OUT

Chapter 33

Monday, January 26th 2015

'Hey,' Jack said, entering the sitting room as he shut the front door behind him. It was eight or nine in the evening. He had tried to avoid coming back to the house any earlier, but much to his disappointment, Millie was sitting on the couch. This was the first time he had properly seen Millie since their argument. A lot had happened since though, and he realised she was right. She hadn't been trying to hurt him, she was trying to help him.

'Hey,' Millie replied from the couch, sprawled out and wrapped in blankets on her phone, 'wanna talk?'.

'Sure,' he said, and she sat up on the couch so he sat down beside her.

'How are you?' she asked.

'Look, I'm sorry for what happened, Millie. I shouldn't have shouted at you, I just felt a little backed into a corner and-'

'No Jack, I'm sorry. I was completely out of order. I should never have said what I said. Gay, straight, bi, whatever. It's not my place to comment on anyone's sexuality. It's not my business. I was just having a shite day and seeing that photo of you with the No campaigners really pushed me over the edge. But that doesn't matter, I shouldn't have shouted at you.'

'I get why you were mad, though. This referendum affects your life so much. And mine...'

'Oh?'

'I don't know what I am. But I don't think I'm fully straight. So if that is the case, then it affects me too.' She didn't say anything for a moment. Then she smiled weakly, wrapped her arms around him, and gave him a kiss on the head.

'Well whatever you are, you can talk to me about it whenever you need to. I know it can be so bloody confusing trying to figure it all out. Growing up down the country, I had nobody like me anywhere. No representation. No role models. Gay women just aren't talked about, period. So I get it. It's a weird and confusing journey, but it's a journey.' He nodded, hanging on her every word, 'and we're here for you. But I won't say a word to Ciarán though. I swear.'

'Thanks, Millie. I appreciate it. And again, I'm sorry. It's just really complicated with my family.'

'The unfortunate thing about our families is that we can't choose them. But we can choose our friends, and I'm happy to be yours if you'll have me. But I'm proud of you, Jack. Because I know how hard it is to say what you just said.'