*"Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor"*
Daniel stood before the office manager's door. He knew what this meeting was going to be about, and had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach about how it might end. Oh, he was sure there was going to be a spin on it, but at the end of the day, he was going to have to make a difficult decision.
Jordan opened the door. She motioned Daniel to come in.
"Daniel... I have heard some disparaging things about you." She started.
Daniel remained silent.
"Is it true you were caught by local police in the middle of a tryst at the park?"
"Yes ma'am" Daniel said. He didn't want to lie, sensing that could make it worse if he fudged the facts. "I was warned, but I did not receive a written warning or citation."
"You do realize that this behavior is violation of the employee handbook, correct? Rumors such as these have a tendency to get to the clientele and next thing we know, people are avoiding us here because of whatever reason." Jordan looked away pensively.
"Look, Jordan, I understand what the problem is here. I know that this county has leaned towards being strictly conservative, and although I never meant for it to happen- God only knows how hard I tried for it to not happen, it did. I have fallen in love with another man. I also realize, however you rationalize it, you brought me in today to fire me due to my sexuality. It just so happened that I made enough of a mistake, without real proof since the police only issued a verbal warning, so there really isn't a record. And if it becomes a choice, I choose to be me, whoever that ends up being. I've come to terms with this mostly and I don't expect anyone else to understand."
Jordan stared at him for a moment of awkward silence.
"Well, at least we're on the same page. Do you want some time to think about it? Officially you were in violation of the handbook, and are being terminated as such, or offered a probationary period."
"Nope. See you around." Daniel said as he stood up, and headed to collect his stuff. Luckily he'd already collected the wealth of handouts and items he'd created for the clinic's use, so he could potentially introduce them to a new employer. He was a bit worried about how this would look on his resume, but he figured, as long as he told prospective people the situation, maybe they would understand. And if not, then he didn't need to work for them. He gathered his personal items and took them out to his car.
He stopped by his parent's house on the way across the state. It was now or never, he figured, since it probably wouldn't take long to get back to his parents why he was let go from the clinic. He parked outside his parent's small house, but nervously procrastinated in his car. He was absolutely terrified of what his dad would do. Would he end up in the ER like James? Thinking of James, he pulled out his cell phone, and called Ben.
"Daniel, this is a surprise, what's up?"
"Well. Um. I'm outside my parent's house."
"Are you about to do what I think you are?! Daniel! Do you have someone with you?"
"No. That's why I'm calling. If you don't hear from me in like, I don't know, 15 minutes or something, can you call me back? And if I don't answer call 911?"
"Do you really think this will go that bad?" Ben asked. "Because then maybe you shouldn't do this now... you could wait until I'm there, or call Michael."
"I want to do this as much on my own as possible." He said. "I just wanted to be sure that someone knows what's going on."
"Okay. 15 minutes starts now, okay?"
Daniel took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Daniel! What a surprise, take off your coat and shoes, stay awhile! We have your little friend Mary here, you know, the Mueller's daughter.... She's single... the Muellers are over for dinner." His mom said with a teasing voice.
"Mom, not now. Where's Dad? I need to tell you guys something." Daniel said stoically.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked.
"Well I don't think so, but I can't say for certain you guys won't think that it's wrong."
"Charles, Daniel would like to speak with us in the foyer." His mom called out, looking at him warily.
His dad walked into the entryway.
Daniel took a deep breath.
"I got fired today," Daniel said. Before he could finish, his mom started rambling.
"Oh, Daniel! Well if you need to move back home until you find a new job we would be more then happy to have you here. We've always wished you had lived closer to home anyway..."
"Mom!" Daniel interrupted.
"Don't interrupt your mother." His dad said.
"Well she interrupted me. As I was saying, I got fired today. For being gay." Daniel stood his ground waiting for the eruption. His dad's face turned a peculiar shade of red.
"Daniel...well obviously they're wrong, you're not gay. We need to find a lawyer to help us sue them for breach of contract and wrongful termination." His mom drifted over to the cabinet with the phone book.
"Mom... It really isn't wrongful termination, I violated the handbook because I was seen kissing a man. They fired me on those grounds. I don't think anything can be done about it. And I don't want to work someplace where they are so closed minded anyway."
Daniel's dad turned purple.
"Get out. Unless you came here for help to stop being a faggot, leave right now." His dad said.
"Charles!" Daniel's mom exclaimed. "He's not gay, he's just... well... confused."
