April laughed, “No, they’re not a tennis player, but they do work in sports as a physical therapist.” Her hand reaching for her star-shaped necklace again and smiling.
Blair’s tone shifted and became much calmer than his usual energetic manner, “I get the impression whoever they are must be extremely special to you, given the smile on your face when you talk about them.”
April lowered her head slightly and blushed with a smile. Jade held her breath at the same time she saw April take a large breath before finally saying, “Yes, she really is someoneincrediblyspecial.”
That was what did it; Jade’s eyes overflowed. She didn’t bother to wipe any of the tears away; they were the happiest ones that had ever fallen from her eyes.
“Now, kiddo,” Jade turned to her dad, “She’s made her declaration; how are you going to make yours?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about this,” Cleo started, “And I have a plan, but you need to give me an hour to make some calls.”
Jade turned to her sister through a teary laugh, "I’m all ears.”
Chapter 43
April
“Thank you to my lovely guests, my wonderful audience, and I hope you join me next week for another...” Blair’s voice trailed off as April focused on breathing.
She’d done it. She’d told the world that she was in a romantic relationship with a woman. She’d decided not to name Jade without her permission, but she knew anyone who knew either of them would know exactly who she was talking about. And those were the only people whose opinions mattered to her.
Blair stood up and walked along the line of his guests, shaking their hands as they disappeared one by one back to their managers. April was last.
“Thank you,” she said shyly, shaking Blair’s hand.
“My dear, thankyou, that was an extremely brave thing you’ve just done. There will be young girls in several countries watching this or seeing just your interview clip, and for the first time seeing themselves being accepted.” Blair said. “That’s apowerful thing, whether you intended it to be or not.”
April blushed and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, “Thank you for being so kind with your questions and not probing or rushing, I don’t know how I would have coped under that kind of pressure.”
“April, nobody should ever use their position to force you to do something you’re not ready for. And anyway, we gays have to look out for each other. I remember only too well how my public outing happened, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” Blair placed a hand on her shoulder, “Now, go win the Open and come back next year when you’ve got more to tell us, yeah?” He said with a wink and a smile.
April smiled, “I’d love to.”
April made it home less than an hour later.
“Aw, love, that was beautiful!” Her Mom gushed as soon as the front door opened, before she even had a foot inside the house.
“Thanks, Mom,” April said as Imogen enveloped her in a hug.
“I’m so proud of you, love. She’s oneverylucky woman.” Her Mom said through teary eyes as she pulled back from her daughter.
“You did great, honey.” Her Dad was next in the welcome party, but he at least let her into the house before hugging her. “You’ve handled this whole thing better than I ever could.” He pulled back, unveiling Connor and Lana behind him.
“Did she see it?” April asked Lana urgently.
“I’ve not heard from Cleo yet, but she said she’d let me know as soon as she can.” Lana said as she made her way over to April for a hug. “Don’t worry, there’s no way she’s not getting in touch with you after that.”
“There’s still a day to go though, we agreed a week, I just have to wait until tomorrow.” April told herself as much as the others.
“What a day tomorrow’s going to be then, yeah?” Connor said, pulling her in for a bear hug. “That was some declaration!”
“Thanks, I just hope she saw it,” April said quietly.
Later that evening, Lana found April completing her last-minute packing before she had to leave for the airport in an hour.
“I just heard from Cleo,” Lana said.
April’s head lifted, hopeful eyes on a woman she was quickly considering a good friend, not just her brother’s girlfriend. "And? Did she see it?”
