"Don't take it personally, Eric. But with your leave of absence, we had to transfer some of your patients." Said Dr. Granville, going over some clerical files with the front office.

"But...some of them I've treated for years."

"I understand that. And we wanted to make sure they were happy. But how could they be happy with a big faggot like yourself?"

I shut my eyes. "Excuse me," I asked him again. "What did you say?"

"How could they be happy when someone like yourself isn't here for their needs? You'll get a new patient list. Don't worry."

I knew I didn't hear him say it, but my sub-conscious had spoken loud and clear.

As I drove home, I couldn't help but listen to my instinct--- to those little voices inside my head that were telling me this had nothing to do with my absence--- and all to do with my coming out. He had pulled from my care men and women patients that covered a broad spectrum of injuries and backgrounds. There was no pattern. Which, in a way, seemed all the more suspicious. It was as if he was trying so hard for it to appear random that it had become just the opposite. It was obvious what he had done and perhaps that was his intent.

Regardless, I drove home faster and faster, the anger rising inside of me as I swerved through lane changes and yellow lights. THIS is why people stay in the closet; THIS is why we need anti-discrimination laws in every town, city, and state; and THIS is why I was afraid.

When I arrived home, Drew was fixing dinner for the two of us. Thank God my mom wasn't there because she would have called up Dr. Granville right then and there.

I grabbed a beer from the fridge.

"You okay?" Drew asked.

Suddenly I wanted to direct all my anger at him. My lover, boyfriend, husband--- whatever you want to call him--- looking at me with a kindness I was in no mood for. He poured pasta into a strainer, looking oh so cute, and I could feel my anger increasing. HE was to blame for this because if I wasn't attracted to him then I wouldn't be gay and if I wasn't gay then I wouldn't feel less than.

I would be accepted.

Thank God for therapy because I've learned to understand my emotional mind versus my literal mind. He was not to blame. I could have been discriminated against on the color of my skin or my nationality, but I was discriminated based upon my sexual orientation.

Drew wasn't to blame. No one was--- except Dr. Granville.

"Granville transferred some of my patients today because I'm gay."

Drew looked at me. "You're sure?"

"Yes. I am."

The silence between us confirmed it.

"What are you going to do?" He asked. God I loved this man because he didn't even need to question me. He trusted me and knew that if I felt it, then it must have happened.

I stepped forward and embraced him, the two of us holding each other.

"I don't know. But something. Something big, Andrew."

We remained quiet, hugs tight, realizing what we were doing--- two men loving each other--- had been going on for years--- but in secret and shame. However, now we had rights, and I was damned if I would let someone do anything to hurt us.

Even my boss.