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I gripped the steering wheel as we drove to my parents' home.

Kurt kept putting his paw on my thigh, but for once in my life I wasn't feeling reassured by the Doberman's gentle touch. I had been feeling tense ever since I'd woken up. Kurt had awoken before me and I could smell the scent of breakfast cooking in the kitchen when my eyes opened. "Here you go bud," Kurt said a moment later, walking in with a tray laden with bacon, pancakes and orange juice. "We need our strength." He added, setting it on the bed. I smiled and appreciated how kind Kurt was being, even if it didn't fully dispel my nerves. We ate in silence until Kurt cleared the plates away. "I'll do the dishes," I said, getting to my hind-paws. "It's okay, I'll get them," Kurt replied, gently putting a paw on my shoulder and helping me back into bed. I felt a slight moment of arousal as I saw Kurt's perky ass as he carried the dishes back out of the bedroom, but I sighed as I thought about the day ahead. I couldn't lay in bed any longer so I climbed out and ambled to the bathroom. I had showered the night before but I wanted to be fresh and clean looking for my parents. The shower door opened and I turned to see Kurt stepping under the water too. The Doberman wrapped his arms around me and we kissed as the water washed over us. "Can we just stay in the shower all day with you holding me?" I suggested. "As wonderful as that sounds we'd better go and get ready," Kurt sighed. "I'm sure once we get there it won't be as bad as it seems." I wasn't so sure, but I smiled and kissed Kurt. The Doberman tightened his hug and slid his tongue into my mouth. "I think we'd better dry off bud," he sighed, breaking off. I shut off the water and shook myself dry before Kurt handed me a towel and helped me to smooth my fur down.

Once I felt dry I put on my smart jeans and a polo shirt. Even though I was going to my own parents' house I felt it was a good idea to look nice. Kurt had the same thought and dressed himself in black jeans and a short sleeved button up shirt. "Chadwick and Reggie will be there too," he reminded me. The idea of Chadwick being there made me feel a little better.

I'm in a better position than gay guys who have to do this on their own.

But the thought was diminished as Kurt and I walked out to the car. I had insisted on driving even though Kurt was concerned that being nervous would cause me to loose concentration. "It's kind of you to offer, and as cool as I find your car I think speeding up on the driveway with it might not make the best first impression," I reasoned. "Good point," Kurt replied as we climbed into my Mazda. A minute later we were driving to the outskirts of San Amador and joining the highway in the direction of San Fernando. Kurt spoke about the trip to Europe and how happy the other models had been when Carl broke the news. It had been indeed cute seeing Doug, Jerry and Spencer all wag their tails and fist bump after our shoot in the forest clearing, but I found it hard to listen to Kurt and concentrate on the road at the same time. "Sorry bud, I'm probably not helping," Kurt sighed. I reached out to take his paw. "You're good, I just feel a little distracted," I admitted. "Just know that I love you Alec," Kurt said, squeezing my paw. "I suddenly realised I haven't elaborated much about my parents," I sighed. "Some background info would help, so I can try to ingratiate myself," Kurt nodded. "Well, my father is called Gus and my mother is Cheryl. My father is a mechanic and runs a small garage, my mother doesn't work. You'd probably want to call them Mr and Mrs Kowalski," I explained. "Noted," Kurt replied. I glanced out of the window and saw my turning was coming up. "My parents live in Sulston, a town just on the city limits of San Fernando," I explained. The name made me feel a sense of heaviness in my stomach.

It was not a place I had much of a desire to go back to.

We reached the outskirts of Sulston with its almost identical strip malls and the same stores over and over. I felt grateful for the fact San Amador had a municipal law which prioritised local businesses over chain ones. The strip malls passed by and we were into the residential area. The houses were smaller than the properties on the street where Kurt's parents lived and the front yards weren't as well-kempt. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I reached the turning for my parents' street. "Number twelve, Obelisk Street," I murmured under my breath. "Sorry bud?" Kurt asked. "My parents' address," I replied as I turned into the street. "To be honest I spent most of my life trying to leave here." Kurt took my paw again and squeezed it. I saw my parents' house approaching and pulled up on the driveway. Like Ralph and Mia's house, it was white painted with a small veranda at the front, but was smaller and tired looking. The grass in the front yard was also tufty and growing over the driveway. I noticed Aunt Alexandra's Dodge was sitting outside the garage next to Chadwick's Subaru. I took a deep breath. "Ready?" I asked Kurt. "As I'll ever be," Kurt replied. "I'm sure it won't be as bad once we get inside." I still wasn't sure, but I put on a brave face for Kurt. As we stepped out of the car the doors to Chadwick's Subaru opened and the other Coyote emerged dressed in shorts and another varsity hoodie from his college. Reggie stepped out behind dressed in a smart polo- evidently he'd had the same idea as Kurt and I. "Hey dudes," Chadwick called. There was a smile on his muzzle but his voice was a little shaky. "I wanted to wait for you guys before we go in." "Hey," I said. "Ready?" "I think so," Chadwick replied. I started to wonder if all of us going to the front door at the same time was a bad idea, but Chadwick and Reggie were already making their way up the path. I sighed and followed with Kurt in tow. The muscular Doberman walked directly behind me like a bodyguard.

Chadwick reached the door first and knocked. It was opened a second later and the lanky, skinny figure of my father appeared alongside Aunt Alexandra. My father was wearing an old looking brown sweater with jeans, something he did all year round even when it was warm. Aunt Alexandra was also clad in a sweater although hers was a brighter green colour. "Hello Chadwick," she said, with something close to a on her muzzle. "And this must be Reggie." She added. Her voice seemed flat but not hostile. "Pleased to meet you ma'am," Reggie replied, holding out his paw. Aunt Alexandra hesitated as if not knowing what to do, before she forced a smile onto her muzzle and nervously took it. Chadwick and Reggie then stepped inside and followed Aunt Alexandra out of sight. Like waiting in some kind of bizarre line for something, I stepped forwards with Kurt behind me. "Hello father," I said nervously. "Hello Alec," he replied curtly. "How was your drive up?" "It was fine," I said, wondering if he was going to invite me in or acknowledge Kurt. "I brought Kurt with me." I added, trying to prompt a response. "So I see, well it's interesting to meet you in person. You'd both better come in, your mother has back pain and is in the living room." "It's a pleasure to meet you sir, Alec has told me a lot about you," Kurt said politely, extending a paw as Reggie had. My father's reaction was pretty much the same. He hesitated before smiling and taking it.

Awkward, but not catastrophic.

We followed my father into the house, which was just as I had remembered it; plain walls, a couple of uninteresting abstract prints in the hallway. I followed my father into the living room and saw my mother was sitting in a wicker chair in the corner. My mother was wearing grey button up blouse and a skirt. She was how I remembered; skinny with a slightly fraught expression on her face. As I stepped closer I noticed her muzzle had grown greyer and her cheeks seemed more gaunt. "Hello mother," I said, trying my best to smile. "Hello," she replied, getting up slowly to her hind-paws. She walked over and looked me up and down. "So, how is this new job of yours going?" "Honestly, it didn't work out," I explained carefully. "I felt the working environment wasn't the right kind for me." "So what are you going to do now?" She asked, her tone remaining flat. "I'm working at the same place Kurt is working at," I replied. "This is Kurt here." I added, as if the tall, muscular Doberman was somehow invisible to my mother. "It's great to finally meet you ma'am," Kurt said, extending his paw once again. My mother didn't respond and Kurt's paw retreated. "What job is this?" She asked. I hesitated, splaying my ears but also feeling angry that she had brushed Kurt aside. "Working for a design company, in the retail sector," Kurt answered for me. My mother made a noncommittal hmm noise in response before Chadwick, Reggie and Aunt Alexandra walked into the room. I noticed Reggie and Aunt Alexandra were chatting nervously. Aunt Alexandra smiled and let out a small chuckle at something Reggie said.

Progress I guess.

But I wished it was my mother making an effort to chat with Kurt. She had returned to her seat and was gazing out of the window at the back yard which was also tufty like the front. An old lawn mower that I assumed my father was meant to be fixing lay dismembered by the back door. "I could make us all some coffee," I offered, trying to break the awkwardness. "Yes, why don't you," my father replied. I wandered into the kitchen followed by Kurt. Even though it felt like ages since I had last been in my parents' house I still knew the layout. I retrieved some coffee from the cupboard and set the kettle on the stove. "You okay?" I whispered to Kurt. "I think so," the Doberman replied. "They allowed me into their home, which was a good sign." "I'm sorry my mother is being cold though," I sighed as the kettle began to boil. Kurt glanced around before giving my paw a squeeze in response. "Perhaps she's feeling a little overloaded with us all in the house?" He shrugged. I glanced back into the living room and saw Reggie chatting more earnestly with Aunt Alexandra. Chadwick was watching and his tail was wagging slightly. My father looked up in my direction and for a second I thought he might smile, but then he looked down as my mother turned her gaze to him. The kettle was now whistling and I walked back to pour the tea.

I put a smile on my muzzle as I walked back to the living room and set the tray down. I handed a cup to my mother first who responded with a muffled thank you while Kurt picked up the tray and held it out to everyone else. The awkward silence returned, save for the sound of people sipping their coffee. On family gatherings in the past we had played games or watched a movie. Sometimes the adults as I thought of them as a cub would engage in some kind of debate which I found dull. I was half-hoping they would do that now, just to stop it being so quiet. When Chadwick and I got older we would play on my games console, but that was now over in San Amador. "So, would anyone like to play a game?" I offered. "What is there?" Chadwick asked. "Some board games from what I remember," I replied, scratching my muzzle. "I sent them over to Christine's house, so should could play them with her cub," my father cut in. "Oh, right," I replied. The silence returned and I sipped my tea. My mother was still not saying anything and gazing out into the yard as if the unkempt grass was the most fascinating thing to watch. Growing up, I remembered my mother as someone who wasn't really chatty, but never this cold and the back pain part confused me too. She had never had any kinds of injuries.

I wished it was like Ralph and Mia's house where everyone discussed something at the dinner table. I glanced over at Chadwick and saw the other Coyote was wondering what to say. "How is college going?" I asked him, just to prompt a response. "Oh, it's going great dude," Chadwick replied, knowing that I was getting him to stop the silence. "I'm practicing football for our next season and trying out new freshmen for the team, being the team captain is pretty hectic. No offense dude but we're gonna play San Amador Coast next." "Oh no, don't split my allegiances," I replied, forcing a laugh. "Well, I did strongly consider going to San Amador Coast so I ain't gonna be too butthurt if you support them," Chadwick grinned. "Sorry, I meant disappointed. If you support them" He added as his mother shot him a stern glance. "I like San Amador as a town though," Chadwick continued. "I hope when I join the marines I get stationed there like Kurt was originally." "The marines?" My mother suddenly added. Everyone turned in her direction as she spoke. "Yes Aunt Cheryl, it's something Reggie and I are considering after college, but if not, teaching sport is another thing we both want to do," Chadwick explained. "Well, let's hope it's teaching sport," she said quietly, before turning to gaze out of the window. I wondered if my mother was going to launch into some kind of gays in the military rant, but then I remembered something she had said when I was a cub while listening into one of their debates; I don't like guys in the army, they kill people, and we pay them to do it. I wondered if she was going to say something similar, but her muzzle remained shut. "San Amador is pretty," Chadwick continued, trying to keep the conversation going. "I'm quite jealous of Alec living there with Kurt." "Yes, it is nice," Reggie added. "My parents live there, it's good for schooling and it's chilled out, quiet place." "Where did you go to school?" Aunt Alexandra asked. "In Holland Canyon," Reggie admitted. I knew the area was an expensive district of San Amador, but my parents and Aunt Alexandra looked blank. "The private school there," Reggie continued. "Both my parents work for the government so I lived with my Aunt when I went to high school, she's neighbours with Friedrich van Holling, the politician." "The guy who represents San Amador's district," Chadwick added with a grin. "He's pretty cool for a politician. I mean he looks badass, sorry mom, he's an ex-marine too and has a boyfriend." As soon as the words slipped out Chadwick put a paw on his muzzle as if he wanted to cram them back in. "Oh, I never liked that man," my mother suddenly cut in. "He unseated a very good female politician when he got elected and I have no idea why that district went red, and he's a homosexual and ex-soldier of all people!" "You don't even live in his district," I retorted. "And I like him, he seems honourable." I did not mean to say that out loud. I expected my mother to scream at me. Instead, she made a huffing sound, got up and ambled to the kitchen. "Smooth," I sighed sarcastically to myself. "I tried to be diplomatic and it failed." Chadwick, Kurt and Reggie all looked shocked. It was hard to read Aunt Alexandra's expression. I thought at first she was going to lecture or shout at me, but her expression than changed to something that looked like curiosity. My father shot me an _I'm disappointed in you_look, but he looked uncertain as to whether or not to go after my mother. I could sense him wrestling with the thought before he got up and walked to the kitchen.

I turned to Kurt and the Doberman shifted uncomfortably. "Should we leave?" I asked. "I wonder if we should," he whispered. I stood and made my way towards the kitchen. Even if I wanted to make a hasty exit, just walking out on my parents still felt rude. "I never had a problem with gays, I wish them all the best and support them, but I'm just very disappointed to have a gay son. It's not something I expected," I heard my mother sighing. I suppressed a snort at the irony of her statement. "Well, I guess it's how it worked out," my father sighed. "I was disappointed too when I first spoke to Alec on the phone, but there's not much I can do beyond that. He's still our son." "Why can't he try not being gay?" My mother said. "I don't understand the whole gay thing..." Not that again. "Well, I think Kurt seems like a harmless gentleman, he's polite..." "Don't interrupt me Gus!" "I'm sorry Cheryl." I willed my father to be more assertive as they spoke, but I felt crushed as he remained silent as my mother kept talking about her disappointment. I knew sooner or later they'd spot me, so I let out a cough. My parents turned to look at me. "I think we're going to head home," I explained. "But thank you for letting me bring Kurt, and uh, sorry I snapped." I added with a mumble. "Well, uh, it was good to see you," my father said, forcing a smile. I looked up to see Kurt standing beside me. He reached out gently with his paw. "Thank you for having me Mr and Mrs Kowalski, I hope we can see each other again," he said. My father looked lost for a moment, but forced another smile and took Kurt's paw. As a cub I'd always thought of my father being a big, tall man but Kurt now towered over him with his height and muscular stature. "It was good to meet you too Mrs Kowalski," Kurt added to my mother. "Yes, well. It was good to meet you too," she replied tersely, but her arms remained folded. I walked back to the living room with Kurt and my father in tow.

Chadwick and Reggie were getting to their hind-paws. "We're gonna head home too," Chadwick explained. "Catch you soon mom." He added, giving Aunt Alexandra a hug. Reggie extended a paw and Aunt Alexandra took it. "It was nice to meet you," he said. "Likewise, I'm glad I finally got to meet you," she replied, and for the first time that day I saw a genuine smile spread across her muzzle. "Have a safe drive Chadwick and message me when you get back." "Will do," Chadwick replied as we all walked to the front door. "Bye father," I said as we stepped out. My father smiled and nodded but didn't say anything more as he closed the front door. "Fuck, I think I ruined that," I cursed and growled as we walked back to our cars. "It was my fault dude," Chadwick sighed. "I was just gabbing away thoughtlessly." "It wasn't either of your fault," Kurt reasoned gently, putting his paws on our shoulders. "Mrs Kowalski was probably feeling overwhelmed with all of us there and her back problems were probably not helping, so she lashed out." I nodded as I considered Kurt's points. "I suggest we all grab lunch together. I don't know about you but I'm starving." "Same," I reasoned. "We'll have a family gathering of our own, a next generation thing." "Can we? It felt like a funeral in there," Chadwick replied. "There's a Vietnamese place in San Amador," Kurt continued. "Heh, he's like walking guidebook. You dudes lead the way," Chadwick instructed as he and Reggie climbed into their car.

I climbed into the driver's seat and hastily pulled off the driveway, wanting to get away quickly. I glanced in the mirror and saw Chadwick and Reggie were following behind. "I'm sorry I had to subject you to that," I sighed to Kurt. "It had to be done at some point," he shrugged. "If it's any consolation Aunt Alexandra seemed more relaxed by the end, and your father to an extent. But your mother being anti-gay and anti-military, that I could not get my head around." "She's had weird opinions on everything," I explained. "When I was a cub I remember her criticising or praising the neighbours for strange reasons, for example she praised the old Beagle that lived next to us for having a messy backyard as she said it allowed things to grow naturally and didn't conform, but went on a twenty minute rant when the couple who lived on the other side painted their veranda green." In spite of the situation Kurt let out a chuckle. "I think she's one of those rebellious types that believes in giving everything the finger, whether it's the military or people who conform to something, my Grandma once admitted she was a rebel as a teenager, always was angry at something and had a boyfriend who ran off to join the army, which explains a lot," I explained. "But then she gets mad when her own world gets fucked up by something, like me being gay." "Complex, I guess," Kurt replied neutrally. "In more ways than one." We passed the sign reading You are leaving Sulston and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I turned to Kurt and smiled. The Doberman smiled back and placed a muscular arm around me before kissing the side of my muzzle. "I'd make out with you if it wouldn't case a car accident," I chuckled, wanting to lighten the mood. "Well, after lunch with Chadwick we could have an early night and I could give the naughty Coyote a good workout," Kurt teased. "After stripping for you." "I like the sound of this," I replied, trying to remain cheerful but a thought was running through my mind.

Even if my mother is a lost cause, perhaps my father at least offers a ray of hope.