Page 64 of Everything We Thought Was True
ACT 4: A COMING OUT OF A DIFFERENT KIND
Chapter Thirty-Six
LENA - WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
September 2015
“Did you get the mock-up of the wedding invitation Oliver designed? Isn’t it gorgeous?” my dad excitedly asked as soon as the four of us sat down for dinner at a swanky new Vietnamese restaurant in West Hollywood that he and Oliver had been dying to try.
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” I said, smiling.
The two of them looking like little kids beaming with pleasure at their creation.
“Yeah, Oliver, good job.” Kevin glanced at me and back to my dad. “Hey, did Lena tell you she was asked to give the keynote speech at the annual COLAGE conference this fall, a few days after your wedding?”
Oh no. Why did he have to bring it up? I tried to telekinetically communicatePlease don’tto him, but he wasn’t getting the message.
“What’s that?” my father asked.
“It’s a national organization that specializes in offering education, awareness, and support to children and adult children of lesbian and gay parents.”
I was impressed by how closely Kevin had paid attention when I’d told him about it.Or did he pull up their website?Maybehe was more curious than he let on.
“They asked her to speak about some of the legal issues. But one of the board members has become her friend and also encouraged her to speak as an adult child of a gay parent. Isn’t that cool?” Kevin beamed.
I could tell that he not only meant well but was also genuinely proud of me, as if this was some type of award I’d won.
My father looked over at me. He appeared cautious, like he was trying to read me. “Wow, that’s cool. Are you ready for it?”
I couldn’t tell if he meant the speech itself or the possible revealing of my deepest secret—and his—to a vast audience.
“Not yet.” And then I added hastily, “But I will be.”
My dad nodded.
Oliver grabbed his arm and squeezed it. “Frank, this is wonderful, isn’t it? We should go hear her speech and take photos.”
I shifted in my seat, realizing I was nervous about them being there. My father and his newly minted husband would be front and center, cheering me on. There was no hiding.
Desperate, I changed the subject. “Did I tell you I’m heading to San Francisco next week for work? I’ll be there for three days. Bummer that Kevin can’t come with me. His team has a huge project going on at Disney. I’ll actually have some free time when I’m not presenting at the conference. I’d love to do some sightseeing in the City by the Bay. Every time I go there for business, it’s a quick in and out. I’m dying to visit Alcatraz Island. The tour is supposed to be really moving.” I couldn’t shut up. But this topic felt a lot safer than that goddamn speech.
“Hey, why don’t I come with you?” my dad said. “I love San Francisco and haven’t been there in years. It would be fun to spend some time together and do some sightseeing. I’ve always wanted to see Alcatraz as well. Plus, Oliver also has a major work project next week. You wouldn’t mind if I joined her, honey?” He looked at his partner expectantly.
Oliver shook his head. “Not at all.”
“Really? You’ve never been to Alcatraz either?” I asked.
“Nope. I’ve been to the city a few times but never did that tour,” my father said.
“What a great idea,” Kevin chimed in. “You two should go. Can you get the time off on such short notice, Frank?”
My dad waved his hand. “Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem. I’m the manager and have a good team. Besides, I have so much vacation time accumulated.”
I thought about it, analyzing the logistics. Even if my flight wound up being full, my dad could easily find another flight from one of the Los Angeles area airports to San Francisco. It was a quick trip. And I would still have to check online and see if there were tickets left for Alcatraz. But that was all doable.Why not?
“Okay,” I heard myself saying. “Let’s do it.”
Apparently, I was going to San Francisco with my father. My family had taken a few vacations before my parents split up, but I’d never been away with just my father—not as a child and certainly not as an adult.
