blossom ↣ joshler ✓

56. Changes

Tyler walked into the house at 6:57, shutting the door behind him with a smile.

"Tyler?" His mom called from the kitchen. Her voice was gentle.

Tyler, confused, let his smile drop as he walked into the kitchen. "What?" He sighed.

His mom and Pastor John were both sitting at the table and his mom looked like she had been crying. "Can you please sit down?" She asked.

Tyler hesitantly did as he was told. "Why?"

Pastor John spoke up. "Your mother and I had a very long and important talk while you were gone."

"About?"

Pastor John cleared his throat and sat up a little more. "We've decided to stay together as long as some changes were made."

"Such as...?" Tyler replied, prompting them to continue.

Pastor John looked at Kelly and nodded. She took a deep breath and looked at Tyler. "I'm sorry."

Tyler couldn't help the scoff that left his lips. "For what? Hitting me? Making my life miserable? Banning me from seeing my boyfriend? Which one of those are you sorry for, Mother?"

"All of it."

Tyler was slightly taken aback. She seemed sincere. That could all be an act though; he wasn't giving in just yet. "What changes do we need to discuss?" He asked.

His mom looked to Pastor John for help. "Tell your mom the changes you want her to make and you guys can decide what's doable and what isn't. At the end of the day she is your mom and can tell you what you can and can't do but when we had our talk we decided she would take it easier on you."

"I want to be able to date Joshua," Tyler spoke instantly. "I don't want me liking boys to be an issue and obviously in the time I've been secretly dating him I haven't done any worse in school."

His mom nodded. "Okay."

Tyler looked at Pastor John. "Okay? What did you do to make her okay with this?"

Pastor John smiled slightly. "That's what we talked about."

"Tyler," his mom grabbed his hand and he was too in shock to do anything about it. "Growing up I've always been taught that homosexuality was a sin and no one ever told me otherwise so that's what I've taught you. I didn't ever in a million years think you would turn out to be... gay... and after talking to John I've learned that it isn't something you can change and that's just who you are and I have to accept you for it. It's going to be hard to get used to but I'm going to try."

Tyler blinked. "Wait, so you don't hate me?"

He watched tears fill his mom's eyes. "No. I could never hate you. I'm sorry for always seeming so strict I just want what's best for you. I didn't realize I was hurting you. We can talk about some changes we need to make."

"I want to be able to be with Joshua with no restrictions. I want to be able to go do things with him and not have you freak out. I'll always tell you where I want to go, however, so you know I'm safe."

It took her a moment, but his mom nodded. "Okay. What else?"

"Extended bedtime. I'm not five. I won't stay up until two in the morning but I want it to be okay if I go to sleep at nine instead. I just don't want an exact time or restrictions. And I want to stay up later on weekends."

"Okay."

"Looser diet. I'll still eat healthy but there's no reason everything has to be gluten free or vegan."

"I don't know..."

"Just small changes like maybe buying me chicken nuggets or something."

"You don't even know if you like chicken nuggets," she pointed out.

Tyler fought a smile . "I can try them. Trying new things doesn't always hurt."

Kelly sighed but nodded. "Anything else?"

"No more checking everything on my phone. I'm not doing anything I shouldn't be. I'm not doing anything inappropriate. I just want to be able to text Joshua goodnight without being scared you'll do something."

"If I do that," she considered. "I want to be able to track your phone. I'll disconnect from the apps that let me read your texts and see your call log and what you download but I want to be able to know you're safe. I'll lighten up on letting you go places if you don't lie to me."

Tyler didn't want that but it was better than nothing. He glanced at Pastor John and the older nodded. "Okay," Tyler nodded. "Thank you."

"I love you Tyler," his mom told him. "I'm not proud of your behavior the past week but overall you're an amazing son and I couldn't be any luckier."

That brought a smile to his face. "I love you too. Can I go upstairs?"

"Nope," Pastor John stood up. "We're getting ice cream."

"Pastor John," Tyler began. "Do you know how much sugar is in ice cream? An awful large amount."

Pastor John looked at him in disbelief. "I just talked to your mom about allowing you to have more fun and the 16 year old is the one lecturing the adult on nutrition facts?"

Tyler giggled. "Sorry."

Kelly smiled and stood up. "I'm going to go look less like a mess. I'll be back out in a few minutes," she told them before walking off.

Once the door was shut Tyler got up and looked at his pastor. "Pastor John?"

"Yeah, bud?"

"Do I have to call you Pastor John anymore?"

He laughed. "You never had to. I told you that."

"I know," Tyler smiled. "Thank you, John," he paused. "No, never mind. Pastor John is staying."

The mentioned laughed. "C'mere," he held his arms out and Tyler gave him a hug. "Don't thank me. I didn't like seeing you like that— all sad and disobedient. It wasn't you."

"No," Tyler replied, the smile still on his face. "It wasn't. But thank you anyway. For allowing me to be happy."

"It's what you deserve."