Chapter 30
Leo
I know what it feels like to worry about disappointing people that you care about, but I’ve never had a family to worry about disappointing.
Sitting with Nash in his living room, he hovers over his mom’s name in his phone. After talking with Talia more, we decided we needed to let Nash’s family know about us. The last thing they need is to find out their son is gay and in love from a social media post.
Talia holds Nash’s hand, and I love their relationship. I had some close friends in my foster homes and best friends in high school, but nothing like what they share.
Nothing like what Nash and I share.
Finally, Nash hits the number and the phone rings. He puts it on speaker.
“Hello,” his mom answers.
“Hey, Mom. Is Dad around?” Nash asks nervously.
“Yes, he’s sitting beside me. Is everything ok?” she asks, concern lacing her voice.
“Yes. No. I’m not really sure.” Nash shakes his head, and his legs tremble. I place a hand on his knee, giving him my support. “I want to talk to you about something, but I’m nervous.”
“Nash, there’s nothing that you can’t talk to us about. You are scaring us,” his mom cries.
“Mom, Dad, I am gay,” Nash blurts out.
Talia and I exchange glances. I think we both thought it might take him a little while to say it. I’m proud of his bravery.
There is silence on the other end, and Nash looks terrified and broken.
Finally, I hear rustling on the other end of the line. Then, a FaceTime call comes in. Nash looks to Talia and me before accepting it. The screen now shows his parents, and he looks a lot like his dad. Both have strained smiles.
I move so I’m on-screen with Nash. He needs my support more than ever.
“Nash, why didn’t you tell us sooner?” his dad asks. He has salt-and-pepper hair and the same smile as Nash. It’s gentle.
Nash pauses. “I guess I didn’t know what to say. If I came out, it could have impacted my career.”
“But we are your parents. We would have supported you anyway,” his mom adds. She’s crying, but it’s not from sadness. Maybe acceptance?
“I know. I love you both, but this isn’t easy,” Nash admits.
“Is that Leo?” Nash’s dad finally asks. “I’m a huge fan.”
I chuckle. “Yes, I’m Leo. And, Nash’s boyfriend.”
Nash looks at me and smiles. There’s a tenderness in his expression that tells me everything is going to be ok.
“Wow, I can’t believe my son is dating Leo O’Connor,” his dad whistles.
I laugh loudly at that.
“So you don’t care that I’m gay, but dad is fangirling over Leo?” Nash jokes, easing the tension.
“All we want is for you to be happy. I’ll be honest, we didn’t expect you to ever come out as gay. You’ve done a great job hiding that side of yourself, but I wish you hadn’t. You can be yourself with us. You need to be yourself with us. We are your parents,” His mom says.
The love I feel from these two people whom I just met is astonishing. Nash has no idea how lucky he is.
“I’m just glad you found someone with such a strong record,” his dad chuckles.
“I’m glad I have your approval. Maybe we could talk about that record sometime,” I offer.
Nash leans in and takes my hand. He mouths' thank you' to me.
“Yes, we really want to meet you soon. And tell Talia, who we know is hiding somewhere with you all, that we expect her to come too,” his mom says.
We all laugh, and Talia leans into the screen. “Just to be clear, I told Nash he should have told you all he was gay a long time ago. But, you all know he hardly listens to me,” she says, giggling.
Nash rolls his eyes as we all laugh. We talk for a few more minutes, making plans to meet up with his parents in Chicago next time we get a break. When we end the call, I hug Nash, holding him tightly against me.
“You did it,” I tell him.
“We did it,” he says, hugging me back.
“I’m so proud of both of you. Now, I’m going to leave and allow you two to celebrate this win,” Talia notes, standing to leave.
She leaves us, and we spend the evening in one another's arms, happy to finally be free of one burden.