chief

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

- Father Laurence

 

The two teenage boys sat on the low wall surrounding their high school. Dan and Mark both knew what people would say if they saw the two of them together, but they didn’t care. It was worth the risk if they could spend time together. Dan and Mark had been secretly getting together each day after school, being the only two gay boys in school provided a certain level of camaraderie. They both sat in pensive silence while the cars on the street rushed past. Dan turned to Mark, took a big breath and paused.

“What is it Dan?” Mark stared hard at the ground his feet kicking back and forth slowly, his voice a low monotone as if he thought he already knew what Dan was going to say, “I know you, and you’re trying to say something, what is it.” When Dan didn’t answer Mark slid himself off the low wall and looked Dan square in the face, “If you’re trying to tell me you don’t want to be friends anymore fine, just spit it out. You won’t be the first friend I’ve lost because I won’t change who I am.” Dan’s face morphed from shock to fear to confusion as he opened his mouth again with a perturbed look on his face, “What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t I want to be friends with you?” he paused for a moment looking down, “You’re the greatest friend I’ve ever had.”

The anger hiding Mark’s fear drained away from his face, “Oh,” he let himself smile briefly, “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault. I guess I’m just a little jumpy you know, what with my parents.” Dan looked up eagerly, “That’s what I want to talk to you about,” Mark looked at Dan puzzled. Mark opened his mouth, took a breath and closed it again; his face twisted in confusion, “You want to talk to me about my parents?” Dan smiled and led Mark back to the ledge to sit. Once they were sitting facing each other Dan took a deep breath and started again, “Ok, this is hard for me to say, but I guess it’s worth the risk.” He paused and took another deep breath, “I like you Mark. I like you like you, I’ve felt this way for such a long time, it’s not just a crush anymore.” Dan looked deeply into Mark’s eyes, “I want us to be together, it won’t be much different, and everyone thinks we are anyway.” A look of shock and realization slowly spread over Mark’s face, “You…me…” he trailed off his mouth hanging agape in shock. Dan twisted his ring nervously on his finger, “Well, what do you say?” A grin broke out across Mark’s face as he took Dan’s hands into his own, “Yes. Yes, of course yes. This is just….wow.” He paused for a moment, “Wait, what does this have to do with my parents?” Dan looked down at the ground, “Well, I had always promised my parents that if I was ever in a relationship I would tell them, but if I tell them there is a chance they’ll want to talk to your parents about it.” Mark’s eyes widened with fear, “You think I should come out to my parents?! Do you remember what happened when I told them I didn’t want to join the football team?” Mark jumped off the low wall, grabbed his backpack and started to walk away. Dan dropped off the wall snagging his backpack with one hand as the other reached out to stop Mark, “Mark, please reconsider, people will talk anyway. Wouldn’t your parents rather find out from you?” Mark paused, considering the options. He heaved a sigh and turned to face Dan, “If I get kicked out for this I’m coming to live on your couch.” A smile broke across Dan’s face as he hugged Mark. Smiling, the two boys walked home hand in hand.

Dan walked through his front door the smile on his face fading as he heard his mother’s voice, “I don’t care what your god tells you, open your eyes and use your brain.” She paused for a moment listening, “You call that murder? What about the slaughtering of animals used to feed you every day?!” She paused again and Dan took the opportunity to slide past her without being noticed. Throwing his bag in his room Dan crashed onto the couch next to his dad. His dad was half asleep on the couch, his parents had just gotten back from a three day democratic convention but they stayed a day later to picket a local slaughterhouse. While they were gone Dan’s older brother, Rob, had come home for a few days to keep an eye on Dan and his little sister Haley. Just like his father, Roy, Rob had been the high school football star. Unlike his father Rob continued through college and was now playing semi-pro whenever he had a chance. No one in Dan’s family knew that he had never gone to a football practice, they assumed that’s where he was every day after school and he had never bothered to correct them.

His little sister, Haley, was sitting on the floor texting anyone and everyone who would respond. Her parents had just gotten her a cellphone for her thirteenth birthday and she was making the most of it. Dan's own cellphone suddenly started vibrating in his pocket. Seeing Mark's name appear on the screen he smiled and answered, “Hey, just a sec.” Dan quickly headed to his room and closed the door throwing a cd in the boom-box by his bed to block out the conversation from prying ears. Dan lay down on the bed, one hand under his head, “Hey, what's up?” He heard Mark take a deep breath, “I don't know if I can do this Dan. How do I tell them?” Dan smiled, he even thought Mark's imperfections were adorable, “Mark, it's easy you just say, 'Mom, Dad, I'm gay.” Even through the phone Mark heard the squeal that can only be made by a little sister who has just learned a juicy secret. Dan sprang up from his bed to see Haley peeking through the door, her mouth agape in shock. In two steps Dan was at the door pulling his little sister inside his room and putting himself between her and the door, “What did you hear?” Haley's shocked look turned into a malicious grin, “I heard everything, and I’m telling Mom!” Haley bolted past Dan screaming at the top of her lungs “MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!!!!!!” Dan let out a long groan and grabbed the forgotten phone, “Mark, I'm going to have to call you back, I think I just came out to my parents.” Dan could almost hear a shudder running through Mark's voice, “Oh God, please call me back when you sort this out.” Dan let out a sigh, “I will I promise.” Dan heard his father's screaming voice, “DANIEL PATRIC CASBROOK GET YOU'RE FAG ASS DOWN HERE!!!” Dan cringed, “I gotta go, the proverbial shit just hit the fan.”

Dan snapped shut his phone and walked down to the den a funeral march playing in his head. When he stepped into the room his father snapped, “SIT DOWN NOW!” With a predetermined aura of defiance Dan slumped onto the couch. Biting her lip, tears in her eyes Dan's mother looked down at him in disgrace, “What are you trying to do to us?” She let out a sob, “What do you think the neighbors will say?! You are such a disgrace to this family. Why can't you be more like your brother! What do you have to say for yourself?!” Dan stared stony eyed at his mother refusing to rise to her questioning. “ANSWER YOUR MOTHER!” Dan stared straight ahead deep in his own world. Dan's mother let out a long sigh, “We know who did this to you, and we’re going to fix all this. You are not allowed to see him ever again.” Dan snapped out of his world, “You can't do that to me.” Roy stared hard at Dan, “Yes we can, now go to your room and don't come out until you like girls again.”

Dan stormed back to his room slamming the door shut behind him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he heard his closet door slide open his eyes snapped open in fury. His sister liked to hide in there to spy on him. He thought his sister was just trying to dish up some more dirt on him, but then he saw her tear streaked face and he could tell she knew she made a mistake. Haley sniffled pitifully, “Daddy won't stop yelling, make Daddy stop yelling. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do anything wrong.” Dan keeled down so he was on the same level as Haley, holding her close and letting her cry into his shoulder, “It's alright, I know you didn't mean it. You didn't know what you were doing.” Dan sat her down on the bed and pulled down his old stuffed dog from the top shelf of his desk, the only place in the room Haley couldn't reach, “Would playing with Charlie make things better?” Dan used the stuffed dog to nuzzle Haley's cheek. Haley sniffled softly and a small grin broke out across her face, “Can I sleep with you tonight?” Dan ruffled her hair playfully, “Yea, I guess so, let's get you tucked in, you must be tired. It's getting late.” After Haley was settled in leaning up against Dan she nudged him, “Would you read me a story?” Dan let out a groan but grabbed a book from the shelf by his bed and read until she felt asleep.

Mark was supposed to be doing his homework but he was too distracted, he was looking up coming out stories on the internet. He didn't want to walk into this unprepared; suddenly he heard the phone ring. It was never for him so he never bothered to pick up, but he was close enough to hear his mother's side of the conversation, “Hello? Yes, this is she. What do you mean my son turned your son gay? No, I don't, why should I care if my son is gay. No, I think at age 18 I've done all I can to raise him correctly and I trust him to make his own decisions. Well I'm sorry you feel that way, and no I won't tell my son to stay away from yours. Goodbye.” Mark heard the click of the phone and his mother's soft footsteps followed by a knock on the door, “Mark, honey? Could I talk to you for a minute?” Mark let out a soft sigh, “Yea mom, come on in, might as well get Dad in here for this.” Mark's mother left and came back with his dad in tow, “Alright, I think you know what this is about. Is there anything you want to tell us?” Mark stood up and paced to his shelves, the ones with the football trophies and he ran a finger over them, “Mom, dad, I'm gay. I'm going out with Dan; we're going to prom together.” Mark's father opened his mouth, closed it again, and then opened it again, “You should look into Harvey Milk School, you might enjoy it there.” Mark stared at his parents, his mouth hanging open, “You mean you're ok with this?!” Mark's mother and father glanced at each other, “Do you want us not to be?” Mark's mother asked. Mark answered quickly, “No, no, I'm just surprised is all.” Mark's mother stood up, “Well it's time to make dinner.” She walked out of the room and into the kitchen. Mark's father hesitated for a moment before following her out, “We love you Mark, no matter who you love.” Mark turned back to his computer, “Hmmmm, Harvey Milk High School, I wonder what that is.” A quick search showed up a plethora of results, ranging from pictures to articles, Mark printed some out and turned off his computer. Following his parents into the kitchen he mentally prepared for the most awkward dinner he had ever had so far.

The next morning Mark and Dan had their first period together; Mark leaned over to Dan, “How did it go?” Dan looked up at Mark, “You mean you didn't hear the phone call my mom made?” Mark frowned, “That bad?” Dan let out a sigh, “Worse, my dad wouldn't stop yelling and my mom wouldn't stop crying. I don't think they could have been more disappointed if I told them I was a serial killer. How did it go for you?” Mark fidgeted in his seat, “Pretty well actually, my parents told me about this school, it's where a lot of gay kids go.” Mark felt guilty, his parents were supposed to be the one's freaking out, not Dan's. Dan perked up, “Really? What's it called?” Mark pulled out the papers he had printed out the nigh before, “It's called Harvey Milk High School; here let me read you a few articles. 'Health class, Harvey Milk School: a male student in drag is talking about his last experience with alcohol. ''A drunken butch queen was getting on my case, criticizing me and acting flamboyant,

so I pulled a knife on her.'' A gay youth interjects, ''If you consider yourself a woman, you should act like a woman 24 hours a day.'' So the boy in drag appeals to the only avowed straight girl in the school: ''In this situation, are you going to use your knife or not?'' She says, ''You best believe I'll be using my knife.' How great does that sound?” With every word Mark got more and more excited (Brady1).

Dan was listening intently, “Wow, that sounds.....interesting, do you have any other ones? I need some fodder to throw at my parents.” Mark shuffled through the papers looking for something, “Yea, hear it is, 'Schools that serve gay students, like the Harvey Milk School, are a necessary response to a growing problem. Too often at regular high schools, gay students face taunts, physical violence or the denial of services because of their sexual orientation. Places like the Harvey Milk School provide a safe space for kids who have had to deal with hate-filled bullies. As a recent Harvey Milk graduate, I know how important places like it are. Before I transferred there, I went to a public high school, where I was known as the "angry dyke girl." Guys placed bets on their ability to make me straight. Teachers were quick to remind me that my life would be hard. Since some of my relatives view homosexuality as a sin, I needed school to be a refuge, so I transferred to Harvey Milk. There, everyone from students to teachers understood what I'd gone through, so I could focus on classes rather than self-protection.' ”If that's not a good argument I don't know what is (“GAY Schools”106).” Dan was smiling at the idea of convincing his parents, “We should go see that school, I want to see what it looks like”

After school Dan and Mark went over to the school and stared at the nondescript entrance to the building.

(Strangebillions)

Dan turned to Mark, “I thought it would be more.....well interesting.” Mark shrugged, “I did too, still though, it's the meaning that counts.” Dan took a deep breath, “Mark, I don't know if I can do this, I mean, my parents. They will barely let me out of the house.” Mark took Dan's hand , “It could be worse, I read another article about this girl our age, hang on, I have it here, 'It was only first period at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge when 17-year-old Leslie-Claire Spillman sensed that something was wrong. The door to her classroom burst open, a girl jumped in and yelled, "It's time!" Spillman soon heard students murmuring and slamming lockers in the halls. As she edged her way outside, she realized that all the commotion was about--her. "No Gay Clubs!" the kids were chanting as the crowds began to grow thicker and meaner in the halls. Spillman is the openly bisexual cochairman of the Gay-Straight Alliance, a group she and her friend Martin Pfeiffer, also 17, had fought for six months to form. They had started with the school's principal and battled all the way to Louisiana's East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. But the morning's mini-melee was tougher than any of those fights. A girl walked up to Spillman and said, "Watch your back. I'm going to f---ing beat you're a--." One of Pfeiffer's teachers barricaded him in a classroom. When it was all over, the school suspended 36 anti-gay protesters. Yet that didn't make it any easier for Spillman and Pfeiffer. "The kid lives in a pressure cooker," says Pfeiffer's mom, Molly. "I don't know how he gets up every morning.” See, at least we don't get harassed too badly in our school” (Peyser 2). Dan slumped down sitting on the sidewalk, “Maybe you don't, you're on the football team. Second period everyone was just gathered around me screaming out...I can't even repeat it. Mark, the kids in school like you, they'll leave you alone. I don't think I can do this.” Mark slid to the ground next to Mark, “You can do this I know you can.” For a moment silence seemed to invade their entire world, Dan's phone broke the silence, “Shit, I have to run, my parents want to know where I am.” Dan got up to leave, Mark stood up. “I'll walk you home.” Dan spun around, “No! If my parents see you they'll rip you apart.” Mark looked down at the ground, “It would be worth it for you.” Dan wrapped his arms around Mark, “Just go home, keep yourself safe.” The two boys parted ways and made their way home.

Mark walked home slowly, watching his feet follow, one after the other oblivious to the thumping footsteps behind him. Two blocks from home the footsteps caught up with him and threw him to the ground, as Mark rolled over he was pulled to his feet and found himself face to face with Dan's father, Roy. Roy growled into Mark's face, his breath smelling of alcohol, “You little fairy,” he slurred, “You turned my son into one of you, I'm going to make you pay for that.” Mark's eyes widened and he tried to run away but Roy was too powerful. When he was done Roy was a barely distinguishable pile of blood and broken bones.

The next morning the school was abuzz with talk, everywhere Dan went whispering followed him. Sitting alone in lunch the school psychologist came up to him, she had a reputation for standing up for the kids who needed her. She sat down next to him with a concerned look on her face, “Your mother called.” She paused, unsure how to go on, “Your father is in jail for assault, and it may be tried as a hate crime.” Dan paused, taking everything in, slowly it sunk in, “Where is Mark? I haven't seen him all day, is he ok?!” The psychologist put her hand on his shoulder, “He's in a coma, and the doctors don't know when he'll wake up.” Dan collapsed sobbing; his entire world came crashing down on him. He had known his dad was going out drinking, he should have warned Mark better. When his eyes finally dried he saw the psychologist had left a piece of paper next to him. On one side was the address of a local hospital, on the other side was a phone number with the words depression hot line written underneath.

Dan ran all the way to the hospital, stopping only when the tears and ragged breathing turned his vision into a narrow gray tunnel. He walked into the room, Mark was hooked up to machines and I.V.'s . He was still a bruised mess and Dan slumped into the hospital chair tears streaming down his face, “Don't die Mark, please don't die. We're going to go to Harvey Milk School right? Look, I did more research.” He went to pull some papers out of the bag he had left in school. He collapsed into the chair again, shuddering sobs racking his body. He was still sobbing when the nurse came in, “I'm so sorry hun but you're going to have to leave. We'll let the family know if anything changes.” Dan struggled to gain control of his own body, he wiped his eyes and left the hospital. Dan knew he couldn't go home; he couldn't face his family after this. Dan wandered the streets, lost and alone. He fingered the slip of paper the psychologist had given him, looking at the number before crumpling it up and throwing it into the nearest garbage can. He had already made his decision.

Mark opened his eyes groggily; the last thing he remembered was an explosion of pain, then blackness, then nothing. He struggled to determine where he was, he heard a beeping noise, felt pain all over his body. Then he heard his mom, “He's awake, he's awake!” He felt his mothers loving arms holding his hand, “Mom?” He could hear his mom trying to hold back the tears, “Yes honey, I'm here, it's ok.” He struggled to form sentences, he felt as though his lips were three sizes too big, “What, what happened, where's Dan?” He heard his mom's voice crack as she tried to answer, “Not now, you're not strong enough. Get some rest.” Suddenly Mark was awake, fully awake, and scared, “Mom, where is Dan?” His mother sighed, still crying, “I'm so sorry hon. When he heard, he.” She paused, unable to go on, “He's gone.” It took Mark a minute to understand, “What like, he moved?” Mark's mother started to cry again, “No, he's gone gone. When he found out what his father had done to you, he...he...you shouldn't be hearing this right now.” Suddenly Mark understood, he felt as though his heart was being rError running style: Style code didn't finish running in a timely fashion. Possible causes:

• Infinite loop in style or layer


• Database busy