Finn hesitated for half a second, then decided to just say it. “I, um… met someone. A guy. And I’m thinking about moving in with him. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.”
Theo’s eyes widened as if he were watching a soap opera.
His mom gasped—but in a happy way. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful!”
His dad added, “We’re proud of you. Really.”
Finn blinked. He hadn’t expected it to be that easy. “You are?”
“Of course,” his mom said. “But keep your apartment for six months. Just in case.”
Finn nearly dropped his sandwich. “Six months?”
“Yes,” his dad said. “We want you to feel secure while you figure things out.”
“What about a job?” his mother asked.
“Charlottesville is a big city, and I’ll find something I want.”
Theo mouthed, Whew.
Finn grinned. “Okay. Yeah. I can do that.”
His mom asked, “What’s his name?”
“Maurice Dubois,” Finn said, feeling warm just saying it. “He’s an attorney. Smart. Kind. Really steady and he’s so good to me.”
His dad hummed approvingly. “Sounds like a good man.”
“He is,” Finn said.
After a few more minutes of catching up, they said their goodbyes, and Finn hung up.
Theo leaned across the table. “Okay, that went way better than I expected.”
Finn laughed. “Same. I thought they’d freak out. I have a feeling they already knew.”
“How would they know?” Theo asked.
“My father said he saw my Pride Express ticket, and Mr. Santos said a Danish friend asked him to check on me.” Finn laughed. “So, I’m sure he told my father about Maurice. He must have said good things about him.”
“Your parents sound like good parents.”
“They are but way too overprotective. This is the first time in my life I’m alone without them. But you heard them. They’re still want to know everything.”
Theo stood, tossing his sandwich wrapper. “Alright. Now that your life is sorted, let’s go ride a trolley.”
Finn grabbed his bags and followed him toward the Powell Street turnaround, the sound of the cable car bell echoing through the street.
“Touring the city with wigs in our bags,” Finn said. “This is peak Pride energy.”
Theo grinned. “And we’re just getting started.”
After their ride, they walked a few blocks to the hotel.
“Do you want me to teach you how to make bracelets?” Finn asked.
“Yes, I love all yours.”
