Page 131 of The Last Guy On Earth
“Oh. Right.” I clear my throat. “Anyway, I would like to introduce you both to Jethro Hale. He’s my…”
“Goalie,” my father finishes, holding out his hand. “Great work last night.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jethro says, adding a firm handshake. “I’m glad it all came together.”
“We’re so happy for all of you,” my mother says primly. “What an accomplishment. Will you be joining us for brunch?”
Bracing myself, I take a deep breath and prepare to explain.
But Jethro beats me to it. “I would love to crash your brunch. Your son has great taste in food, and this is the first day I’m allowed to be his date in public.”
The look of deep confusion on my parents’ faces would be funny if it weren’t so uncomfortable.
My sister winces.
Raul turns a page in his magazine.
“His…what?” my father manages.
“Mom, Dad, Jethro is my boyfriend,” I say as levelly as I can.
“Your…what?” my father repeats.
Jethro frowns at me. “Hang on. You’re not out to yourparents?”
My mother gasps.
My father’s mouth flops open like a grouper’s.
“Oh shit,” Jethro whispers.
“Clay,” my mother squeaks. “Really? All those times I asked you when you were going to meet a nice girl? Why didn’t you justsaysomething?”
“Why didn’t you stop asking?” my sister counters.
“You can’t date yourgoalie,” my father says, horror in his voice. “Jesus Christ, the scandal!”
The scandal!Of course he’d latch onto that.
Then again, I guess it’s better than unfiltered disgust. I sigh.
“So, yeah, about that,” Jethro says, scratching his beard. “I retired after last night’s game. I don’t want to cost Clay his job. But you should know that we met in our twenties. This isn’t some wild hair. Give him a little credit.”
“Oh,” my father says slowly, his gaze jumping between us. “And now you’re retiring, for…?” His synapses seem to suddenly fire. “ForClay?”
“Oh, Dad.” My sister puts a hand in front of her eyes. “This is why people need therapists.”
“Yes, for Clay,” Jethro says firmly, and suddenly my eyes are stinging. “And for my ankles. And because I’ve been doing the same thing for so long, I forgot what else is out there.”
“Well said,” my sister crows. “Maybe you’re not as bad as I thought.”
My father rubs his forehead. “Well. Congratulations to you both, I guess.”
“Thank you.” And honestly, that could have gone worse.
“Can we eat brunch now?” Kaitlyn asks, hand on her belly. “Kind of desperate, here.”
Jethro pulls his key fob out of his pocket. “Let’s go. My treat.”
