Page 105 of Ancient History

“By myself?”

“We can photoshop Amos into the frame later.”

I did the most doubly of double takes. “You know Photoshop?”

“I checked out a book on it from the library. I’m trying to learn more skills as I recover.”

“You know what they say. The fastest way to become tech-savvy is to check out books from the library.”

“I can’t tell if that’s sarcasm or not.” The man was having too much fun considering he wasn’t the one going to prom. “Go to the fireplace and give me a pose. Do aSaturday Night Feverdisco pose to go with your tux.”

No matter how old you were, your parents could always find a way to embarrass you. The microwave beeped in the distance. When he turned to go into the kitchen, I stuck my tongue out at his back. In a mature way.

I checked out myself in the mirror above the fireplace, verifying that every hair was in place…and that this tux wasn’t too embarrassing.

My nose detected a forbidden smell. I stormed into the kitchen, where Pop was mixing around his mac n’ cheese TV dinner before sticking it back in the microwave.

“What’s that?”

“Dinner.”

“You can’t have mac n’ cheese. It’s filled with cholesterol and salt.”

“Remember when I used to let you order a pizza when I’d go to my poker night?”

“I was thirteen, and I wasn’t having heart issues.” I opened the fridge and took out the Tupperware container of the meal I prepared. “I made you grilled chicken, quinoa, and cauliflower.”

“Hm, mac n’ cheese or edible cardboard? Tough choice.”

“Pop.” I heaved out a breath through my nostrils, understanding why people found raising children stressful. “Fine. Have the mac n’ cheese. We’ll save this for tomorrow.”

I stuck the Tupperware back in the fridge.

“I’m just trying to help.”

“I know, son. That’s why I love you.” He pulled me to him and kissed me on the forehead, and even though I was a grown-ass adult, it still filled me with love. “I wish I could be there tonight and watch you dance with Amos.”

“You want to watch us dance?”

“Damn right. I want to see you two get the happy ending you never got in high school. I feel so grateful to have lived long enough that my gay son can go to the prom with the man he loves. There was a time when they wouldn’t allow gay men to even teach kids.”

This guy. I was two seconds away from becoming a pile of tears. Add this to the pile of what if’s: what if I’d had the courage to come out to Pop in high school? The people we knew the best still had the power to surprise us.

“I love you, Pop.” I pulled him into a tight hug, squeezing him so hard so a piece of him could live inside me forever. I remembered when I couldn’t even reach up to his chest. I was now taller than him, but he was forever the man I was looking up to. “You want a picture by the fireplace? We’re gonna get you a picture by the fireplace.”

In the living room, I gave a variety of poses for Pop. I rested an arm across the mantel and winked at the camera. I hugged the air in front of me so Pop could allegedly photoshop Amos in later. I posed on the rug in front of the fireplace and made finger guns at his camera. I even did the stupidSaturday Night Feverdisco pose–and almost ripped my pants in the process.

Pop texted me the most embarrassing shots. Or rather, I showed him how to text them to me. I ran upstairs to my phone and texted them to Amos.

Hutch: Pop is going to photoshop you into these pictures.

Hutch: He knows photoshop.

Hutch: He read a book on it from the library, so he’s an expert LOL

Amos: Is it weird that I found all of these really hot? [fire emoji] Especially the one of you on the rug.

Hutch: I look like an idiot.

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