Page 21 of Praising Haru

Dad is the best.

I scroll through the last few messages Kyle sent.

Wow, you love these songs, don’t you?

You can thank my dad for my taste in music.

I almost type ‘Your dad would get along with mine’ but think better of it.

We chat without pause. Sometimes about music, but Kyle distracts me from my doom and gloom mindset with all kinds of topics. Dad glances at me every time I smile a little too wide or laugh out loud. Texting Kyle is fun and makes the drive pass insanely quickly. Before I know it, we’re in Leeds and pulling up alongside a bunch of storage containers. How did that happen?

I help Dad and the storage company staff move my belongings into our assigned unit. Most of my furniture is second-hand, either passed on by my parents or bought at charity shops and auction houses. None of it matches. Most of it is threadbare, but I love it. With any luck, it won’t be long before I see it again.

“And now, home,” Dad says once we’re back in the van.

“Thanks for this.”

“Anytime.”

On the last leg of the journey. Another twenty minutes. Thanks for keeping me company.

It’s been fun. When you’re settled, we should meet up for a drink.

I’m not planning on getting settled here, but I appreciate his offer. Staying with my parents is a stopgap until I find a new job. Leeds isn’t a fashion hub, so there’s no way this could be my permanent home. My parents aren’t thrilled with that, but they understand that designing clothes is my passion.

I’d like that.

Do you like coffee?

I pull a face at my phone. It’s the wrong reaction to have. I should be glad that he wants to meet me for a coffee. It’s a very ‘friend’ thing to do.

Yes.

Cool. I know a couple of nice places.

I tap my phone against my chin as I stare out the window. We’re driving through familiar streets now. Before I moved to London, Leeds seemed to be a huge place, and it was when I was a kid and hadn’t lived anywhere else. Now, it feels small. Context is everything.

Do you know much about the nightlife?

Pubs and clubs?

I was thinking owls, but yeah, pubs and clubs.

Haha. Leeds has a lot of owls.

I doubt either of us is talking about the feathered variety. Leeds City Council has three owls on its coat of arms, so they’ve become the symbol of the city.

If that’s not the kind of nightlife you’re interested in, I can recommend a few pubs and clubs and tell you which ones to steer clear of.

That would be great, thanks.

I debate my next question. My stomach quivers. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but Kyle and I have been talking for a year without discussing our love lives. Oh, fuck it. What’s the worst that could happen?

Do you know what the gay scene is like?

I stare at my phone as though I can will a response to appear.

“Almost home,” Dad says.