“I see. Okay, boys, I’m going upstairs to have a talk with PJ’s mother. She is not happy about any of this. She saw this as a phase, Peter John. She did not want a homosexual for her only child. She had dreams of a wedding, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.”
“But Dad, it’s not like that anymore. She can still have those things. A wedding, grandchildren—not the daughter-in-law so much—but you know what I mean. Nobody cares about these things anymore. Why does she?”
John stares at PJ for a good long while, and for the first time, I see a hint of compassion on his otherwise emotionless face.
“Well, son, she does. And to be honest, I don’t fully understand it myself. But I’m more pragmatic than your mother, and I only want you to be happy. Are you happy?”
“I am, Dad. I really am. I’m in love with Simon, and he loves me.” PJ’s eyes tear up.
“Well, that’s all that matters, I guess. I will deal with your mother, and here’s what I would like you to do for me. Take your…boyfriend…home and get him settled. Tell his parents what happened and then come right back home. Deal?”
“But Dad, he’s all alone tonight. Carole, I mean, his parents are away. I don’t think he should be by himself.”
“Ah, I see. Now, this is all making much more sense. Okay, take him home. I would prefer you come straight back here, but if you truly feel he can’t be alone, you can stay with him. But I’m trusting you, son. I hope you boys are playing it safe. But, I guess, that’s a conversation for another time. It’s late. Be safe driving back.” John claps PJ on the back.
“Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.” I extend my hand to PJ’s father.
“No trouble, son.” He grips my hand in a firm shake. “It was nice to meet you even under the circumstances. Please know you will be just fine. Remember the techniques I taught you. Practice your breathing and…take care of each other.”
And with that he leaves the kitchen and makes his way back upstairs. PJ is wide eyed and has his hand over his mouth.
“What the hell just happened?” he exclaims.
I’m lying next to PJ with the cats asleep at our feet. It’s almost 3:00 a.m.
“What a night. I can’t believe everything that’s happened. So much to unpack and to think about.”
“Wow! Maybe my dad isn’t such a bad guy after all. How are you feeling, Simon?”
“I’m good. Calm even. I feel much better now that I know what’s been happening to me. Embarrassed, but good. Um, did you still want to…”
“I do, but now just doesn’t seem like the right time.”
“Yeah, okay,” I say. “Maybe we could cuddle instead and fall asleep like that?”
“Yeah, that would be nice. I would like that.”
We turn on our sides and face each other. PJ gives me a little kiss, and I stroke his soft, golden hair.
“Hey, I just realized something,” he says.
“What?”
“It’s after midnight!”
“Yeah, it’s several hours after midnight. What’s your point?”
“It means…happy birthday, Simon! You’re seventeen!”
41
Happy Birthday, Simon!
When we finally wake, it’s close to noon. I’m groggy and light-headed but waking up next to PJ’s warm body feels like heaven. I pick up my phone, which has been on silent since last night, and find I have several unread messages. Ugh! I don’t feel like dealing with anything today.
“I’m canceling my birthday. Let’s go back to sleep instead.” I cover my head with a pillow.
PJ pulls the pillow off my head and throws it across the room. He gives me little kisses everywhere and blows a raspberry on my stomach. It tickles, and we playfully wrestle. Sammy and Millie meow incessantly for their long-overdue breakfast.
