Page 62 of 12 Gays of Christmas

“Well, I have one for you, Gil,” John says, putting his hands on his hips and staring me down.

Am I about to get the don’t-hurt-my-son speech? I gulp. “Yes, sir?”

“How’d that Nebraska guy take that ball right out of your hands? Were you sleeping?”

Really? “We won the game,” I say, looking around helplessly. “And I made three touchdowns. Only lost the ball once.”

“It only takes one time to mess things up, Gil. Remember that.”

And maybe I had it right the first time. Maybe this isthatspeech.

“Now, why don’t you boys go on up and unpack,” Mabel says, shooing us away. “We’ll be having dinner soon.”

I follow Colin up the stairs to his room. But it isn’t long before there’s a knock and an out-of-breath Mabel apologizes for forgetting and leads me across the hall to the guest room.

The room is nothing like my colorless, sterile room at home. The room is cozy with wood furniture I know John made and a colorful patchwork quilt that Mabel had sewn. This room makes a statement about love and belonging, and I swipe at my eyes again.

A sharp knock at the door startles me. “Come in.” I expect Mabel, but I’m relieved to see Colin poking his head in like he’s afraid his mom is still hiding in here. When he sees my face, he rushes in. “Are you okay? I know they’re a little much. I’m sorry.”

I shake my head. “I’m happy to be here.”

He hugs me. “I’m glad you’re here.”

I kiss him slowly, knowing we have limited time before one, two, or all three of Colin’s family members check on us.

Dinner is a loud affair with laughing and joking and fights between Nat and Colin. As an only child, I missed out. I blink, trying to keep from falling apart. I felt this way when I visited before, but now…I get to be a part of this family.

After dinner and cleanup, which involves the entire family, we sit in the living room with the television off and the tree on. We hang the stockings, which Colin grumbles is a silly thing to still do. I shush him with a kiss. “I think it’s sweet.”

They tell stories about Christmases past, some of which I’ve heard before. I share stories of Christmases when my dad was still alive. Something I haven’t done before. Then I catch Nat in the kitchen.

“I might need your help.”

“You should’ve jumped sooner. The kid was quick.” She pours herself more eggnog. “That’s why he took the ball from you.”

I sigh and shake my head. “Not a football question. A Colin question.”

She straightens, drink forgotten. “Sure. What’s up?”

I tell her about the date dilemma. “Any tips for me?”

“Let’s get together tomorrow. I’ll think on it. We’ll come up with the perfect date. Meanwhile,” she says, poking a sparkly nail at me, “you need to fix this ring situation.”

“Don’t worry. I’m on it.”

After everyone goes to bed, I sneak downstairs. Mabel is up, filling stockings and wrapping presents. “Whatcha doing?”

“Oh, I just have something…” I shift on my feet nervously.

She nods like that explains everything instead of nothing. “Go ahead and drop it in.”

I smile and add the small gift to Colin’s stocking.

* * *

COLIN

“Happy Birthday, Gil,”I whisper, sliding into the bed next to him and kissing his cheek. He tries to pretend he’s asleep, but the grin on his face gives him away.

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