Page 7 of Blessings in Disguise

“He wants to talk with me, Dr. Kendrick. Because I’m a man.”

That meant his problem was about sex. “I’ve talked to the boys here about sex, Harlan.”

Harlan’s face turned beat red.

“Dr. Shepherd?”

“I think I can help him. But I won’t do it without your permission.”

“Is that what you want, Harlan?”

He nodded.

“It’s fine by me. Dr. Shepherd is an excellent counselor.” She glanced toward the door. “There’s an empty office right down the hall. Why don’t I take you there and you two can talk.”

Caleb sighed in relief. What did he think she would do? No matter. The boy’s welfare was at issue. “Let’s go.”

They followed her to a room at the end of the corridor. She flipped on lights. “Go ahead. But know, Harlan, I’m on your side too, if you change your mind.”

She started out. Caleb walked with her. When she got through the door, he followed her into the hallway. “Thank you, Gemma. Honestly this was his decision.”

“Of course it was. I don’t doubt you.” She squeezed his arm. “Go ahead now and help him today. I’ll have to get the okay from Jackson for you to go further.”

“Of course.”

With that she walked away. She felt comfortable leaving Harlan in Caleb’s hands. She’d have to figure out her reaction when she was alone.

Chapter 2

The talk was serious…

“It’s not worth it,” Harlan told him.

“What isn’t worth it?”

“Everything. I can’t make anything better.”

“Let’s talk about steps to do just that.”

And the emotion excruciating…

He cried as he talked. “I keep seeing the disgust on his face. It makes me sick to my stomach.”

“Do you think you could talk to him?”

“No! What would I say…please like me even though I’m gay?” “Fuck!”

The suggestions…

“Maybe we could start by talking to your mother.”

“Oh, God.”

After an hour and a half, Caleb sat back in his chair. “I think you’re saturated talking about this, Harlan.”

“I-I’m whipped.”

“How about we stop for today and you can go to your cabin and rest now. We can meet again, if you want.” Caleb took out his phone and called up his calendar. “I’m free the day after tomorrow at three o’clock.”

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