Page 141 of Playing By Ear

“It’s a shame you’ve been put on the disability beat simply because of your vision,” his mum said, “but we’re happy as long as you’re doing what you love. Have you got enough money, now the sport pieces are drying up?”

“I live well within my means.” He squirmed in his seat, then remembered his father could see him doing that. “And there are other sources of income.” Perry bit his lip. He hadn’t set out to tell them today, but honesty had worked well for him lately.

“Other sources?” his mum prompted.

“I’ve found an online paying gig of sorts.” Perry’s throat tickled, possibly warning him this revelation was a mistake. “In video.”

“You’ve got a YouTube channel?” his dad asked. “Well done! Doesn’t it take a while for those to monetize?”

“I’ve been doing this for a year, so I’ve built up a following.” He dragged his suddenly sweaty palms over his trousers.

“That’s amazing, love!” his mum said. “Why have you not told us before?”

“The subject matter’s a bit…niche.”

This provoked more intrigued noises from both parents.

“And it’s not YouTube,” he continued. “It’s on a live platform where people pay to watch other people…do things.”

Did their silence mean they were confused? Stunned? He wished he could see their expressions.

Suddenly his dad gasped. “Oh, you’re a cam boy!”

Perry’s face flushed hot. “Erm, we prefer cam model, but yeah.”

“What the fuck is a cam boy?” his mum asked.

“It’s a man who…erm…” His dad stammered a few unintelligible syllables. “Like, online…a type of…you know.”

“Sex worker,” Perry finished.

“Yeah, that.”

Silence emanated from the back seat, louder than any yell.

“So, how does it work?” his dad asked. “Like, how do you operate the camera?”

“Really, Glenn?” Perry’s mum exclaimed. “Our son just told us he’s a prostitute, and you’re curious about the technical aspects?”

“It’s not prostitution,” Perry and his dad said in unison. Then his father added, “There’s no real-life contact. It’s all online. And it’s perfectly legal.”

“How do you know so much about this?” Her pitch and volume rose with each word.

“When you teach uni,” his dad said, “you absorb these things through osmosis.”

Wow, his father was being remarkably cool about it.

“Perry,” his mum said, “what would lead you to sell yourself like that? Is it the money? We can give you money.”

“That’s not it—well, not primarily. Camming is something I can control. It gives me confidence.” He shifted his kit bag between his feet. “I’m good at it. Like, really good.” Oops, too much information.

“But-but do your-your—” she sputtered. “What do you call them, customers⁠—”

“Viewers. Or followers, though they don’t have to follow me to⁠—”

“Do they know you’re blind?”

“I told them a few weeks ago. Before that, I wasn’t showing my face at all. Even now I still wear sunglasses because the studio lights are so⁠—”