Read Online A Good Enough Reason by C.M. Lievens - Free Book Online Page B

you to read that stuff.”
    “I’ll be fine.”
    “What about you? Do you already have an idea of the arguments you’re going to use?”
    “Some, yes.”
    “Care to share?”
    “The First Amendment to the Constitution.”
    “Uh?”
    “You know, guarantee of equality. There was even a case in the eighties where a federal court ruled in favor of a guy who wanted to bring his boyfriend to the prom.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah. I’ll use that as a start, I guess, expose the case. I’ll explain why I think same-sex couples should be treated like straight ones in school, the new laws created to support them, stuff like that.”
    “Looks like you have a plan.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “So, now that you know how your essay is going to go, what about what I told you the other day?”
    “Dale, you talk so much I can’t possibly know what you’re asking me if you don’t give me more clues than the other day .”
    “I still want to help you find a date for prom.”
    “And my answer is still no.”
    “I don’t get it. Why don’t you want to go?”
    Ellis played with his pen as he answered. “I don’t get what the hype about dating is.”
    “You mean you don’t want to date?”
    Ellis shrugged. “It looks like a complication to me.”
    “I guess it depends on how you look at it. Sure, it’s a complication because you have to dedicate time to another person and compromise, but you get so much in return.”
    “Like what?” Ellis was curious to know what Dale was getting out of his relationship with Stephanie. It didn’t mean he was interested in the guy. Nope.
    “You know you can always count on the other person. You can talk to them about everything without having to hide. You can be yourself. You know there’s someone out there who’s not related to you but loves you anyway.”
    “Is that what Stephanie gives you?”
    Dale hesitated, and it made Ellis wonder why, but he didn’t ask. “More or less. We haven’t been together long, so we’re not there yet.”
    “But you want to be.”
    “Sure.”
    Ellis told himself he was imagining the glance Dale had shot him with his last answer. It was the only thing that made sense. He was probably letting his wishes get the better of him, even if he hadn’t admitted them yet, not even not himself.
    “You can’t have that with everyone, though.”
    “No, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Hey, I’m not going to force you. Just keep it in mind, okay?”
    Ellis nodded, even though he knew he’d never talk about this again unless Dale was the one bringing it up.
    “Oh, and the sex.”
    Ellis startled. “What?”
    “It’s another reason. Can’t forget the sex.”
    Images Ellis didn’t want to see flashed in his mind, so he shook his head. “Oh, shut up. The last thing I want is to hear about is your sex life. It would scar me for life.”
    “Ah, I bet you’re jealous.”
    “Of you? Do I have to remind you Stephanie doesn’t have the right plumbing for me?”
    “You’re jealous of her, then.”
    Ellis stared. He knew he had to make a joke out of it if he didn’t want things to become awkward between them, but gosh, it was so hard. “Hardly. If I had to choose, then yeah, I’d be jealous of you.”
    Dale barked out a laugh and was immediately shushed by the dragon lady. “Come on, let’s get to work.”
    Ellis was relieved when they went back to their research, but the entire conversation left an unpleasant aftertaste.
     
     
    “MOM? ANYONE? I’m home.”
    Ellis groaned at the sound of Connor’s voice. “Living room!” he answered. He looked up from his book as Connor came in.
    “Hey.”
    “Really, Connor? Really?”
    “What?”
    “Oh, come on. You and Damien moved out, yet you’re here more often than when you lived here! Can’t I get just one little year of peace before I’m off to college?”
    Connor smirked and flopped on the couch next to Ellis. He reached up and tried to ruffle Ellis’s hair,