Things You Said to Defend Me From My Dad

"Jude are you sure you want to have dinner with my dad?" Connor asked nervously.

"Yes Connor. I mean, if he's making an effort, we should at least return the favor, don't you think?" Jude answered, grabbing Connor's hand.

"I guess. Here goes nothing." Connor muttered in reply, turning to walk into the kitchen, gripping Jude's hand even tighter.

"So Jude, you play any sports?" Connor rolled his eyes. Sports. That was all his dad seemed to care about.

"Not really, Mr. Stevens. I actually find sports to be boring for the most part." Jude answered.

"Hmm." was all Adam said in reply. Connor groaned inwardly. It seemed that inviting Jude to dinner was as far as his dad's effort was going to go. Dinner continued in silence for a few minutes, Connor getting more annoyed with his dad's silence before he couldn't take it anymore.

"Really dad, that's all you're going to say to Jude? You know, my boyfriend, who you invited to dinner to get to know better?" Connor said, glaring at his dad.

"Don't you dare take that tone with me son!" Connor was about to fire back at his dad, but Jude spoke before he could.

"Well if you would actually make an effort instead of just pretending to, maybe Connor would have no reason to take any kind of tone." Jude spat back, angry at Adam not for the way he was treating him, but for the way he was treating Connor. Adam was no father, Jude thought. Just someone who pretended he was.

"You need to shut your mouth Jude. This isn't your place!" Adam yelled back at Jude.

"Oh I'm sorry that I want to take an interest in my boyfriend's home life. You know that every time you treat Connor like shit he comes to me. And if I'm honest I'm getting tired of the way you're making him feel. If you just loved him and put your own issues aside, maybe things would be easier for both of you!" Jude answered, his own temper boiling over. Connor deserved so much better than the dad he got.

"You know what Jude, I think you should leave." Adam shouted.

"Fine, I will. But Connor's coming with me."

"Whatever. Good riddance to you both." Adam finished, turning around and grabbing a beer from the fridge.

"C'mon Connor." Jude muttered, throwing an arm around Connor. Connor managed to stay composed until they walked out the front door, laying his head on Jude's shoulder and crying.

"Thanks Jude." he got out in between the sobs.

"Anything for my boyfriend." Jude replied, hugging Connor tighter.