Chapter 25

“Jian made tea yesterday, Arabic tea. You know the kind served in tall glass cups, strong and with lots of sugar.”

Jonas nodded.

“He hasn’t made any in ages, and he used to drink it all the time. So I asked why, and he said he didn’t want to be someone I had to explain to my friends.”

Jonas frowned. “Has anyone ever…Do your family have a problem with him being from…wherever he’s from?”

“Jian was born here, in Courtland. It was his grandparents who immigrated back in the sixties, I think.”

“Oh…”

“And no, my parents love Jian.”

“So he’s afraid he won’t be accepted in Northfield?”

Victor pursed his lips. “I have no idea. His family doesn’t talk to him because he’s gay.”

“Shit, that must be hard.”

The cafe came into view, and Victor wanted to change the topic. He gladly talked about Jian, but it was a bit too personal for after-work with colleagues he hardly knew. “Yes, but you don’t get to pick your family, do you?”