Free Hadrian's Rage by Patricia-Marie Budd

and are using it to help pay for Dean’s uni and saving up for Roger’s—”
    Geoffrey mumbles amidst Destiny’s speech, “I can’t believe he’s going to graduate this year, and so early.” For Roger, the best way of coping with his father’s workaholic nature, his fathers separating, and Frank being sentenced to a life of servitude in the military was to become a workaholic just like his dad. He began fast tracking as soon as he started grade ten, and now, in the first semester of his grade twelve year, Roger is able to graduate early. In fact, as his grades are exceptionally high, always mid to high 90s, Roger has successfully convinced Pride Administration to let him write his finals early so he can begin uni at the start of the new year. It was his counselor at Antinous Uni, Joel Lipmann, who came up with the idea. In fact, Professor Lipmann contacted Pride High on Roger’s behalf, which helped ensure the young man could finish his last semester of high school one month early. Roger will graduate from grade twelve on December 20th, the last day of school before the New Year holiday season begins.
    Mimi’s voice shakes Geoffrey out of his reverie. Mimi, used to Geoffrey shutting down during their voc calls, will often intersperse her messages with a curt reminder, “Geoffrey, are you listening? I hope so.” Geoffrey always shudders when this happens because Mimi always seems able to time these reminders at just the right moment. Every time that woman vocs, I swear by Hadrian’s Lover she is standing in this very room! “As I was saying, Dean tells me you are more than financially able to fund Roger’s uni education. He worries that you work too much—”
    Speaking over Destiny’s voice, this time, Geoffrey grumbles, “Worries so much he never bothers to voc me.”
    Again, it’s almost as if Destiny is in the room with Geoffrey. “I know he hasn’t voc’d you yet—”
    “For over two years.” Geoffrey struggles to control his emotions.
    Again, Destiny responds with foresight into what she knew would be Geoffrey’s response. “—and that it has been two years, but please try to understand that Dean has been through a lot.”
    “And I haven’t?”
    “As have you.” Geoffrey shudders. It really does feel as if Dean’s grandmother is in the room with him and not just an image on the wall screen.
    “I remember how difficult it was for you during the trial, having to deal with both Frank and Dean being so distant. Their refusal to talk or even look at one another after you told Dean—Oh, Geoffrey, I don’t think you should have told Dean. How will he ever learn to forgive?”
    Geoffrey steps closer to the wall as if he is actually addressing the woman. “Oh, yes, it’s all my fault!”
    “I don’t mean to blame you; really, I don’t. It’s just, well, sometimes certain things are better left unsaid.”
    “Dean had a right to know!”
    “I know you believe it was important, but—ah, well, all that is water under the bridge, as they say. We need to move forward, and we can, Geoffrey, if you have faith.”
    “Faith?” The incredulity in Geoffrey’s voice is the result of Destiny’s use of a word that holds no meaning in his life and the fact that it really does feel like he is having a face-to-face conversation with the woman. “What are you,” he shouts to the wall, “a fucking psychic?” Realizing he has raised his voice, Geoffrey immediately starts whispering again. What Geoffrey doesn’t know is that Roger is startled by the sound of his voice and has stumbled into the hall. He restrains himself from entering the living room, though, as it really does sound like his father is talking to someone—or rather having an argument, so he stops short and quietly listens. His father is so elusive these days that spying on his conversations is sometimes the only way Roger gets any news about Geoffrey’s life.
    “At any rate, Geoffrey,” Destiny replies, “the reason for this call