Page 122 of Role Model

“I thought you were going to be like Curtis. Every year you seemed to be more and more like him. And you were friends with Dallas Kent, who reminded me so much of Curtis when he was young.”

Troy grimaced. He hadn’t known his dad when Curtis was young, of course, but he wasn’t surprised to learn he’d been like Dallas.

“When he left me,” Mom continued, “I worried that I was going to lose you both. That you’d take his side because...” She trailed off and sobbed, and Troy’s eyes welled up.

“I would never take his side, Mom. I’m sorry I acted like him. It just seemed...safe. I was scared of people finding out I was gay, so I tried to be someone else. Someone he would respect.”

“I know. I understand now. And I’ve known for years that you aren’t like him at all. Since he and I split up, you’ve been there for me. You’ve been such a good friend to me, which is something I could never say about Curtis.”

“I’m glad you’re happy now. I’m glad you got away.”

“So am I. God, I love you so much. I wish I could hug you right now.”

“Me too. I love you.”

She sniffed again. “Are you going to tell him?”

“Wasn’t planning on it. He might find out, though. I’m going to come out publicly, I think.”

“Oh wow. Like Scott Hunter?”

“Well,” Troy scoffed. “I’m not going to kiss my boyfriend on live television, if that’s what you mean.”

“Do you...do you have a boyfriend?” She sounded excited.

Troy smiled. “I do, actually.”

“What? Tell me everything about him! Can you send me a photo?”

So Troy told his mother everything he could think of about Harris. He didn’t stop smiling the entire time he told her about how they’d met and gotten to know each other, about Harris’s ridiculously loud laugh, and his wonderful family.

“I can’t wait to meet him,” Mom said. “He sounds adorable.”

“He is. I really like him. You’ll like him too. Here, I’m sending a pic.”

He texted her one of his favorite photos of Harris. One that he had taken while Harris had been making the apple pie in Troy’s kitchen two weeks ago. He had flour on his shirt, and his hair was a little rumpled, but he was grinning like Troy was the best thing he’d ever seen.

“I love him!” Mom squealed. “Look at how cute he is! I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m happy for you, too. We both found nice men.”

“We did. I’m glad you found yours when you were much younger than I was.”

“I got lucky. So where are you anyway?”

“Hawaii. We’re on Kauai.”

“Shit. It must be the middle of the night there.”

Mom laughed. “Time has no meaning to me anymore. We’re in a different time zone every week, almost.”

“Still having fun?”

“We’re having the best time. I can’t thank you enough for helping us be able to do this. It’s been incredible. You’ll have to do it yourself someday. Maybe after you retire, with your man.”

Troy flushed a bit, but smiled. The idea of spending his life with Harris was overwhelming and exciting. And probably a bit much to be thinking about this early into the relationship. “Maybe I will. Someday. But right now I have to get to practice, and you should go to bed.”

“I love you, Troy. And I’m so proud of you.”

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