?”

  “No, I appreciate them letting me live here, and I can live under those rules. It’s just, well, my parents wouldn’t have been so open. I don’t think.” Liam squeezed Cody’s hand. “I guess we might want to have some sort of convo with my parents when we go back in two weeks, since you’ll be staying with me for a couple of days.”

  “What, you don’t think I can keep my hands off you for two days?” Cody winked at him.

  “No, I don’t.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “I’m kinda nervous about Monday.”

  “It’ll be fine. The school is almost the size of your hometown, but you’ll find your own place.”

  “Next to you?”

  Cody gave him a kiss. “I’d like that.”

  THE WEEKEND went by very fast. Cody had shown Liam around their little ’burb, taking him first to the comic book store, of course. He gave Liam a tour of the school so he wouldn’t feel so lost on the first day and picked up the textbooks he’d need from the office. As Liam was still recovering from his attack, they kept their intimacy to a minimum, Liam sleeping in his own bed. It was nice knowing Cody was just a few feet away and that he had permission to be with Cody if he wished.

  Monday morning came around, and Liam was having trouble tying his shoes with his cast on. Cody came into his room.

  “Need some help?”

  Liam grumbled at him. “I feel like such an invalid.”

  Cody knelt down and tied Liam’s shoes. “You have a fucking cast on. Give yourself a break.”

  “And if I need to tie my shoes at school?”

  “Find me.”

  “How? That place is a maze!”

  Cody looked up at Liam. “Look, I made sure we have four classes together, and the same lunch period. The school counselor was very sympathetic to our situation, so she did the best she could.”

  “And the two classes I have without you?”

  Cody grinned at him. “You’ll survive. Remember, there is a fairly large segment of the school population that is gay, bi, trans, questioning, fluid, what have you. There isn’t going to be anyone lurking in any stairwells or bathrooms to attack you.”

  Liam let out a long breath. “I know. It’s still scary.”

  “I’ll be with you most of the day.”

  Liam leaned down and kissed Cody. “Thanks.”

  LIAM FELT a bit overwhelmed among all the people in the school, but as Cody promised, he was welcomed and no one gave him any trouble. He was even able to hold Cody’s hand as they walked between classes and no one gave them a second glance. It felt so freeing to be able to be who he was. He caught up with Cody at lunch.

  “So, how was your last class?” Cody set his tray down, then helped Liam with his.

  “Cool. I like my English teacher, Mr. Neely.”

  “I had him last year.”

  “Hence the reason you’re not in my class.” Liam fumbled with his milk carton.

  Cody opened the milk for him. “I like that we’re able to take some of the same classes. Having more to choose from makes all the difference.”

  “I know. I hated that we never had classes together last semester.”

  “You getting along okay?”

  Liam bit into his roll. “The counselor came and got me out of second period math. Said she’d looked over my transcripts and wanted to know if I wanted to do a class during summer school, then graduate in December.”

  Cody looked up. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. What do you think?”

  “I think it’d be awesome. We could start college together.”

  Liam smiled. “That’s what I thought. And the summer class would be English, which, yeah, is my fave, so shouldn’t be much of a burden.”

  “I think we got a plan.” Cody speared some lettuce. “So you good? Everything else okay this morning?”

  “Got my arm jostled once, it hurts a little.”

  “Yeah, having a thousand people around in these tiny hallways can be hell.”

  Liam took a bite of his lasagna. “Damn, this is pretty good.”

  “Not as good as Mom’s, but it’ll do.”

  “Your mom’s cooking is great. I’m going to need to find some sport to do, or I’m going to weigh a ton.”

  “Let’s get you one hundred percent
healthy, first.”

  “Working on it. Off the script meds, started on the OTC today.”

  “And?”

  “I won’t lie. The prescription stuff was awesome. But I can tell if I stay on them much longer, I’m gonna get addicted.”

  “Damn.”

  Liam downed the rest of his milk. “Yeah, but after dealing with all that shit last semester, the last thing I need is a pill addiction.” The lunch bell rang.

  “You good to go?” Cody took his and Liam’s tray to the conveyor belt.

  “Yep. Glad the last three classes are with you. While everyone’s been great, it’s nice to have a familiar face in class.”

  “Maybe we can try to have all the same classes in the fall.” Cody opened the door for them. “Hey, you had a chance to look over the college brochures?”

  “A bit. What, you want to plan that spring break?” Liam gave him a nudge.

  “Dude, I’m not sure I can wait that long.” Cody winked at him as they entered the classroom.

  Great. Now all Liam could think about was spring break and their plans. US History was just going to have to take a backseat today.

  IT WAS past ten in the evening by the time Liam finished his homework and settled in for the night. Cody knocked on the bathroom door that faced Liam’s room. “Come in.” Liam propped himself up on the pillows.

  “You up for some company? That talk about spring break, well—”

  Liam patted the bed. “Same here. Not promising how rambunctious I can be.”

  “I’d settle for some hand action and closeness.”

  “Door locked and sis is in bed?”

  Cody got up and checked the door. “Kelly’s been asleep for a couple of hours now.” Cody slipped back into bed and kissed Liam as his hand dipped under Liam’s boxers.

  Liam gasped. It had been a few weeks since he’d even wanted to be touched but now, his body wanted to make up for lost time.

  After a fairly quick rub-off, they lay in bed, Cody’s head lying on Liam’s chest. “I’ve missed this.”

  “So have I.”

  They lay there in the quiet of the night. Liam had truly found peace and freedom.

  More from Sherrie Henry

  Young Love’s Journey

  Kyle Jackowski is in trouble… again. Dealing with an abusive stepfather while trying to come to terms with his sexuality has made him a seriously stereotypical surly teen, and he keeps landing himself in hot water with the law. But this time, instead of the expected stint in juvie, the court gives Kyle a chance to reform himself by working on a farm for the summer.

  He doesn’t expect Sam, son of the farm’s owners, to so strongly affect him. Sam wants to help Kyle accept that what he feels is perfectly normal and that hiding from the world or acting out aren’t his only options to gain attention. Kyle doesn’t anticipate the impact of Sam’s parents upon his life, either, who show Kyle that every family doesn’t suffer like his battered mother. With their affirmation, Kyle will have a chance to discover his place in the world, and, more importantly, decide if he wants that place to be by Sam’s side.

  Readers love Last of the Summer Tomatoes by Sherrie Henry

  “I think Sherrie Henry will put a smile on your face and love in your heart with this story.”

  —World of Diversity Fiction Reviews

  “I recommend this novel to anyone who is looking to read something with a lot of heart, family love, friendship, and genuine love.”

  —MM Good Book Reviews

  “A sweet and charming story of a gentle young man’s journey of self-discovery.”

  —Gay List Book Reviews

  “This book should be a must read for all teens to help them understand that they are not alone in their feelings of isolation.”

  —Fallen Angels Reviews

  SHERRIE HENRY was born and raised in southern Indiana and after a stint at Indiana University achieving her bachelor’s degree in English and journalism and her master’s degree in kinesiology, this Hoosier transplanted herself to the Windy City. Her passion is teaching, with writing coming in a close second and gaining momentum. She is currently an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage and owns her own martial arts studio in Naperville, IL. She currently holds a third degree black belt in Hapkido. She lives in the suburbs with her dog and faithful companion, Maggie.

  You can contact Sherrie at authorsherriehenry@gmail.com or follow her online at Facebook, www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrieHenry; Twitter, @AuthorSHenry; or her blog, sherriehenry.blogspot.com. You can find her reviews of books and reviews from others on her own books on her Goodreads account, www.goodreads.com/sherriehenry.

  By Sherrie Henry

  Flag on the Play

  Last of the Summer Tomatoes

  Published by HARMONY INK PRESS

  www.harmonyinkpress.com

  Published by

  HARMONY INK PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  publisher@harmonyinkpress.com • harmonyinkpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Flag on the Play

  © 2017 Sherrie Henry.

  Cover Art

  © 2017 Alexandria Corza.

  http://www.seeingstatic.com/

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Harmony Ink Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or publisher@harmonyinkpress.com.

  ISBN: 978-1-63533-250-6

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-63533-251-3

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2016914557

  Published February 2017

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America