One of the best things about bartending was that Hunter always had the house to himself during the day. He could sit around in his boxers, play video games, and not have to talk to anyone all day. Not that he hated people or anything. But he had to be "on" all the time, it could get exhausting. When his phone vibrated as he was playing the latest download of "The Walking Dead" video game, he was tempted not to answer it. He checked the caller ID out of habit. It was a number he hadn't seen in almost seven years and one that he never thought he'd see again. He paused the game, took a breath, and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hunter?" came the gravelly voice of a woman that was at once a stranger and familiar to him.

"Yeah."

"It's... "

"I know. What do you want?"

"If you're going to get smart, boy... "

"Ma, I haven't talked to you in... "

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

"So what? You're gonna tell me I'm going to Hell some more? Drag me back down to that Mercy House so they can try to pray the gay away again?"

"Listen here... "

"No you listen. Do you know how long it took me to forget about you guys, about that place? How long it took me to move on and build a new life? Why the fuck are you popping up now?"

"It's your dad, Hunter. His heart. It gave out."

Hunter felt that like a punch to the gut.

"Look, I know we have no right. I know that there's a lot of bad blood between us. I just thought you should know. It's my duty as a Christian to tell you."

"Why? I mean... he... you both disowned me."

"Just the same. I thought you should know."

"Is he asking for me?"

"No. But you were always his favorite. I think that's why you being a fag hurt him twice as much."

"Right. Um, should I... "

"I thought you should know. You do with that information what you will. But he ain't got long."

"Right." This is where normal mothers and sons would end a call with an ‘I love you' or ‘I miss you.' Instead, Hunter asked: "What about... "

"Never mind about THAT!" And she was gone.

Hunter hung up and started to choke on held back sobs. His knees buckled underneath him and he gripped onto the couch to keep his balance. He took a breath and dialed a number he never thought he'd call again.

"Well, hello," came the familiar sneer after two rings.

"Hey, I need to talk to you."

"So. You're crawling back to me. Looks like my tactics worked... "

"It's not that."

"Oh. Is this about the beau of yours I met back when? Because I swear I... "

"Daryl. Shut up and listen. It's Dad. He's dying."

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