“She said…” His eyes filled, and he quickly looked away.
Cindy put her hand on his arm. “What did she say?”
“That she loves me unconditionally, now and always.”
“Aw, of course she does. We all do.”
“Do you have any idea what a relief it is that she knows and doesn’t care?”
“I can only imagine.”
“I’ve been carrying this huge secret my entire life, and now…” He shook his head. “Now, I don’t have to do that anymore.”
“No, you don’t.”
“It’s been so hard, Cin. I never wanted to disappoint anyone, even Dad, as weird as that might sound.”
“I get that. When he wasn’t being a thug, he set high standards for us that we’ve all struggled to live up to in one way or another.”
“Yeah, for sure.”
“I’m so glad you had that conversation with Mom and that it went as well as it did.”
“Me, too. I’m still kind of stunned that it happened at all. I wasn’t planning to go there with her, at least not then.”
“She could tell you’ve been struggling and wanted to help.”
“She really shocked me by coming right out with it.”
“I’m sure that was a huge shock, but a good one, right?”
“Definitely.”
“Will you tell the others?”
“Eventually.”
“Maybe you ought to just send a text and get it over with in one fell swoop.”
“Like, just text them and say, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m gay and always have been’?”
“Why not? It won’t change anything for them, and it’ll change everything for you.”
“You really don’t think it’ll change anything for them?”
“Johnny,” she said. “We love you. We always will. I haven’t a doubt in my mind about that. Just do it. Get it over with once and for all so you can get on with living your best life.”
He pulled his phone from his back pocket and stared at the screen for a second before he found their family group chat and began typing as Cindy read over his shoulder.
Talked to Mom tonight, and Cindy says I have to tell the rest of you what Mom already knew when I talked to her earlier… So I’m gay. That’s all I wanted to say. Love you guys. Hope you still love me. Johnny
“What do you think?” he asked Cindy.
“It’s perfect. Send it. Be done with it.”
John took a deep breath and held it as he pressed Send on the message.
Julia responded first. So what else is new? Have known that for years. Glad you’re doing you, boo. Love you always.