Page 68 of Cinematic Destinies
“Albert needs to speak with you. He’s in his room.”
Finn looked at her quizzically.
“When you’re done, ask him to come down to set the outdoor dining table and you can help me with the grill.”
“Okay, love,” he said, walking off.
FINN LIGHTLY KNOCKED ONAlbert’s door.
“Come in.”
Albert was lying in bed, but he sat up straight as a board when his father walked in.
“Mom said you wanted to see me.”
“Yeah,” Albert said softly, his shoulders clenched and unable to make eye contact.
Finn sat down on the edge of the bed. Albert inhaled deeply and then looked directly into his eyes. With a slight tremble in his voice, he said, “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Sensing his son’s trepidation, Finn replied, “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise it will be okay.”
Albert took another deep breath and said, “I’m gay.”
A huge grin spread across Finn’s face.
Dumbfounded, Albert asked, “You heard me, right?”
“Yes,” Finn replied. “I’m just so relieved. With the buildup I thought it was something bad.” Suddenly, Albert felt as if a spring had been released, and his shoulders relaxed, the tension leaving his body. Finn took his hand. “Thank you for telling me. You know this doesn’t change anything. I love you exactly as you are. I always have and I always will.”
Albert’s eyes flooded.
“Oh, come here,” Finn said, embracing him in a comforting hug. He whispered, “I love you, son.”
Albert sniffled and softly said, “I love you too.” He pulled back and wiped his face. “It really doesn’t make a difference to you?”
“Only that I want to know who you are. It makes a difference that you told me. But it doesn’t make a difference in any other way. Why would it?”
“I don’t know. I . . .” Albert muttered.
Finn smiled. “Your mother and I have always only wanted you to be yourself. We have a simple hope for you and your sisters. To find something and someone to love.”
Albert wiped his eyes again.
“So, is there someone special?” Finn asked.
“Yeah.”
“Well, tell me about him.”
“His name is Ryan. He’s the reason I finally told you. We had some problems because I hadn’t been open. That wasn’t cool with him, and he didn’t want to see me anymore. Not like that.”
“I can understand that. When you care about someone, you want to be free to shout it from the rooftops if you feel compelled to.”
“Yeah.”
“How’d you two meet? What’s he like?” Finn asked.
Albert smiled bashfully and said, “We met at school. He was a graphic design major, and we took a class together last semester senior year. He’s so cool, really nice and smart. Because of him, there are all these fun things I do now and amazing people I’ve met. He’s bolder than me, which I think is a good thing. When we’re together, I have more fun than I ever do without him. We connect and feel close in a way I’ve never had with someone before.”
