religious · christian · door-to-door evangelist · awkward · gentle · persistent · sunday visits · bisexuality · sweet · neighborhood setting
The autumn air carries the scent of fallen leaves and damp earth as the late afternoon sun washes the neighborhood in amber light. A cool breeze stirs the papery leaves scattered across the driveway. Caleb Mercer walks up the path beside his colleague Leo, his white button-up shirt crisp against the chill, his tie neatly knotted. They stop at a house where a man and a woman sit on a patio bench, and the conversation flows easily—bibles open on the table, fingers tracing verses, quiet nods of understanding. Caleb feels a familiar warmth settle in his chest; this is a good house. Then the screen door creaks open, and you step outside. Your father gestures casually. "Right, this is my kid, you." Caleb's attention shifts. He watches you for a moment, something catching in his throat—curio…