Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

When Brian got home that evening, both of his parents' cars were in the driveway, signifying that his whole family was home. He sighed, grabbing his keys and guitar before making his way into the house.

"I'm home!" he called out, heading up the stairs to put his guitar away.

"Hello, Brian!" Suzy called out from the kitchen, "Go put your things up then wash up for dinner; you're just in time."

Brian decided he was going to tell his dad and Brent about Zacky tonight. He'd wait to tell his friends, but his family deserved to know.

He spent longer than normal putting his things away and washing his hands. He was formulating a script in his mind, what he was going to tell them, how they might react, and how he would respond to that. He was unprepared and nervous as he sat down at the table.

"How've you been, Bri?" his dad asked as he served himself a plate of spaghetti. "I know I haven't been around too much with this album going on."

"I've been fine." Brian replied, staring down at his plate, trying to calm his churning stomach.

Brent launched into the recollection of something that happened when he was with his friends, and Brian frowned slightly. How would Brent react to this? They weren't exactly close, just coexisting in the same house together. Brian hoped he wouldn't hate him too badly. Maybe they'd still be able to keep their mutual distance with no harm done.

He worried about what his dad would think. Suzy took it better than he thought it would, and he thought his dad would be accepting, but what if he wasn't? How would he take it? Would Brian have to soften things up, try and make it look different than how it was? Should he list off some of his accomplishments first, make his dad see that he wasn't really a total failure? Brian never really had the "gay is not okay" talk with him, they just knew he wouldn't be like that.

But here he was, fretting about how to tell him he was dating a boy.

What would he do if his dad got angry? Maybe he'd get over it. Maybe Brian was just making a big deal out of this for no reason. It would turn out alright... wouldn't it?

"Brian? You've been awfully quiet this evening, something on your mind?" Suzy asked as she cut McKenna's spaghetti into pieces the size of sprinkles. "You haven't been eating."

Brian took a deep breath. There was no way to butter this up, and if he never said it, he'd never get it over with.

"I uh, I wanted to tell you guys something, dad and Brent." He paused, waiting for their attention before he said, "I'm um..." he frowned down at his plate of untouched food before mumbling, "I'm dating a boy."

"What?" his dad asked, "I couldn't hear you, don't talk into your food."

"I said I'm dating a boy." Brian looked up at his dad. "I have a boyfriend."

The room fell silent. The only sound was McKenna babbling to herself as she played with her noodles.

Then, Brent laughed. Brian sighed softly as his brother giggled, stabbing a meatball with his fork. "I always knew you were really gay."

"I'm not gay." Brian spat back. "I'm... I'm bi, I guess."

"You're joking." Brian's dad replied, "And this is a sad shot at humor."

"He isn't joking." Suzy put in softly, "He spoke with me about it on Independence Day."

"And no one had the decency to tell me?" his brows furrowed.

"I was going to, but I was afraid of your reaction..." Brian offered, "Please, dad, you've got to understand-"

"What? What do I have to understand about this? I think it's pretty clear."

"He's different than anyone else, dad. He's fun and creative and strange, but in a good way. He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. Dad, I'm so happy with him..."

"No, I don't care how 'happy' you are with this boy. I don't care how different he is. My son is not gay. And he is not dating another boy."

"But dad-"

"What about Michelle? You both were dating like two months ago, where the hell did she go?"

"She was cheating on me!" Brian replied, "I wasn't going to stay with her after that. Besides, I was getting tired of her anyway."

"I want you to call this boy tomorrow and tell him that you both are done. As the matter of fact, what's his number? I'll do it myself."

"I'm eighteen now, you can't do that."

"As long as you are living under this roof, I have every right. And as long as I am paying the bills for you to use our electricity and water here, you will not be dating that boy, or any boy. Do you understand me?"

"Dad, just hear me out-"

"No, you hear me out, Brian." His dad's voice was calm. That deathly, angry calm. "If I find out that you are continuing to see this boy, you will be out of this house. You will have to live with him or with Jimmy because you will not be living with me. Do I make myself clear?"

"Dad, please." Brian pleaded, "I never intended it to be like this either. He just drew me in... He's really not as bad as you think-"

"Oh, I bet he's a great guy, Brian. That's just the problem. He's a guy."

"So what if he's a guy?" Brian clenched his fists tight, feeling his fingernails press hard against the skin of his palm. "Why does that matter? It's really not that different. I'm still the same Brian, I do the same stuff, I like the same things. Just because I date one guy doesn't mean I have a thing for cock! That I'm suddenly a totally different person!"

Brian's dad glared at him, then stood up. "I'm getting a drink." He grumbled, storming to the front of the house, slamming the door behind him.

They all sat in silence and listened to the car starting outside. After a few moments, Suzy stood. "Brent, help me in the kitchen tonight."

Brent only complained a little, and McKenna laughed as she finished the rest of her food. "All gone!"

Brian stood up and left the room, grabbing his car keys. He needed to get away. Go somewhere else. Anywhere but here.