Chapter 12
Aiden
Iarrive early because Ronda wants to see me.
She asked for some time alone with me while Jay and Heather were at the police station, and I didn’t argue.
It feels odd having an adult conversation with someone who’s been more like a second mom to me, but her familiarity and the smell of lavender candles and freshly baked bread drifting through her house make me feel like I’m walking back in time.
“Aiden, it’s good to see you again,” Ronda says at the door, holding it open with a grin. “Come in. I made iced tea and a light lunch. After that cruise food, I need something that isn’t fried.”
“I’ve never been on a cruise,” I say, following her into the kitchen, “but I hear they feed you nonstop.”
She laughs. “That’s an understatement.”
A tray of fruit and vegetables, cheese and crackers, and hummus is on the kitchen island. It’s the same little spread she used to make for us after school. We both fix our plates and sit at the small table.
I wait a moment, then ask, “So… what did you want to talk about?”
She sighs and reaches for my hand, as she did when I was a kid. “First, thank you for being here for Jayson,” she says, tears welling up in her eyes. “My son didn’t deserve that. It breaks my heart to see him like this.”
“No, he didn’t,” I reply. “But I’m grateful I could be here for him. He means a lot to me.”
“I’m curious, and maybe I should ask Jayson this instead of you, but how did you reconnect?” she asks.
I don’t want to reveal too much, with protecting Jay being my top priority. Ronda heard Jay mention Florida last night, so I don’t feel like I’m overstepping by bringing it up.
“We were both at an event in Fort Lauderdale a couple of weeks ago. It was a chance meeting that took us both by surprise. It had been a long time.”
Ronda looks down sheepishly. “I’m so sorry about what happened when we left Rochester. It was wrong of me to go along with your father and my ex-husband and cut off contact between you and Jay like that. I’ve always regretted the part I played.”
I swallow hard. Hearing it out loud matters more than she’ll ever know. “Thank you. That means a lot. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve worked to move past it.”
She nods. “Can I ask what happened after we left?”
“Of course.”
I launch into the long, well-told story I’ve shared a hundred times before; the passage of time and distance making it feel as if someone else had walked in those shoes, not the younger version of myself.
It’s easier to detach from the pain of those moments, the rejection I felt, losing relationships with my mom and brothers, and being left alone, without a family to call my own.
A shadow crosses Ronda’s face as she squeezes my hand.
“I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that. I don’t understand that reaction to your own children.
Being gay isn’t something to reject your child over,” she shakes her head.
“I’ll never understand how your father could do that. Jay’s dad did the same thing.”
“Yeah, Jay told me,” I reply, but leave it at that. I don’t want to get into my feelings about my father.
“Do you have any contact with your mom?” she asks hesitantly.
“We mostly text. She calls me sometimes, but not as often as she used to. She keeps me updated on James and Luke.”
“You aren’t allowed to talk with them, are you?”
“How’d you know that?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
She looks me straight in the eye. “Because I know how your father operates. I’m sure the last thing he wants is for you to have any influence on their lives. What you did, standing proud of who you are, is not a trait he values in people. He’s a man who wields control and demands obedience.”
“That’s an understatement,” I reply, shaking my head.
“It terrifies me to think about what my brothers have become because of him. James was always so confident, even at ten years old. Out of the two of them, he would be the one to push back. But Luke was shy and sensitive. He’s a conformist and a people pleaser. ”
“I can tell you one thing for sure,” Ronda says firmly, “Despite your father’s dominance over your family, your mom would have raised them to be kind and compassionate, not cold and hard-hearted.”
“I hope so. It worries me that they’ve bought into his beliefs and not want anything to do with me. That’s why I haven’t tried harder to see them.”
“Oh, Aiden,” Ronda says, giving me a sorrowful look. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“It is what it is.”
“How’s your mom?” she asks, her voice trembling a bit.
I know this is hard for Ronda. She was my mom’s best friend for years, and they were close. It was just as tough for them as it was for me and Jay. After we were outed, my father told my mom that they couldn’t be friends anymore.
“I think she’s okay,” I reply. “She’s never been one to talk about what’s really going on. I always feel like something’s off, but whenever I ask, she says everything is fine.”
“The thing that bonded us as friends was the challenges we faced with our husbands. She doesn’t have an easy life married to your father,” she leans back, her voice softer.
“She wanted to protect you boys from it as much as she could. Knowing her, the way I do, her keeping you from James and Luke isn’t because that’s what she wants.
She’s trying to protect all three of you, the only way she knows how. ”
Hearing that hits differently. “I’d always assumed my mom was happy with her life, but I was nineteen the last time I saw her, and focused on what was going on with me. I’d never really stopped to think about what my mom’s life is really like and what she goes through.”
Ronda’s expression becomes determined. “What I can tell you is that her life is difficult. And I’m sure it’s been even harder these last few years losing both of us. There aren’t many people she can trust and be open with, being the pastor’s wife.”
My mind is spinning as I realize I haven’t taken the time to think about the challenges my mom faces. I need to pay closer attention during our conversations and push harder to understand what she’s going through.
“Thanks for telling me that,” I say.
“What are you doing these days?” Ronda asks, shifting the conversation to the topic I was most dreading.
I refuse to hide who I am or what I’ve done with my life; I have nothing to be ashamed of. Despite that, I’m tense, my heart rate speeds up, and heat flushes over my skin.
“Well…for the last twelve years, I’ve worked in adult entertainment,” I tell her, keeping it vague.
She blinks, silent for a few moments. “That’s… not what I expected.” Her voice is careful, but not shocked. “But I don’t judge you.”
Relief washes over me. “I’m actually transitioning careers. I’m finishing my MBA next month, and I want to get into real estate investing.”
Her face brightens. “Wow, that’s ambitious.”
“I’m getting older, and I’m ready to do something different.”
“That’s good. Is there anyone special in your life?” she asks carefully.
I smirk, knowing she’s probing. “No, I haven’t dated much. But I’d like to find someone.”
She smiles at me. “I think that someone is right in front of you, but the timing is terrible.”
I snap my eyes to hers, surprised, and I laugh. “Well, that’s direct.”
“In this stage of my life, I don’t see the point in beating around the bush,” she replies.
“Aiden, I want the best for my son. I kept my mouth shut, which I regret, given the current circumstances, but I always had a bad feeling about Ray. Heather was vocal about her feelings, but I felt Jayson was an adult and needed to make his own choices without my interference. Maybe I over-corrected too much by doing that.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and her voice trembles.
“Sadly, I’ve watched him change into a different person over the last few years.
He’s lost his spark. Seeing his battered face and hearing what Ray did to him almost broke me.
He needs time to heal, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help him.
But you being here, dropping everything and showing up for him, speaks volumes. ”
Grasping her hand, I give it a firm squeeze. “He means a lot to me,” I say, trying to keep my voice from shaking. “I know he needs a friend more than anything right now, and that’s exactly what I plan to be.”
“Thank you, Aiden.” Her tears are falling freely. “I hope one day the two of you get the chance to be what you were always meant to be. You deserve that.”
We drift back into simple conversation, talking about the past and reminiscing about the fun times our families shared.
When Jay and Heather return from the police station, something inside me shifts.
Talking with Ronda has loosened an old knot; the ache I feel is softening into something clearer.
There is no doubt in my mind that I love Jay, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be there for him.
“Okay, I think we’re all set,” Heather says, standing up from Ronda’s kitchen table. “I’ll get the notice to vacate served to Ray by the end of the week.”
The four of us spent the last hour planning Jay’s next steps to untangle his life from Ray’s. There are so many things I wouldn’t have even thought of. Heather has handled this kind of situation with numerous clients, so she’s completely on top of every detail.
We persuaded Jay to stay in his mom’s spare room while he gets ready to sell his house. He resisted at first, but in the end, I think he was too tired to argue. He doesn’t want to go back to his house if Ray’s still there, and none of us wants Jay near him.
The officer in charge of his case called and said they would question Ray at the station tomorrow. While that’s happening, Jay, Heather, and I will go to the house and pack what we can.