Chapter 70

“Steve is Philip’s nephew,” I said. “His boyfriend, Roger, lives here also.”

“There must be a story behind that.”

“True, but since they’re minors, it can’t be published without the respective parents’ permission,” I said. “Are you familiar with the recent lawsuit against that Baptist preacher and his church?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Roger’s parents let him live here with us because his younger brothers were two of the preacher’s victims,” I said. “After Roger came out to his family, his brothers were constantly telling him that he was going to Hell because he was gay.”

“The bastard,” Brian said.

“That about sums it up. Philip, why don’t you ask the boys to join us?”

Philip went down the hall and returned a few minutes later with Steve and Roger. We introduced the boys to Brian and told them what we’d decided. “So, guys,” I said, “want to take on a new and somewhat temporary employee?”

“You bet we do, Uncle Charles,” Steve said.