Feeling brave, I explain that my two moms and a cat are the family I will be spending the evening with.
“Two moms and a cat.” She chortles. “Isn’t that something?” She leans down and whispers in my ear, “Seems like everyone’s turning gay these days. Am I right? Heck, even my sister’s boy is a homosexual now.”
Well, there’s a word you don’t hear very often. Enjoying my newfound bravado, I say, “Guess what? I’m gay too.”
She slow claps her hands with faux enthusiasm. “Well, good for you, honey. You do you. Just remember that when the day comes, it’s only God’s judgment that matters.”
WTF! She’s cray-cray. I need to find another Hair Cuttery.
But by the end of my haircut, Madge (whose real name is Patty) has been joined by the other hairdressers, along with Tammy, the hair washer, as I recount my coming out story. I feel like I’m on a stage with spotlights, and they are my audience. Tammy swoons when I describe PJ’s good looks and blue eyes, but Patty purses her lips. They offer all kinds of advice about how to win PJ back, but I doubt I will take their suggestions. Tammy thinks I should write him a note and slip it to him during class. But this seems very junior high to me. I need to figure this out on my own. I tip Patty and Tammy and promise to give everyone an update when I come back for my next haircut. I wave goodbye and head out the door. I’m beaming. I’ve now come out to Hector, Mags, and a whole group of strangers!
After my haircut, I stop at the grocery store to stock up on goodies for movie night. I get microwave popcorn, a couple two-liter bottles of soda, and Mom’s favorite candy—Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. I get Sour Patch Kids for myself and seedless grapes for Carole. Carole doesn’t eat candy. She likes to put fresh grapes in the freezer and eat them frozen. She claims they taste like candy. They don’t taste like candy to me, but frozen grapes are pretty good, especially on a hot summer day. They are just not for movie night. Only junk food for Mom and me, please.
I arrive home and to my surprise Mom greets me at the door with a huge smile and a big hug. She looks hunched with dark circles under her eyes, but it’s wonderful to see her.
“First movie night in our new home. Did you get the goods?” Mom winks at me.
I show her the stash, and her eyes brighten just a bit as she notices the peanut chews. I haven’t seen her this excited for food in a long time. She tears into the bag, unwraps one of the miniature candies, and pops it in her mouth.
“Oh, that is so good. It’s been too long,” she moans.
I take this opportunity to say something that’s been on my mind, but I haven’t said to her yet.
“Mom, I miss our movie nights.”
“I know you do, Little Bug.”
I let the Little Bug comment go.
“Can we start these back up again? You know, like in the old days. We never missed a Friday night before.”
“I know, and I can promise to try. But that’s the best answer I can give you until they hire more staff at work. Simon, please be patient and try to understand the stress I’m under. I’m doing this for us. Sammy too. It won’t be forever. Just hang on a little bit longer.”
“Okay,” I say as I flop onto the couch.
Sammy runs over and jumps in my lap. I get out his special toy from the coffee table drawer. The red dot appears, and Sammy goes crazy. He loves to chase it. He runs in circles and jumps up and down trying to catch the elusive dot the laser pointer makes. Mom laughs, and it’s so good to see her happy. It’s been a while since I’ve heard her do that too. It feels like old times.
Mom and I play with Sammy for a bit while I tell her all about school. I give her a play-by-play of the past few days except for one key detail—PJ.
Carole comes in the front door carrying a brown paper bag.
“Hello, hello!” she calls. “Is this where an old-school movie night is about to go down?”
“Woot, woot,” I call out, raising my hands toward the ceiling.
Carole puts an arm around me and gives me a side hug, then walks over to Mom and gives her a lingering kiss on the lips. She perches on the edge of the couch and unpacks the bag. She hands a carton to Mom.
“Moo shu for you, my sweet.” She places a second container in front of herself. “Lo mein for me and… Oh, no! That seems to be all there is in the bag.” She gives me a wink as my smile turns into a frown. “Only kidding, Simon. Hot and sour soup and a double order of egg rolls for you.”
My smile returns, and I’m about to ask for the hot mustard, but Carole is already dangling the packets in midair. She tosses them to me along with some packets of duck sauce. Everyone is in their happy place.
“Okay, so what is on the agenda for movie night tonight? Anyone else up for a rom-com?” Carole asks.
Mom and I look up from our Chinese food.
“No!” we shout in unison.
We all laugh, and I pull up Disney+ to search for our first movie which will most certainly not be a rom-com.
