Chapter 15 #2
“No, of course not. Huxley’s a great guy who cares about his students.” My head is fucking spinning. “Look, I need to run, or I’ll be late. Are you okay here? Do you need a hand before I go?”
“I’m good. You go. Have a great weekend.”
“You too, Jen.”
I make it back to my car then sit and stare at the steering wheel.
What the fuck? It’s 2026, how can a teacher, even someone as old as Bob, openly express his homophobia at work?
The fact that he plans to complain to Principal Williams is utter bullshit.
I try to recall the conversation, almost certain Jennifer said some teachers think it’s inappropriate.
So there’s more than just one.
Shaking my head, I start the engine, praying Huxley never hears about this. Jennifer is spot on—you never really know about people.
When I let myself into my mum’s house, I’m still pissed. “Hey Mum, I’m here,” I call out so she doesn’t get a fright.
“Hi, darling. I’m in the kitchen. Reece is watching TV in the living room.”
I head straight for the kitchen, wishing Mum had given me a heads up that Reece would be here. “Smells great, what are we having?” I lean forward and give mum a kiss on the forehead.
I’m very grateful to have a mother like her. She raised me and Reece on her own, after my dad ran off with another woman and moved to Queensland when I was three. Mum’s kind and tough—all five foot two of her—and I love her with my whole heart.
“Pretty boring really. Just chicken, veggies, and scalloped potatoes. But I know you love my potatoes. How’s school? Is the year off to a good start? Actually, hold that thought, I’m about to dish up. Can you get some drinks out and call Reece to the table?”
“Sure.” I grab water and a bottle of lemonade from the fridge and yell out to Reece on my way to the dining room.
A few minutes later, after a strained conversation with my brother, we are all seated for dinner. This is the perfect opportunity to start dropping hints about Huxley, although I’m certain she will be okay with me being queer. Reece, on the other hand, will be the complete opposite.
“Okay, Oli, tell us about school.”
“Well, it’s been busy, as expected, but good so far. We have a new maths teacher. His name is Huxley, and I’ve been showing him the ropes and helping him settle in.”
“That’s really nice, darling. I remember how nervous you were last year.”
Reece rolls his eyes. I never could understand how he’s the older brother when he acts like a child most of the time. Guess he gets that from our dad.
“He’s a really nice guy,” I continue, ignoring my brother.
“We’ve become mates already. I think you’d like him, Mum.
His story is inspirational.” I flick my eyes across the table to Reece, suddenly nervous about continuing.
“You see, he’s gay and he was bullied in high school.
But he had a teacher who was a lesbian and supported him.
It was the reason he decided to become a teacher, so he could be a visible role model and support other LGBT+ kids. ”
“I love that. He will be an incredible teacher. When I think of what Koa went through in his teens…” My mum shakes her head.
Reece scoffs and puts his knife and fork down. Here we go!
“I think that’s bullshit.”
“Language at the dinner table, Reece. How on earth is it BS? Kids shouldn’t get bullied for being gay. I didn’t bring you up to think like that. For God’s sake, your brother’s closest friend is gay, and he’s been part of this family for years.”
“Shouldn’t have been,” Reece mutters.
“Excuse me?” My mother’s eyes narrow, disappointment all over her face.
Reece used to give Koa shit, and me too, for being friends with him, but he always made sure Mum never heard. Perhaps I should have told her years ago, but Reece was my older brother, bigger than me, and I never wanted my mum to know we didn’t get along. I knew it would break her heart.
But I guess Reece is ready to rip that Band-Aid off tonight.
“Teachers shouldn’t be allowed to prance around at school shoving their sexuality down kid’s throats. Seems like everybody is gay these days, and everywhere we look it’s gay this and gay that. Parades and stupid pride flags. Why don’t we have a straight parade?”
My mum looks like she’s had the wind knocked out of her, her eyes widening.
I shouldn’t react, but enough is enough.
“Reece, no one is shoving their sexuality down anyone’s throat, and it’s because of narrow-minded, uneducated dickheads like you that we need parades and pride flags.
You’re a homophobe, you’ve always been one, and, honestly, I’m glad Mum’s finally seeing the real you.
The way you treated Koa throughout high school was disgusting. ”
“What?” Mum says, looking from me to Reece then back to me. She has tears in her eyes, and I know I’ve done the wrong thing escalating the argument.
But Reece has no intention of stopping. “I’m happy to be called a homophobe.
I don’t want that shit shoved in my face.
And what’s with the we need parades? You joining the fairies?
Gonna put on some glitter and dance around in a rainbow flag with your new gay friend?
” Reece erupts into laughter. “First Koa and now this Huxley guy. You love the sissy boys, don’t you? ”
My face flushes, and I realise I’m not ready to come out. Not like this, anyway.
“Reece!” my mum yells, standing up. “I am so disappointed in you. I never knew you felt this way. Poor Koa.” She turns to me. “Why didn’t you tell me, Oli. You know I wouldn't have ever tolerated this sort of behaviour from Reece.”
Reece’s eyes turn cold. “Mum, you aren’t seriously going to stand there and say you’d be completely okay if Oliver or I were gay?”
Mum screws up her face, brows furrowing, utter disbelief in her eyes.
“Yes, I would be one thousand per cent okay with it. A parent’s job is to love their children.
Unconditionally. And more than that—I don’t see a single thing wrong with being gay.
If two consenting adults love each other or want to have sex, then good for them.
Reece, I simply don’t understand where you got these ideas from.
I only hope your future children don’t turn out to be gay.
God help them. I don’t think I’m hungry anymore. ” With that, she leaves the table.
Reece and I stare at each other for a long time, his mouth turned down at the corners. It makes him look so fucking ugly. Bile rises in my throat. This wasn’t how I wanted the night to go. Maybe I’ll look back on this moment and see it as the end of my relationship with my brother.
I should have taken a stand years ago, and I think I owe Koa an apology for that.
I rise to my feet, throwing my napkin on the table. “I don’t know what happened to you, brother, but I think this is where we part ways.”
I head upstairs to find Mum. Just the thought of my sexuality fracturing our family fills my stomach with fear. I couldn’t bear to break my mother’s heart. But once I come out and introduce Huxley, I don’t see how I can be in the same room as Reece ever again.
I find Mum standing in her room, dabbing her cheeks with a tissue. “I’m sorry that happened,” I say as I approach.
She turns to me, the lines on her face appearing deeper. “I don’t understand, Oli. I raised you both the same. How can he think like that?”
I pull her into a hug. “It’s not your fault.
Unfortunately, friends and the internet can influence someone.
I don’t know.” Releasing her, I step back, finding it hard to face the hurt in her eyes.
The front door clicks closed, then we hear the sound of Reece’s car engine.
“Give him time to settle down,” I say. “I’ll help you clean up. ”
Mum packs a container of food for me to take home and insists she’s fine. She’ll talk to Reece about it, she reassures me. I leave not long after, completely drained. I comfort myself with the knowledge that I now know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my mum will accept me for who I truly am.