Mike’s life is carefully compartmentalized. He’s deep in the closet to his family back in Kansas, but lives life honestly and openly in Austin. He’s unnerved when Wes, his old university crush, turns up at his door in answer to a roommate advertisement, but quickly sees the potential ... benefits of the arrangement. Wes has never doubted nor denied his sexuality. With the support of his family he’s an out and proud LGBT activist.<br><br>On the scale balancing his self-esteem on one side, and the love of his family on the other, Mike has to decide which weighs more. Is Mike being fair to his parents by not giving them the chance to know his real self? When the delicate balance of his life is disrupted, he decides he’s tired of living a lie. Will Wes understand his concerns, or will their fledgling relationship crumble under the strain of Mike’s uncertainty?

Closets Are for Clothes

He nodded and penciled it in. “Thanks.”


I turned to Helen. “Are the kids home with Tom?”


“They’ll be here later for the picnic, of course. They’re excited to see you again.”


Helen and Tom’s kids, Abe and Sue, were sweethearts. A handful, and perfectly capable of a good cry when they were frustrated, but mostly easy-natured. Being a cool uncle was easy since I had to deal withthem only in short doses, which were mostly all fun and games. Being their full-time parent would be a different story altogether. I was under no illusions in that regard.


Dad snorted a short laugh. “Any time a picture of you comes up on that screensaver on the TV, they ask when you’ll be back.”


“Aww. That’s sweet.” I hoped my grin didn’t seem as strained as it felt. That revelation should have been heartwarming—and it was—but it brought my worries back to the forefront about Dad believingthe bullshit out there and arguing that the kids shouldn’t be around me.


Chapter 32