Tommy stared at him in surprise.
“Anyone we know?” his mom inquired.
“Just a girl from my class, Della,” he replied. “Her folks are throwing a party, and she invited me.” He grinned at Tommy. “And Tommy here is going out too.”
“Oh, just to a party at a bar in the city,” Tommy added hastily, glaring at Ben. His roommate had been doing his best to get Tommy to tell him exactly where he was going, but Tommy wasn’t about to do that. There were some secrets he wasn’t prepared to share.
“Don’t drink too much, now,” Benson Wellington admonished. He lifted a forkful of roast beef to his lips andthen picked up his newspaper, ignoring his wife’s tut-tut of disapproval.
Tommy didn’t plan on letting anything alcoholic pass his lips, New Year’s Eve or no. His momma’s lectures on the evils of drink still rang in his head. Another one of those things that was proving difficult to ignore.
Caroline appeared surprised. “I thought you might have been planning to go spend New Year’s Eve with your parents, Tommy.”
He winced, the reaction so instinctive he couldn’t control it.So much for puttin’ it behind me.Everything was still too raw. Across the table from him, Ben’s expression was one of sympathy.
Caroline’s brow furrowed. “Did I say something wrong?”
Before Tommy could say something to reassure her, Ben let out a heavy sigh and stared at Tommy.
“You know what? They deserve to know what’s going on.”
Tommy’s heartbeat sped up.Oh no, he wouldn’t….
Ben turned to his parents. “Tommy’s staying here ’cause his parents kicked him out.” He gave Tommy an apologetic glance.
Benson lowered his newspaper. “Why? What happened?” He seemed appalled by the revelation.
Caroline’s mouth fell open, and she let out a gasp.
Ben bit his lip. “Let’s just say they had a difference of opinion.”
Tommy put down his fork and sighed. “Well, you’ve told ’emthatmuch. They may as well know the whole story.” He regarded Benson and Caroline, his heart racing. “I… I came out to my parents the day after Christmas, and they were none too happy about it.” He paused, unsure of what else to tell them. It had been enough of an effort to sharethat.
“What about the rest of it?” Ben said hotly. “Tell them about the camp your parents and that pastor wanted to send you to, where they were gonna cure you of being gay.” His face glowed.
Silence fell. Ben’s parents stared at him, openmouthed. Finally Caroline spoke. “Oh, you poor thing. You should’ve told us, dear.” She sighed. “Tommy, there is nothing wrong with being gay, y’hear? And you are welcome to stay here as long as you want. Isn’t that right, Benny?”
Ben’s dad nodded. “You’re always welcome here, son. You’re good for Ben. He needs someone like you around.” Then he smiled. “You can even take one of the bedrooms upstairs if my sloth of a son gets to be too much for you,” he added before picking up his newspaper once more.
“Thank you,” Tommy said warmly. Ben was so lucky to have such supportive, understanding parents. He couldn’t believe how unruffled they were by his announcement.
Then Caroline grinned. “Well, I’ll be damned. It just burns me up that Danny was right after all.” Her comment was met with chuckles from her family. Caroline rolled her eyes. Then she glanced at Bethany, who was sitting next to Tommy, a smug expression on her face. Caroline narrowed her gaze. “You already knew Tommy was gay, didn’t you?”
Bethany’s expression became innocent. “I may have.”
Tommy squeezed her knee, and she smiled at him. There was a wicked gleam in her eyes as she glanced over at her brother.
“At least Tommy has taste. He’d never consider dating Ben.”
Ben glared at her. “You little witch!”
Bethany shrugged. “I figured as long as Tommy was being honest, maybe it was time you were too.” Her lips twitched.
Caroline regarded her son in silence, and Tommy watched as Ben swallowed. Then she gave him a wide smile.
“Oh, baby, like I didn’t already know about you.”
Tommy had to fight hard to hold back his laughter at the sight of Ben’s dazed look.
