Page 51 of After the Rain

"The truth—that you and Ezra are friends, that Cooper likes his teacher, that there's nothing inappropriate happening. But Wade, they're really upset. Mom keeps saying things about 'protecting Cooper from influences' and Dad mentioned something about consulting their lawyer."

My stomach dropped. "Their lawyer?"

"I don't think they're serious yet, but they're... they're scared, Wade. They think something is happening that could hurt Cooper, and they don't understand that you being gay doesn't make you dangerous."

Wednesday brought another call, this one during my lunch break at work.

"They want to have dinner this weekend," Sarah said, sounding exhausted. "All of us—me, Cooper, you, them. They say they want to 'observe family dynamics' and make sure Cooper is 'thriving in his current environment.'"

"That sounds like they're building a case."

"I think they are. Wade, I'm trying to manage them, but they're not listening to me. They keep saying I'm too trusting, that I don't understand the dangers of having 'that kind of person' around Cooper."

Thursday's call came while I was picking Cooper up from school.

"Dad wants to hire a private investigator," Sarah said, her voice cracking. "He thinks if they can prove you and Ezra are... involved... they can petition the court for supervised visitation only."

"Can they do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Probably not successfully, but they could make our lives hell trying. Wade, I'm scared. I don't want to fight them, but I won't let them hurt you or Cooper with their prejudice."

But for the first time, the fear didn't paralyze me. It clarified my choices.

Saturday afternoon, I took Cooper to the hardware store to pick up supplies for the treehouse we'd been planning. He chattered excitedly about his upcoming birthday party, debating cake flavors and guest lists.

That's when we encountered Mrs. Garrett and her adult son in the lumber aisle. Her voice carried with the kind of theatrical volume that suggested she wanted to be overheard.

"That teacher is clearly inappropriate with the children," she was saying. "The way he looks at certain fathers during pickup...it's disgusting. Someone needs to protect these innocent children from that kind of influence."

Cooper didn't understand the words, but he sensed the hostility in her tone. He moved closer to me, his small hand finding mine.

"People like that shouldn't be around children," her son added. "It's not natural."

The naked hatred directed at Ezra—and by extension, at me—hit like a physical blow. Cooper looked up at me with confused eyes, picking up on the tension without understanding its source.

"Daddy, what are they talking about?"

Before I could respond, Mrs. Garrett's voice rose again. "Parents need to know what's happening in their children's classrooms. Some people's lifestyles don't belong around impressionable young minds."

Something in me snapped. The protective instinct that had driven every major decision since Cooper was born roared to life, overriding my usual conflict avoidance.

I stepped around the corner, Cooper still holding my hand.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice carrying across the aisle. "But Mr. Mitchell is an excellent teacher who cares deeply about all his students. If you have concerns about the education your child is receiving, perhaps you should address them through proper channels instead of spreading gossip in public."

Mrs. Garrett's face flushed red, clearly not expecting to be confronted. Her son stepped closer, his expression hostile.

"We're just concerned about protecting our children from inappropriate influences," Mrs. Garrett said, her voice dripping with false concern.

"There's nothing inappropriate about Mr. Mitchell's conduct as a teacher. But there is something inappropriate about adults spreading rumors and hatred where children can hear them."

Cooper tugged on my hand. "Daddy, why is everyone upset?"

"We're leaving," I said, picking up our lumber order and heading for the checkout. But not before Mrs. Garrett got in the last word.

"Some people's lifestyles don't belong around children. Parents have a right to know who's influencing their babies."

In the truck, Cooper's questions came fast and confused.

---