“Hello?”
Phillip cleared his throat. “Um...Hi. My name isPhillip Grabowski,” he started and rolled his eyes. “I'm a friendof your son.”
“Josh? Is he okay?” came a soft, pleadingvoice.
“No… Ryan.” He took a deep breath. “We servetogether. He's over in Iraq right now.”
“Oh. Ryan.” The voice went colder and Phillipwanted to scream. “I'm sorry. Ryan is dead to us.”
“Yeah. Ryan.” Phillip resisted the urge to growlat the woman. Ryan wasn't dead. But he was in a place that couldmake him that way. Fucking bitch didn't even think about what shewas saying. “I know y'all don't…agree with his…life choices but youshould be proud of him. He's a great man,” Phillip said softly.
“I'm sorry, we don't talk about Ryan. He...brokehis father's heart.”
Well good, because they broke Ryan's heart.
“Ma'am, I just think you should get to know yourson. He's amazing.”
“We know all we need to know. He's made amockery of everything his father and I tried to teach him. He'llburn in Hell for his sins.”
Phillip took a deep breath and willed himselfnot to lose his temper. “Ma'am, some would disagree with you. Ryanis well-respected. He's smart and he takes care of the men underhim. He saves lives. He's a hero to a lot of guys.”
“That just tells you how bad this world hasgotten. He's a queer. He's a sin in Gods’ eyes and only a sodomitewould ever consider him a hero.”
That did it. Phillip's jaw tightened and hesnorted.
“Alright, you know I tried to be nice. I did.But, lady you just went there. Now you shut the fuck up--” Thewoman began to sputter. “Shut the HELL up and listen to me. First,your son is a GOOD man. God hasn't forgotten him. God loves himwarts and all, which is a helluva lot more than his parents did. Iwould think being the good Christian folks you are, you would knowthat only God gets to judge. Not some close-minded hypocriticalhuman.” He took a deep breath and continued. “He puts his life onthe line so you and your husband can sit back and call him and theothers like him a sinner. So you can condemn him to hellfirebecause he doesn't conform to your idea of what sin is or isn't.Let me tell you this,Lady,I've been in the Army a wholelot longer than he has. I can safely say that if I wanted oneperson at my back it would be your son. Ryan is the best soldier Iever had the pleasure to serve with. He would make a great son ifyou and your husband would pull your head out of your asses andjust look at him!”
The woman was silent. Then she let out a softbreath. “I'm sorry, Mr Grabowski. He's no longer our concern.”
Phillip snarled at that. “Don't you worry, MrsGracin. He'll never have to worry about being your concern. He's MYfamily now. I just wished that you fucking good Christians wouldopen your eyes and stop judging him. He'd love to have his parentsback in his life. But, you know what? I was a fucking idiot foreven thinking I could talk to you. I hope you have a great life.Don't worry about Ryan. You're right, he's not your concern. He'smine. And know what else? He really doesn't need a mother andfather anymore. He's got people that love and respect the hell outof him.” He slammed the phone down and threw it across theroom.
“Did my phone piss you off?” Mark askedlazily.
“No.”
“Then why did you abuse it?”
“Because Ryan's parents are fucking idiots.Wanna go to Ohio with me?”
“Nope, killing them would only upset Ryan,” Marksaid.
“Jerk.” Phillip leaned back in the chair andsighed.
“It doesn't really matter anymore; Phil. Ryanhas so much family now that those two don't even register.”
“Yeah they do. For twenty-two years they lovedhim. How the hell they go from loving him to…? God that woman wasso fucking cold I'd like to rip her head off.” Phillip growled.
“You cussed her. Her poor little virgin ears areprobably still bleeding. Let's call it even. Besides if you go tojail before Ryan can get back he'll be really bitchy. I don't likebitchy Ryan.”
***
16 Dec 2006
Phillip,
Thank you.
Ryan.
