Chapter 10

Stephan cleared his throat. “Have either of you said anything to Dad?”

At the same time his mother said no his father, Frances, came out of the kitchen. “Say anything to me about what?”

The room fell silent except for the announcer’s voice droning on the television. By some miracle Ian stood his ground, not fleeing, and it made Stephan love him even more.

Frances wiped his hands on a dish towel, clearly roped into helping around the kitchen. “Who’s your friend?”

Stephan swallowed, his palms suddenly sweaty. He hadn’t ever exactly come out before. In the way that all mothers know, his did and just slipped it into conversation one day. Much the same happened with his sister when she threw a party and told him to bring his boyfriend. He hated hiding who he was and was comfortable in his own skin. So why it played out this way with his dad remained a mystery. Maybe his dad already knew and didn’t care, therefore seeing no reason to bring it up.

Only one way to find out.