“Damn right, I am.Wait, you mean to tell me Levonn knew?”Imani swatted him on the arm again.“You two need to stop that.You were forever keeping secrets from me as kids; I expect you to grow out of this stage!”
Levonn came in for his own hug.“Hi, Mama.”
“Don’t you hi me, I want a proper answer.”Imani hugged him anyway, then demanded, “Wait, have you met his boyfriend?”
“No, not yet,” Levonn denied, already shrugging out of his coat.
Imani only looked slightly relieved by this as she regained her seat.“I was about to knock your heads together if you had.Ross, tell me about this man.”
“Well, he’s my boss, for starters.”Ross shrugged when she gave him a look for that, a look that spoke volumes.Really, he was so giddy with relief that he felt like telling them everything in one shot.But he still didn’t know how to explain the supernatural clan he worked with and not sound a few cards short of a full deck.And he didn’t want to overwhelm them with too many revelations in one sitting.
Their orders arrived, at least his and Imani’s, so they paused as food was placed in front of them.Ross bought a few seconds to think as he put on salt and ketchup, trying to figure out how to explain Glenn without making him sound like a Disney prince.It was something of a struggle.
He tore apart his fried fish, giving it a chance to cool from volcanic temperatures to something he could safely put in his mouth.Ross focused on his hands as he spoke.“Glenn is his name.He’s one of the most intelligent, resourceful people I’ve ever met.Everything he has, he’s built from the ground up.And he’s good to people.Genuinely good to them, often helps those who are in a tight pinch or need a safe place to stay.Most of his employees are people he’s given a second lease on life, and they chose to stay with him.”
Levonn used his close proximity to nudge Ross in the ribs.“Tell her about how sweet he is.”
Imani’s eyes cut to him.“So, you haven’t met him, but you do know about him.”
“Eh, a few things.We talked this morning.”
Ross said something quickly before Levonn could get smacked.“He’s really thoughtful and sweet.I’ve had really long days, when I was just dead on my feet, and he came over to cook for me.And once, we were supposed to go out on a date, but I just didn’t have the spoons for it.So, we did a home date with movie and pizza instead.He’s a really good boyfriend.We’re about a month and a half into dating right now, and I sincerely hope it doesn’t end.”
“Did you have a smooth start, then?”
“No, it was rocky as hell.Not because of anything he did, but outside forces kept interfering in the wrong ways.”
Imani gave a wise nod.“Love ain’t usually smooth sailing.If you have a rocky start, more likely you’ll have an easy road of it.Something about Cupid just won’t let him give anyone an easy relationship.But this man sounds good, Ross.A kind, generous man.It does make me a little nervous that he’s also your boss.”
“Initially, it made me nervous, too.But we sat down and established boundaries, and he’s sticking to them.He did rearrange my work schedule so I can go back to school.He’s very supportive of whatever it is I want to do.”Ross didn’t know how else to explain it all to her.But in comparison to the men she’d been with, Glenn was night and day difference.Imani had never been supported.Everything she had now was because of her own determination and hard work.
She looked a little relieved at this.“I like the sound of this man.When do I get to meet him?”
“I have no idea.I’ll have to check with him.Maybe after Christmas?There’s a lot I have to do prior to it, and I figured I’d spend Christmas day with you and the family.”
The relief mixed with anticipation and she sat up a little straighter.“So, you’re confident enough to introduce us.”
Oh.That’s what she was getting at.“Yes.He’s not a man anyone would be embarrassed to bring home, trust me.”
“Ross says the sex is good too,” Levonn threw in.
He poked his brother hard in the ribs.“Donottell her that.”
Imani just rolled her eyes.“Like I don’t know my sons been having a little fun.I might have gotten the gender wrong, but neither of you’ve been virgins for years.”
That was very much true.
Levonn’s food arrived and they finally took a break from talking long enough to eat.Ross needed a few seconds.This had gone far better than he dreaded, but right in line for what he’d hoped for.The tight fist of worry he’d carried in his gut since realizing he was gay unknotted at last.It made him want to bask in the warm glow of obvious love and acceptance.His mother’s nonchalant way of accepting it had dispelled his worries completely.She obviously didn’t care what his sexual orientation was.Her main concern was him choosing a good partner to be with.And that spoke volumes in and of itself.Ross now felt a little guilty for not telling her all of this sooner.
Although how the hell he’d introduce her and Glenn without the clan somehow being involved was anyone’s guess.
Ross was mostly through the meal, talking about presents and what to have for Christmas dinner, when he saw through the restaurant’s windows his tow truck had arrived.Rocco hopped out of the truck’s cabin and gave him a wave, and Ross waved back.“Mom, I’ll need to go give them my keys—oh shit.”
They didn’t.
Someone please tell him they didn’t.
“Something wrong, honey?”Imani looked out the same window, obviously perplexed on what alarmed him.
