Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Fifty-Three

Brian had never been more nervous in his life. Not only was tonight the night he was meeting Zacky’s parents, tonight was the night he had to change everything. He had to change their minds, convince them that he was a great person, despite being a guy. If he wanted Zacky to stay in California, tonight had to be perfect.

He didn’t know how in the world he was going to do it, but he was going to change their minds. He was going to open their eyes and make them accept Zacky for who he was.

With that thought in mind, he raised a hand, and knocked on the door.

He listened, hearing Zacky yell, “I got it!” and quick footsteps running through the house, before the door opened and Zacky stood before him. They looked at each other, and Brian bit his lip nervously.

“Hi, Brian.” Zacky’s smile was just as anxious, “Come on in.”

Be polite, be intelligent, be cool. Brian thought to himself, Be polite, be intelligent, be cool. He had to remember to use proper grammar, how to properly shake hands, Mr. Baker loved the Beatles and science fiction movies, Mrs. Baker was trying to write a novel, and she grew flowers, like Suzy.

Zacky led Brian through the house to the living room where Mr. Baker and Zacky’s little brother, Matt, were watching football. Brian recognized Matt, and Matt recognized him, but they both kept their mouths shut and didn’t really acknowledge the other.

“Dad,” Zacky’s voice was shaky, and Brian nudged his hand gently with his own. “This is my boyfriend, Brian. Brian, this is my dad.”

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, sir.” Brian said firmly, just like he had rehearsed, stepping forward and extending a hand for Zacky’s dad to shake. Mr. Baker just glanced at him, before changing the channel on the TV.

Great. It looks like they were off to a good start.

~*~

They ate some sort of casserole for dinner, it was great, and Brian made sure to go heavy on the compliments. He commented on Mrs. Baker’s flowers and mentioned the novel that Zacky had told him she was writing. It had been easy to win her over. She loved him instantly.

Zacky’s dad was different. Brian tried to engage in conversation with him a few times, but Mr. Baker blew him off.

He sighed, working his mind, trying to think of something to engage Zacky’s dad, and eventually spat out, “Do you play golf, Mr. Baker?”

Zacky’s dad frowned as he poured himself a glass of water. “Yeah.” He replied gruffly, “I do.”

“I saw some clubs in your living room and wondered if you played. I really like golf, sometimes I go out with my dad and we play. I’ve got a pretty good arm, maybe one day we could-“

“I don’t play golf with faggots, boy.”

Brian’s eyebrows shot up, and he nodded. Okay, Brian, salvage this situation. “What does that mean, to be gay?”

“You’re a boy, and you like boys. That’s it. It’s wrong.”

“How would you suggest we change that?” Brian asked, “Should we give up our happiness for your satisfaction?”

“It’s not about my satisfaction. It’s about morals. Men were not meant to be with other men. It isn’t natural.”

“There’s lots of things humans do that aren’t natural.” Brian frowned, “Why are we so different? I don’t think it’s about morals, Mr. Baker, I think it’s about perspective.”

Brian caught Zacky give him a look that said ‘Fucking stop it.’ But Mr. Baker sat back in his chair, looking at Brian strangely. He took the silence as a cue to continue.

“I know Zacky’s probably told you to put yourself in his shoes, and I know that it’s a touchy subject to talk about, but have you tried it? I also know you don’t know me very well, and it isn’t my place to go on telling you this, but we are sorta in the same situation.”

“Now listen boy-“ Mr. Baker began, but Brian held up a hand. Not out of disrespect, he just wanted to get his point across.

“Hear me out, sir. I used to hate Zacky. I used to stand for everything you stood for, except worse. I mistreated Zacky because he was different, and I thought what he was doing was so incredibly wrong. But he… he changed me. There’s just something about your son that is so very special. It drew me in. I don’t consider myself ‘gay,’ Mr. Baker, because I fell in love with Zacky. Not the fact that he’s a boy, if he were a girl I’d still be head over heels over him. I fell in love with Zacky because he is… well, himself.” He sighed, “Zacky can change you too, Mr. Baker, if only you give him the chance.”

Dead silence fell over the table. Brian glanced over at Zacky, to see him smiling weakly and blushing madly. Even Matt and Zina paused from eating, the sound of silver against china suddenly became very loud. Brian waited with bated breath. The silence could be incredibly good, or absolutely awful. Zacky’s father glowered at him, and he began to think that it was the latter.

“Who do you think you are, boy?” Mr. Baker asked angrily, and Brian widened his eyes in surprise.

“Uh, I just, um… It’s what I think, sir, and I didn’t mean to sound offensive in any way. I apologize if I did…” Brian trailed off, looking down at his plate nervously.

The rest of the meal carried on in awkward silence. No one even bothered taking jabs at conversation anymore.

After the meal, Zacky led Brian to the door. “Thank you for coming, Brian. I appreciate what you said tonight, it really warmed my heart.”

Brian smiled, kissing Zacky’s cheek gently. “I hope it isn’t going to send you back to Washington.”

It was a bittersweet goodbye, but they’d see each other tomorrow. He was on his way to the car, when the door opened and he heard Mr. Baker call out, “C’mere, boy.”

He turned, hesitantly heading back to the porch. “Yes, sir?”

“I’ll think about what you said.” He said. “You’re a good kid. Better than the other boys I’ve seen my son bring home.” He stuck out a hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brian.”

Relief washed over Brian, and he grinned, grasping Mr. Baker’s hand firmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, sir.”

He felt like leaping for joy, dancing his way to his car, fist pumping into the air and shouting, “Mission accomplished!”

But he didn’t. He walked calmly to his car, grin still plastered across his face, and didn’t start shouting until he was on his way home.