When Crickets Cry...

Quincy stayed there, crying silently as he stared up at the sky.

Back at the house, Lance was trying to get up the courage to tell his father that he was pregnant...

Dustin was on the couch, head in his hands as he thought this over.
Riley had by now sat down and pulled the boy to his chest.

Lance stood, kissing Riley's cheek as he sat down beside his father.
"Daddy...?"

Dustin sighed, raising his head.
"Yes baby?"
He was upset...but he couldnt be mean to his baby boy..

Lance had taken the test back from Riley. He handed it to his father, eyes closed.

Dustin looked it over, his heart breaking as he shook his head and just handed it back.
"Im not going to yell...Or hit you....Im just....Im disappointed in you Lance."
What was worse than your parent being disappointed in you.

"Daddy... I'm sorry..." He sighed softly. Chris bit his lip and shook his head like Dustin had. He wasn't happy but... he gave his son a tight hug before letting him go.

"You should be. I have never been so ashamed." He got up and walked out side, taking off his hat and scratching his head, looking out over the fields.

Lance's lower lip trembled slightly as another few tears fell. Zac sighed and stepped over to him.
"Lance, we don't talk much.. and I'm not happy about you and Riley together but... I got pregnant young too and if you need help I'll help you through this okay?"
"Thank you Zac..." He sighed.

Riley hugged his lover tightly.
"I wanna stay with him....He is having my baby. We can both stay here, or ill find us a place."

"You're sweet Riley." Zac smiled softly at his son. "I don't know about you two staying here. Your father isn't too happy about it, Lance..." He sighed.

But Dustin couldn't kick him out...not his baby...
Riley frowned.
"Well ask him."

"Okay..." Lance nodded and walked outside to his father.

Dustin had sat down, looking out over his work.
It was beautiful....
He ignored Lance.

"Daddy... Riley wants to stay here with me.. can he?"

Dustin was quiet a moment before sighing.
"Whatever you want, long as its alright with your momma."

"Thank you daddy... I love you..." Lance bit his lip. "You don't... hate me do you?"

Dustin shook his head, leaning over and kissing Lance's cheek.
"No Lance, ill never hate you."

Lance tentatively hugged his father.
"I'm sorry... I didn't want to get pregnant..."

Dustin shook his head.
Where had he gone wrong?

LAnce sighed as he sat beside his father in silence.

Dustin looked out at the fields.
"Where did I go wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong daddy... it's my fault... all my fault."

"I raised you. You should have know better...." He shook his head. "I just cant raise a kid for shit."
But he knew, he was just upset, it was not his fault.
He stood and walked out into the field, saddling up a horse and getting on, just letting it walk around.