Page 85 of The Guy Next Door
“So Zane and I had a good time at the park today,” I throw out, gauging their reactions.
“That’s good,” Dad says. “Were there a lot of people over there?”
“Nah. Pretty much had it to ourselves. Then we went over to his place after.”
Mom blows on another forkful of paella. “It’s nice you’ve found someone you can hang out with. And he seems like a very nice guy.”
“He is. He’s an awesome guy. So awesome, in fact, we’re kind of not just friends anymore.” That’s a weird way of saying that, so I spit it out. “We’re boyfriends.”
Dad’s eyes widen, and Mom swallows her food so quickly, I’m worried she might start choking.
“You’re surprised by this?” I ask.
“Well, yes, I’m definitely surprised,” Dad says. “Not about you being attracted to guys, but the neighbor?”
“Yeah, you both seem so different,” Mom adds.
Their first comments throw me. “Wait, so neither of you is surprised that I’m attracted to men?”
“It’s not exactly outside the realm of possibility,” Dad replies. “Even when you were little, we had to consider, at least, that you might eventually be attracted to guys and we’d have to help you navigate that.”
“Yes, but Zane?” Mom can’t seem to let that go.
“He’s a really cool guy.”
“So you’re not going over there to play video games?” Mom asks. “That makes more sense. I guess I was just happy you were getting out and doing something with people again.”
“I did suggest that this is what could have been going on,” Dad tells Mom.
“What?” she asks. “When?”
“The other night, when I said,So Leif’s going over to play video games with Zane again.”
“How was that suggesting anything?”
Dad repeats the way he said it; Mom rolls her eyes and says, “Maybe you should be clearer when you’re insinuating things.”
“Or you could put down your Kindle for five seconds to listen to how I say it.” He glares playfully.
Mom chuckles. “I’m sorry, Leif. We’re making this about us. Thank you for sharing that.”
“Yes, we’re glad you felt comfortable saying that. And Zane seems like a nice kid.”
“I’m glad you feel that way because I plan on spending more time over at his place.”
I’m waiting for them to object, since they must know what Zane and I will be up to, but Dad nods and Mom offers a subtle shrug.
“Is that it?” I ask.
Mom tilts her head. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not going to object or ask me if we’re being safe?”
“You’re living here, but you’re not in high school anymore,” Dad says. “And we already had those talks with you, so we trust your judgment safety-wise. Unless you had any specific questions we didn’t cover.”
It’s not that I thought they would be dicks about it. Maybe more surprised, given that I, sure as hell, hadn’t known this about myself. I guess no one ever knows what to expect with stuff like this.
“You covered everything fine.”