“Niel!” Changjo walked up the hill hunched over carrying a very large telescope and a basket. “Can you help me?!” He called out as he neared the top, but Niel didn’t move. He just sat and stared out into the air before him. Changjo finally reached the top and laid down his things before going to Niel’s side. “Niel? What’s wrong?” He noticed the phone in his hand. “Who called?” Silenced filled the air.

“Chunji.” The reply was quiet, but Changjo heard it well.

“What did he want?” He asked. Niel just turned to look at him before letting a smile grace his lips as his tears started to fall.

“He wants you to call Ricky.” Changjo nodded before taking the phone and dialing someone. As he turned around to speak, Niel quietly stood and made his way down the hill.

“No, I can’t meet you today…I’m with Niel…I’ll meet you tomorrow…okay, I’ll bring him…yeah, yeah…have a good night…night, night.” Changjo hung up before turning around and noticing that Niel had gone. He quickly ran down the mountain before finding Niel curled up in the backseat of his car, the blanket wrapped tightly about him.

“I’m surprised you didn’t drive off without me,” Changjo said as he slid into the car.

“It would be mean to leave you here alone,” Niel responded softly as he wiped his eyes. He didn’t say anything else as Changjo chuckled. Changjo made no move to touch him, for he knew that Niel was upset.

“You’ve always been too kind,” said Changjo. He sat and twiddled with his fingers, letting a heavy and suffocating silence envelop them. “I guess this means that you are waiting for an explanation.” Silence greeted him. “I’ll explain tomorrow.”

“Why not now?” Asked Niel. Changjo sighed before trying to grab a hold of Niel’s hand, which was swiftly removed from his grasp.  It wasn’t harsh or rushed, but slow and hesitant.

“It would be easier. Ricky wants to meet you, and I told him that I would bring you over tomorrow.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Actually I was going to take you tomorrow anyway, but I guess that it’s just as well.” He looked at Niel, but Niel didn’t look back. “Let me just get my stuff and I’ll take you home.” Changjo quickly exited the car and headed back up the hill. Niel just sat in the car, eyes unfocused as he stared out. He quietly took out his mp3 player and started it on shuffle. He let himself drown in the music.

It was a few minutes before Changjo returned and started the car. He drove quietly before reaching Niel’s house. Niel quietly got out and Changjo closed and locked the door. He went to his car and was trying to start it, but the engine would not turn on.

“You can come inside,” Niel said before entering his house. Changjo looked after him dumbfounded before locking his car and following behind. Niel slowly walked up his stairs towards his room before closing his door behind him. Changjo looked around and made his way over to the couch. He saw a note on the table and quickly read it.

“I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. Three years is too long to just let go. You only have one chance tomorrow, so you can sleep in the guest room. Goodnight.”

Changjo smiled as he read the little note. He looked up towards the staircase before making his way up towards the guest bedroom. He stood staring between Niel’s door and the guest bedroom door. He had an itch, an urge to go into Niel’s door and just hold him tight. He wanted to tell him that everything would be okay, but he knew that Niel hated being treated as if he was weak and delicate. In all honesty, Changjo’s had enough bruises to know that Niel would not hesitate to hit someone if he thought you were picky a fight with him.

He remembered that time that they had walked in on someone trying to rob the house. They had stood there dumbstruck for a moment until Niel had realized that he was touching a gift that his mother had given him before she had passed away. It was a cross, a simple cross, but it was made from gold and silver with an inscription of a prayer on the front. Before Changjo could have moved, Niel had already tackled the man. He was yelling and screaming, and even though the man seemed twice as large as Niel, he was slow. Changjo had taken the time to call the police before jumping in and trying to calm Niel down. Niel had somehow knocked him out before scrambling to get his mother’s gift and hanging back onto its spot and praying.

He had been surprised that day. What surprised him more was when the officer mentioned that this was the third time coming there. Changjo had tried to convince Niel to move out, but he refused.

“So far, I know I’m being taken care of.”

Changjo smiled before he entered his room. He loved that about Niel. He never lost his faith or his hope. Even though he knows that Niel should have yelled at him, that he should have left, he didn’t. He still has faith in him, and he’s grateful for that. Even though they don’t share the same religion, he couldn’t help but to admire Niel for his. He couldn’t help but let some of Niel rub onto him. Niel never made an attempt to convert Changjo, and he never brought up God or the bible to prove him wrong. He practiced his belief the way he felt he needed to, and Changjo respected him for it. Now, tonight, he kneeled and prayed.