“Oh, Kyle, thank you for trusting me and for speaking your truth.”Her eyes dart down then upward at me again.“And if we’re telling truths, well, I think you should know, I’m gay too.I’ve been in a relationship with my, well, she’s my fiancée now, for the past eight years.”She pulls up a picture of her and her fiancée on her phone, “This is Mel.We met at college and we've been together ever since.”
My smile stretches from ear to ear.“I’m so happy for you, but wait, are you not scared of the media attention and backroom staff taking jibes at you?”
“Let them try to take jibes at me.They’ll only ever do it once, as it’s extremely hard to do that with a broken jaw and missing teeth.”Her tone is light, but her face is serious.“And besides, I know it is much harder for you—an international football star and all, about to play for the biggest club in the world.”
I blush.
“Is there anyone that has taken my little Kyle’s heart?”
I blush harder.
“Oh, my goodness, there is, listen, you don’t have to say, but if you don’t, I will make you do one thousand burpees.”
“Fuck that,” I say and burst out laughing.“But seriously, no.There’s no one.I thought there might be someone, but I was wrong.Now I'm going to focus on being the best player the world has ever seen.Love, if it ever comes, can wait until I retire.”
She gives me a look that says more than words ever could, and I appreciate her for that.
We finish the rest of our breakfast and pack up the car for our long drive up north.I mention to Trish that we have to stop off at my parents’ house on the way back and give them the good…or the bad news.Trish tries to remind me—numerous times—that they already want me; all I have to do is pass my fitness test.Oh yeah, and not have a panic attack and black out.Yeah, that’s all.My mind wanders to AJ.
AJ and his diving.
AJ and his perfect face.
AJ.
We pull up outside my parents’ house, and I see the looks Trish is giving the neighborhood.
“Look, I know it’s not much, but this is where I call home.This is the place that made me.”There’s a defensive edge to my tone.
“I’m not judging, Kyle.This reminds me of where I grew up, that’s all.”
“You’re a council estate escapee, too?”I look around at the too small houses, the swatch of green where I learnt to play football.The graffiti on the walls.The abandoned shopping trolleys.To people who don’t understand the council estate life, this would seem embarrassing, but to people like Trish and I, it’s home.The government might not do an awful lot for people like us, but at least they provide a roof over our heads, in a relatively good neighborhood.I say good because it’s been just over a month since the last break-in.
“Sure am.But I will never forget my roots.I go home to see my parents as often as I can.It’s the right thing to do.”
My heart warms at that.
“Listen, I know I pre-warned you about my parents, but it bears repeating.They’re good people.Well, my mum is pure.My dad is a homophobic wanker, but okay.He doesn’t know I’m gay.Neither of them do.So, I’d like to keep it that way.”
Trish nods, and we head out into the fine northern air.
My hands brush the brown door, and it opens in an instant.All at once, I’m dragged into a hug by Mum.
“Herb!Kyle’s home!”Her eyes dart to Trish, and for a moment, I think I see confusion on her face, but then a huge smile forms there instead.“And he’s brought a lady friend too!”My heart sinks.
We enter my childhood home.Dad is still in his usual spot, as morbid as it sounds, I’m sure he’s going to die in that chair.
Mum doesn’t take her eyes off Trish, which makes me feel shitty.We take a seat on the floral sofa that’s been aged by the sun beaming in through the window over the years.
“So, what do we owe the pleasure of a visit from our favorite child?”
“I’m your only child, Mum.”
“And that’s why yer our favorite!”Dad pipes in.
“Wait, is this a cup of tea chat?”Mum's eyes dart to Trish.
“Um, yes, but not for the reason you might think.”
