“Why do yer always insist on talking in riddles, Kyle?”Dad says, losing interest and going back to the TV and his afternoon game shows.
Trish and I follow Mum into the kitchen, there’s a candle that smells like fresh linen burning on the side.Mum shuffles over to put the kettle on, her slipper clad feet making soft sounds on the hardwood floor.
“So, Mum, before you get the wrong idea, Trish and I aren’t dating.”I see her shoulders sag slightly, and any hopes of me coming out to her one day slump too.
The room is silent—save for Mum making the teas—and then we head into the living room.
“Herb, Kyle ’as some news for us, and it’s not that he and this lovely Trish girl are dating.”
“Aye, knew it.She’s far too pretty for ’im.”
“Herbert.That is your son yer talkin’ about.”Mum gives him a withering look.
“Anyway,” I say, clearing my throat, “You may have heard that a certain team has been interested in me.”
“Ain’t got a clue, lad.Internet’s been out for a few days.They say it’s gonna be fixed by Thursdee.”
“Oh, okay.And you haven’t read anything in the papers?”Once again, I’m surprised by how closed off my parents are, despite living on a thriving and well-connected communal housing estate.My mum is the happy-go-lucky one of the pair, though, and people are more likely to talk to her.I apparently take after my dad, with the short temper and being a grump.I’ve seen people literally cross the street to avoid us.It used to hurt my feelings—now I don’t give a toss.My focus is on my family and providing for them—not what people think of me; at least to some degree.If people found out I was gay.That’s the end of everything.My career, providing for my family.My dream.
“Delivery boy is sick.’As been for a few days.”
“Oh, right.And they’re not related?”I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“The internet and the delivery boy?Don’t be daft, son.”
“No, I didn’t mean that.I don’t actually know what I mean.Anyway, so, my news.I’ve just had a medical at…” I pause for dramatic effect.
“Get on with it, lad,” my dad says, with growing impatience.
“With Union.”
The words hang in the air.
“And I passed.”
There’s more silence.
“I’ve signed a contract with them.They want me to be their star striker next season.”
The silence is almost deafening until Dad bursts out with a cackle, jumps out of his chair and…and hugs me.He spins me around, and I can see tears in his eyes.My dad, crying.My dad, proud of me?Tears begin to prick my eyes too.Dad finally lets me go and now Mum is hugging me.
This is football.This is why I’ve been so determined to make the most of my “gift.”For moments like this.Why I’ve put in all of the graft, and I can see it paying off now.I know I’ve got to work even harder to keep this though.
“My son, t’ Union player.I always dreamed this day would come.”
“Me too, Dad, me too,” I’ve made my dad proud of me.Finally.
Chapter 12
AJ
It’s been a few days since the final and my accidental dive to win a penalty.Initially there was a storm about it, calling me a diver and a cheat.There were a few others on my side, saying I clearly fell over my feet and that I didn’t ask for a penalty.Then news of an even bigger story broke.
Kyle.
Signing for Union.
I’m happy for him.He’s living out our childhood dream.I wanted to text him, but the look he gave me still burns in the back of my mind.So instead, I’m cheering him on from afar until I pluck up the courage to congratulate him.I’ve drafted out a message a few times and then promptly deleted it.
