playdead

Chapter Thirty-Three

Henry wasn't dead. Or at least, not yet.

Henry has just been extremely sick. But by the time Henry got better, he'd already passed the entire week. And the low temperature didn't help.

Henry missed his friends.

He missed Teddy.

It was only five days and yet, Henry missed him. Not like a friendship-style miss. But something deeper. Something else Henry couldn't grasp.

Henry laid in his bed. He was confused. His skin crawled and he got goosebumps.

Henry shot up from his bed and sat at the edge. He put his hands on his face and started trying to clean his thoughts.

Henry started sweating lightly. He rubbed his eyes and realized what he hadn't thought he would be, he was.

Henry decided.

He got up and exited his room. He went to the living room, where his resting parents sat. Deshawn Washington and Jackie Nickels.

Henry slowly walked over to them.

"...Dad?" Henry's peep rang out.

His dad turned his head. He was laying down, with Henry's dad laying on him as well.

"What's up, son?" He asked.

"I, uh...need to tell you and mom something." Henry asked.

Henry's dad raised an eyebrow.

"Is there anything wrong?" Henry's mom asked. She always had that sweet voice, that Henry loved.

They both sat up and stared at Henry. Henry's dad turned off the television.

Henry blinked several times and sighed.

"Uh..." Henry said.

The three sat in silence. Henry didn't know how to say it. His stomach tightened. His lungs let out short breaths.

Henry wiped dots of sweat off his forehead. He scratched his arm.

"I'm gay." Henry said.

Henry's mom and dads eyes widened. Henry's mom smiled widely, tears flowing in her eyes. His dad only had tears in his eyes.

"You motherfucker." Henry's dad said, his voice cracking. He instantly grabbed Henry and pulled him close, hugging him. Henry hugged back. Then, his mom joined in.

Henry's dad sobbed joyfully into Henry. Henry's mom kissed Henry's forehead.

Henry smiled painfully long. He couldn't stop smiling. His jaw hurt.

They sat there for almost half an hour. Henry's dad bought ice cream. Together, they watched football.

Henry ate ice cream, thanking God that it didn't go wrong. He thanked everyone watching over him.