Yeah, Jason said.
I stroked my hand along Jasons stomachnot sexual, just trying to be comforting. Her issues must have reminded you of your family.
Yeah, bad fucking timing, huh?
Nathaniel went up on his elbow, his hand resting on my hip. What can you do?
Short of getting the kind of job that my dad thinks is a manly job, getting married, and starting a family, not a damn thing. He cuddled down in the pillows, putting his arm across my stomach, his face against my shoulder. Youll never believe what my mother wanted me to do.
What? Nathaniel and I asked at the same time.
I felt Jason smile against my shoulder. She wanted me to bring my girlfriend home to prove to my dad Im straight. So he can die in peace.
Bad timing for you and Perdy to break up, I said.
I couldnt have taken her home, Anita. You have no idea how bad the jealousy had gotten. Shed flip out when the first old girlfriend said hi on the street.
Like crazy jealous, I said.
He nodded, snuggling closer, as if I were his life-size teddy bear. I told her that Perdy and I broke up. She said, Pick a friend, I know you have other friends. Bring a girl home and make your father happy.
What did she mean about the I know you have other friends comment? I asked.
I was a slut in high school and college. I slept with any girl that would have me. The entire town thought my best friend and I were a couple. At best, they thought I was bisexual, and to most people there aint no such thing.
Youre either gay or straight, Nathaniel said, and something in the way he said it made me look at him.
You have trouble with people thinking otherwise? I asked.
Nathaniel shrugged. I did; now I know what and who I am, and Im okay with it. But when youre young, its harder.
Youre twenty-one, thats not exactly ancient.
He smiled and kissed me. I had a long, hard childhood; it makes me older.
Hed been out on the streets before he was ten. Hed been a child prostitute not long after. By thirteen hed been addicted to drugs. Hed been clean since he was seventeen, but saying Nathaniel had had a hard childhood always sounded like calling the Titanic a boating accident.
I touched his face, drew him down for a more thorough kiss. He drew back, laughing. Even I need more recoup time than this, Anita.
I blushed, I couldnt help it. I didnt mean that.
Jason looked up with his body still tight against mine. Blushing, thats so cute.
Stop it, both of you.
Sorry, Jason said.
Nathaniel just smiled at me. Do you want to take a girl home to meet your dad?
Jason frowned at him. Id love to rub my dads face in the fact that I like girls. I wouldnt mind if I were gay, but having him not believe me is jusTHE laid his head facedown on the pillow.
Frustrating, Nathaniel said.
Infuriating, I said.
Jason rose up enough to say, Both, more. We never got along, him and me. Im his only son after two daughters. I was his only chance for someone to be a chip off the ol block. He went through college on a football scholarship.
I take it hes taller than you are, I said.