Focus - Logicality

Patton - The Big Reveal

Roman's car pulls into Logan's driveway, where the two of us thank Roman and Virgil and get out. When I take Logan's hand, it's sweating. "Are you sure, Patton?" He asks warily.

"It's better to do it now than face the problem later after it's grown," I inform him gently. "It'll only get worse, and after school is as good of a time as any other."

"I guess so. But are you sure?" Logan asks for what must be the hundredth time.

"Yeah. I'll be there the whole time, Lo; it'll be fine. And if you don't do it, I will, and I really don't think you'll like how it plays out. "

I can almost feel Logan swallowing back his fears and putting on a brave mask. "If you say so. This is my chosen place of residence." Logan flings open the door and gestures dramatically towards the house's interior. "Not that you haven't already seen it. Inside of the aforementioned place of residence is the only living family member of which I know of." He squeezes my hand tightly and leads me into the house. We take off our shoes at the door then proceed to the kitchen, where Logan and his dad exchange a stiff greeting. When Logan looks back and sees that I'm not with him anymore, he says something to his dad and turns around, heading back to where I linger in the doorway. "This is your idea. And Virgil's, I guess. What are you waiting for?" He inquires.

I shrug. "I thought you'd want privacy." At this notion, Logan laughs. "What is it?" I demand.

"Just...what good would privacy do? You already know more about me than anyone else ever has, discounting my long-dead mother. We've seen each other's rooms and kissed on your porch swing. You know that I'm depressed and that I haven't been eating. You've held me when I cried, and I've helped you when you were weak. You've seen me violent and protective and angry and excited and fascinated. You know what happened to my mother--that makes you the only one other than me, my dad, and the doctors at that hospital--oh, and Virgil, but I'm not sure exactly how. I've met your mom, and you're about to meet my only living family member. I haven't even told my dad that I'm gay. The privacy you refer to would be more for his sake than mine. Oh, and speaking of? This'll be one hell of a conversation."

"Language!" I scold.

"Sorry, Patton. This may or may not be stressing me out. I'm sorry in advance for when this metaphorically blows up in our faces."

"There's no need," I insist, taking Logan's hand once more. "It'll be fine."

"Okay. You ready?" He manages a small smile.

"As I'll ever be."

He leads me into the kitchen again, and this time I don't linger.

"Dad?" He starts. "I know I don't talk about feelings much, but I think I might have to make an exception for a special case. I--" Logan adjusts his glasses and takes a deep, shaky breath. "I'm--" I squeeze his hand, which is hidden under the countertop, silently attempting to provide him the strength to continue. Finally, he does. "I'm gay."

His dad just smiles. "I know."

"I know you're mad, but-- wait, what? How?"

"Because I'm psychic." He winks at me then turns back to Logan. "It was bound to happen after the incident at Disney World." Logan can't help but laugh as he winces at the memory. " I'll give you the full list of reasons at dinner if you want. Anyway, are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?" Logan's dad asks. He can see how uncomfortable his son feels, so he's teasing him--I can see the twinkle in his eyes--but the question is serious. Logan opens his mouth to speak then closes it again, dumbfounded; this obviously wasn't how he expected this to play out.

Without missing a beat, I quickly fill the silence. "You stole my thunder," I laugh. "I'm Patton, by the way."

"I'm Lynn." He extends a hand to shake and, as always, I pull him into a hug. Logan eyes me cynically.