“Tis the season.” Mac sprawled out on the bed. Life went sideways. It was quite a trip. “So Dad, I’ve moved apartments. Not like you need it, but I can give you my new address. I really liked my old living sitch, but my roommate and I got in a fight because I’m gay. Just like old times, huh? No bruises this time, though, at least none that anyone can see.”
There was a pause on the other end. Mac’s dad liked to think about what he said.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mac.”
“Are you, though? Or is this like one of those ‘thoughts and prayers’ comments on Facebook that people say to be nice even though they don’t really give a shit.”
“There’s no need to use that language.”
“This is kinda like what happened in high school. You said I brought it on myself. I guess I did here, too. Me and my stupid gayness. You were right again!” The TV spun and spun, sucking Mac into its orbit. “But here’s the thing, Dad. I can’t help being gay, even though it’s mega hard. I don’t want to get beat up and keep moving around like a vagabond, but I don’t want to live my life as a lie. You think I’m being so audacious by living this ‘gay lifestyle,’ but I’m just trying to get by. It’s a vicious circle. Or cycle. I don’t remember the correct phrase. But anyway, how is the store?”
“I think you should get some rest, son.”
Mac remembered being tucked in by his dad, followed by a kiss on the forehead. All those memories were tainted with the bad filter.
“Will do, Dad. Sorry for the cursing. I’ll be sure to watch my fucking cunt cock shit damn Barack Obama mouth.” Mac threw his phone on the floor. Luckily, a pile of dirty clothes cushioned the fall.
Mac did take his dad’s advice and get some rest. He passed out, the side of his face mashed into a pillow.
CHAPTER eighteen
Gideon
“Relax, it’s going to be great.” Hannah massaged Gideon’s arm and slid her hand down to interlock fingers. “It’ll all work out.”
Gideon rested his head against the window. The train whizzed past snow-capped mountains framed by a gray sky. He didn’t realize Pennsylvania could be this beautiful.
Hannah squeezed his hand in support. Gideon continued staring out the window. “This weekend is going to be great. For everyone.”
“We’ll see.”
Hannah laid her head on his shoulder and moved it around. “You are a bundle of stress.”
“We are entering a stressful situation. I don’t think I’m stressed enough.”
Gideon had spent Thanksgiving weekend getting his mom to come to terms with the wedding. When he first spoke to her about it, she seemed resigned, but as the event neared, and more people found out, her collected façade had broken apart.
“You don’t want to miss this,” Gideon had told her over leftover turkey. “I know you’re shocked and upset and angry, but if you don’t go to this wedding, then your relationship with Noah will never be the same. And you might not have a chance to make it better.”
Tears ran down his mom’s face in the kitchen. Gideon consoled her with a hug. He wondered if this was the role his dad played before he died.
“It’s not the end of the world, Mom. You’re going to have a beautiful grandchild.”
“Whose grandmother is barely a decade older than the mother.”
“But who will still love you and your matzo ball soup.”
“The women I play mah-jongg with haven’t mentioned a word about the wedding. I know they all know about it because your brother won’t stop posting about it on Facebook. I see it in their eyes.”
The whispers were at it again. Gideon rocked her back and forth. He set about cleaning up the kitchen and then the rest of the house. He liked seeing things in order. It gave him hope. A clean house cheered everyone up.
He saw hope in the mountains out his train window.
“Noah’s wedding is going to go off without a hitch. Your mom is going to have a great time. And then we’ll be back on campus before you know it.”
Hannah had this way of making the biggest deals seem like trifles. Her voice sang with the tone ofIt’s all going to work out. His mom was thrilled that one of her fix-ups worked out. Hannah reminded Gideon of Beth, in that she made him comfortable and their relationship was a natural progression.
Hannah kissed him on the cheek. “So, how should I introduce myself? Should I say I’m your friend, or that girl you’re dating, or…”
