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had hired Mike as one of our stockmen. He also kind of took Mike under his wing. I’ve been out to Dad since I was sixteen. He’d always been supportive. Mike and I reckon that he hoped we’d get together from things he’d said and things he’d told some of our friends.” I got up and added coffee to the water boiling on the stove.
    “I wish I had been as wise as your father, Jeff.”
    “I was lucky. Dad spent a lot of time readin’ and researchin’ gay folks. He realized it’s not a choice. When I told him about the hand life dealt me, he had my back a hundred percent. We were pretty close, and I reckon he knew before I even told him. He got close to Mike, too. He was probably the first person who did.”
    “Is Mike happy? I guess what I’m asking is, is he okay? No one should have to go through what I put him through. Even if he never forgives me, I hope he’s well-adjusted, happy, and not damaged by the hateful beliefs I had at that time.”
    “You don’t have those same beliefs?”
    “It took what I did to Mike to show me how hateful and hypocritical I was. I’ve realized that what I believed was wrong. God doesn’t hate. He loves, and he made Mike and you the way you are.”
    “In answer to your question, he is happy now. He still has some hang-ups and issues that are a direct result of all your shit, but he’s amazin’ for havin’ gone through all that and bein’ as well-adjusted as he is. I will tell you one thing. I love Mike more than words can tell, and I don’t want to see him hurt again.” I didn’t realize until I said that the depth of the threat implied in my words. I would do just about anything to keep Mike from getting hurt further. “Mike’s decided to take his GED exam. After that, he wants to take some classes at the community college in Wenatchee for hotel and restaurant management, to help out with the dude ranch. From what he tells me, for the first time in a long while he feels like he has friends, is okay with who he is, and feels loved. If he tells you to get the hell outta here, I’ll back him completely.”
    “I understand.” The coffee was ready, so I took it off the stove and threw a cup of cold water in the pot to settle the grounds. I poured a couple of mugs and put out the sugar bowl and a carton of cream.
    “Jeff, I appreciate your even letting me in the house. I don’t want to do anything to hurt Mike anymore. I just want him to know how sorry I am for what I did.”
    “Hopefully, your sayin’ you’re sorry will help heal some of the wounds you gave him, or at least help the healin’ process along. I will tell ya though, when he mentions you, he gets riled up somethin’ fierce. I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a swing at you.”
    “I deserve that. I wouldn’t fight back.”
    “That’s between you and Mike. He’s gotta deal with you and figure out just what to do. I’ll support whatever decision he makes.”
    “That’s fair enough. You mentioned that Mike’s your best friend as well as your partner. Does Mike have any hobbies? How does he pass his spare time? I really would like to know.”
    “We both like the outdoors, so we cross-country ski quite a bit. We work out together almost every day. We’ve gone huntin’, fishin’, campin’, and snowshoein’. We cook for each other, and we have a lot of friends we get together with. I never realized it, but we do just about everythin’ together. I never get tired, bein’ with Mike.”
    He smiled, this time a genuine smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Mike was lucky to have found you.”
    “I’m the lucky one. Are you still a preacher?”
    “Not exactly. I’m a chaplain for various groups, and I have a ministry visiting gay and lesbian prisoners. I also work for an organization called PFLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. I also volunteer in several shelters for gay youth. After leaving the church I had in Nebraska, I got a degree in psychology and became a licensed