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“Your ex. I’ve decided he’s Gary the Gnat.”

“Oh.” He frowned. “You know, I try really hard not to think of him at all. I mean, I loved my work at the camp back in Nova Scotia—very fulfilling. But I could’ve made a life volunteering out here. I shouldn’t have had to go almost four thousand miles to outrun my demons.”

Jesus.

“But you’re back.”

He pursed his lips. “Am I really? I haven’t called my parents. Wouldn’t be in touch with Arnav, if not for you. I certainly haven’t contacted anyone from my old life…”

Your professional life, personal life, or pup life?I didn’t ask.

“Well, you could do those things. Or you can move forward…which I think is what you’re actually doing. Alessandra has given you a chance to start fresh. So you can make new friends—and keep the old ones worth keeping. You can confront your parents for their homophobia. Oh, I assume—”

He nodded.

“Right. So you can confront them or you can choose to ignore them. Live a good life, and you’re already ahead of them.”

“They…” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I want to say they’re just old school and old money, but they’re bigoted and racist. Irony that someone in the minority would be racist, but they are. And terribly classist. I wish…” He ran his hands through his hair. “I wish Arnav’s parents had been mine.”

“Have you reconnected with them? Sounds like you were close to Arnav growing up. Did you have a relationship with his parents?”

“Yeah.” He bit his lower lip. “I did. They were awesome—as were his older sisters. I didn’t appreciate that at the time. I sure do now.”

“So make the first move. Through Arnav or on your own. Just say you’re back in town and wanting to reconnect. Something about knowing you might run into each other at the grocery store, but you want the first time to be more meaningful. Let them set the parameters. If they’re anything like their son, I think you’ll be welcomed with open arms.”God, please let me be right. But if they accepted a gay son, surely they’ll accept his gay friend…

“I could do that. I mean, I think I still have their number in my phone. Do people still have landlines?”

I chuckled. “Some older people do. I do. For emergencies. These days, though, if I was starting fresh, I’m not certain I would. Both my kids have cell phones. I thought Alaina might be too young, but shewants to go to and from school on her own. At eleven, she’s earned that privilege. It’s comforting to know she can get in touch with me if need be.”

Jai advanced toward me. “I can see what a good dad you are. You have doubts. I think most good parents do. They worry about screwing up their kids. Parents who know what’s best in all circumstances without hesitation…I find they’re the ones who are often wrong. Life is a series of negotiations. You want what’s best for your kids—but you’re also willing to listen to their side of any argument.”

I rubbed my hand. “I just want to do right by Erlene.”

Slowly, telegraphing his movement, he grasped my hand. “I can tell you do. That you are. You’re here, right? That says a lot about the kind of man you are. Many parents wouldn’t have brought their kids to Pride Camp—let alone stayed close in a hotel to be nearby if anything bad happens.”

“Like racoons.”

“Like racoons.” He smiled. “Vicious little shits.”

“Uh, yeah.” I squeezed his hand. “Watching Keegan have a hard time and not being able to do more than show up and insult racoons in support is so hard.”

“I know.” He squinted. “Okay, I don’tactuallyknow. I just see kids who are in pain and I want to solve all their problems. I can only imagine how their parents feel. Camp isn’t just for kids—it’s giving a respite to the parents as well. Vigilance takes a lot from a person. A few moments of peace can be worth a lot.”

“I think you’d make a great parent. And before you argue, parenting comes in a lot of different forms. I essentially parented my sisters. As I said, I was eighteen, and they were fifteen when Nan died. I didn’t see Erlene coming—and now I’m raising her two amazing kids. Arnav and Foster are looking into options of becoming parents. Aaron andNoel—who I told you about—are looking into fostering options. And you’ve got your camp kids, if only for a short time.”

“But I’m not working directly with them. I was before.”

“Do you miss that part of it?”

“Sure—”

“Then find something similar in the offseason. Find a place to volunteer. There’s got to be something in Mission City—some kid out there who needs guidance.”

“You’re right, of course.” He met my gaze. “You seem to be often right.”

I chuckled. “Running the odds. If I spout enough advice, something’s bound to land.”

“I think more lands than you realize.”