*****
I sat there with Eric's letter to his parents -- shaking. With pride, with fear, with love. He was doing it, he was finally able to find the courage to do what was probably the hardest thing he'd ever done.
I'd gone runnin' out to Greg's to tell him. I wanted to tell everyone who had ever doubted Eric or his strength, his courage.
To shout, "Eric Lewis did it! And to all of you, and to me, for questioning him -- go to hell! He's out!"
But Greg wasn't there. I had to call someone and my first thought was Mark. But it was over with Mark and me. I knew we needed distance if we were ever to become friends. I thought about goin' over to Mocha Daze -- but not yet, not before Eric had even sent the letter. So, I sat -- and waited for Greg -- reading and re-reading Eric's letter...
...Mama -- I know this will hit you the hardest. I know you have thought that I was the one who would bring in the grandchildren, I was the one who would pass on the family name. Believe me, it's taken me years to come to terms with the reality that that may not happen. Yes, nowadays people, homosexual couples adopt children, or find women to have them... I'm sure you're cringing right now and I'm sorry -- but I know you want answers. We all do.... just know that I love you, Mama and I will always love you...
God, this brought back memories for me. I remember coming out to my own parents around the kitchen table at our home in Atlanta. I remember them beatin' me to the punch, with my Dad sayin', "Son, we know what you're gonna say, and we luv ya anyway!" And that was the end of it. They'd been supportive, they'd been nurturing and it was the easiest transition I'd ever made -- hell, going from grade school to Jr. High was a heck of a lot harder.
Sure, there'd been the talks about "what about a family, Andrew? What about kids?"
Hell, I wanted kids bad. I still do. And I intend to have 'em. What they didn't realize, and surely, what Eric's parents didn't realize, was that I'd probably have adopted kids if I'd been straight. I believe deeply in adoption. And so, what did it matter? Hadn't they ever watched the tv show, "MY TWO DADS"?
Obviously not...
Papa, help her. Help her through this for me. I wish I'd been able to do this in person, but I couldn't. I tried so hard to do this when you were both here for your visit -- but I couldn't and I'm ashamed of that.
I don't expect to hear from you for a while. I'm sure you both need time to come to terms with this. I understand.... and I hope to hear from you soon.
All my love, now and always.
Your son,
Eric
I went back into the house to wait for him. For Eric. I didn't want him to know that I'd sneaked and looked at his letter... I wanted just to be with him, to hold him...
