Free The Perfect Family by Kathryn Shay Page B

Jame.”
    “I’m okay, Dad.”
    His father glanced down. “Your hands are shaking.”
    Shit. He shoved them under his thighs. “It’s cold out here. Honest, I’m fine. I told Mom I want to date, so it’s time for you to know.”
    “How long have you known?”
    “A while.”
    “Do you want to talk about anything in particular about your sexual preference?”
    “No.”
    “Then I’d like to discuss the gay lifestyle.”
    Jamie’s fists clenched. “Dad, the term gay lifestyle is insulting. It implies that all gay people live the same, have the same morals when nobody would ever say all straight people do.” A hard ball formed in Jamie’s stomach but he went on anyway. “And being gay isn’t a preference. It isn’t a choice I made.”
    A muscle in his father’s jaw pulsed. “This is all somewhat of a surprise for me. If my terminology offends you, I’m sorry.”
    Jamie didn’t respond.
    “Let me try to say it in a different way. I’m worried about what I know, or have heard, about being a gay man in society.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Promiscuity. The gay club scene. The danger of sexually transmitted diseases.”
    Glancing away, Jamie swallowed hard. He loved his father so much and never, ever wanted to hurt him. But still… “You’re a bigot if you think all gay men are promiscuous.”
    “Excuse me?”
    Now he faced his dad squarely. “It’s a blatant stereotype. There’s no more promiscuity among gay people than straight ones, and AIDS is spread by heterosexuals, too.”
    “But as your father, I need to warn you. Protect you.”
    Jamie bolted off the couch. “Consider me warned. I don’t wanna talk anymore.”
    Before Jamie could get away, his dad stood and grabbed his upper arms. Broad shoulders that had borne the responsibility of raising a family, nurturing his sons, spanned Jamie’s.
    “Listen, I’m sorry if—”
    “You offended me. I know.” He tried to shrug his father off. “I gotta go.”
    His dad’s grip tightened; they stared at each other. Then he yanked Jamie to him and hugged him like he used to when Jamie was a little boy.
    And Jamie started to dissolve. He clutched at his father’s back, breathed in his familiar scent, let it comfort him. He even buried his face in his dad’s chest and stayed there. Old emotions—ugly ones—started to come back. He’d finally come to terms with who he was and he didn’t wish it away anymore, but his father’s reaction conjured up all those self-doubts. And once again, Jamie felt bad about who and what he was.
    Wordlessly, he drew back, fled the porch and raced to the foyer. Taking the stairs two at a time, he slammed the door to his room and fished out his cell phone. He needed to talk to Luke. They were supposed to do something together tonight but couldn’t because of a family event at the Cranes’ country club. Maybe Jamie could catch him before they left.
     
    *
     
    Brian shuffled to the door of Jamie’s room, where an old folk song by Joni Mitchell played low from his computer. “Something’s wrong with Mom and Dad, isn’t it?”
    His brother was sitting on the bed, writing in his journal. “What do you mean?”
    “It’s like after Grandma Lorenzo comes to visit. Like they got the wind knocked out of them. Did Grandma find out about Teresa calling?”
    “Not that I know of.”
    “Mom’s been so happy about that.”
    “Yeah. I wish Aunt Caroline would get in touch with her, though.” Jamie glanced through the window where rain began to pelt against the panes, then back to Brian. “How’s Heather?”
    “Pissed at me.”
    “Why?”
    Stepping inside, Brian closed the door. He lifted a pile of books off the chair and set them on the desk. “Big Boobs Barbara flirted with me at lunch. Heather was in the guidance office, so I flirted back. Somebody told her. Probably that prick Cummings.”
    Jamie asked, “Did Heather ever find out about Mexico?”
    “No. Besides I didn’t do anything serious.”
    “Yeah,