“No, we can,” Rory said. “I can meet you at the park around noon. Then we’ll have the rest of the day to hang out.”
“Oh, that sounds great then.”
“Do you need me to bring anything?”
“No, I’ll bring a small cooler with drinks, sandwiches, and some chips. It’ll be fine.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I’m so happy we reunited. It will be great to have my best friend back. I want to be friends again.
Six years apart, and he and Bernard jumped back into their friendship. They were hanging out, laughing, and having a great time. His feelings came back.
He remembered their conversation about Bernard coming out. Rory found men attractive. Or he thought he did. He never had anyone he could talk to about it. Bernard would understand, but how would it affect their friendship? He found Bernard attractive. He couldn’t tell him; he had to figure this out himself.
As he sat there contemplating, the phone rang.
“Hello, Rory.” His mother’s stern voice carried through.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Where were you tonight?”
“I’m sorry, Mother, I was at Mr. Silva’s barbecue this evening. I lost track of time.”
“You missed Saturday evening service.”
“I’m sorry, Mother, I won’t let it happen again.”
“Good, we will see you at service tomorrow and then for lunch.”
“I’m meeting a friend for lunch and a walk in the park tomorrow after services,” Rory said.
“Oh, really? Sounds nice.” His mother’s voice turned sweet. “What’s her name? Do we know her?”
“It’s Bernard Silva.”
Rory waited with bated breath. His mother and father hadn’t spoken to or about Bernard since he came out. It took Bernard a year to reconnect with Rory after coming out. The last time he spoke to Bernard was six years ago, when he pushed Bernard away. He blamed it on grad school, but that wasn’t the whole truth. He couldn’t tell Bernard why.
“You’re spending time with that Silva boy?”
That Silva boy? He has a name.
Rory decided it was better to keep his thoughts to himself. His mother’s wrath was nothing to tempt.
“Bernard and I have been friends for years. We reconnected at Mr. Silva’s barbecue and he asked if I wanted to hang out.”
“That Silva boy is going to fill your head with some nonsense.”
“Mother, he’s not going to fill my head with nonsense. We’re friends. That’s all. I need more friends. I don’t have many.”
“You have the church. That’s all you need,” she said.
“Mother–”
“Don’t you ‘Mother’ me,” she snapped. “His younger brother, Emilio, is a fine young man. He attends Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church every Sunday, has a beautiful wife, and lovely children. He’s a proper man. But you will not spend time alone with Bernard, do you understand me?”
