Page 61 of The Star in Room 7

“This new man of yours… Are his family like the Meyers? Is that why he’s in the closet?”

“No. Nothing like that.”

“Good.” She points the garden fork at me. “You tell him to hold his head high and be proud of who he is. There will always be haters, but you should never, never let them stop you from being true to yourself. Never.” She puts her hand over her mouth and sobs.

“Mom…” I hug her.

“That boy deserved better.”

“He really did.”

She wipes her eyes and sniffs. “Hopefully he can rest in peace now.”

I nod in agreement.

“Look at me, getting all emotional.” She blinks fiercely. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Not tonight.”

“Well, next time you come, convince your new man to come with you.”

I crack a smile. “I’ll try.”

“Is he older than you? Younger?”

“Stop fishing for information, Mom.”

“It’s my job.”

“Is there anything that doesn’t come under the job description of parent?”

“No, not much.”

I chuckle. “I love you, Mom.”

She pats my leg. “I love you, too.”

17

ZACH

“You’ve been quiet this evening, Daddy.”

We’re cuddling on Nate’s huge sofa, letting dinner go down while we watch a movie. Not a bodyguard movie this time. A queer rom-com. It’s a Christmas one, because queer rom-coms are in short supply, but it’s sweet and fun, so I don’t care that it’s not the right season for it.

“Have I?” Nate asks.

“Yes. Is something wrong?”

“No. I got some unexpected news this afternoon, that’s all. I still haven’t figured out how to feel about it.”

I pause the TV and sit sideways on the sofa, legs crossed, stroking Nate’s arm. “Want to talk about it?”

He smiles and pecks me on the lips. “I’m the one who’s supposed to take care of you, sweet boy.”

“You seem sad. Let me help?”

He sighs. “I’m not. Not really. Just… Shocked.”