Chapter 10 #2
I looked at the group once again, and this time, it clicked for me. My gaydar was normally fantastic, so I was surprised I hadn’t immediately picked up on the fact that this was a group of kids who were all part of the LGBTQ community.
“Well, Tim, I’ll tell you what. Your tab is on me today.”
Tim’s eyes went just as wide as the bigot’s eyes had when I mentioned lesbian sex. “Really? Are you sure? We’ll probably spend most of the day here, so we’ll end up getting a lot.”
“I’m sure.” I held up a finger. “Just this once though.”
“Wow! That’s amazing! I would jump over this counter and hug you if I knew I had consent.”
I chuckled. “You absolutely have consent to hug me. I don’t think Ethan would be too happy if you leapt over the counter though.”
“Look who it is!” Ethan yelled from a few feet behind me. “You’re not giving my niece a hard time, are you?”
Tim looked from Ethan to me and then back to Ethan. “You’re lying. She’s way too pretty to be related to you.”
“It’s through marriage.” Ethan walked up next to me and stared me down. “At least, it will be if this one ever proposes to my actual niece.”
I was about to argue with Ethan that the proposal would come as soon as I figured out the perfect way to do it, but Tim spoke before I could. “Wait.” He pointed a finger at me. “You’re gay too?”
I nodded proudly. “Since the day I was born.”
Tim put his hand up for a high five. “Hell yeah.” He pointed to the boy standing directly behind him. “This is my boyfriend, Max.”
Max was clearly much more shy than Tim and had trouble looking me in the eye, but that could also have to do with the fact that his shaggy brown hair was falling in front of his eyes. He pushed his hair away from his face then reached his hand out toward me. “It’s very nice to meet you, ma’am.”
I laughed as I shook his hand. “Please call me Jax. You can call my mom ma’am. Not me.”
Max smiled shyly as the littlest hint of blush caused his cheeks to redden. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I’m so happy to have you all here.”
They really didn’t know how true that was.
Seeing a group of young gays feeling completely comfortable in this small town because of a place that Ethan created was beautiful.
It was exactly what I needed to see to restore my faith in our decision to move to Maryland.
I could deal with folks like Mrs. Mowrey if it meant providing a place for kids like Tim and Max to feel safe.
It took me a while to put through everyone’s order since most of the group was very talkative and interested in learning more about me. I made sure to deliver Tim’s myself so I could get the consensual hug he promised me.
Tim hadn’t been lying about how much time they spent at the cafe. By dinner time, they were still hanging around, and it didn’t appear like they were in any hurry to leave.
When it was time for a break, I walked to the back where Ethan’s office was. He was slumped over his computer, completely engulfed in whatever was on it, but looked up as soon as I reached his open door. “Jax! How’s it going out there?”
“It’s great. Tim and his friends are really awesome. I was just wondering if you had an open mic night or anything planned for tonight?” I figured with that group, it would be a lot of fun.
“No, I don’t.” Ethan ran a hand over his face. “I haven’t done special nights like that in over a year. I used to do them, like, once a month. This is why I need to retire. I’m too old for this.”
I smiled when an idea popped into my head. This was the perfect opportunity to see how I did at taking control of something. “Do you mind if I start planning some events?”
“Mind?” Ethan laughed. “That would be amazing. I still have everything needed for open mic nights and karaoke. If there’s anything else you need, just let me know and we can look over the budget together to see if it’s realistic.”
Thinking about looking over budgets with Ethan made me weirdly excited, because it was one responsibility I never had at Serenity Sips.
“What are you thinking about?” Ethan asked. “Pulling out the karaoke machine right now?”
“That’s not what I was thinking about, but can I?” I bounced up and down as I waited for his answer as if I was a little kid.
Ethan shrugged. “I was going to tell you that you could head out for the night, but if you want to stay to organize karaoke, go for it.”
Shit. Getting home to Carter did sound amazing, but I also loved the thought of giving Tim and his friends the chance to have even more fun. That is, if they even considered karaoke fun.
I put a finger in the air. “Hold that thought.”
I walked out front and asked Tim and his friends if they would have any interest in karaoke and the very resounding yes was enough to convince me. I just had to make sure I was back to the house in time to help Carter get her grandma to bed, but that wouldn’t be a problem.
After setting up the karaoke machine, I got on the microphone and asked for volunteers to come up and sing. It was no surprise to me when Tim was the first to volunteer.
After Tim, most of his friends followed, and then other people in the cafe joined in as well.
Even some of the high schoolers who were working at the cafe took breaks to sing.
By the time I left work, I had completely forgotten about the homophobia I had experienced at the beginning of the week.
I couldn’t wait to spend the next day with Carter and her grandma and get back to work on Monday.
Even the thought of dealing with Mrs. Mowrey again didn’t seem as daunting after seeing so many smiling faces in the cafe.