Part 9 (2/2)
We'll eat b-o-k c-h-o-y for breakfast and it'll be all your fault, I said I said.
We can go outside and eat the gra.s.s. It's free!
Exactly, I said I said.
Like we're goats or something.
We could save money.
I'm tired of saving money.
So am I.
Dad?
Yes?
Why do you have to be so weird? he asked. he asked.
I'm not weird.
No wonder n.o.body likes you.
People like me.
You won't even go to McDonald's. K. says her mom takes her there all the time.
”K.” was fingerspelling shorthand for Keke.
Can't we go? Just once? It's been almost a year!
I'll think about it.
Can we go tomorrow?
I'll think about it!
The conversation was interrupted as he gulped down sweet tea.
Dad?
He had a cheeky smile on his face.
Why doesn't your boyfriend call you?
Shut up!
Told you you were weird.
He'll call, I said, nodding my head, as if to say, I said, nodding my head, as if to say, you wait and see you wait and see.
He probably thinks you look like a girl.
Your hair is almost as long as mine!
No it isn't!
Have you looked in the mirror lately?
But you have a ponytail like a girl.
The conversation was again interrupted as he started on dessert, a small bowl of grapes.
Dad?
Yes?
Where does Mom live?
I don't know.
Do you think she'll visit me?
I don't know.
His face fell and he lowered his eyes so that he couldn't see anything else I might say.
15) Cutting a rug
AS A A Southern gay man, I reserve the right to sing while was.h.i.+ng dishes, especially when Glen Campbell comes on KUDZU singing ”Rhinestone Cowboy,” as he did after dinner. Southern gay man, I reserve the right to sing while was.h.i.+ng dishes, especially when Glen Campbell comes on KUDZU singing ”Rhinestone Cowboy,” as he did after dinner.
”I want to be where the lights are s.h.i.+ning on me,” I sang, ”like a Rhinestone Cowboy....”
I danced around at the sink, remembering how I used to sing that song when I belonged to Southern Nights, a college band I'd joined when I was eighteen and had dreams of glory.
Noah appeared at my side. He looked up into my eyes and smiled.
”Come on,” I said.
He put his bare feet on top of mine, his arms around my shoulders.
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