Ethereal | RJ (HSMTMTS)

Part 10

EJ's POV

My brothers lines up to fill their plates with the dinner that my dad prepared, while my mom is already at the table, reading a book of poetry as the rest of her family comes over to join. After I sit down between my brothers, the only one left standing is my dad, who is absorbed by the television in the living room.

"John, honey," my mom calls, "can you come join us at the dinner table?"

"Yeah," Dad huffs and shuts off the TV. "I was just watching the news, and get this: it's legal for the gays to marry now." He lets out a chuckle as he comes to sit down with his food. "Pretty soon it'll be legal to marry a horse."

My mom flicks her eyes up at him, keeping her stone face, and he puts up his hands in innocence.

"I'm kidding," he says.

I keep my head down, staring at my food as I eat it. He's being serious? They're actually letting gay people get married now, and I had no idea until my dad blurted it out along with a casually homophobic joke. Today, July 8th, 2003, gay people are allowed to be married in British Columbia. I knew there was talk of that bill, but I honestly never thought it would happen. If my dad hadn't been the one to deliver the news, I would probably be smiling right now, but I keep myself from doing so. I don't want them to question why I'm so cheery. Being gay may be fine with the province now, but it's still a taboo topic in my family. The way my dad talks about it is like putting icing on a burnt cake. He has a lot of opinions that he tries to hide through meager jokes and words that he takes back a second later.

"I just hope none of my friends are planning on having a wedding within the next month," my dad continues, "because the gays will have booked all the spots."

"Let's hope your friends don't book their weddings with such short notice," my mother mutters.

"It's a joke," my dad presses. "Sheesh. None of you are gay, so I didn't think I had to watch my mouth."

He shoves a forkful of carrots into his mouth, which I'm glad about, because it prohibits him from being able to talk further. Unfortunately, it appears the conversation is still going, being carried now by Peter.

"You know, Ontario already legalized gay marriage last month," he explains.

"And they also drink bagged milk," my dad quips.

I hurry to finish my food as fast as I can, and my parents are both impressed with my speed, but I am capable of doing anything fast when I want to leave quicker. They watch as I put my utensils on my plate and stand up from the table.

"I'm gonna go out to Ricky's—I mean head out to Ricky's."

"Are you sure you don't want seconds?" my mom asks. "You finished that pretty quick."

"No, thanks," I respond, putting on a smile. "I'm good."

I put my dishes in the dishwasher then go to the door to slide on my shoes, giving my family a wave before hurrying out of the house.

________________________________________

Ricky's POV

EJ and I cuddle together on the couch, his arms weaved through mine, and his head laying on my chest. My dad is working late, which is the only reason we're able to do this here. Usually, cuddling is only something we take part in when we're out in the middle of nowhere with no one around, but, with the moonlight blue in the sky shining in through my living room window, the security of this peaceful couch lets us drop our constant caution for once. We're folded together like origami, settled deep in a mist of tranquility. After having to watch myself all the time, I like being able to just be with EJ and watch Survivor alone. EJ readjusts his grip in my hand, causing my limb to fill with a fuzziness like rain on my skin.

"So," I say over the voices of the TV, "why did you leave dinner early to come here?"

"Uh, well, my dad was watching the news, and um..." He pauses for a moment. "B.C. legalized same-sex marriage."

I didn't even know about that, and can't really believe it. The U.S. is so far away from doing anything like that. To think that the province I'm in right now has done that is unreal. I know I don't live here, and the summer will end eventually, and then I'll have to go back home, but I want to imagine for a second that, in five or so years, if I wanted to, I would be able to marry the boy I'm with. I don't know if that will be EJ, but I do like him a lot, and it's crazy to think that I could have the same life with him as with a girl.

"Really?" I respond, too speechless to say anything else.

"Yeah," EJ breathes. "I had to get out of my house so that I could be happy in my car." He turns his eyes up to me and says, "I also wanted to do this."

His lips kiss mine, blooming like a morning glory. But our kiss is different than all the other times. This time, there's no fear lining our minds. It's just open, free passion growing wild wherever it wants to be, not staying inside the boundaries of a garden, but taking over the forest.

All of a sudden, headlights flash through the window, and I remember that, although we can only see our reflections in the glass, we are on display. I slide away from EJ and look out to try to see who's parked, praying for it to be just a pizza delivery guy—although we didn't order pizza. But of course, then the door rattles open, in comes my dad, staring at me and my boyfriend in shock.

"Dad, I..."

He stays there, trying to piece together what he was just seeing, while I'm paralyzed on the couch, and EJ is avoiding my father's eyes.

After a second, EJ whispers to me, "I'm gonna go."

But right as he stands up, my dad says, "No. You don't have to."

Dad runs his hands through his hair at he continues to process the moment, his forehead wrinkled in stress. EJ sits back down, keeping his distance from me.

"Uh..." Dad starts. "I don't—I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," I respond. "We can just pretend nothing happened."

"What?" He looks hurt by the suggestion. "Ricky, I—I love you. I'm your dad no matter what. I'm just a little surprised."

I sit in silence, feeling like a germ under a microscope, unable to escape the spotlight.

"Can I just ask you something?" Dad continues. "And EJ, I don't want you to take offence to this. What about Nini? Did you never like her?"

"No, I did," I reply. "I'm not gay. I'm... I'm bisexual."

"Oh. That's something new."

I wait while that soaks in, until he speaks again, now coming over to sit down in the chair near us.

"Ricky," he says, "I want you to know that I accept you and support you with whoever you decide to date. And you too, EJ. I don't know what life at home is like for you, but you're always welcome here."

EJ and I both look to each other for a second. I think this is probably about the best reaction I could've asked my dad to have. I guess I can stop shaking now.

"Thanks, Dad."

A/N: Hi. Sorry this took an extra day. I wasn't feeling well emotionally yesterday, so I needed some time. Every once in a while I get really insecure and need to rebuild myself, and I'm doing better now. Most likely. I wrote this author's note yesterday, so I don't know, but I probably am. I love you guys. Thanks.