Page 106 of Hollow Heart

A myriad of emotions fill me from panic to pride, to fear to anxiety.

Bobby walks his ‘friend’ to the door, and they say their goodbyes. The moment the door shuts, Bobby groans.

“Dad, I?—”

“Listen, I’m not mad—” I interupt, slowly approaching him.

Bobby sighs, running his hands over his face. “I can not do this with you, I can’t. I just can’t.”

I stop in front of him, pulling his hands down. “You think I want to do this? This is awkward as hell for me, too, you know!”

Bobby averts my gaze. “Then let’s just not and say we did, okay?” He pouts.

I shake my head. “I’d be the same way if it was a girl in there, Bobby. I know... I know you’re going to do... stuff... and I’d rather you do it somewhere safe... like in this house. But?—”

“Please kill me, now.”

“I think we need to have a real discussion about safe sex. Like... you do knowhowto use a condom, right?”

I blush, realizing I probably should have had this discussion years ago, but I thought I had more time.

He never seemed interested in girls, and I hadn’tthoughtabout the possibility he was into boys, so I just assumed he wasn’t interested in sex at all, and was going to be a late bloomer.

I fucked up, obviously.

I’m an awful parent.

The absolute worst.

“You should probably get tested, too, just to make sure?—”

“That goes for you, too!” Bobby says, crossing his arms.

“Excuse me?”

“If you’re going to start, uh... seeing people?—”

“What makes you think I’m seeing someone?” I ask, dumbfounded.

Bobby huffs in annoyance. “Please. Someone is buying you clothes, and I smelled cologne the other day when I came home.”

“I wear cologne!” I defend, though I know it’s flimsy.

“You don’t wear Sauvage. You wear Bath and Body Works.”

My mouth gapes open as he raises an eyebrow.

There is no getting out of this, and I suppose, if I expect him to live up to my expectations, I should be the one to set an example.

“Fine. We’ll go together.” I cross my arms.

“Fine.” Bobby raises his chin.

“And I’m buying you a pack of condoms. Don’t always assume the other guy is carrying them.”

Bobby rolls his eyes. “I have condoms, Dad. I’m not an idiot.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling a strange sense of pride.

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