Page 50 of After Hours Lectures
Lisa’s face turned pale because Dylan rarely argued back when we were kids. “I thought I was doing the right thing.” Her eyes filled with tears that were likely as fake as her blonde hair.
“Well, you were wrong,” I added. “The things you said and did made me scared to come out when I was a kid. A mother should never make her child feel ashamed of who he is.”
“You’re a gay?” she asked me, and there was no mistaking the disgust in her voice.
A gay? What the actual fuck?It was clear she hadn’t changed despite not being with Miguel anymore.
“Yes, I’m gay, and quite happy with my boyfriend.” It hadn’t been my intention to tell her anything, especially that I was dating someone, but I hadn’t been able to stop myself.
“See, that’s exactly what I was worried about.” She threw her arms in the air. “I should have kept you boys in Texas with me. Then maybe my son wouldn’t be a—”
Dylan slammed his hand on the table, causing a few patrons to turn and stare at us. “We’re done. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I should have known better.”
We both slid out of the booth, but Lisa called out, “Wait, Dylan. Don’t go.” I guessed that after my announcement I no longer mattered to her. “I asked you to come to breakfast for a reason.”
Dylan stopped but didn’t sit back down. “And what reason could that be?”
“It’s just that things have been really hard since my divorce.” She picked at the paper napkin in front of her. “And I was wondering if maybe I could borrow some money.”
I couldn’t stop the humorless laugh that escaped. “You’re unbelievable. Let’s go take care of that stuff for the partyMomasked us to do and then go home.”
Dylan nodded, but Lisa wasn’t finished.
“Mom?” she screeched. “Who are you talking about?”
“Jamie, Chase’s ex-wife,” Dylan answered without further explanation.
“So, you’re willing to drop everything and help people who aren’t even your real family, but you can’t help the one who actually carried you around for nine months? And don’t you dare ever call her Mom again.”
“Jamie is our mom and the only one we need,” I shot back. “She was there after you refused to be our mother. We’ll do anything for her because she would do the same for us. And when you’re sitting at home alone, wallowing in your own selfishness, remember it was your actions that caused your sons not to have a relationship with you.”
“Don’t bother trying to reach out again. I won’t answer,” Dylan added, and then we walked away.
Once we were back in the car, I turned to my brother and asked, “Are you okay?”
He turned to face me. “I’m fine, but what about you? The way she acted was unacceptable and I shouldn’t have subjected you to that.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. You have no control over her actions, and I wouldn’t have wanted you to deal with her on your own.”
He nodded. “Thanks. At least I can move forward without any regrets.”
I reached over and hugged him. It was a relief knowing that chapter of our lives was truly over.
* * *
Cammie’s partywent off without a hitch and everyone seemed to have a great time. It was fun getting to spend time with my grandparents and other family and friends I hadn’t seen since Christmas. Even our parents’ friends Aron and Drew, who Chase used to play baseball with, made an appearance. After it was over, we all crashed, exhausted from the festivities.
The next afternoon Jase and Dylan headed back to UCLA with a promise to see me at my graduation.
“Hey,” my dad called as I raided the fridge for some leftovers from the party. “Chase and I are meeting Aron and Drew for dinner before they fly back home. Do you want to go with us?”
Cammie had gone to Disneyland with some friends, and Aron and Drew’s twins had stayed in San Francisco with their grandparents. If the girls had been there, I would have considered going, but as it was, I really didn’t want to be the third wheel on what would essentially be a double date. Besides I could think of something much more exciting to do with everyone gone.
“I think I’m going to chill here, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. You want us to bring you anything back?”
I laughed, looking at the multiple containers of food in the fridge. “Nah. I can find something here.”
