Page 74 of String Boys

He wasn’t going to squander it.

“Okay, so this is one of those violin concertos that people do all the time when they want to sound super good at something. It’s like the violin is the center of the entire orchestra, and Seth is going to perform it at the end of this year. And it’s a big deal. Because he’s not even college level yet. It’s like his first thing—the thing he did during his summer break at the college where he was supposed to have a buddy telling him how to be a college student when he was still in high school.”

His dad nodded, like maybe he was used to not talking when Kelly was on a roll.

“He totally pissed off his buddy because he was way better than she was, and she went and told the professor that he needed more work because he was going too fast, and suddenly he had to learn all this shit, while everybody else was running around the school and going places and stuff. I mean, I guess he got to do some sightseeing, but he was a little depressed. So anyway, he hasn’t gotten any worse, and this is him practicing.”

He found the file on his phone and hit Play, and then sat, breathless, as Seth’s first chords drifted over the sound system.

His dad listened, mouth open, as they changed freeways to 80-West, and then kept going. About the time they hit West Sac and found a gas station area that had coffee, both of them were a little choked up and misty-eyed.

“He’s really good,” his dad said, pulling off the freeway.

“Wait ’til you hear the special mash-up that’s all my favorite stuff,” Kelly told him proudly.

“He did that for you?”

“Yeah. We… uh… you know. Talk every day.”

His dad took a deep breath and pulled the minivan up to a pump. “I guess he reallyisyour boyfriend, isn’t he?”

Kelly nodded. That was the word he used at school. He’d been asked out a couple of times—Jimmy Durreson and Tevin Crane knew all the gay people, and they didn’t seem to believe that Kelly wasn’t single.

“Yeah, Daddy. I’m gay. I’ve got a boyfriend.” And that was Seth, who was still dreamy and out there, but who would probably come down from outer space for him.

“Your mom and I mean it, son. It’s not that you’re gay. We worry about you because the world is hard. And because you’re young. But not because you’re gay.”

Kelly grinned. “That’s good. It’s not going away.”

His dad laughed, and they both got out to use the bathroom and get some coffee. In spite of the cold, Kelly liked his iced and sweet, and while he was waiting for the in-store barista to get her shit together, he pulled out his phone.

You gonna be around today?

Yeah. Amara and I are going shopping in ten, but we should be back in a couple hours. Why?

Be at your dorm by eleven. Trust me.

Okay. Why?

But Kelly put his phone back in his pocket and laughed.

THE TRIPdown to Bridgford went fast, because he and his dad didn’t let any silences fill it. His dad pulled him up to the front of this bigGone with the Windkind of building and parked. Then he took Kelly in to check him in as a visitor.

“He’s here to see a friend,” his dad said. “He’ll be taking a train back tomorrow, and he can sleep on the floor tonight. Is that okay?”

The young man at the desk—his name badge said Kent—nodded. “Yeah, no problem. As long as he’s not seeing agirl.That’s the rule.”

Kelly controlled a smirk, and his dad rolled his eyes. But Seth had a roommate. And besides, that’s not the reason Kelly was there, and they both knew it.

His dad turned around and gave him a hug. “Okay. I’ll text you to let you know when your train leaves and order you an Uber—”

“I can take him,” Kent said quietly. “It’s supposed to be part of my job.”

Kelly grinned. “That would be great! Thanks!” Then he went back to hugging his dad. “Thanks, Daddy. This makes you the best, you know that, right?”

“Well, you know. I can’t compare to Seth’s dad and pizza Friday.”

Kelly just held his dad closer, feeling lucky, damned lucky, and then his dad kissed his brow and headed home.