Read Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey for Free Online

laughed. “Like he claimed he saw a gorilla two years ago that turned out to be a combination of a scarecrow and too much whiskey.” 31
Andrew Grey
All the guys laughed except Len. “Just the same, be on the lookout for any signs.”
    “There hasn’t been a bear in the county in twenty years. I bet it was one of the Hamms’ bears he saw through the bottom of his beer glass,” Lumpy said.
The card game broke up about nine, as it usually did. The guys helped to clean up and then hit the road. Most of them lived within a couple miles of the farm.
    “Len, did you know today was Joey’s birthday?” Geoff asked.
Len’s reply was a shake of his head. “I saw him at the barn today wearing old tennis shoes and jeans with more patches than denim,” Geoff added. “What are you getting at?” Len glared at him, “You don’t want him around anymore; is that it?” The glare turned into a scowl. “’Cause I raised you better than that.”
    “Don’t get your underwear in a twist.” What had Len so growly all of a sudden? “I was thinking that tomorrow I’d take him in to town, and we’d get him a birthday present. I was thinking a pair of boots, a proper pair of jeans, and maybe a hat. If he’s gonna be out in the sun, he’ll need one.” Len turned away, and Geoff knew he was trying to hide the fact that he was feeling emotional. “Sometimes I forget just how much of your father there is in you.”
    “There’s just as much of you in me as there is him. Remember that.” Geoff patted Len’s shoulder and then went into what had been his father’s office to give Len some privacy. He looked around and found the ledgers and records on the desk and started looking through them. It became apparent that they weren’t up to date, which wasn’t a surprise, and he sat down at the desk and got to work.
    32
Love Means … NO SHAME
    An hour later, he’d been able to map out what his dad had been doing and what needed to be done to get the books caught up. He also made a note to go down to the bank to talk to them about the farm accounts, find out about his dad’s personal accounts, and see what was going on with something his father listed as his emergency account.
    Len knocked on the door frame. “Can we talk for a while?” Geoff closed the ledgers and turned off the light. “Living room?” Len nodded, and Geoff got up and followed him.
    Len sat in his usual chair. “I’ve decided that I’m going to move.”
“What? Where are you going?” This was not good. He didn’t want Len going anywhere.
    “Sorry… I mean that I want to change bedrooms. The house is yours, and you should be using the master bedroom, and….” Geoff waited for him to finish. “Sleeping in that room without Cliff… I thought I could do it, but I just can’t. There’re too many memories,” Len finished. Geoff wasn’t sure he could use the room either, but he could understand Len’s feelings. “I’ll help you move whenever you want.” “Thank you.” Len reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Your dad asked me to give this to you once you’d made your decision about keeping the farm.” Len handed it to him and got out of the chair. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He then went upstairs.

    Geoff stared at the envelope he held in his hand. He could see his name on it in his dad’s distinctive scrawl. Finally, he opened it and pulled out a handwritten letter.
    33
Andrew Grey
My Darling Son:
    By now I’m sure that Len has told you what I did and why. I know you’re probably upset with me, but this is what I wanted. These last few months have been filled with unending pain from the cancer and prodding from the doctors. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I know you would have tried to talk me out of it, and I could never deny you anything.
    I asked Len to give you this letter once you’d made a decision about keeping or selling the farm. In case you’re wondering, I know what you chose, and I’m proud