The Next Day
Desiderio
I didn’t sleep at all last night. My heart was slowly breaking, and I couldn’t stop the pieces from falling like the petals of a withering rose.
I made my way to the living room. Mom and Dad were up and drinking their morning coffee while watching the news.
“Buenos días, hijo mío.” Mom greeted warmly.
“Buenos días.” I grumbled.
“What’s wrong?” She asked with concern.
“Taking Gunner and his Dad to the airport in a little while.”
“You seem to really like him.” Dad added.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Maybe more than like him?”
I froze in place. Did he know?
“What do you mean, Papi?”
“I know the look of love when I see it. It was the same one I had when I first saw your Mom.”
She smiled warmly at him. I took a deep breath and turned around to look at them. I was scared but wanted to tell them, even though I knew he would already know.
“You could say that, Papi.”
“Go ahead and say it.” Mom spoke.
“I… I love Gunner.”
I began to cry. She made her way over and wrapped her arms around me.
“It’s okay, baby.”
“You’re not mad?”
She gasped. “Mad? Heavens, no! Why would I be mad?”
“Because I love a boy…”
“Love is love. You can’t help who you fall for. Why should it be for only one side? Love is a gift you can open daily with the person you give it to.”
“What should I do? He’s going back to North Carolina this afternoon.”
She sighed. “We will figure it out. I promise.”