“I could work really hard to make sure theydidn’t.I could contact someone in, I don’t know, British Columbia,maybe?Or another country, if you want.And you wouldn’t have togive your name, or tell the person where you’re from.So I guessit’s not absolutely sure that no one would find out, but it wouldbe really, really unlikely.I think it’d be safe, if you want togive it a try.”
The boy nodded slowly, as if reluctant tosurrender himself to the intoxication of hope.“Maybe.I mean, itsounds good.But I need to think about it.”He stood, ready toleave.
Mark rose quickly.“Okay.Absolutely.But,look, I’m worried about you.I don’t want to let this go for verylong.Will you give me your word that you’ll come back tomorrow andcheck in?Just a check in, not more unless you want more.Will youdo that for me?Will you give me your word?”
Alex looked uncertain, then raised his eyesquickly, the challenge clear.“You’re gay, right?That’s what Iheard.Is that true?”
Mark smiled ruefully.It was amazing howoften it was a factor in his chosen profession, one way or another.“It’s true.”
“And you just walk around, just…just…beinggay…”
“I walk, I sit, I wake, I sleep.All gay, allday.”
“And it’s allowed?I mean, your job, orwhatever.You’re allowed to be gay?”
“I am.”No need to get into the shades ofreality, there.On the surface, the statement was true, and it waswhat this kid needed to hear.“And you’re allowed to be gay too.But you’re allowed to keep it to yourself if you want to, or shareit if you want to.And no one else is allowed to treat youdifferently because of it.”
“They will anyway.”
“Yeah.Some of them will.But a lot won’t.And anyone who does isn’t just being a jerk—they might actually bebreaking the law.”Alex looked curious more than anything else now,and Mark decided to push a little.“So you’ll think about theonline stuff.And you’ll give me your word that you’ll be back heretomorrow to check in.Same time, same place?”
Finally, the nod.“Yeah.Okay.Tomorrow.”Alex squinted.“And it’s okay for me to say I’m working on a schoolproject?You’re telling me it’s not a sin if I lie?”
There were times when Mark’s clerical collarfelt especially tight, and this was one of them.“I can’t say it’snot a sin.It would be better if you could tell the truth.But Godsees everything, and He is very understanding and forgiving.Inthis case, I think He would understand.”
The boy nodded.“Okay.Tomorrow, then.”Hewasn’t exactly skipping on his way out of the office, but he seemedbetter than he had when he’d entered, and most days that was allMark could hope for.
He leaned back in his chair and closed hiseyes, trying to gather his energy.It had been a long day.A longweek.He loved this part of his job and he knew he was good at it,but it was exhausting.He wanted to go home, have a quiet drink andcrawl into bed, but he couldn’t do it.His parents would beexpecting him to check in on them, and they might have visitors,all of whom would want some words of wisdom from him, even thoughhe was just as confused as they were, if not more so.He was gladto be distracted by the ringing of his cell phone, and gladderstill to see the name on the screen.
“Hey,” Will greeted him.“You doingokay?”
“Yeah.I’m okay.Just packing up at work,then going to my parents’ place.”
“Which will be more work,” Will said.“Haveyou eaten yet?”
“There’s food at Mom’s.People have beenbringing casseroles and stuff over, just like…” Just like when ithad actually happened.
“I already ate,” Will said, “but I couldprobably eat again.”
“You want to come with me to visit myparents?”Will was a friend, but he wasn’t usually that much of amartyr.
“Hell no.I was thinking of The Garage.Wecould have a couple drinks.You could have dinner, I could havedessert.I think wings count as dessert, don’t they?”
“I shouldn’t.My parents will be expectingme.”
“I’ll call them and tell them you’ll be bylater.”
“You’ll call them?”
“Because if you do, you’ll wimp out.You knowyou will.And I should check in with them anyway.Express mycondolences, or whatever it is I’m supposed to say.”
“Will—” Mark started, but he wasn’t sorry tobe interrupted.
“I’ll meet you at The Garage in fifteenminutes.And, Mark—remember to take off the collar.It makes peoplenervous.”
“It makes sinners nervous to be in thepresence of a righteous man?”
“They think you’re Catholic.It makes sinnersnervous to be in the presence of someone they think is athirty-four-year-old virgin.”
