Out of nowhere. It was never a dull moment with Judy Saperstein.
“This has nothing to do with Dad,” Gideon said. They were eating matzo ball soup at the kitchen table. His mom had prepared a vat of it in preparation for Gideon’s return. “Noah married a woman.”
“But he was older when your father passed away. You were so young. Nobody should have to lose their parent at that age.”
“It’s nobody’s fault. I’ve met guys who are amazing athletes who are gay. I’ve met frat guys who are gay.”
“I know. You’re right.” She rubbed his free hand. “I’m still getting used to this.”
Gideon didn’t mind the deluge of awkward, random questions. It felt nice to tell the truth for a change. He cut his mom’s matzo ball in half and scooped it into his bowl. She never ate her soup. She only liked serving it.
“So Mac is from West Virginia, but grew up in Pittsburgh?”
“Yes. His parents own a hardware store.”
She let out an ahh and a large head nod. A hardware store owner in Westchester was as common as a stockbroker in Kingwood, West Virginia. Mac’s parents might as well have spoken a different language.
Gideon checked his phone again. No sign of Mac.
“Is he having a good time with them? Does it snow in West Virginia?” His mom asked.
“I don’t know. I think so.” Gideon had texted him two days ago but hadn’t heard back yet. They’d been texting and talking on the phone every night. It was a routine. Mac knew all about patterns, and he was breaking this one.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.” Gideon slurped his soup. “Actually, yes.” No more lies. He had to remind himself that he didn’t have to hold things in anymore.
He put down his spoon and told her that he hadn’t heard from Mac. “That’s not normal. How long does it take to shoot off a text?”
“It’s only been two days, Gideon. Have some patience. You kids, today. Needing to text each other all the time.”
“What if you hadn’t heard from me in a week?”
“That’s different. I’m your mother. It’s my job to worry. Maybe he’s busy getting ready for Christmas.” She said Christmas funny, like she was asked to name a sex act. “Are you going to celebrate Christmas now?”
“No! I still prefer Jewish Christmas.” It was a favorite pastime of Gideon’s. Movies and Chinese food on Christmas day, just as baby Jesus intended.
“He’s fine.” She wiped a stray matzo ball crumb off his chin with her thumb. A mother’s work was never done. Her soothing tone helped make Gideon feel better, but he couldn’t escape the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.
Φ
For Jewish Christmas, Seth and Delia joined him and his mom. They met up at the theater, and Delia and she hit it off. They both found somebody who loved to chitchat as much as they did.
Movies on Christmas Day was no longer just for Jews, apparently. People crammed in the lobby and concession stand lines stretched over five people deep. His mom reserved the seats with their coats, while the three of them tackled refreshments. They each started in a different line to see who would get there first. When it became obvious that Seth had the golden touch, he and Delia joined him.
“Gay guys are so adorable.” Delia blatantly observed a gay couple in her old line, two guys in their twenties who held hands. Gideon had a strange mix of emotions battling inside him. He wanted to raise a fist in solidarity while telling them to not be so obvious. This gay stuff was hard work.
“You shouldn’t stare,” Gideon told her.
“I’m not staring. I’m fantasizing.”
“If they were two girls and you were a fifty-year-old man, you’d be called a pervert.”
“It’s a double-standard I’m willing to back.”
“I just realized there is nothing here for me to eat.” Seth gawked at the menu in bewilderment.
“What about popcorn?” Delia asked. “Gluten-free.”
