Free The Geek and His Artist by Hope Ryan Page B

sexuality.”
    “I’m sorry,” he hurried to say. “I just… I didn’t think of you… never mind. I’m sorry, Mom.”
    “It’s okay, honey. Yes, I’m bisexual. I never said anything because, well, frankly it wasn’t your business before.”
    He smiled. “That much is true. I don’t want to imagine you in any way sexual. Just… no.” He shook his head and shuddered, and she laughed.
    “Yeah, well, we parents don’t want to think of our kids—even our grown kids—in any way as being sexual.” She frowned. “Listen,” she said as she stepped back. “I don’t want you embarrassed here, but I am going to be frank. Be safe. If you and Simon are together—”
    “Mom,” Jimmy moaned, trying not to die of mortification.
    “No, listen to me,” she said, her voice sharp, and Jimmy opened his eyes, though his cheeks stayed hot. “There’s too much out there. Not just HIV, okay? I know you’re aware of that, but it’s far from the only disease out there. There’s herpes and syphilis and a whole mess of things to be careful of.”
    Jimmy swallowed his embarrassment and nodded. “I’m pretty sure Simon’s just like me, Mom. A—” He stumbled over the word, felt his cheeks get hotter but plowed on. “A virgin. So, I, uh, don’t think we have anything to worry about.”
    She frowned. “Have you considered he might have been sexually abused?”
    Jimmy’s stomach dropped out and he nearly swayed. “Fuck, no. I… oh God….” He stared, wide-eyed at his mom. “If… how….”
    She ignored his language. “There’s no guarantee he was. But… it’s something to consider. From what you’ve said, he doesn’t act like a sexual abuse victim. But they don’t all follow the same behavior, either.”
    Jimmy nodded. “I’ll… I’ll keep that in mind.”
    She smiled. “Good. Now, do yourself a favor and blast something on the way to Simon’s and try to forget this embarrassing conversation.”
    Jimmy laughed. “Right, yeah. I came out to my mom, discussed safe sex, and realized my boyfriend might have been sexually abused, no problem!”
    His mom laughed too. “Yeah, I get it. Go on, My Chemical Romance is good for that.”
    Jimmy grinned and pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you. For… understanding.”
    “Hey, baby, I love you. You’re my son and there is nothing you could do to change my love for you. Nothing .”
    Jimmy nodded. “Thanks. I love you too.” He let go and stepped back.
    “Oh, and put some gas in the car on the way home.” She turned toward to living room.
    And just like that, Jimmy had been accepted.
    He’d never questioned his parents’ love. They’d always told him they loved him, encouraged him, been proud of him. Even his sister Amy, despite being annoyed as older sisters always were, made sure he knew she loved him.
    But knowing they loved him and knowing they accepted him were two different things. “Uh, Mom?”
    She paused and turned around. “Hmm?”
    “Is… will Dad…?”
    She smiled. “He accepted my bisexuality, honey. And he knows you’re gay. Don’t worry.”
    “Thanks.” Jimmy nodded and escaped into the cold January air. He paused at the car and breathed deeply, letting the icy evening cool his cheeks. When he felt like he could drive without slamming into a telephone pole, he climbed into the car.
     
     
    J IMMY PULLED up to the corner Simon had told him to go to and turned the car off. He could see the front of Simon’s apartment building from where he sat, and hoped against hope that nothing had changed since Simon had called earlier that day. He allowed himself to wish he could go to the door, knock, and greet Simon’s parents like a normal boyfriend would.
    But he pushed the thought away and got out of the car, hoping the cold air would help keep his head where it belonged. He did not want to think about the conversation he’d just had with his mother—any part of it—or things that were impossible. He glanced at his phone,