Demarco choked on his hot chocolate mid-sip, spraying it out, away from the two of them.
"I'm sorry," Abigail said. "I know that was ugly. But, son, it's been building up in me for the longest time and you're the only person I know who would understand."
"And appreciate the colorful metaphor?"
"That too."
"OK, then," Demarco chuckled. "After Christmas, we'll tell her. We'll just say... it's time for a change of scenery."
"I'm game for it... and not just because of her. I feel like we have a lot to catch up on too."
"We do. You know, Jack and the boys are kinda new to both of us. I haven't known them much longer than you have."
"Yeah. Well, that's OK with me. At least y'all are normal."
"Thanks, Ma. That means more than you know."
"But that place you live now is barely big enough for y'all. How are you going to bring an old woman like me into the picture?"
"Alec told me today that you can stay at his place as long as you want—actually likes having you there—to take care of things while he's out west. And his place is a lot bigger than mine. You have your own bedroom and bath—same one you're using now. Even when he and Tyler are in town, there's still plenty of room."
"It is a nice place. I like staying there. There's even a market around the corner."
"Well, don't you worry about a thing, Ma. Alec is like a brother to me. If he didn't want you there, I'd already know."
"I trust you," she said... and those three words ushered in uncomfortable silence.
Finally, Demarco spoke. "Ma, I'm sorry I kept things secret from you for so long. I guess I was ashamed to tell you."
"Ashamed... or scared?"
"Maybe a little of both."
"Well, I can understand why. I know—years ago—it took me some time to accept that you were gay... but I came around, didn't I?"
"Yes, ma'am, you did."
"But prostitution, Demarco? That ain't nothing but nasty business... full of whores, perverts, and degenerates."
When Demarco laughed this time, Abigail cut him a steely gaze.
"Sorry, Ma. What you say is true—sometimes. It's just the way you say it tickles me."
"But you agree with me. So, why then, Demarco? Why would you turn to such a filthy way to make money?"
Here we go again.Will there ever be a day when I don't have to justify this?
Demarco took a deep breath. "I'm not a nasty person and you know that. I kept situations clean. I ran a tight ship, Ma... and I knew when to sever ties."
"Yeah? When you severed ties with that senator you almost bought the farm."
Touché.
"But it's different, Ma. That was a freak incident. She was a mentally imbalanced woman."
"Marriedwoman, Demarco. You were sleeping with her husband."
"He had no business being married to her, Ma. He's gay."
