Lorenzo drops his and Kimber’s bags on our doorstep and storms off in a huff. Where he will go, on Christmas Day, I have no idea, since nothing is open. I don’t really give a flying fuck either, if I’m being honest. Intolerance has no place in our home. Not anymore, not now that Marcus has been fully transparent with his parents. I mean, as much as those few sentences will allow anyway.
It appears Kimber isn’t so ready to follow Lorenzo, however. In fact, it appears that she’s more willing to hear Marcus out, which shocks the shit out of me. I step out of her way, gesturing for her to come inside. Caleb steps out and offers to help grab the bags Lorenzo left behind.
“Thank you,” Kimber says, stepping in and passing the gift-wrapped packages to my mother.
“Why don’t we give you some privacy?” Mom asks, ushering my dad and brothers out of the room.
“Mom, I’m sorry you had to find out this way…” Marcus rasps after a beat of tense silence.
Kimber pulls a deep breath in through her nostrils and steps up to Marcus. It shouldn’t be funny, this isn’t a time to laugh, but the way she stands a good foot and a half shorter than himisa little comical.
She sighs. “I’m sorry your father reacted that way. Please, explain this to me a little better so I can understand.”
Marcus licks his lips, reaching out for Caleb’s hand. Caleb takes it and gives him a reassuring squeeze. Then, Marcus extends his other arm, gesturing for me to sidle up to him on the other side.
“I’m with both of them,” he starts off saying. “I’m not living a double-life. Not anymore. I am still with Lauren, and we’re still just as committed as ever. Maybe evenmorenow that Caleb and his son, Cameron, have come into our lives. Cam’s the one who went with Brody. What you don’t know is that I’m gay. I can’t explain it, but Lauren is the only exception to that. When she and I first moved to Maine, I did a little—erm—exploring. With her consent, I should add…” he says.
I nod. “I encouraged him to explore his sexuality.”
Kimber’s lips roll between her teeth. She releases them with a pop. “I guess I always did wonder if you had a tendency towards men.”
Marcus nods. “I did, yes. I met Caleb back then, during one of those exploratory periods. We reconnected a few months ago when he and Lo started dating, actually. The three of us, we just kind of realized we were all a good fit for one another.”
“What about the attire you’re in?” Kimber presses.
Marcus squirms. “Well, you know I used to go through your closet, and I did stop for a while, after Dad… you know. But, I don’t know, as I got older I kept on doing it. I started raiding Lauren’s closet instead. Iguess I’ve always been drawn to escaping rigid masculine norms, you could say. It’s not a sexual thing either, I simply feel the most comfortable in dresses and skirts.”
Kimber turns her attention towards me. “You’ve known all along, haven’t you?”
I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
She gestures between the three of us. “And you encouraged this?”
Anxiety ripples through me like a wave, unsure of how to take her question. “I did,” I confess. “Both the clothingandthe relationship. I love both Marcus and Caleb.”
She turns towards Caleb. “I do apologize for not addressing you properly. I presume you communicate via sign language, and I must admit, I’ve been very lackadaisical about learning it, despite my grandson having been born deaf.”
“Thank you for your honesty,” Caleb signs and I interpret for him. “I think Brody would appreciate it if you did make that effort though.”
Kimber nods sullenly, wets her lips, and then clears her throat. She peers back up at Marcus. “I’m also not going to lie to you and say that I understand this—this rather unorthodox relationship you’re in, but I would like to know one thing, Marcus.”
“What’s that?” he asks.
“Are you happy with this arrangement?”
He nods without hesitation. “Unbelievablyso, Mom. I feel free to be me around them both. I don’t know how to describe it any better than just to say that I feel complete. I feel whole. I am seen, I am heard, and, best of all, I am appreciated.”
“And loved,” Caleb adds.
Kimber’s brows knit.
“Caleb said that Marcus is also loved,” I repeat.
“Thank you,” Kimber replies. “Not just for the interpretation, but for providing that love for Marcus. I know his father can come off quite callous and cold sometimes, and that, I suppose, is my fault for allowing it.” She reaches up—way up—and cups Marcus’ cheek. “I never meant to bring you up in an environment that made you feel like you could not be yourself, and for that, my son, I am truly sorry.”
Marcus gulps, blinking back tears.
His mother continues, “This, right here, has been a huge wake up call to me that I’ve failed you as a mother, Marcus, and as a grandmother to Brody. I—”
