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“I don’t know. You just said they were deviants, so maybe I don’t think you need to meet them.”
“I’m sorry for that. I shouldn’t judge people I’ve never met. I’ve been up half the night afraid for my son. I’m feeling overprotective,” Dad said with an edge.
I swallowed hard, the nasty taste in my mouth lingering from the night before. “Fine, you’re right. Meeting them isn’t a problem. They’d probably like that.”
“Good,” Dad said, nodding.
“As for drinking irresponsibly, you should have called us, but at least you didn’t drive,” Mom said, her voice tremulous.
I nodded, exhausted.
“Promise you’ll call us next time,” she added.
I promised, and they gave each other more looks back and forth. Dad nodded, and I knew the interrogation was over for now.
Mom shuffled over to the refrigerator and pulled out some string cheese. “I have a deadline, so I need to go write. But things are going to be different around here.” She shook the cheese at me. “Be prepared to witness my deep interest in your life.”
I tried to laugh, but it came out as a tired exhale.
After she left the room, Dad patted my hand. “I love you, Petey. I’m glad you’re okay. But I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to hang out at a place like Tilt-a-Whirl. I understand I made a mistake in unfairly labeling your friends, and that was wrong of me. But I hear from students there’s a lot of loose sexual behavior happening there.”
I stared at him. I couldn’t deny it. Hell, I’d participated in it. Could he see that on my face?
“HIV and AIDS is a real and serious threat. You can’t be too careful. The disease can incubate for years. There’s no way to tell just by looking if someone is infected.”
“Iknowthat.”
“I should have talked about all of this with you before now. I’ve really let you down.”
“No, you haven’t.”
“Tilt-a-Whirl and the men there aren’t safe.” Dad furrowed his brow. “I don’t want you getting caught up in bad choices that could destroy your life. I know you don’t believe it right now, but you mean the world to your mother and me. No one should see their child die. We never want to see you suffer. Remember, always, that it’s not just you at risk, but everyone who loves you, now and into the future.”
I couldn’t deal with any more. My throat was tight and my chest hurt. I was on the verge of a full-on breakdown. “I love you, too, Dad. I really do.”
“I know you do, and I know we’ve disappointed you as parents, but the idea of a life without you in it—” he broke off as his eyes welled with tears. “We love you so much.”
My throat closed up, my eyes burned. “I know. I’m sorry I scared you and Mom.”
He stood and dragged me into a hug. I clung to him, breathing in his scent, masculine and comforting.
Dad broke away and cleared his throat. “I’m going to go see if your mom wants me to buy anything at the store.”
“Okay.”
“What about you?” he asked.
“Gonna go take out my contacts.”
He nodded, patted my arm awkwardly, and said, “You’re a good kid, Petey. Don’t forget that.”
Was I good? I hoped so.
But deep down I knew the jury was still out.
Chapter Five
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