I never thought about it that way, but Gael is right. I had to be kind of bullish about some stuff because it’s hard to be heard and taken seriously sometimes with a family as big as ours. “Anyway, I’m easing back into the business. Running a big event for the local Stanley Cup winner in a few weeks.”
“Cool. I know nothing about hockey but I heard we’re getting a local team.”
“Yeah, my… best friend is on it,” I reply and pause. He caught the hesitation in my sentence and he’s staring at me with a curious look on his face. “I’m actually moving in with him.”
“Oh. Moving in with your… best friend?” Gael questions. “Or moving in with your… best friend.”
The second time he says it he lifts his hands and makes air quotes. He’s getting the picture loud and clear and I can’t really let him because until Abbott has done something to out himself I can’t. I clear my throat. “It’s not that. It’s just… what I’m trying to explain is my life is busy and kind of all over the place at the moment so that’s why I haven’t called you.”
He reaches out and drops a hand on my knee under the table. It’s brief, a small squeeze before he pulls it away again. “You don’t owe me an explanation, Deck. It’s cool. I just… I’m open to being friends too. Not all gay guys have to bone.”
He whispers that last sentence and winks at me and I laugh. “Well, I am new at this whole being out thing so thanks for the tip.”
Jake is sauntering back to the table and Ma is walking over, delivering the food herself. She plops it down in front of Jake and Gael and introduces herself. Gael stands to shake her hand and she flutters her eyelashes. “Well, aren’t you a gentleman. Very nice to meet you Gael.”
“You too.” He sits again. As he pulls in his chair the necklace around his neck glints in the sun coming through the window.
“What a lovely cross,” Ma says. “Are you Catholic?”
“No. Anglican,” Gael says.
Mom nods. Terra walks over and tugs on her arm. “Leave them be, Ma.”
“So… I wanted to warn you. I’m really not a stalker but I may show up here again,” Gael says after he takes a long sip of the milkshake. “This is freaking delicious and that looks incredible.”
“I would never deny someone my ma’s cooking. Or our milkshakes, although I will tell you they’re just as good at the soda fountain in the center of Ocean Pines because we get our ice cream from there.”
Gael and I talk the whole time he eats. Jake nods and grunts a lot once he gets back from changing but his mouth is perpetually full of the two lobster rolls, extra serving of cole slaw, and the fries he always gets. Despite having more food to wolf down, Jake finishes before Gael and gets up to go find some dessert.
“Your mom is religious?” Gael asks me.
“Yeah. She was,” I say. “Catholic.”
Gael nods slowly, and it’s filled with understanding. “Catholicism and a gay son don’t exactly mix.”
“Definitely not in small-towns like this one,” I reply.
“You know, if your mom still wants to attend services and everything, the Anglican Church is where I go. Where my sister preaches,” Gael explains.
“Joy?”
“No my oldest sister Adrianna,” Gael says and pauses to eat the last bite of his lobster roll. “I am definitely coming here again. I might just bring my whole damn family. It’s that good.”
“Thanks.” I lean forward a little bit so I can lower my voice but he can still hear me. “I think I might go and check out your church. Before I tell my mother about it. I mean, I trust that you wouldn’t go somewhere homophobic or anything like that I just… she’s been through a lot, and I just want to make sure it’s a fit before I tell her.”
“You’re a good son,” Gael says with a smile. “Wanna meet me for coffee Sunday morning, and we can go together?”
Jake is suddenly coughing conspicuously. I realize he’s back and directly across the table from us. And he’s with Ma. I don’t even have time to panic about how much of that they heard because Ma grabs the dirty dishes off the table and when she smiles it’s as bright as the sun. “Sorry to interrupt. You go ahead and tell this sweet young man if you’ll meet him for coffee.”
She turns and walks away, only she might as well be floating she’s so happy. Because she thinks I’m being asked out. And Ma has always been a hopeless romantic. Seeing three of her four kids happy isn’t enough. I clear my throat and glare up at Jake. “Oh. Sorry.”
He turns and retreats towards the counter. I look at Gael. “Jesus. I can’t do anything in this town without at least seven people knowing about it.”
Gael laughs softly. “I’m not thinking this is a date by the way. Just a friend offering help. I swear.”
“Yeah. I know. And I’ll take it,” I reply, because like he said, gay guys can be friends. I like him and I need the help. I want to make sure this place will be accepting of my mother before I suggest it to her. “I’ll text you and we can pick a coffee spot and time.”
“Cool.”
