As soon as I win an Oscar, Scott's on my case to write a musical and win a Tony. He's only the fortieth person to suggest it. Just a Grammy? Congratulations! Just an Oscar? Well done! Four Grammys and one Academy Award? You need a Tony and an Emmy too now. Whatever. "The Grammy and the Oscar, those are the big ones."
"Okay," Scott responds, "but hear me out: only twelve people have ever won all four!"
"It's been done already? Repeatedly? Count me out. I already have a trophy for music, a trophy for acting, and a trophy boyfriend." After Alex, it's a little weird being the less famous one in the relationship, but between joining Scott on tour, winning Best Actor—Best Actor!—and our upcoming album, I'm catching up fast.
We haven't officially announced our relationship, but people definitely suspect. I'm nervous to tell our families. Before, they would have gloated that they knew it all along, but I'm not really sure what to expect after Scott and I were apart so long. I know Connie told me to go, but I don't know where she stands now that it's played out more. My own parents told me from the very beginning that they were on my side no matter what. It wasn't that simple, but I appreciated their support nonetheless. I'm just afraid that they won't be ready to see Scott's point of view just yet. I hope they will. They were the ones who taught me to forgive, but maybe it's easier to forgive someone who hurt you than someone who hurt your child. Will his parents forgive me? I trust Connie to understand, but I have no idea how Rick will feel. He's the only one who never teased us about how close we were, and he probably won't say much, but his opinion matters to me a great deal more than I usually like anyone else's opinion to matter.
I start by getting my own parents on board through a series of video calls that include more and more of Scott. Nel tells me, when it's just the two of us, that she doesn't think I have anything to worry about where the Hoyings are concerned. And she's right. Next time Scott and I are down in Arlington, they invite me to dinner just like old times. Scott's been working on them. And even though their first obligation was to their son, he tells me that they always trusted me. Never for a moment were they willing to believe I had truly betrayed him. They knew me too well.
Rick is starting a fire in the grill outside. Scott and Connie are shaping and seasoning hamburger patties in the kitchen, and I have half a dozen corn cobs to husk. My parents are coming with dessert later this evening. I step outside. This is my opportunity. It could be months before I get another chance. I leave the corn in the table and watch Rick light the newspaper under the kindling. "D-do you have a minute to talk?" I ask.
"Absolutely, son." He pushes up his glasses and gives me his full attention.
Deep breath. If I can perform for stadiums, I can ask a man who already calls me "son" to be his son-in-law. "I've known Scott since we were children. A little over a year ago, we started dating." A year and two months. "He's made me very, very happy."
"I see."
Not encouraging, Rick. I press on. "He's worked through a lot, and I haven't always been there for him, and I know he isn't quite ready yet, but I've been ready for this for a long time, and I hope he will be too soon. I want to spend my life with Scott."
"Is he aware of this?" Rick doesn't see yet why I'm not just saying this to Scott.
"He is. And I'd like to ask for his hand."
"You what?"
"I mean, with your approval. I'd like to, I mean, I'm asking for your blessing."
"My blessing?"
"To marry Scott."
"Marry him? You sure about that?" I nod. I've never been more sure of anything. "I just never pinned you for the marrying type, that's all, much less the proposing type. Don't you figure that's Scott's job? I suppose it's ambiguous in your situation, but he'll be assuming the same thing, don't you figure?"
"Maybe, but there's no real protocol, and I don't think he plans to ask anytime soon."
"Hmmm, begs the question, 'Why not?' doesn't it? The thing about having a protocol is that if only one of you can ask, there's a good chance it's the more hesitant one who has to propose, and if even he can stick his neck out like that, it means the both of you are ready."
"It's not because he doesn't want it. I know he does. He just doesn't feel like he has the right to ask that much of me."
Rick takes a moment to consider what I've said. "He may be onto something, there. But he's gotta learn to ask anyhow."
"He has every right. He'll learn. I just don't know how long it'll take him."
"In any case, I'm not sure it's my place to be giving any kind of blessing. Seems like that honor belongs to Mike. Or maybe Connie? People ask the father of the bride, so why not the mother of the groom?"
"Rick..." I find his eyes. "It'd mean a lot to me to have your approval."
"If you're insisting on my opinion—and it sounds like you are—then I think you're rushing it." Rushing? We're going almost unbearably slowly. It's not easy. "If Connie'd had her way, we'd have been engaged straight out of high school, but it took me another three years to pop the question, and I think we can all agree now that it was probably for the best we waited." Three years? And here I thought I was being patient! Three years, though? There's no way. There's literally no way.
Then again, it's worked out for Connie and Rick. I'm not in this for instant gratification. Part of waiting is showing Scott that I'm in it for the long haul. After all the disposable boys I've run though, I don't feel like words are enough to tell Scott he's different. I need him to know that if he starts drinking again, I'm here to help him back up, and if depression overtakes him again, I'm not going anywhere. I need to show some actual restraint so he knows I'm not here just for fun, for a distraction, or for a rebound off Alex. I'm here because I love him.
Still, I hope it doesn't take three years.
"Truth is, though," Rick continues, "Connie and I probably woulda done just fine if we got engaged just after graduation, and you and Scott are a lot older and a little wiser. What're you gonna do if Scott loses himself again, though?"
"Everything I can. I won't leave."
"I know you mean it now and your intentions are good. And you know what? I think you'll make good on that if the time comes. I wish you many happy years together. You have my blessing."
