Rich and George: The Power Couple

George's POV: Another Coming Out Story

I don't know how long I was crying for. I got home and shut the door to my bedroom, then thought about how miserable Rich must've been. It felt good to be sad, at least for a little while. I was startled when I heard a knock at the door.

"George!" my mom called. "Get ready for dinner, your grandmother is coming over!" I didn't reply. "George?" The door opened, and as soon as my mom saw me, she gave me a hug. "What happened, baby?"

"Rich got in a fight," I wailed. "He hasn't called, I don't know if he's okay or--"

"Shh." She stroked my hair. "Try to breathe, then tell me more."

I took a deep breath, wiping away my tears. "Rich's brother outed him to Henry, and I saw them outside when Dad picked me up." My mom gave me a concerned look. "We took him home, and I haven't heard from him since."

"Did he say anything to you?"

I sighed, thinking about those words he said to me. I was so scared they would do something to you. I would've died if they did something to you about this. And when I repeated those words, I could feel her worry turn to thankfulness.

"You know he's a keeper, don't you?"

"Yeah." I was about to say something else, but I heard the door open downstairs.

"Oh, your grandmother is here! You should talk to her, Georgie, she'll know what to say to you." Hastily, she ran out of the room, and I found myself alone again.

"George, what's wrong?" I looked up at my grandmother, sitting across from me at the table. "You haven't touched any of your food."

"It's nothing," I lied. She could tell.

"Don, Clara, would you excuse us for a moment?" I sighed, knowing I was about to get a huge lecture. They both nodded, and we left the table.

"I'm fine, Gran," I asserted. "Really, we don't need to talk or anything."

"George, I know when you're being dishonest with me, and this is one of those times." She looked me dead in the eye. That was where my dad got it from, I guess. "What's wrong?"

I immediately broke down crying. I was about to tell her about Rich, but I realized I wasn't out to her yet. "I have to tell you a secret, please promise you won't be mad."

"Why would I ever be mad at you?" She made a face, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Well, um... I don't know why you'd be mad." She grinned. "But the truth is, I'm gay." I paused. "And I have a boyfriend."

"Oh really?" She didn't seem angry, but I couldn't help but cry harder. "It's okay, baby! I'm not mad at you, I'm bursting with pride right now!"

"You are?" I beamed, unable to contain my excitement.

"Of course!" I gave her a hug, and she looked at me fondly. "It's good to cry, though. It's healthy. With your father, I only ever got unmoving facial expressions." Now I really had to laugh. "Now tell me what's bugging you."

"My boyfriend Rich got into a fight today. He was outed to one of my classmates."

"Outed?"

"Someone told the kid that he was gay." I knew my grandmother wasn't familiar with the 'lingo,' so to speak. "It was horrible. My dad and I were driving home when I saw them in front of the school. He was hurt really badly, and he hasn't returned my calls."

"So you're worried about him."

I sniffled. "Very."

"Well, I'm not sure there's much you can do. I would give him some space, and when you see him again, make sure he knows how much you love him." Her eyes lit up. "I could crochet him something! What's his favorite color? Does he like scarves?"

"Aw, Gran, that's so sweet," I gushed. "I don't know if he likes scarves, but I--" My phone suddenly started buzzing. I looked to see who it was. "It's him, Gran! Can I take it?"

"Of course, sweetie! Ask him what his favorite color is, and I'll go tell your parents." She walked back into the kitchen, and I started crying harder as I picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, George! I'm so sorry for not calling, my parents are talking to Josh and they made me sit down and do some family meeting thing, I meant to call sooner I--"

"It's okay, Rich," I told him. "Calm down, I'm okay. Are you doing better?"

"I didn't mean to worry you. I'm doing better, but I'll be out of school tomorrow. Are you sure you're okay? You sound like you're crying."

"I'm fine, I promise. Was it anything serious?"

"No, just a headache. But the doctor said I needed rest." He paused. "What are you up to?"

"Dinner with the parental unit," I replied. "Plus my grandma came over. By the way, she wants to know your favorite color."

I could tell by the silence on the other line that he was confused. "Why?"

"I just came out to her, she knew something was up at dinner. She wants to make you a sweater."

"That's so sweet of her. Tell her I love the color red because it reminds me of you."

"Aw, Rich! You're such a dork!" I heard him laugh. "But why red?"

"Because of the hickey." I groaned, but he could tell I found it funny. "But really, it reminds me of when I kiss you, because of how fiery you are. And how you get all flustered when I flirt with you."

"So red is what you want," I interjected, thankful that he couldn't see how red I was at that moment.

"Nah, give me blue," he joked. "Anyway, can you come with me to get a coffee on Wednesday after school?"

"Ugh, do I have to wait that long to see you?"

"Unless you break into my house to see me tonight or tomorrow, yes. But I'll call you whenever you want, so that you don't have to miss me too much."

My eyes welled up with more tears. "You'd do that for me?"

"Jesus, George. I'm trying to be nice, you're gonna make me start crying too."

"I'm sorry! I really love you!"

"I love you too, babes." I heard something in the background that sounded like he was being called. "Crap. I have to go, okay? I haven't started my homework yet."

"Okay. Call me if you need anything."

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye!" I hung up the phone and went back to the dinner table, where my grandmother was waiting for me.

"What's his favorite color, George?"

I blushed. "He likes red."