“No! Look, I didn’t plan to say this, but I think I need to. It hurts that I’ve already told every single one of you about this, yet you’re acting like it’s something new. You seem to think I’ve kept it from you when I didn’t. I told you the week that it happened, but you ignored me, just as you’ve been ignoring me for years.”
“We have not,” Paul tried, but I cut him off.
“None of you bother to listen to me! You kept up on me as a soccer player but not as your brother. When we talk, it’s always about you and—”
All of my siblings grew furious as I went on, and continued to try to argue over me. The only one who didn’t was Des, who stayed in the back, his muscled arms folded over his chest, waiting to see how this would play out.
To my surprise, Pa stood from his seat and turned his back to the camera so he could face the family. I couldn’t see anyone since he blocked our view, but I could hear him loud and clear. He spoke in Spanish, using harsh, clipped tones, throwing out disappointed accusations and to my sheer relief… support for the things I’d said. He blatantly called out Mia for her behavior and even accused Ma of being too busy to see what was happening right under her nose. He was angrier than I’d ever remembered him being, which made me think he’d been building up to this. Had Des given him a heads-up so he had time to think about this, or had he seen it through the years and just hadn’t been sure how to handle it? Whatever the case, Pa was making it clear he was sick of what the family had become and demanding a change.
Jake lifted our joined hands and kissed the back of mine. When I glanced over at him, he looked worried. I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but it fell short.
“You’ve got this,” he said so softly I almost didn’t hear him.
Once Pa had given everyone enough food for thought and settled them down, he turned back around and took his place in the seat by Ma. She was crying, but I could tell Pa’s words had broken through to her. Her gaze was sad when she looked at me, as if she finally realized how much she’d hurt me.
“Gracias,Pa. There’s something else I want to tell you guys,” I said. “A couple somethings actually.”
Everyone remained completely quiet, probably afraid Pa would snap at them again if they spoke. Even the bird in the background had settled down. Their entire focus was on me, which was more than a little weird.
“I’ve met someone, and it’s… well, it’s good. Really good actually,” I said with a smile. “His name is Jake, and he’s…” I looked at him for a second before saying, “He’s honestly the best thing that’s happened to me since I joined the team.”
“Is he there?” Mia asked excitedly.
I laughed. “Yeah. He is, and he’d like to say hi.”
A chorus ofyesesandoh my godsechoed through the speakers. My focus fell on Ma, sitting in the front. Some of her sadness was fading, quickly being replaced with a smile.
“Of course we do!” Mia practically yelled. “Jake! Come say hi!”
Jake started to move, but I squeezed his hand to stop him.
“Wait.” I gave them a minute to quiet down again. “Before you meet him, I want to tell you about someone else too.”
Every single one of them looked confused, except my sister. Mia looked positively excited now. “Are you in a triad?” she beamed. “Oh my God, I knew it! My friend is in a triad and—”
“It’s not a triad,” I said rolling my eyes. “God, why do you keep saying that? I’m not into threesomes, Mia! Get over it.”
I felt Jake’s silent laughter next to me and turned to him. His blue eyes were alight with amusement.Threesomes?he mouthed.
I grinned, returning to the screen. “There’s a little boy named Harrison. Jake and I are adopting him.”
For once, pure silence reached my ears, and I once again focused on Ma. One hand lifted to cover her mouth, which made it difficult to read her expression. More than anyone, I wanted her approval in this. Not only for Harris but Jake too. For so long, I’d felt like such a disappointment to her despite my achievements, and I needed to know that, at least in this, I made her happy.
Her eyes shone with fresh tears, which she quickly dabbed away, revealing a huge smile on her ruby lips. That’s when I knew I could finally,finally,let it all go.
“Anyway, Jake and I met him through the soccer clinic I work at. He’s seven years old, and he’s, well, he’s incredible. Nic and Nicole will love him, I think.”
“Can we meet him?” Ma asked hopefully.
“No, he’s at school. And he’s going through a lot right now too, so when you do meet him, I need you guys to just… cool it, okay? Try not be so crazy and loud.”
Every single one of them nodded respectfully, a mix of guilt, shame, and understanding on their faces. It fueled the hope growing in my chest, making me believe for the first time in years that I was beingheard.
“Yeah, so. Anyway. That’s my news. I’m a dad and life is good here. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and I have this guy to thank for that,” I said, pulling Jake’s hand. He got the hint and moved in close. I could tell he was biting the inside of his cheek in a nervous habit, but his smile was brave and confident.
“Hola, mi familia,”he said as I adjusted the tablet to fit us both. “Or is it fami-la, fami-a… shit, I thought I knew how to say that.”
I burst out laughing, not expecting him to dive into Spanish. “You had it right,” I encouraged, stealing a kiss when he looked at me. A collectiveawwcame from our audience.
For the next half hour, Jake was center stage under the Reyes family spotlight, but he handled it like a pro, answering each of their questions and teasing them when it was appropriate. I could tell both Ma and Mia were just as enamored with Jake as I was, and Pa looked equally pleased. My brother Paul was surprised to hear Jake was in law enforcement, and Ana loved hearing about our first date. When we finally hung up, it felt as if the crushing weight on my chest had finally been lifted.
“Fuck, that felt good.” I sighed, letting the tablet fall to the floor. Jake opened his mouth to reply, but I swallowed it down with a kiss. I felt freer than I had in years, thanks to my family’s acceptance, and I knew whatever Jake’s and my future held was going to be even better now that I had their support.
Jake pulled me down to the couch, silently begging me to make love to him, which I did over and over until we had to go pick up our son.
