“Feet can be hot. Take it from me. Being creative in the bedroom will only win you points.”
“Points? Is someone keeping score?”
“Of course they are. But from where I stand, you’re scoring big. All the touchdowns and home runs. I like how this is playing out for you, Mr. Lester.”
Ruth’s bright smile and wise eyes comfort me. There’s safety in our conversations, never judgment. I need her cheerleading and support as I explore some of this unfamiliar territory with Vincent. The companionship of other queer people is something I didn’t know I missed, but having Ruth’s council and confidence makes my heart smile.
“I brought him on a LEGO date with Lia. We’re keeping things casual. The Hopscotch rollout needs to go off without a hitch. For both of us.”
“Oh, screw that,” Ruth says with a pinched expression on her face. “Listen, I’ve told you this before, but I understand sometimes men need to hear things more than once. Lear is perfectly fine—more than fine. Test scores aren’t everything.”
“I know, but the board cares about—”
“Fuck the board,” she spits. Gosh, I love riled-up Ruth. “Someone needs to explain to them what really matters.”
“Are you volunteering?”
“Don’t tease me with a good time, Kent.”
One more lap, and we head back to start the day. I’m an early bird, and my walks with Ruth get me to school by six thirty. A few minutes freshening up in the bathroom, and I’m ready before most of the staff arrives. Heading to my office, I bump into Theo, rolling his mop toward the cafeteria for breakfast duty.
“Mr. Berenson, how are you on this fine day?”
A shrug and a huff.
Theo isn’t a man of many words, but he hasn’t given me the silent treatment in years. His furrowed brow and pursed lips prod me to investigate.
“Theo. Come with me.”
“Breakfast.” He holds up the handle of his mop.
“Breakfast can wait five minutes.”
We walk to my office, and when Theo enters, leaving the mop and bucket outside, I close the door.
“Sit. Tell me what’s going on.”
He saunters to the table, plops himself down, and mumbles, “Nothing.”
Sometimes, the patience I need with children comes into play with staff. If Theo thinks this behavior will stop my prodding, he doesn’t know me very well.
“Theo Berenson, if something is bothering you or something happened, you can tell me. You pouting around school like someone stole your favorite toy isn’t going to help anyone. Most of all you.”
He rolls his eyes and sighs. All the air leaves his body, and his shoulders slump.
“It’s not job related. Well, he works here.”
“Mr. Soleskin? Sheldon. You can talk to me about anything. If you’re comfortable.”
Staring out the window, Theo rests his palm against the frame. “My parents want to fly us down for Passover, and he’s ‘not sure’ it’s a good idea.”
“Because … ”
“He didn’t say, but … ” Theo turns toward me. His big brown eyes glimmer, and I quickly understand this is emotional for him.
“My parents do a lot for me. And well, now Sheldon. This is how they are. We’re together, so he’s part of the family. It’s not a big deal. I mean, I’m used to it, but he’s … not.”
The pieces begin snapping together.
