Chapter 9

“But…that’s so stupid! He needs to stop trying to make you…” She flicked her eyes at Gene, “make you stop being who you are.”

“He’ll probably take the car away,” Billy admitted.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Carolyn shrugged. “You should just take off for California now. It’s the perfect time. You just graduated college and he can’t tell you what to do anymore! You know you don’t want to work for him, Billy. You know Uncle Matthew would let you stay with him for a little while.”

Gene had been quiet, taking in their conversation. “You want to move to California?”

“Yeah. The city my uncle lives in is apparently more…tolerant…of certain people.”

“You mean chefs?” Gene asked, winking.

“Um, yeah. Chefs,” he agreed, smiling. Is he flirting with me? Billy wondered. Was it possible that his new friend was gay?

“Will your father really take the car away?”

Billy shrugged. “I’m sure he will, but I don’t want anything from him.”