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Dad’s eyes got all shiny, the way mine did just before I was about to have one of those ly one He dropped his head for a second, as if the stupidto somehow help him, and then he nodded

“Sure,” he said, his voice so low I barely heard hi to ask before I even opened my mouth

“Why were you in Baton Rouge with Kirk Davies?”

Kirk Davies The guy who’d been co around our home since I could res, and he’d even spent a few Christ and hot in a CW kind of way He liked to draw, told funny stories, and had the ine He was e with, and he was totally, unequivocally, one hundred percent gay

No one had ever said it out loud, but I knew

Dad cleared his throat, took his time just like I had, but there was nowhere to run No place to hide in this kitchen There was the pantry, the fridge, and the table There was the heavy silence full of dark and painful things

There was him and me

And now, finally, the truth

“Kirk and I… We were there for the celebrations”

Celebrations Did he think I was stupid?

“I don’t believe you” My heart was beating, fast and hard, but I didn’t waver This was too important Too hard But I had to know

Dad’s aze slid from mine, which spoke volumes to me

“He lives in New Orleans, doesn’t he?” I asked “Is that why you’re there all the tio?”

“What is this? I counsel a—”

“You’re lying!” So broke apart inside me My voice was shrill and loud, and that cliff I’d been standing on forever it seee, and I was going to fall, but I didn’t care anymore “Can you just be honest with me? I know, Dad” My voice broke, and daain “I know”