He'd too was surprised as to how he himself admitted to Isaac that he loved him. But it felt wonderful to say it, and he found himself intending to say it again and again. I love you. It was as if he had been hooked to drugs. But, despite the high it provided him, he got pulled back down to earth when they arrived at the diner and he was about to walk into the spotlight of a critical, judgmental world. The age-old tension gripped him, despite his best efforts to keep it at bay. But he had the strong impression that he was being observed, scrutinized—by his biological father. Even though the man wasn't around, he was can still feel him, as if the man was there. Always in his mind, observing every little move he makes.
"Hey," Isaac said softly as they readied to leave the car. "Is everythi
