by Felix Brooks
Waseem thought back to their conversation. “Maybe I meant helping kids, not teaching specifically.”
The coach shrugged. “Maybe. Does that mean you’re interested?”
“Hell yes, I’m interested. This could change everything. Would there be a problem with me coaching my boyfriend?”
The coach smiled. “I’m sure we could work around that.”
They chatted a while longer about what the job would entail. But the details didn’t matter much. He’d be working with the team he loved and a boss he respected. What could be better than that?
Now he just had to figure out a way for Brent to stay in school. He puzzled over it all day. Brent didn’t have many places to turn, but Waseem did. He was pretty sure Brent wouldn’t just take a handout. Still, there had to be a way.
That evening, under the lights, Waseem ran around the track. He liked the silence and the solitude at that time of day. It helped him think.
Brent wouldn’t like it very much if Waseem took the coaching job. Not if Brent told his parents they had broken up. He and Brent wouldn’t be able to keep their hands off each other if they were together every day during the football season.
But there were other alternatives. Brent was a smart guy with three quarters of a college education. He ought to be able to find a job for the summer. Something that paid decently, to at least cover his expenses plus his room and board for the next school year.
That left tuition and books, and whatever he needed for spending money.
Waseem understood why Brent wanted to give in to his parents. The joke would be on them. They might think they’d won. Brent would only be using them, the way they’d been using him over the years to bolster the image they showed to the world of their perfect family.
But Waseem didn’t want them to have even that little bit of victory. He didn’t want Brent subjected to their hate for one more moment.
Brent didn’t need that family anymore. He had Waseem and Emmett and Jake. He had Paige and Amber and Demonté. He even had fucking Niels. They would build a cocoon around him, protect and nourish him, so he wouldn’t be alone.
And Brent had Waseem’s parents, too, even if they didn’t know him yet. That was the kind of people they were. His grandparents had come to the U.S. from Pakistan when Waseem’s dad was just a kid. Life hadn’t been easy, but they’d managed to build their mom-and-pop grocery store into a chain. Waseem’s parents had grown it even more.
Waseem had no idea what their net worth was. They were frugal and didn’t live extravagantly. But he knew his parents could help.
He ran up the stadium steps and across the quad to Paige’s dorm. He was sweaty and a little out of breath when he said to her, “What sort of job do you think Brent would want?”
She motioned for him to come in, then closed the door. “Think about it this way. What would be, like, the worst possible job you can think of?”
“Something boring. Something where I have to do the same thing every day, like, working with numbers and hardly ever with people.”
“Yeah, me too. That’s exactly the kind of job Brent would want.”
Waseem laughed. She was so right. “Maybe you know him even better than I do.”
“We’ve been best friends for three years. I think that trumps boyfriends for three months.”
The corners of his mouth pulled downward. “I should’ve listened to you. I never should’ve let him risk this.”
“Nah, I was completely wrong. You bring out the best in him. You bring out the joy in him. This rift with his parents? That was going to happen sooner or later anyway. I’m glad he’s got you to help him through it.”
“Except maybe he won’t have me, at least for a while. You know he’s talking about giving in to them, just until he graduates.”
“But you’re not going to let him do that, right?”
“Not if I’ve got something to say about it.”
Paige threw her hands up, then looked at him in disbelief. “Of course you’ve got something to say about it. He worships you. I’m kind of surprised you haven’t noticed. I almost hate to tell you, because a lesser person would take advantage. But you’ll look out for him, right?”
“Always.”
She shook her head. “There’s not a lot I can do for him financially. I can help guide him in the right direction. I don’t mean he’ll blindly follow what I say. But sometimes, I can get his mind working in a particular direction. Sometimes he sees my point of view.”
“I want what’s best for him, Paige. Spending another year following his parents’ rules—somehow, I don’t think that’s it. I’ll do whatever it takes for us to be together.”
She fist-bumped him, and they said good night.
On the way back to Harmony Hall for a much-needed shower, Waseem thought about what she had said. Then, he took out his phone and called his father. “Dad, I need your help.”
Chapter 20
Brent met with the financial aid officer, Ms. Vazquez, for the second time in a week. She had dark hair that curled at the ends, and pale blue-green eyes that looked striking against her medium-brown skin. Her nails were long and polished, the color of the mulberries Brent used to eat off the tree when he was a little boy.
“I don’t have the best news,” she said gently.
His heart fell into his stomach. If the college couldn’t help, what was he going to do?
“Don’t give up,” she said. “It’s not hopeless. The problem is the timing. All our athletic scholarships are already spoken for. And even though your parents aren’t supporting you, the rules say a year has to pass before you’ll be considered for aid based on your income alone.”
“Okay, I get it,” he said dejectedly. He was afraid of that.
“Student loans will help,” she continued. “I’m going to email you a link to a list of grants available to LGBT students. You might also consider looking into endorsements.”
Brent perked up. He hadn’t thought of that. He’d ask Emmett for suggestions about companies that might be willing to sponsor him.
She gave him a packet of information to look through and said she’d email more. He wasn’t exactly hopeful, but he wasn’t completely in despair as he said goodbye and stepped out of the administration building. The smell of honeysuckle wafted by as he headed toward the arts center to meet Paige.
She was in the gallery putting the final touches on the display of her sculpture, her class project. Flat on one side, it showed Saturn with the rings emerging from behind it. The planet itself was banded in shades of buff, orange, and tan, the rings in yellow and brown. One side was in sunlight, while the other showed the shadow of Saturn casting the rings into darkness. It had a quiet majesty about it.
“Looks great.” He kissed her.
“Thanks. I guess we’d better head to the cafeteria so I can get back here by twelve-thirty. Doors open at one.”
“Don’t be nervous,” he teased.
“I’m not.” She looked around distractedly and played with the clasp of her purse.
He put his arm around her as they crossed the quad. The grass was thick and lush, cushioning their feet.
“How’d the financial aid meeting go?” she asked.
“Not as well as I hoped. The school can’t do much for me, but she gave me some other leads.”
“Just don’t give up.”
“I’m not, but I already told Waseem to take the job in Raleigh. I’m sure he’s already accepted it by now.”
She turned quiet a moment. “Have you talked to your parents since Saturday?”
“They haven’t tried to contact me, and I’ve got no interest in speaking to them.”
“I don’t think giving in to them is the right solution.”
“It may be the only solution.”
Since they got to the cafeteria early, it was only the two of them for a while. Around noon, Glenda and her new boyfriend joined them. But Paige had to leave around twelve-fifteen, and Brent followed her
out.
As she hurried off for her exhibition, he walked outside and sat on the back steps of the student union, contemplating his life. He looked across the lawn toward the freshman men’s dorm. The field was one where the intramural sports matches were played. But with the semester almost over, it was empty now.
What could he do? He didn’t want Waseem to take the job in Raleigh. He just didn’t see another choice. Waseem would love that job. It was exactly what he was hoping for. Brent should never have asked him to give that up in the first place.
But the thought of not having Waseem in his life was almost more than he could stand. He just wanted this struggle to be over. But this was his life now, a gay man facing hatred for no rational reason.
Footsteps turned his head. Emmett approached. “What are you doing out here alone?”
“Thinking.”
“That’s a fair answer.” Emmett sat next to him.
“I don’t want to lose Waseem.”
“You won’t.” Emmett squeezed his shoulder. “I signed my contract.”
What the fuck? Brent was here trying to scrape together enough to pay for tuition, or at least not to starve, and Emmett was bragging about his million dollar contract? Brent knew the guy was a dick, but he didn’t think he was that much of a dick.
Emmett continued, “After Uncle Sam and my agent get their share, my signing bonus is enough to buy my parents a new house and to set up a college fund for each of my sisters. With what’s left over, I’m creating a scholarship here at Coastal for LGBT athletes. Full tuition, books, room and board, and a thousand dollar stipend. There’s just one stipulation. The first year, it goes to you.”
Brent stared. His vision grew hazy. “No, I can’t…” His throat thickened with emotion, cutting off his words. This was the answer to everything. It must be a dream. “You would do that for me?”
“Hell yeah, I’d do that for you. You’ve got real talent. For three years, you’ve made me look good, catching passes I might not have thrown perfectly. Once you sign with the pros, you can pay it forward.”
A sense of lightness overcame Brent, all the worries of the past few days slipping away. Waseem was right. Brent had found a new family, one who would take care of him and love him no matter what.
“I owe you, man.”
“Don’t embarrass me like that. I was planning to do this anyway. How could I live with myself if I didn’t look out for my friends? Besides, Waseem’s like a brother to me. I’ve never seen him as unhappy as he’s been the past few days. You take care of him, and we’ll call it even.”
***
Brent ran across campus to Harmony Hall. He took the steps two at a time until he got to the top and jogged to Waseem’s room. He knocked on the door, and when Waseem opened it, Brent gave him a big kiss. Right there in the hallway, for everyone to see.
“I don’t want you to take the job in Raleigh.”
A huge smile broke across Waseem’s face. “I didn’t. I turned them down. I got a better offer.” He motioned for Brent to come inside, then closed the door. “But there’s something else I want to discuss first. I talked to my dad.”
His dad? What was that about? Curious, Brent decided to let Waseem go first.
Waseem led him to the bed, and they sat. “It turns out the Wilmington branch of my parents’ grocery store chain is looking for an accounting intern this summer. When I told him you had a 4.0 average, he was ready to hire you on the spot. He already knows your reputation as an athlete. He really wants you for this position, Brent. And it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re sleeping with me.”
Brent chuckled. His chest vibrated with excitement. He liked the sound of the job so far.
Waseem continued, “They offer scholarships for employees and their families. Plus, they have education benefits, and work-study programs. I don’t know all the details. But, Brent, we can make this work. We’ll find a way to get you enough for tuition. Even if my parents have to lend you the money.”
Brent started to refuse, but Waseem interrupted him.
“Please don’t say no. They’ll be happy to help. I couldn’t stand it if you didn’t play football next fall, if you lost that opportunity. And I couldn’t stand it if you went back to your parents after what they did. They don’t have your best interests at heart. They could hurt you in ways we can’t anticipate.”
Brent nodded. “They’re evil.” Not entirely evil, of course. But on the balance of things, he couldn’t help thinking they did more harm than good.
Brent thought about Emmett’s offer. Emmett was a generous friend, and Brent would always be grateful. The scholarship was tempting. Just to have all that handed to him?
But he was lucky. He had Waseem. Someone else might be all alone. “Can I talk to your dad?”
“Absolutely. He’s working with their HR rep to see what’s available for you. They’re preparing an offer.” Waseem let out a giddy laugh. “It’s going to be okay, Brent. We’re going to be okay.”
***
Things happened fast. The next day, Brent interviewed with the HR rep in Wilmington, and the day after that, he had an offer in his email inbox. The package would cover what he needed for his senior year. He’d have to finish up his academic programs in the fall and do a work-study program in the spring, but he was cool with that.
He walked to the frat house, where he found Emmett and Demonté hanging out in the TV room. They both gave him a big smile. “Can I talk to you?” he asked Emmett.
The big guy rose, and they walked out to the front porch. “I appreciate your offer,” Brent said, looking out over the quad. The trees had all leafed out now. “It means a lot to me, man. But I was able to get a job that will cover my expenses. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, because I’m not. I talked to the head of financial aid, to see if there was anyone else who needed the scholarship more than me. Do you have time to meet with her tomorrow?”
Emmett stared at him, disbelief in his eyes. “I want to do this for you.”
“I appreciate that. You’ve been an amazing friend. I’ll remember this as long as I live. But Waseem and I, we’ve got this. Maybe there’s someone else out there who’s struggling even more than I was. Lots of kids need help, Emmett. At least talk to the financial aid officer. Hear what she has to say.”
Emmett gazed off in the distance. Brent’s eyes followed. A couple of guys were playing Frisbee, and some girls in shorts were sitting on the grass, laughing.
The mood on campus was both light and intense, the students anticipating a summer of freedom while studying for finals. But mostly, they seemed happy. It was spring, and they were with their friends, overcoming their troubles together.
Emmet nodded. “I can do that. See what the other options are, at least. I’ve got a responsibility now to be a good citizen.”
Brent grinned. Emmett didn’t like a change of plans any more than Brent did. But he’d reconsider if someone offered a persuasive argument. It was an honor to call him friend.
The next morning, the two of them walked to the financial aid office together. Emmett was still determined, though, that the scholarship should go to Brent.
They entered the office, the large desk and bookshelves full of binders now a familiar sight to Brent. “Come in,” Ms. Vazquez said. “Brent, good to see you again. Emmett, it’s a privilege to speak to you about this. Congratulations on your achievement.”
“Thanks.”
She sat, and the gentlemen did likewise.
She rolled her chair closer to the desk. “Brent told me about the scholarship you’re setting up, and I talked to the development office. I’ve found a couple of candidates who fit the bill. But there’s one in particular who could really be helped by what you’re offering.”
She turned her computer monitor around to face them. “This is Jada, a trans soccer player. Her dad died when she was three, and her mom is working two jobs to save up for her daughters to go to school. Jada hasn’t been able to start hormone the
rapy because every spare penny goes to the college fund.”
Brent looked into her eyes, at the quiet self-consciousness there. He bet she hated having her picture taken, with her outside so different from the person she felt like inside.
“Jada wants to come to Coastal because of our commitment to diversity. She’s hoping for a full scholarship so she can afford hormone therapy, but unfortunately, we don’t have a program in place that would allow us to give her that kind of support. Her academic credentials are impeccable, and she’s a fine athlete. But I’m afraid we’re going to lose her to a state school with cheaper tuition, even though she might not be as safe there.”
Brent turned to Emmett. “This scholarship could change her life, Emmett. She needs it more than me.”
Emmett eyed the photo a while longer, then nodded. He said to Brent, “You sure about this?”
“One hundred percent sure.”
“Okay, but if you ever need anything, you can come to me.”
Brent thought a moment. “You can be my safety net if it makes Waseem feel better. He’s afraid I’ll feel obligated to his family, and then I’ll be afraid to break up with him.”
Emmett scowled. “Why would anyone want to break up with Waseem?”
“I know, right? He’s the nicest guy I know.”
Emmett gave Brent a smile, then said to Ms. Vazquez, “What are the next steps?”
“I’ll talk to the development office, and we’ll get the paperwork ready for you to sign. It’s good you’ve set up the scholarship so you’ve got sole discretion to choose the recipient the first year. There shouldn’t be any barriers to moving forward quickly.”
“Always good to hear that I’m in charge,” Emmett said with a grin. He turned to Brent and fist-bumped him. “This is a good thing you did.”
“You, too.” Brent beamed. It was ironic that his parents’ bigotry had been the catalyst for a trans kid to get the scholarship she needed so she could move forward with hormone therapy. Maybe he’d point that out if he ever spoke to them again—which he wasn’t sure he would.