Woes of the Wingmen

№ 15:

As soon as the Showalters got home, his mom got up from her chair. 

"Billy, what happened?" She hugged him and leaned down, putting her hands on his shoulders.

"Some antisemetic bullies were picking on them. So Robin stood for him. Speaking of him, I think there's something you need to tell us, William."

He shuddered at the use of his real name. But took a deep breath in and out. He went to the couch to sit down and his parents followed, sitting on both sides of him.

"After the fight, Robin and I went to the bathroom to clean ourselves up. When he was tending to my knuckles," he put his bandaged knuckle up, the other one still exposed. "I stared at him, and he looked at me. Then he kissed me."

Maria was a little surprised at the other boy's boldness but had a feeling in her gut Billy wasn't completely heterosexual.

"I was taken off-guard but I kissed him back. That's when Mr. Johnson found us and took us to the principal's office. Where everyone else was waiting."

"Then I yelled at the boy and his father, Mason or Moose, whatever the fuck he goes by. And Mr. Smith. Turns out they might be Klansmen."

Her blue eyes widened in fear and shock. She stroked Billy's hair to try and make him feel safe.

"You know the blonde jailbird, Nicole's son, Vance? Or 'Pinball Devil' as some call him. A dumb nickname by the way but you get the point."

She nodded her head as her husband talked.

"Yeah, I know him well. All the mom's talk trash about him. Which is understandable considering his reputation. But he didn't have a mom to nurture him going through puberty. Not like you did, Bill."

He nodded his head.

"Anyway, apparently he caught the boy drawing one of their symbols during class because they sat right next to each other. And Vance spilled it during the meeting. Which I got upset at, considering it was last year. And Mrs. Keller has only now expelled him."

"I just worry for Bruce."

"Why would you worry about Thomas' son?"

"Because he goes to a different school than us. Remember? He goes to like that Optometrist mascot school or whatever."

"Oh you mean North Denver Junior? Yeah, I do worry about Mason bullying him there. Especially since he's Asian. Perhaps I can talk to Thomas about transferring him to Front Range Middle."

"Please do so, he said he wanted all of us to go to the same high school. And that his parents said yes."

"I'll call Thomas when I can."

"Thank you."

"Of course, Bill. I want you and your friends to stay safe. I'm glad you brought it up or else I might've completely forgotten."

He nodded, relieved that Bruce wouldn't have to be alone next year.

"Anyway, Billy, are you gay?"

He shook his head, "No, not completely. I'm into guys and girls."

The two parents looked at each other, confused. When Maria remembered something from her past, "Oh, you mean bisexual?"

"What?"

"Yeah, bi means two. Men and women. I had a girlfriend who was back in college."

"Oh," he was pleasantly surprised to find out that what type of attraction he had was a term.