Page 40 of Pride High 2: Orange

“I wish your father was here,” she said, shaking her head. “He always misses the important things.”

“That’s okay,” Cameron said. “I wanted to tell you first. What you think matters more to me.”

She reached across the table to squeeze his hand. He squeezed back, just as Anthony returned, and they both pulled away so they could wipe at their eyes.

“Did I miss something?” Anthony asked.

“He just told me!” Brenda declared, sounding as happy as if he’d gotten a big promotion.

“I came out,” Cameron clarified.

“Wow, really?Here?”

Cameron guffawed. “Yeah. Behold the power of pancakes!”

“I’m so proud of him,” Brenda said. “Ofbothof you!”

Anthony sat down slowly, his attention locked on her. “My mom doesn’t know yet.”

“Oh! Well, I can’t imagine her having trouble with it unless your family is religious.”

“Only when swearing,” Anthony replied, still seeming nervous. “I plan to tell them soon. When the time is right. I never thought about doing it at breakfast but… Please don’t mention any of this to them. If that’s okay. I’d like to tell them myself.”

“Absolutely!” Brenda assured him. “I’m good at keeping secrets. Cameron still doesn’t know that he’s adopted.”

“Ha ha,” he deadpanned. “I know we’re family because we have the same dumb sense of humor.”

His mother didn’t seem to hear him. She was looking back and forth between them with shining eyes. “My son is in love,” she said. “I’m so happy! Tell me how you met. And what it’s like to be—” She glanced around again before straightening herself with determination. “I want to know what it’s like to be gay. So I can understand you both better.”

They sat there talking well after the table had been cleared, answering questions and sharing their experiences. Cameron had always adored his mother. He had never expected that it was possible to feel even closer to her, but he did now. Especially when their eyes met and all he saw in them was love and support.

* * December 7th, 1992 * *

Mindy was seated at her table in journalism class when Anthony and Omar strolled into the room. She waved at her gay fiancé and stuck her tongue out at Omar, although she smiled when he laughed and asked how she was doing.

“I’m good,” she said, before blowing the bangs out of her hair. “Except for the whole Monday thing.”

“Tell me about it,” Omar said sympathetically. Then he noticed someone coming through the door and gave an upward nod. “Hey, Ricky! Whatcha got there?”

“Your birthday present.”

Mindy stiffened, not that anyone was watching her. All eyes were on Ricky as he extended the gift-wrapped VHS tape in offering.

“For real?” Omar asked. “You didn’t have to do that. But I’m glad you did. Give it here.”

“Hold on,” Ricky said, pulling it away at the last second. “I have to tell you something first, because it’s really weird.”

Omar glanced at her self-consciously. “Is that one of the movies we watched together?” he asked. “I can open it later.”

“Huh? No! No.” Ricky turned the tape over in his hand while frowning at it. “I was going to give this to you on your actual birthday, but I lost it on the way to your house.”

“Early or late, it doesn’t matter,” Omar said, reaching for it again. “I love presents.”

“Except,” Ricky said, taking a step back to avoid him. “I found it over the weekend. In my yard.”

“Crazy,” Omar said, giving up and dropping his hands to his sides. “Looks as good as new though so…”

“Exactly!” Ricky said, finally handing it to him. “Look at the paper. It isn’t wet at all! Even though it’s rained a couple times since your birthday.”