Page 123 of Unrecognizable Player

“I know Stef. He’s your ‘roommate’ right?”

My heart leaps into my throat, but Alexei just laughs.

“Yeah,” he says, putting his hand on the small of my back.

“Nice to see you again Stef, congrats on graduating.” Dasha says.

“Thank you.”

God, she’s mature for a thirteen year old!

Alexei looks behind her to where his grandmother and father are standing awkwardly. He goes to his grandmother first and she puts her arms around him. She looks like she’s been crying. She says something to him in Russian and he pulls away and puts his hand on her face with a smile. He looks back at me and reaches for my hand. He’s still shaking when I take it.

ALEXEI

Papa looks at mine and Stef’s hands and gives me this hurt look, like I just insulted him.

“Come here,” he says. I let go of Stef’s hand and follow him to where he’s stepped away from everyone. He puts his hand on my shoulder and asks me in Russian what’s going on.

“Nothing’s going on, we’re going to Stef’s parents’ restaurant for a meal, like I said.”

“Why are you holding hands with him?”

I cock my head, giving him a pleading look. “Come on Papa, you know.”

“No, I don’t know, what’s going on? That’s why I’m asking. If I knew, why would I be asking?”

“He’s my boyfriend Papa. I’m gay.”

He sighs and turns away, running a hand over his freshly-shaved face. He made an effort. He bought a new suit and shaved to come to my graduation, and for a minute, I even feel guilty for springing this on him.

I can hear Babushka talking to Stef’s parents behind me. They’re talking about how proud they are of us graduating college, how handsome we look.

Maria’s talking to Dasha, asking her what she’s studying at school. It’s only Papa that’s making this hard.

“This is why I didn’t want you living with that guy. You grow up here, you see all these people, you get confused.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“If things weren’t messy at home, I’d send you back to Siberia to spend some time with your cousins, then you wouldn’t be confused by all this gayrope shit. It was a mistake not to make you do military service.”

I’ve seen people from Eastern Europe describe Europe as gayrope before, but never the U.S. I didn’t even know my dad knew that term. It kills me to hear him say it right to my face.

Dasha comes over and tugs on my hand.

“What’s wrong? Are we going to the restaurant now?”

“No Dash. I think Papa wants to go home.”

Stef’s parents have been giving us some space, but they read the situation and step forward.

Tolis speaks up in his big, warm voice and introduces himself to my dad. He holds his hand out and Papa looks at it like he’s going to refuse for a second before taking it.

“I have the best table in the house all reserved for our boys and I’d love it if you came and celebrated with us. I know your son would love it too.”

Papa looks Tolis over, like he’s wondering if this guy is just a ‘normal’ guy, or if he’s a part of this ‘gayrope conspiracy shit.’

“I appreciate that,” he says. “But I think we should go home now. Come Dasha.”

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