So Tricia told her daughter about me but never bothered sharing? That was so typical of her! Always knew what was best for people, even when she had been slowly wasting away herself.

I guess it did make it easier. If I was ever caught with a guy, I wouldn't have to do a whole lot of explaining in hindsight.

But all of that didn't explain where the word sodomite came from. Who the hell still used that word?

Even Dad had used more modern terms to describe me. Thanks to Alzheimer's he didn't remember that I was gay and we had a much easier relationship because of it.

Had she learned it in her new school? Surely, it wasn't part of a history class for ten-year-olds. I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

***

I was unpacking glasses in the kitchen when I heard the front door bang and footsteps running up the stairs.

"Olivia? How was school, honey?"

No reply.

"Sweetheart, there was something that I wanted to ask you," I said casually, walking up the stairs after her.

As I got closer to her room, I could hear the whispers again. What was it with that teddy bear that she couldn't speak out loud?

I opened the door and to my shock...

A boy was sitting in front of her on the floor. He looked up at me and a tingle shot down my spine. There was something...

"Hey, Uncle Darren," Olivia said with a smile.

"Who's your friend?" I asked.

Olivia looked at me with wide eyes for a second before turning back to the boy. He gave her a quick nod before she said, "This is Harold."

"Nice to meet you, Harold," I said, excited that she had made a friend.

Harold just looked at me without saying a word. Truth be told, he made me a bit uncomfortable.

The moment I left the room, the whispering continued.

***

"Olivia! Is your friend staying for dinner?" I called upstairs.

I might have to consider installing a bell or getting her a phone. She clearly couldn't hear me and I wasn't going to march up the stairs every time I needed her attention.

"Did you say something, Uncle Darren?" She was leaning over the balustrade.

"Please don't do that, you know I don't like heights," I said much stricter than I intended.

Olivia walked down the stairs and said, "Harold told me that you were calling me."

"Ah, yes. Will he be staying for dinner?"

Olivia giggled and said, "Of course not, silly."

I found it a bit of a strange answer but let it slide.

"Do I need to drop him at home?"

"No, he is already at home."

What? When? I never heard him leave.

"What's for dinner?" Olivia asked grabbing my hand and walking me to the kitchen.

"Lasagna!" I said with enthusiasm.

***

Three o' three, again? What was it this time?

I walked downstairs and listened for the sound that had woken me. The living room was dark and the kitchen door was closed. I walked past the dining room towards my home office.

Carefully opening the door, I peeked inside.

Shit! Was there someone standing in the corner?

I started shaking all over as my hand searched for the light switch. I clicked it on and immediately felt like an idiot!

It was my Grogon cosplay outfit! I forgot that I had put it here.

I hadn't found the source of the noise so I turned back towards the main entrance. Just as I reached the stairs, I looked up and saw...

No, it couldn't be! Harold?

I blinked and he was gone. Maybe I should listen to Mom and take a light sleeping aid. It was hardly a good sign if I was starting to see things that weren't there.