Celestial Brethren
an excerpt

Emilio opened the door, but left the security screen locked. “Hi. I suppose you’re looking for Jack?”
“That’s right.” Brigham, Sr. said.
“He’s on campus right now, working. But he has been staying here. Why don’t you come on in?” He led them into his front room, sat them down, and offered them all something to drink. All but Amanda seemed a bit put off by his hospitality.
“You’re the man who helped Brigham bring Jack home when he was hurt.” Amanda said.
“That’s right. Jack is my friend.”
“Aren’t you a little old to be friends with a kid?” Brigham, Sr. asked.
“We have a class together, so we’re peers on an intellectual level. And I know he’s not as young as he looks.”
“You believed him about that, did you?” The older man was gruff.
“I know he’s twenty-five. But having gotten to know him, I know that emotionally and in some other ways he’s quite nearly as young as he looks. I tend to chalk that up more to his over-sheltered upbringing than anything else.”
“You know our Jack is…different.” Amanda began delicately.
“Slow physical development, wings, abnormally low weight for his size, and the blood drinking thing. Yeah, he’s different.” Emilio replied bluntly and casually. His guests squirmed uncomfortably.
“By the way, while you’re here would you mind if I did blood draws? Jack ran out of what he brought from home over a week ago and I don’t want to have to resort to stealing from the hospital where I work to keep him supplied.”
“You would do that for him?” Amanda asked.
“Jack has chosen to trust me, Mrs. Andrews. I take that very seriously.” Emilio said. “I hope in time you’ll come to trust me, too.”
“Oh, that’s rich.” Brigham, Jr. scoffed. “Trust a perv like you with Jack when he’s still so impressionable?”
“You underestimate your brother, Brigham. He knows his own mind. He has enough to struggle with without adding your judgment to the burden.”
“We’ve told him that as well.” Amanda said. “But we are concerned as to what kind of influence you are on him.”
“An accepting one. He won’t get any judgmental attitudes or shame from me about what he is.”
“You think we make him feel ashamed?” Amanda was taken aback.
“Even after he’d shared everything else, he didn’t want me to know about the blood. He’s deeply ashamed of something he cannot help, and he feels that way because of how your family handles the issue.” Emilio sincerely hoped Jack’s brother was hearing a double meaning in every word he said.
“What time is Jack going to be home?” Brigham, Sr. asked.
“I’m not sure. Some days he’s home by mid afternoon, others he’s there late. I can call him. I know he won’t answer the phone when you do.
“Yes, please, we’d appreciate that.” Amanda said.
Emilio called Jack.
“Hey, ‘Milio what’s up?” Jack answered.
“We’ve got guests. Your mom is here, and your dad and brothers. We’ve been having a nice, civilized conversation, but they came to talk to you.”
“I’ll wrap up here and be home in twenty minutes.”
Emilio relayed the message, and asked if they were hungry. By the time Jack got home, he and Amanda had a simple dinner on the table.