Page 104 of Snapping the Ice
“I know you’re not.” Her gaze slipped to Lucas. “You have a nice man here with you. It’s like any other loving couple I know.” She lifted her brows. “I learned that love is love in my meetings and you know what? I truly believe it now, seeing you both together.”
“That’s right, Anna. Love is love.” With a slow grin, Lucas leaned in and kissed my cheek. “We have plans for a future together. Once I’m steady in my NAPH contract, I’m buying us a house and Ezra’s going to decorate it. I’ll come home to him every night. I’m in town and we have so many supportive friends. It’s not like Alabama here.”
“Ezra will do a fine job decorating.” Mom scanned my place. “I love what you’ve done with your apartment.” She chuckled. “You should have seen his room growing up. It was always tidy, and he framed some photos he’d taken down at the river. They were the best photos.” She shook her head. “I should have known a normal teenage boy would never have a tidy room like that.”
“Uh, I’m normal, Mom,” I said, tapping my index finger on the table. Correcting her way of thinking would take time, but I was here for it. In fact, it felt vindicating.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She wrinkled her forehead. “I know that, I just…”
“Have a lifetime of prejudice to overcome?” I lifted my chin. Was I being harsh? Maybe. I should tone it down.
Nodding, she said, “Yes, I have a lifetime of prejudice to overcome.” She exhaled a rush of air and drank some iced tea. “I’ve been working on your father too, but he’s so hardheaded. He may never change.”
“Does he know you’re with me?” Or had they lied about it like Maddy had originally told me? I gnawed my lip.
“I…no, he doesn’t. He knows I’ve spoken with you on the phone.” She glanced at Maddy. “We’re working on him together. Give me time and maybe someday, if he can’t accept you, he’ll tolerate you.”
With my chest aching, I nodded. If that was all I could get, then fine. I didn’t need him, anyway. Therapy and Lucas would get me through it.
After an hour, our conversation lightened, and Lucas texted Stella to come over. Mom and Maddy were excited to meet her.
Knocking sounded through the apartment, and Lucas jumped from his chair. “That’s Stella.” He bounded to the door and opened it. “Hey, come on in.”
“Hello, Lucas. My, don’t you look handsome today?” She gave him a brief hug.
“Mom, Maddy, this is the woman who helped me with Tate. As I stated, she also has a gay son.” I rose along with Mom and Maddy.
Stella greeted everyone, and we moved to my couch with Lucas pulling up extra chairs from the dinette, so we all sat in a circle with Mom and Stella on the couch.
“Anna, you have the most wonderful son. Do you know he visits me once a week for tea?” Stella offered Mom a pleasant smile.
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” With a smirk, Mom glanced at me. “He’s always been a charmer. All the moms in our neighborhood used to comment about how well-mannered he was.”
As my cheeks heated, I peeked at Lucas. God damn, Mom was giving away all my secrets.
With a sly grin, Lucas pulled on my hand and kissed mycheek. In my ear, he whispered, “Were you a proper Southern boy growing up?”
“No.” I scoffed. Was I though? I suppose that’s the person I became at work. Hopelessly polite. Was it what allowed Tate to take advantage of me? I had so much to unpack with my next therapist visit.
“How was it when your son came out, Stella?” Mom focused on her.
“It was a surprise, but I supported him from the get-go and I settled my issues with it through PFLAG.” Stella chuckled. “He’s a big part of my life, even with him living in Tucson.” She glanced at me. “I’m still waiting for him to settle down with a nice man, but I’m sure it’ll happen.”
“Guess I’m lucky then.” Mom gave me a genuine smile. First one in eight years. “I’m so proud of everything you’ve become, Ezra.”
“Damn right, Mom.” Maddy patted my thigh.
“I’m proud of you too, Mom. I know it wasn’t easy for you to come here.” I had to acknowledge her. Even though her past actions were wrong, now she was trying to make it right. As I gazed at each person in my living room, emotion grew in my chest. I never thought I’d see this day. I’d never felt more loved in my life.
Stella and Mom fell into easy chatter, ruminating over what they’d learned at PFLAG meetings.
Lucas tilted toward me. “Hey, at what point should we break out the wine?”
“Wine?” Maddy’s brows lifted. “Where is it? In the fridge? I’ll get us all some.”
Mom stopped talking. “Oh please, I’d love some. How about you, Stella?”
“I never met a glass of wine I didn’t like.” Stella giggled.
