Things were awkward for me at the shop. I’d told Luther and the other guys about being gay since it seemed ridiculous to keep it a secret when Sam knew. Though Luther didn’t care much, the others’ reactions varied and some of them ended up quitting.
Finally, though, after some epic fights and a particularly dark moment of Rafe’s when the only thing that made any difference was forcing him to watch the video testimonials that the kids had recorded for the YA board, things have turned a corner. Rafe has had a bunch of meetings with people who are interested in helping him start a support group for queer youth and young adults who are currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania. They’re only in the planning phase, but some of the calm satisfaction that he got from working with the kids at YA is already back.
And I’ve been trying to integrate our relationship more into my life outside my house. That’s Rafe’s term for it, anyway. Which basically just means keeping the promise I made about being willing to go out to dinner or the movies, and to meet his family.
They clearly weren’t sold on me the first time we met. Except for Luz, who I think would like anyone Rafe liked, the consensus seemed to be that I was a boring white dude who didn’t want kids and therefore brought very little to the table. His mother warmed to me a bit when she found out my parents were both dead, as if it was her responsibility to step up and force-feed me. Which, honestly, was irritating as shit, but I just smiled and let her do it, a decision that earned me epic sexual favors from Rafe. So I guess that was okay.
We also went to Xavier and Angela’s for dinner. It was intensely awkward for the first half hour or so, with Xavier trying to play host and Angela asking all kinds of intrusive questions that made me want to punch her. Rafe was on his best behavior but was clearly uncomfortable because he’d given me permission to tell X he’d been in prison. Finally, Angela broke the tension by telling me she’d never liked me but now she felt like she was meeting me for the first time, and I told her I’d never liked her and actually nothing had really changed about that, and everyone laughed and she wasn’t even mad about it. Which kind of made me like her a little bit.
Daniel and I have texted and talked on the phone some, and I saw him when he came to Philly to interview for the Temple job. He was a mess—nervous he wouldn’t get the job, possibly more nervous that he would because he was convinced that Rex didn’t really want to leave Michigan and move with him if he got it. It took Ginger to calm him down finally, practically shaking him and then snatching his phone and calling Rex to extract assurances that, yes, he really would move to Philly if Daniel got the job, and no, he wouldn’t resent Daniel forever for making him leave his cabin in Michigan.
Daniel may be cool with me now, but despite working together to calm him down that night, I’m pretty sure Ginger still hates me on his behalf. And after years of hearing stories where I was the boogieman, I guess I can’t blame her. Of course Daniel insisted she and the guy she’s dating come to dinner with us too.
I shake Daniel’s hand awkwardly when we get to the restaurant. I can never tell if that’s what I’m supposed to do or if I’m supposed to hug him. Ginger snorts with amusement and I ignore her and let Daniel make the introductions.
Christopher’s handshake is as warm and genuine as his expression. He’s got bright red hair, freckles, and a boyish smile. Everything about him seems friendly and nonthreatening, and I find myself wondering if Ginger eats him alive.
I expected the restaurant Daniel chose to be kind of snobby, but Little Nonna’s is a small Italian bistro with brick walls, mismatched table settings, and a view to the kitchen. The waiter leads us down a twisting hallway and out onto a back patio where there are larger tables. There are barrels of wine stacked at one side and what look like vintage aprons tacked on the wall amid strings of twinkly lights.
“This is nice,” Rafe says, looking around.
“Christopher knows one of the chefs,” Ginger says as she and Christopher slide into the table across from each other. I’m trying to figure out what configuration will be the least awkward. Daniel’s looking around at the table, seemingly as baffled as I am. Rex finally takes the chair next to Ginger, but instead of sliding onto the bench across from him, Daniel sits down next to him. I must wait too long because Rafe just slides in next to Christopher and gives me a weird look.
We all sit in awkward silence as the waiter comes up and pours our water. Then Ginger shrugs and says, “So, Colin’s gay now, we all have boyfriends, and Colin and Daniel are friends. Who’da thought?”