2 December 2011

Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today, and you make your tomorrow.

Today has been...pretty hellish, really.

I mean, it started fine. And then I saw John's post.

It just...it's not what you expect, hearing that Mycroft's been in a fight. I mean, I don't know, I thought there had to be some mistake. And then I wondered what could possibly have made Mycroft feel the need to resort to using his fists.

Like REReader said, it was a bit like a punch in the gut, finding out it was because some of the boys had been saying things to him about me and John. I suppose we should have thought about it. It just seems so...nice...there, and times are changing. But not fast enough, it seems. So, along with their cuts and bruises both the boys are being punished. I'm...torn. I don't want Mycroft to be put in detention for what he did, because he was just standing up for himself, and us. But I can see why the school have to do it. I hope they also do something about educating the boys to be more tolerant and stop that sort of bullying.

I'm not exactly doing well on the 'not feeling guilty' front. If I hadn't popped that stupid wheelie then I wouldn't have been asked to go in. If I hadn't thought it would be funny to drag John along with me then I doubt anyone would ever have thought anything about us. Not that that in any way makes it our fault that some homophobic little shit started on Mycroft, but we could have been more subtle. I don't suppose they even know what anyone else's parents/guardians look like.

And whilst I'm deeply proud - and touched - that he would stand up to anyone on our behalf, as well as on his own, I don't condone fighting. As I said, I don't think either John or I can blame him, because we both got in our fair share of fights when we were younger. And maybe now I've gone too far the other way.

The thing that changed me was that incident I wrote about a while ago - when I got into trouble and could have been thrown out of the force. While I was suspended I went to see Nicky, and Mum was there. I told her what had happened and she just said "I always knew you'd turn out just like your father". And I was so determined not to be that I changed myself. I don't know. Don't feel like I know anything tonight.

And finally, because Sherlock is being completely wonderful at trying to cheer us up, he showed me this just now and I thought it might make a few of you smile.


I've no idea if it's real, but Sherlock is desperate to see whatever it was that was there.


47 comments:

John H. D. Watson said...

That really is a great photo.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock's face was a picture of disappointment when I couldn't tell him what had been on display.

Did you like your carefully graded cornflakes this morning? He was being very careful. For what purpose, I don't know...but he was careful.

John H. D. Watson said...

They were delicious. Some sort of quality control? Do the smaller ones not taste as good?

Greg Lestrade said...

I have no idea.

Asked him what he was doing. "Sorting them". Asked him why "For John". So...I sort of thought he'd explain to you.

I do love how his mind works (when I understand it).

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh, I might know then. I said the other morning that I didn't like the mush that the broken bits turned into. I had no idea he was even listening, let alone that he'd take such drastic action.

Greg Lestrade said...

he was very...determined.

We could go for a ride over the weekend, if you wanted? I mean, if Mrs Hudson wouldn't mind watching Sherlock for a bit or something?

John H. D. Watson said...

I'd like that, a lot. I'll ask her in the morning. Do you think we should stop and see Mycroft...or better just wait until he comes home next weekend?

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't know. Would us showing up there make it worse for him? Any idea how much time he's got to spend in detention? I mean...I don't know. Would he like to see us, do you think?

John H. D. Watson said...

I have no idea about detention times, but I know he'd like to see you. He said so.

Greg Lestrade said...

Really? He said that? Then yeah, we should go. Maybe we can just...I don't know, meet him somewhere away from school a bit if he wants, get a coffee. Maybe ask Anthea.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade- I know that this is all going to fall on deaf ears, but I can't help myself...

You have nothing to feel guilty about. You're right, if you hadn't pulled the wheelie, or got John to go along with you, then no-one at Mycroft's school would know about you guys. Yet.

But unless you were intending to hide for the next five years, they would inevitably find out at some point. And when would you stop hiding yourself? When Mycroft leaves school? When Sherlock does? Or maybe when Sherlock's finished university? What's the lesson for Mycroft there?

I know that you don't believe any of that. I also know you feel shitty right now. But if you can take a step back, you'll see that Mycroft has internalized a much better message than "hide yourself for an easy life". He's learnt that being gay/bisexual is absolutely normal; he's learnt that there is no reason to hide who you are, and he's learnt to stand up for what he believes is right.

He's a wonderful young man, learning the hard way that taking the right path isn't easy (and that fighting is much more difficult to avoid than adults ever admit to teenagers). But he's doing it with the love and support of his Mum, his brother, and two fantastic role models.

You know, Sherlock can be impulsive and impetuous, and hyper... but he's a also a sweet, thoughtful boy who has clearly learnt how to show people that he cares about them. I wonder where he got that from?

*hugs* to you all.

Desert Wanderer said...

I think it's from the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Lestrade. Or so says this blog with other signs that match:

http://museumsaskew.com/2011/11/20/this-exhibit-is-temporarily-awesome/

Desert Wanderer said...

Also, more photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/csdavis/sets/72157626335833539/with/5602624553/

Anon Without A Name said...

Oh, crap, that was stupidly long comment. Sorry.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - I do know that, I do believe it. And you make a good point - but I wasn't suggesting we hide away, just that we didn't need to stand up in front of a whole year together. I mean, no one seems to have noticed/cared about us when we drop Mycroft off/fetch him back. But maybe it was just a matter of time. I don't know. Thanks, anyway.

Thanks DW - I'm glad it really is a sign!

Small Hobbit said...

Oh Nameless, that was a wonderful comment. I've been hanging around hoping someone would say what I was thinking and using sensible words. And I agree wholeheartedly - L, you have nothing to feel guilty about. They would have found out sooner or later and it has shown just how much Mycroft is prepared to stand up for what he believes.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks. I think I'll feel better when I see him.

Greg Lestrade said...

You know, Danger, tomorrow is the anniversary of when Mycroft got the dogs. And you all moved to London. We should take the dogs something. Not that they'll know or care.

John H. D. Watson said...

They may not know, but if it's something to eat or chew to death they'll definitely care.

I'll talk to Anthea tomorrow. And I hope she'll come with us for coffee or whatever we decide to do. I think she was fairly upset today as well, though it's hard to tell with her.

Greg Lestrade said...

I just Googled 'Dog chew toys', then remembered the other night I saw a feature called 'Dog chew or sex toy?' and how it's hard to tell the difference nowadays. I stopped Googling. We can go down the pet store tomorrow.

John H. D. Watson said...

Heh. Good plan, yes.

Slightly concerned anon said...

I'm looking at all the dog chews I have for my mutt and now I'm giving you this expression... o_O

Greg Lestrade said...

Obviously not all dog toys...but, well, enough.

Danger, I think if you think Anthea was upset, she probably was. I'm really glad she's there for Mycroft though.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade, I think I saw the same thing. It was... disconcerting. I think site pretty much sums it up http://www.thesmokingjacket.com/humor/sex-toy-or-dog-toy (I do not believe number 2, btw).

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, me neither. But then I suppose they might do a roaring trade in people too embarrassed to go to a proper shop. Far less embarrassing buying a dog toy.

Anon Without A Name said...

I'd offer Anthea a proxy hug as well, but she'd probably shoot me or something. How was Mrs H taking the whole thing?

John H. D. Watson said...

She was...not happy. Livid would be a good word, actually. She asked me at one point if getting the other boy expelled would be overkill, only half joking if that.

Greg Lestrade said...

without seeing it, or having been there, how can we know? I mean...I don't know. We'll talk to Mycroft.

Did his housemaster say anything useful?

John H. D. Watson said...

Not really, no. I don't know. Would anything be useful? He seemed to feel it was just...the sort of thing that happens. Said the other boy shouldn't have said it, and Mycroft shouldn't have hit him.

Greg Lestrade said...

Boys that age, I don't know what would be useful.

Hopefully everyone will have forgotten about it all by January.

Bed?

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah.

Greg Lestrade said...

Good. I just want to hold onto you and...just that, really.

John H. D. Watson said...

Me too.

Anonymous said...

Greg (and John) - I hope that the self-blaming has gone away by the time you wake up and see this comment tomorrow, because honestly, this incident was not your fault.

If it's still lingering around, I would like to point out that even if you had never popped that wheelie, chances are, this might have happened, sooner or later. Teenagers will be teenagers, and they will be crass and crude, even at a school as posh as Harrow. I bet someone probably would have made a general homophobic remark within Mycroft's hearing, and being the fine, upstanding young man he is, I can't see Mycroft letting that pass without remark. (Likely) same end result.

Idiots like that are always going to be out there. The best way to get back at them is to ignore their hate and keep on doing what you're doing: being wonderful, outstanding members of the community who are raising two brillant, outstanding young men.

*hugs all around*

~A from NW

Random Anon Lurker said...

Seconding A's hugs.

And an especially big one for Sherlock. He knows the truth - bad things make for bad days, but mushy cereal on top of it all can just break you. (This is why I keep an emergency box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in my cupboard!) Sherlock, do you think some kind of nice breakfast/brunch thing might be in store for Mycroft the next time you see him?

Small Hobbit said...

This blog continues in its excellent task of education, although I'm not sure I really wanted to see all those dog/sex toys. What you mean I didn't have to look? Nameless, how am I going to cope when I visit my mother at Christmas and she suggests throwing a toy for her dog?

Anon Without A Name said...

*whistles tunelessly and (tries to) looks innocent*

Tink said...

I'm just going to send internet hugs to the lot of you. That said, I have to get ready to go meet a friend of mine who should be here in about an hour.

*HUGS*

Tink said...

I'm now with my friend: DW! I can now attest that she is as cool in person as she is here. We'll be out of contact most of the day but we're on the train right now so I found a moment :D She says hi!

-Tink

Small Hobbit said...

Oh wow. Hi to both of you! Hope you have a great day together.

Anon Without A Name said...

Tink, DW - *waves at you both* Have a great time :-)

John, Lestrade - did you ever think, when you started blogging, you'd be helping create friendships, not just on line, but IRL too? Fantastic :-)

Calliope said...

Yay! Have fun you two. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Hope you're having a great time, Tink and DW.

Desert Wanderer said...

We're having a great time, and Tink is easily fooled...er, is lovely and discerning. We may have taken a couple of pictures of gift ideas for Christmas. Just one question: do you prefer your fur-lined items pink or purple?

Tink said...

Also, do you prefer necklace chains to be thin or chunky?

DW: I am not easily fooled! (Well, okay, I can be, but not in this case!) You really are lovely to hang out with.

Mind you, I'm sitting right next to her as I type this...

Anonymous said...

I really wanted to know what could be deemed zoologically improbable and or terrifying to small children but was disappointed to find out the sign was part of an art project. More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/csdavis/sets/72157626335833539/with/5603189696/
Some of them are quite funny though, I particularly like the one that was removed 'for un-American activities' heh.

I did find this link while googling, though, which has some truly terrifying/hilarious examples of taxidermy gone ever so slighty awry: http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/jjdp8/zoologically_improbable_andor_terrifying_to_small/

Anonymous said...

I have a friend who used to go to high-schools to give talks and discuss homophobia with the pupils. (I admire her a lot for doing that, because I know the kind of shit she must have heard.) Are there organisations doing that in the UK and could you suggest something like that to the headmaster ? He seems to take things a bit lightly.

P.

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