Page 122 of Sombra
“Thanks. It does.”
He sits down next to Shane at the booth, their knees touching. Shane lifts up his hand to touch Randy’s, but he puts it back down.
It’s all I can do not to yell out, “Oh for God’s sake, tell them already.”
Not my secret. Not mine to tell.
I just giveShane more side-eye.
Shane answers his mom’s question from earlier. “No, Mom. Kim and I aren’t going to get married. It’s not right. We’re too young. But she’s still my best friend.” He smiles at me, and I smile back.
“I thought I was your best friend,” protests Randy, fake-pouting.
I hold my breath.
Shane puts his hand behind Randy’s neck, pulls him to him, and kisseshim sweetly.
And the whole table detonates in shock.
Shane’s mom’s mouth hangs open. His dad’s head swivels from Shane to Randy, then to Shane again, then to Randy once more, his forehead so furrowed you could plant corn in it. My mother gasps, and Dad chokes on his drink, spitting out his pop. I’m wiggling on the vinyl seat and clapping my hands, so happy for my friends.
Shane’s got a big, dumb, goofy grin on his face, while Randy looks triumphant, nodding in satisfaction and putting his head on Shane’s shoulder. Their obvious love for each other is plain for anyone to see, and has been for years, if anyone had paid attention.
I clearly hadn’t, because I was too used to mybuds, Shane and Randy, to noticetheywere the couple, andIwas the third wheel.
Shane’s mom’s mouth is still hanging open.
The grin leaves Shane’s eyes and overstays on his lips. “Mom? Dad?”
Neither one of them respond. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach. My parents shift uneasily in their seats.
“Mom? Dad? It’s me. Shane.” He points to his chest with his thumb. “Same one as before. Same son you always had. Just telling you I’m not …” He letsout his breath. “I’m gay.”
His mom’s eyes widen and her eyebrows go up. Her torso moves with her breaths, so she’s not dead. But there’s no other reaction.
Uh-oh.
I pipe up, “He’s still your son. He’s still the CPA-to-be. He’s still driven toward his goals. He still has health and fitness on his mind. He just, you know, loves Randy.”
Randy reaches out and holds my hand,whispering, “Thanks, Rainbow Dash.”
“You’re welcome, Arnold.”
“Arnold?”
“Schwarzenegger. Like when I left.”
He busts out laughing. “It’snot a toom-ah,” he says in his Arnie accent. Then he shrugs and says in his normal voice. “We’re just gay.”
Shane’s dad finally recovers. He’s the first one to do so. He reaches across the table, clasps Randy’s hand firmly,and says, “Take good care of my boy.” Eye to eye. Man to man. With strength and love.
“I will, Sir,” Randy assures him. And then he bursts into tears.
Big, spiky-haired, ham-handed tears.
God, I adore Randy.
Dad nods in approval. “Well, this has been quite a shock for us all, but our best wishes to you. Right, Linda?”
