Chapter 10

After she came back with our iced teas, I ordered grilled fish and Casey ordered a chicken Cesar salad.

“So, tell me, how was your birthday the other day? Did you get lots of cool presents?” Casey asked.

“No. But I did get a Star Wars watch from my mom.”

He smiled. “You really like that sci-fi stuff.”

“Yeah. You didn’t?”

“I was a book nerd,” Casey said. “Are you and your mom close?”

The question made me sad, but I wasn’t sure if it was because I was no longer close to my mother or if maybe I never had been.

“Things are…strained with my parents,” I said slowly, taking a sip of my tea. “Coming out as gay went over like a lead balloon.”

“I’m sorry.”

I nodded. “To be honest I think I was always a bit of a disappointment as far as my dad’s concerned. He wanted some football-playing athletic son. Being what I am, plus gay, just was horrible for him. My mom, she hopes it’s a phase and I’ll realize I want women.”

Casey sighed. “That’s terrible, Seth. I’m really sorry.”