This generation right here might be the change we need in the world. The fears that some have are placed there by older generations. By the media. By agendas of government and religious organizations who have sticks up their asses.
Butthisgeneration is ready for a change. They’re loud and they’re ready to fight. The guys asking about gay guys in the locker room weren’t asking for themselves. They were asking for their friends. Friends they were determined to protect and support.
Listening to them gives me chills, and even though I don’t know these kids, I can’t help but be so incredibly proud of them. They’re going to do great things. Even if that great thing isn’t hockey, they’re going to do some amazing things in the world. I’m confident.
So confident that I make sure to take down all their names and promise that I’m going to keep up with their careers wherever they take them. There’s hope in the world, and it starts right here.
When I get into my car, this conversation leaves me encouraged enough and feeling brave, so I dial my mother. My heart races and while I mean to put the car into drive, my hands shake so I don’t move.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hi, Mama. What’s up?”
“Just cooking. How’d your hike go?”
I smile, loving that she remembers details like this. “Went great. That’s uh, why I’m calling.”
“Oh? You know I don’t want to hike, child.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “No, no. We were having a conversation and there’s something I’ve been a little nervous about telling you. Talking to them gave me the push I needed though, so… I’ve been seeing someone.”
“Have you? Why in the world are you nervous to tell me about that? When are you bringing her home?”
I sigh. “That’s the thing, Mama. His name is Arush.”
My words meet silence. “Oh.Hisname.” Another pause has me nearly hyperventilating. “Well, okay then. When are you bringing him home?”
My breath comes out so forcefully that there are tears in my eyes. My words feel a little choked up. “I don’t know yet. This summer, I hope.”
“That sounds good. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
“Mama?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Pops? Gran and Gramps? Are they going to…?” I can’t finish the words and catch my breath at the same time.
“Love your young man? Yes. Baby, God says we do not judge, and while some people choose to believe He said that man judges for God, that isn’t what the Holy Bible says. We will love your young man, son.”
I close my eyes. “He’s Indian,” I say. “I met him online.”
“Okay. How does he like his grits—savory or sweet?”
I let my head fall back and smile in relief. “So far, he prefers them sweet.”
“He’s already my favorite of all your past partners.”
I laugh, and for the next several minutes, I tell my Mama about Arush.
CHAPTER 26
ARUSH
Julian’s fingerscombing through my hair threaten to put me to sleep. I’m incredibly relaxed as I lie on the couch with my head in his lap. We’re watching a cooking show. It’s an older show, but one of the best as far as Julian is concerned. There’s no fanfare and no smack talk, just simply cooking. The competition shows today are all about show and pomp.
I’ve never watched cooking shows, so I can’t compare personally. This one is a lot of fun, though. They move around so quickly, and their dishes look amazing, high-quality, and unique. Today, their ‘secret ingredient,’ which must be the star of every dish, is wreckfish. I don’t know what that is, but from what I see on television, it’s a normal black fish.
There’s a commentator who seriously knowseverything. He’s ridiculously impressive and a little quirky, too. I adore him.
