Brought Up Gay

Frederick Gabe knew that his parents weren't like any of the rest, he had two dads, but one was a mum, but his mum was a man and his dad was a man. He knew they both loved him, and he loved them too but he often wondered why their difference made people angry at him. Like it was his fault. Sometimes the torture at school was just too much and he had to stay at home.
-I'm too sick, I feel like throwing up.
His dad sighed.
-okay little man, I'll go fix you some breakfast.

He was always grateful for the way they were easy on him when they thought he was ill.

-I don't like it when your ill, pumpkin. Maybe when you're better we can buy you some of that chocolate fudge ice-cream you like.
-I'm better, I'm fine, I'm NOT ILL SEE!?!?! Can I have Ice-cream now?
He lept off the bed and did a little dance, his mum was a little surprised, but giggled.
-Wow, would you look at that, the promise of their ice-cream fixed everything, they should patent that ice-cream of theirs claiming it has healing qualities.
Fred's stomach tried to do a backflip but failed, it squirmed as he realised what he'd just done. His mum turned laughing as he walked out the room, Fred could not see from his bed, but a single tear rolled down his cheek.

-Dad?
-What is it son?
-Why do I have two dad's?
His dad shifted uncomfortably in his lap, he knew that he would need to tell his son the truth eventually, but it's like trying to explain death, both were something he felt Fred was still too young to understand.
-Go ask your mum.
He stifled a chuckle.
-Bu- what? I don't have a mum...
-You do, he- he's just erm... a man.
-Mums can be men?
-Yes, me and your mum have a special relationship, most couples are men and women, but we love each other even though we are both men.
-So, how do you know your in love?
His dad let out an exasperated sigh and laughed.
-These are things that are better understood when your a bit older son, just hold your questions for a bit and you will soon come to understand what life's about and how to work out these questions for yourself.
-Like on QI?
Another laugh.
-Yes son, I suppose... actually, did you know Stephen Fry is a lot like your Dad?
-Your both men, but he doesn't have a beard, did he not want one when he was born?
-No, I meant that he loves men too, and has had relationships like mine and your Mum's. Anyway, you don't get beards when your born, you grow them.
-Why is Mr. Fry really really clever?
-I don't know son, ...but I do know it's nearly your bed-time, go on, off to bed.

*

Frederick Gabe hated all the normal boys, he hated all the normal couples that raised the normal boys. The normal clothes and the normal house and the normal life and the normal everything. He liked being different, he liked not being normal, but it was always really hard. They got to him again today, they were waiting past the gym as he was heading home.

-GAY. GAY AIDS BOY!
-You don't deserve to come to this school you dirty little git, I bet your dads bum you just like they bum each other.
-Please, just leave me al-
-Shut your mouth, your spit might give me aids.
-AIDS BOY, AIDS BOY.
-Don't touch him, don't go near him, you don't know where he's been.
A punch came from somewhere, it hit his head and sent him reeling, his head spun, his ears filled with his own gasps in pain as they kicked and kicked until he passed out.

*

He awoke to the sound of his mom snoring lightly by his side. His dad was in the chair next to him and was awake, staring out the window. His mom sat up, suddenly awake.

-How long was I asleep?
He yawned.
-Not long, you didn't miss anything, you woke up as soon as he came to.
His mom burst into tears and crushed him in a hug.
-I'm so sorry son, I never thought- I never imagined that they would do this, jus-.
He was sobbing too hard to speak clearly and his voice was muffled in Fred's shoulder. Fred could hear anger in his voice.
-just be- because of their stupid, stupid horrible ignorance and hatred and- and.
Fred's dad put his arm on his shoulder and he calmed down.
-I'm sorry Karl, I- I can't believe they've done this to our boy.
-I know honey, I know, but getting all upset isn't gonna help any of us, we need to go have a chat with the principal after Frederick is given the all clear, maybe we can sort this all out without too much fuss.
-FUSS!?!, I'll fucking KILL'EM!
-Rob, for goodness sake will you calm down. We. Are. In. A. Hospital. They already looked like they weren't going to let us in when you though it would be hilarious to claim to be the boy's biological mother.
-Fuck you Karl, this isn't about me or you, it's about Fred.
-Dad?
-What is it son?
-Wh-What, erm... what does aids mean?
Hurt, anger, confusion, illness, revenge, hatred, pain, they flooded through his parents eyes in quick succession and contorted their faces, suddenly, he no longer wanted to know.