CU in 10.
He turned at the next corner and headed into town.
Cuppa Joe’s was quiet, and after getting a cappuccino and cinnamon Danish at the counter, he grabbed an empty table along one side toward the back so they’d have a bit of privacy.
A few minutes later, Will walked in and waved. He got a coffee from one of the baristas, then sat across from Tom.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, concern coloring his words.
“Yeah, kinda.” Tom spoke quietly. “Thanks for meeting me. I hope you weren’t in the middle of anything important.”
“Just a little studying, nothing major. Your text gave me the feeling that something wasn’t quite right, so tell me what’s going on.”
“You know how I told you I was thinking about getting my own place?” Tom asked.
“Yeah. I told you it was a good idea. I want to do that at some point too, but I don’t think it’s the right time for me just yet.”
“I’ve been thinking about breaking the news to my mom. Char reminded me that I can’t wait much longer if I want to do it by next semester, but I was scared.”
“Because your mom isn’t gonna be understanding,” Will said, remembering their conversation in P-town.
“Not at all!” Tom almost shouted. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get loud.” He blushed. “I think Mom’s biggest fear is being all alone. Remember how I told you that Mom’s always talking shit about relationships? I know it’s because Dad left when I was little, after cheating on her. That one bad experience has tainted everything in her life since.”
“Hmmm, you’d think she would want to meet someone else so that she wouldn’t be alone,” Will said.
“Right? But no, just the opposite. Her marriage didn’t work out, so all relationships must be bad, so she can never try again. That way she’s never again disappointed.” Tom shook his head.
“And you wanting to move out is just gonna make her feel alone again,” Will observed.
“Exactly. Well, I finally worked up the courage to talk to her this afternoon,” Tom admitted.
“I take it things didn’t go well.”
“Correct. It went much the way I expected,” Tom told him. “She tried every way to convince me to stay. In fact, she tried to blame you for convincing me to move so that we couldbe togetherif you catch my meaning. And when that didn’t work, she tried to blame Char.”
“Wow. I’m really sorry that you had to deal with that.” Tom could hear the sincerity in Will’s words.
“Thanks. Like I said, I completely expected it, but it still shook me up. I went for a walk, but what I really needed was a friend to talk to. That’s why I texted you.”
“I’m glad you did. And really, I’m a bit more than a friend, right?” Will smiled and reached over to take Tom’s hand. They’d been seeing each other for about a month and a half, and while they hadn’t really put a label on it, Tom had begun to think of Will as his boyfriend since he wasn’t interested in seeing anyone else.
“Yeah, you are,” Tom agreed. “I know we haven’t really talked much about it, but in my head, you’re my boyfriend. Is that okay?”
“It’s more than okay,” Will said. “I think of you as my boyfriend too.” His eyes brightened. “So I guess it’s official; we’re boyfriends now.”
“It looks that way.” Tom smiled in agreement.
“Are things gonna be okay between you and your mom?”
“Eventually. I told her she wasn’t gonna change my mind. I’ll try and talk with her again in a few days and see what happens,” Tom said. “In the meantime, I guess I should start looking for an apartment that I can afford. Wanna help?”
“Sure. You’ll need to give me some idea of your price range, and we’ll look together. Char may have some ideas too.”
“Oh, I’m sure she will!” Tom laughed. “She acts like my older and wiser sister most of the time even though we’re the same age.”
“Good to know,” Will said. “Just remember, I’ll help any way I can.”
“Thanks again for agreeing to meet me today.” Emotion filled Tom’s words. “Except for Char, I don’t really have anyone I can turn to at times like this.”
