Page 127 of As the Years Pass

“I know that.”

A few more minutes pass before he says, “Okay, let’s go.”

He opens the door and steps out, going to the trunk that he pops open. I get out and help him grab the gifts and a few more decorations. The cake is in the backseat but we will have to come back for that since our hands are full.

The front door is pulled open as we reach the top of the steps, and Adam stops short, causing me to bump into him.

“Hey, guys,” a man says. I assume it’s Chris, Leslie’s boyfriend. I’ve heard about him, but haven’t officially met him yet.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hey,” Adam mumbles, and then we head inside.

After we put everything down on the island in the kitchen, I tell Adam I’m going to get the cake from the car. When I get back inside, he’s moving the presents around, obviously trying to make himself look busy.

“Should I put this in the fridge?” I ask Chris, who is loading the dishwasher.

“Actually, we’re going to put it in the garage fridge. Just give me a sec.”

“I don’t mind bringing it,” I say.

“Yeah, the door’s difficult to open. I’ve been meaning to fix it, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.” Chris loads the last dish and closes the door, then presses start. “I’d hate for you to drop the cake or something.”

Adam is in his own world, ignoring everything going on around him. I follow Chris across the foyer, and he uses his shoulder to help push the door open.

“I guess that’s one way to child proof.”

He chuckles as he steps into the garage, moving to the back corner where the fridge is. He opens it, and I put the cake on the bottom shelf, the only one that has space for the cake. The other shelves are filled with aluminum tins.

“Leslie made a lot of food,” he says with a laugh.

“I can see that.”

“So, is he okay?” he asks, gesturing toward the house.

“Yeah, he’s just nervous about… you know.”

He nods. “Yeah, I get it. I remember the first time I told someone that I was into guys. It was scary.”

I raise a brow. “You’re…”

“Bi. Yeah. Leslie knows. She’s fine with it.”

“Oh, I wasn’t trying to say—”

“I know,” he says with a smile. “Just like to make it known. It makes me feel better.”

“Does Adam know?”

Chris laughs. “Nope. Can’t get him to have a conversation.”

“Sounds about right.”

We head inside, and I go back to the kitchen to help Adam with whatever he needs, while Chris goes in search for Leslie to see what she wants him to do.

“Are you going to make it?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m just fixing this.”