Page 32 of Longing for the Minotaur
I practically choke. I knew something like this was coming, but that wasn’t the precise iteration I expected.
“Um, how do you mean?”
“I mean, are you two just messing around, or do youloveher?”
Fuck. I knew she was on to me. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“I heard you last night when I went to the bathroom,” Mom says. “I always knew when you had a girl over in high school, too. That creaky bed gives you away.”
Damn it. I could barely hear it. Stupid super mom ears.
“I just want to know,” she continues, “if it’s for real, if it’s something I need to think about, or if this is a phase.”
The answer comes out before I really think it through. “It’s not a phase.”
She nods.
I barrel onward. “I do love her. Fuck, I love her. I love her so much that it physically pains me. So much that when I look at her, I see everything, all the things I want but can’t have.”
Her brows rise. “And why can’t you have them?”
“You’re not… horrified?”
My mother lets out a world-weary sigh. “No, I’m not. I’m disappointed that you two have been keeping secrets. How long has it been going on?”
“Since Thanksgiving. But also… since long before that.” God, it’s awful to admit. “I’ve probably loved her for years.”
There, I finally said it out loud.
“And she feels the same way?” Mom asks, still gentle and non-judgmental.
I nod. “I think so. She says she does.”
“Hmm.” She puts her hands in her pockets as we walk, her breath coming out steamy in the cold night air. “Fred won’t take it as well.”
I shake my head sadly. “I didn’t think he would.”
“But I can break it to him. I just wish you had come and told me the truth sooner.”
I nod, ashamed. I know I should have, too. “I’m sorry. I was afraid of what you’d think.”
“You two won’t have it easy.” She turns to me, stopping in the middle of the path. I stop, too, as she pats my face. “People will always judge you when they learn your story.”
“I know.” I set my jaw. “But I want Valentina more. And I don’t care what they think.”
Mom smiles and resumes walking. “That’s my boy.”
After Mom promises to talk to Fred, we get back to the house and I pack up my things to head home. I have to work over the week between the holidays, as some silly people are still moving this time of year, but I’ll be back to pick up Val for a big New Year’s Eve party.
I get a text from her, though, the very next day.
Dad knows. Your mom must have told him.
Damn it. I wanted a chance to talk to him myself.
Fuck! Is he mad?
Yes. No. Yes and no.
