25. Malcolm
Malcolm
D evastation devours me about how my parents reacted. I knew they wouldn’t be happy. But that I didn’t expect to happen. They’ve pretty much disowned me all because I don’t fit in their cookie cutter world.
My eyes drift up, staring in the direction my parents went, hoping that they’ll turn around and come back.
That they’ll apologize for their words. Their faces soft with understanding and arms stretched out wide to give me the hug I so desperately need from them.
But they don’t appear. There's nothing but silence.
My legs become weak, giving out on me as I drop back down into my chair. My body hunches forward, elbows on the table, fingers laced through my hair like they can somehow hold me together.
I don’t know why shame crashes over the fragile hold I have on my sanity. I’d come into tonight hoping for acceptance, or at the very least, a sliver of understanding. But instead, I’d been met with cold stares, hateful words, and disappointment carved into my parents’ faces like stone.
"I just wanted them to see me, to accept me,” I whisper, not realizing the words have even left my mouth.
I feel movement beside me, then the warmth of Paige’s arms wrapping tightly around my shoulders. She doesn’t say anything at first—just holds me, steady and strong. I find solace in her embrace when everything else feels like it’s crumbling around me.
"I'm so proud of you," she whispers into my ear, her voice thick with emotion. "I know that tonight was hard. But you did it. You told them this secret that’s been weighing heavily on your soul.”
"I—" I try to argue, to explain that maybe coming out to them was a mistake. Maybe I should’ve waited, softened it somehow, done it differently. But Paige isn't having any of it. She cuts me off gently, her hand smoothing down my back.
“No,” she says firmly. “They’ll come around. They just need time to process.”
I lift my head from my hands, turning to face her, just enough to see her eyes, steady, fierce, full of belief in me.
“And what if they don’t?” My voice cracks. The question feels like it’s coming from the child inside me. The boy who once clung to his mother’s hand in fear and now stands alone, rejected by the same hands that raised me. I’m forty-five and still seeking the approval of my parents.
Paige doesn’t let go. She holds me tighter. “Then that'll be okay, too.”
Tears well in my eyes, the sting of them sharp and immediate.
“It’s their loss,” she continues, not letting me wallow in my sorrows.
And when I turn to look away she lets go of me, gripping my chin, turning my head to her.
“You are an amazing husband, son, father, and boyfriend. You love deeply. You show up. You try even when it’s hard.
Don't let their narrow-mindedness dull that light in you.”
My breath hitches, emotion snagging at my throat, causing me to cough to keep from choking.
“You belong here,” she whispers. “With us. With the people who see you. Who love you. Who accept you for who you are and don’t want you to hide any longer.”
I let the tears fall, not just from the pain of my parents’ response, but from the comfort of knowing that even if I’ve been disowned by them… I still have a family, one who loves me, for me.
My chest rises in a shaky breath as I cling to Paige’s words, trying my damndest to absorb the truth in them . Even with her support, a part of me still hopes that my parents will come back. That they’ll be okay with the news I’ve given them.
Then my eyes shift, drawn to the quiet sound of movement beside me.
My kids.
They’re still here, still standing with me, watching with glistening eyes. I blink, just to make sure I’m not imagining the warmth on their faces.
They’re smiling.
Not the forced, polite kind. Not strained. Not awkward. But warm, real, and so full of love it hit me harder than any rejection ever could.
They’re proud of me.
Not mad. Not disgusted. Not disappointed.
Happy. Proud.
I sob even harder. Henry just grins at me, rolling his eyes like this wasn’t a life-shattering moment I just thrust upon them. A revelation that was long overdue.
“It’s about damn time, Dad,” he says with a teasing smirk. “I was tired of having to pretend you’re straight.”
I blink. Confused. “You… you knew?” Then I remember the comment they made when my parents were throwing their hateful words at me ‘it's about time you told us’. They knew.
Alice laughs softly, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Of course we knew. It’s kind of hard not to. You’re not exactly subtle.” She tilts her head, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. “Just like we know you and Mr. Jefferson are more than friends. You’re together.”
My stomach drops, but before I can panic any more over the fact they know, she adds, “It’s so obvious, Dad.
The longing stares? The soft smiles when you thought we weren’t looking?
The way you lit up around him? Yeah, we noticed.
And we don’t care. We’re just happy that you and him can finally be a real couple. ”
My son nods in agreement, grinning wide. “We figured you’d tell us when you were ready. And honestly… we’re just glad you finally did.”
I sat there, stunned, every breath catching like I’m trying to relearn how to breathe in this new air—one filled with honesty, acceptance, and something I never expected to find tonight: peace.
Paige’s arms remained around me, grounding me, but it was the faces of my children—smiling through their own tears—that cracked my heart wide open.
I’m not alone and maybe the love I have in this room is enough.
I have them . Even if Jefferson doesn’t want me back, I have my family. And well…there’s still Bradley. The man I never expected to develop feelings for.
Henry clears his throat, the sound soft but somehow commanding. Paige and I give him our full attention, watching as he shifts in his seat and sits up a little taller, his shoulders squaring as if he needs to brace himself for what he’s going to say.
"Since this dinner has apparently become a night of revelations and secrets," he begins, his voice steady but cautious, "I think it’s time I share one of mine too."
No one moves. Alice reaches out, squeezing his hand comfortingly, a knowing look between them.
He glances around, meeting each of our eyes with quiet determination. “Though… mine hasn’t been a complete secret. Not really. But it has been one from the family. Except for…” His eyes flick over to his sister. “Except for Alice.”
“Okay,” Paige says gently. Her ever present encouragement radiating off of her. “Out with it, then. No matter what it is, we’re here beside you. You’re our son and we love you no matter what.”
“Even if I’ve committed murder?” he asks, his face suddenly morphing from playful to serious before cracking under our gaze. “Just kidding.”
“Not funny,” I groan. “But yes, we’d still love you. We wouldn’t be pleased with your choice, but we’d love you, nonetheless.”
He smiled faintly, almost nervously. “I know that. I do. But the main reason I haven’t said anything before now is…
” He hesitates, a small breath escaping his lips, as he gestures toward the direction my parents left in.
“It’s because of Grandma and Grandpa. I knew how they’d react.
And, well—tonight kind of proved my point. ”
A hush falls over the room again.
Paige reaches over and slides her fingers between mine, gripping tightly. Her hand is warm, solid and grounding. Together, we wait for whatever is about to come next.
“I’m bisexual,” he finally says, voice cracking slightly under the pressure. “I like guys and girls.”
I swallow hard, my throat thick with emotion. Henry came out to me . He trusts me enough to say it. And now he comes to his family, claiming his truth with such courage that my chest aches with pride.
“I’m so proud of you,” I say softly.
“Are you… are you dating anyone?” Paige asks, voice light and supportive but curious.
He nods, cheeks turning pink. “Actually… I’m dating two people. A guy and a girl.”
We’re quiet. Not the norm, but hey, I love my son and who am I to judge who and how he loves? A group relationship isn’t one I’ve ever considered. But. Maybe?
“Our very own throuple , ” he adds, trying—and failing—not to laugh at his own awkward joke.
We all laugh. The tension from my news, and the altercation with my parents washed away.
Paige laughs softly beside me, brushing a tear from her cheek with her free hand. “Well,” she says warmly, “as long as they treat you right and make you happy, we’ve got no complaints.”
“When can we meet them?” I ask.
“They’re ready. We’ve just been waiting until I told you and Mom. Now that I have, I guess we can do it anytime.” The elation in his voice is evident. He’s excited to share the people he loves with us.
“You pick the time and day and I’ll cook dinner.”
“Lasagna?” he asks hopefully.
“If that’s what you want.” I laugh.
Alice clears her throat and Paige and I both shift our focus to her.
“Let me guess. You have a secret to spill, too?” I ask, almost in disbelief that my coming out is sparking all these revelations.
“I do.” She chuckles.
I lean back in my chair and gesture with my arms for her to continue. Before she opens her mouth, I begin to wonder what she has to share. Is she gay too? Is it a job change? My musings are cut short when she finally speaks.
“I’ve been seeing someone.”
“Okay, why would that be so hard to tell us?” I ask.
“Let her finish, Dad.” Henry chimes in, and this time it’s him squeezing his sister's hand in support.
Alice takes a deep breath. “We’ve been dating for a year and it’s serious. He wants to marry me, but he’s old school and wants to ask for your blessing.”
“A year,” rushes from my mouth. “Why did you think you couldn’t bring him around? Introduce him to us?”
Is he a drug dealer? Married already? For the life of me, I can’t think of why she wouldn’t want us to meet him.
“I love you. Both of you.” Her eyes swing between me and Paige. “But you saw how Grandma and Grandpa reacted tonight. I know they will never approve of the marriage or of us dating. They can’t even accept you.”
“What is it about him that you think they would disapprove of? That you feel we would?” Paige asks, her voice soft and compassionate.
Alice takes a deep breath, blowing it out slowly as she looks to the side, seeking Henry’s support. “I haven’t told either of you about him because he’s older.”
Okay. Not a murderer. Just older.
“How old?” I ask. That’s a vague statement. He could just be a few years older, though I know that wouldn’t have her this worried.
“Umm…” She worries on her bottom lip. “He’s closer to your age than mine. He’s thirty-nine.”
My heart stops for a split second. He’s a grown ass man, and this is my baby. What could he want with her? It only takes a split second for me to get a grip on reality. How can I judge their age difference when I’m attracted to a man their age?
“Does he treat you well?” Because that’s what I’m concerned about.
“Like a queen.”
“Then he has my blessing.” I turn to Paige, who nods. “Our blessing. But he has to meet me and ask. After all, he’s going to be my son-in-law.”
We all laugh, and Alice jumps from her chair and runs over to me and Paige, hugging us tightly from behind. She lowers her head between us, whispering. “Also, I’m two months pregnant, and you’re going to be grandparents.”