“Very much so.”
Mac rummaged in the kitchen, unaware of their conversation.
“I can’t imagine that,” Gideon said. “Your parents treating you like that.”
“Me, neither. And while his aunt is getting an operation. He’s a brave guy.”
“He is,” Gideon said, with more meaning than he probably should have. But when they were just talking or joking or, um, doing other things, Gideon forgot the fucked-up life Mac came from. Mac didn’t carry around a “Woe is Me” sign. He did his best to move on with his life, something Gideon admired.
“We’ll cheer him up,” Gideon said.
“I’m sure you will.” The curve of Delia’s smile and the glint in her eye sent Gideon’s mind into Orange Alert levels of panic.
Before Gideon could reply, Mac rejoined the couch. He tossed Delia a bag of peanut butter crackers and flipped on the television.
“Is it okay if we watch some TV?” Mac asked. “We talked a bunch on the way back to campus, and I just want to zone out and laugh.”
“Yeah. Fine.”
Mac turned on a Simpsons episode. It was a classic. Gideon wasn’t laughing.
Φ
After a mini-marathon of peakSimpsonsepisodes, Delia yawned herself out of the apartment. And then there were two.
Mac closed the front door and sat next to Gideon on the couch. Gideon was rigidly stiff. He could trade places with a corpse, and none would be the wiser. Well, except for the heart rate, which throttled his chest.
“Thanks for your concern about my aunt. I appreciate it.”
Gideon stared at the shut-off TV.
“I know it’s late, but I think we should talk about what happened before I left.”
“I think you’ve done enough talking.” Gideon felt a wave of fire in his throat. “You told Delia.”
The expression on Mac’s face was a dead giveaway. “What?”
“Don’t lie to me, Mac. We said we weren’t going to tell a soul. You promised!”
Mac hung his head. “I’m really sorry. Seriously. It slipped out. But Delia won’t tell anyone. She won’t tell Seth.”
“Why? Because you guys pinky swore? All it takes is one person, one time for her to get drunk.”
“And then what? Your perfectly calibrated fortress of bullshit and lies crumbles to the ground?” Mac had on his game face, too. His dark brown eyes were like two shields ready for battle.
“I trusted you!” Gideon yelled. “I trusted you to keep this a secret. Maybe you don’t care if people find out, but I do!”
“Well, don’t worry, Gideon.” Mac’s voice was caked in a nasty sarcasm. “Because at least you were on top. You weren’t doing actually gay things, per your logic. It’ll be alright.”
“This is a big deal for me. I’m scared shitless! This isn’t a piece of gossip. It’s my life.”
“It’s a big deal for me, too.”
“It’s not the same.”
“Why? Because I’m gay?”
“Yes.”
