Chapter 12

Brad checked the voice message confirming it was from his grandmother and then dialed the number. He put the call on speaker.

“Hello,” came a male voice over the phone.

“Hello, Uncle Ned,” Brad said, “Merry Christmas.”

“Yeah, Merry Christmas. I’ll get your grandmother.”

Brad shook his head. He was neither surprised or offended that his uncle didn’t seem to want to talk with him. Uncle Ned had been standoffish ever since the decision had been made to have Brad live with Andy and David instead of his grandmother or with him. Brad found out later from his grandmother that Uncle Ned shared some of the beliefs regarding homosexuality she had had at first about his being taken in by a gay couple.

“Hello, Bradley! Merry Christmas!” Bertha’s happy greeting made Brad smile.

“Merry Christmas, Gran,” both men said in unison.

“And Merry Christmas to you, too, my handsome grandson-in law.”