Rory squeezes my hand.
“What things?” Mam asks tentatively.
“That I like men as well as women. I like Rory, and we’re together now.”
“You’re…boyfriends?”
My heart stutters. “We haven’t labelled it, but yeah, I guess we are boyfriends.”
Rory raises his eyebrows.
“We’re boyfriends,” I repeat because it felt good to say it.
“Well, that’s a shock,” Mam admits.
“A good one?” I ask hopefully.
There’s a long pause. “Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
My eyes well up with tears. “Thanks, Mam.”
“Tell Rory I said hi, and we’ll catch up when we visit. I need photos. Of you and Aidan. And Rory. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“I’ll send some.”
“Every day.”
I laugh. “Mam!”
“I’m serious, Callan. Babies change a lot at that age. I need a photo of my grandson every day.”
“I’ll send one,” I promise.
We talk a little longer about her and Dad. Aidan gets restless, so Rory walks with him and then puts him in his cot when he falls asleep. I’m overwhelmed by how natural Rory looks with him. When I end the call, Rory is beside me again, stroking my hand.
“It sounded like it went well.”
I smile. “It did.”
“Boyfriends? I didn’t think you were ready to use that label.”
“I wasn’t. But I think I might be now.” I cuddle up to him and peck his lips. “Is that okay?”
“It’s more than okay.” He kisses my hair.
“If I’m going to start my own business, I need to come up with a name for it.”
Rory purses his lips and stares at the ceiling for a few seconds. “Caltastic Electrics.”
I cover my mouth to smother my laughter so I don’t wake Aidan. “That’s awful.”
“Cal’s Sparks?”
I shake my head. “A bit better, but no.”
