Chapter 6: Daniel comes out of the closet

Gentle Daniel has known for a long time that he has homosexual tendencies. As in most of the world, this is either frowned on or considered downright illegal. In some countries it is punishable by death, in others by imprisonment and in yet others chemical castrations are performed. Daniel does his best to hide this side of his character. His friends though see right through him and always protect him when necessary.

Though difficult, it is possible to catch a train from the local station to the province capital and from there to travel by local bus to Torremolinos. This seaside town being the acknowledged cultural centre for the homosexual community is where Daniel on occasion travels to during school holidays.

Over the last few years, when he has managed to escape the scrutiny of his family and been successful in catching one of the infrequent diesel locomotive trains transporting agricultural or construction material which stops locally, he has spent several days enjoying the relative feeling of freedom with his acquired like-minded friends on the Costa.

Daniel's family live in a large house midway between the upper and lower square where the two roads used for Easter processions meet, connect by steps and then separates again to form a circuitous route allowing processions to move forward without colliding. On one evening and night during Easter, as many as six processions move through the streets of this hill village at any one time.

As is the case with many well to do families, apart from their town house, Daniel's family also owns a finca outside of town. This one is located a few kilometres north and on a sloping hillside below the convent that includes the church where the Patron Saint of this village spends 50 weeks of the year. She is known as Virgin de Flores and she has been the village Patron Saint for near on 500 years.

During the hot summer months, Daniel and his family escapes to this finca where they enjoy the cool hillside breeze and the pleasant view over the river valley below. The finca has been the scene of many successful barbecues over many years.

The family relocating here during the hot summer months makes it easy for Daniel to go into the village on the pretence of meeting friends and staying in the family home but then escape for some days to the costa.

Daniel's younger brother wants to be a doctor and his mind is focused on studying people trying to determine their state of health. Over the past year as they grow into young men, he has noticed a feminine side to his older brother. 

Confronting Daniel with this issue, his brother concedes that the future doctor is correct. Asked if they should tell their parents, Daniel smiles and says that they already know and have no problems whatsoever with this, providing Daniel is discreet for everyone's sake and safety.

Matter closed.