“Are you close with your mom?” Bernard said.
“Yeah, but I know we’re not as close as Rory and his mother. It might take time.”
“He’ll come around,” Sean said. “You’ve known him for a long time. I’m sure he’ll forgive you.”
“The fact he’s in love with you helps too,” Kelly said.
“What?” Bernard asked.
“We know he’s in love with you,” John said.
“We just had one date,” Bernard said.
“Yeah, but I’ve seen how he looks at you,” John said. “I’m surprised it took this long for you two to go on a date.”
Rory told him he wanted someone he could talk to and be honest with, like him. He’d said being in the cafe with him was what he wanted. The question remained, was he in love with Rory? He didn’t see why he couldn’t be. Rory had always been on his mind. Someone he thought about more than anyone. He thought about Rory more than Jason or Tracy when he dated them. Rory had also been there to pick him up when both of them hurt him. He’d also masturbated to thoughts of Rory with him.
“We’re here,” Sean said.
They got out and entered the park. Bernard had sobered up after the car ride. They’d stopped to get food in his stomach.
Kelly bought wristbands for everyone, John said he’d pay for drinks, and Sean would buy lunch. They all refused to allow Bernard to pay for anything. This day was for him. Bernard couldn’t imagine having a better group of friends.
The four of them went on every ride they could, from the Big Dipper to the Ferris Wheel. John, Kelly, and Sean all took time out of their lives to spend it with him. They wanted to make sure he had a fun day out instead of wallowing at home with a bottle of booze. He regretted drinking again. It never ended well.
John and Kelly whispered a few feet away while Sean bought corn dogs for everyone.
“Hey Bernard, want to join me on the Gondola?” Kelly said.
“Sure, sounds fun.”
“We’ll meet you guys back here,” John said.
“All right,” Kelly said.
They got in line to get on the Gondola. It took guests from one side of the park to the other. Kelly insisted they ride to the other side and back.
As they rode across the park, Kelly asked if he was doing okay.
“I don’t know. Thank you for being here for me.”
“Well, you helped me move on your time. So, it’s only fair.”
“I think this is a little different, but I appreciate what you’re all doing for me. I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends.”
“Thank you.”
Bernard had a small group of friends in high school. Their number dwindled to two when he came out. Now, he had a group of friends he fit in with.
“So, I wanted to tell you something,” Kelly said.
“What is it?”
“Remember when you saw me in the bathroom, and the scars on my chest and back?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Well, I thought now would be a good time to tell you what happened.”
