“They are the exact opposite of misogynists. They are people who advocate for women's rights of equality everywhere, like politically, socially, and economically. Men and women are not treated the same in the workplace, for example, and this is a movement that strives to ensure women’s equality with that of men.”
“Okay.”
“I told you my grandparents had a really hard time accepting my Aunt Nadine’s coming out. My mom says she always knew Nadine was different and eventually figured out she liked women. But coming out in the nineties isn’t like coming out today. It was hard, very hard. Not like the seventies hard, but, still, in its own way…I think it might have been easier for lesbians than gays, but that’s only a guess.”
“How did your grandparents find out?”
“A summer barbecue, I think. Funny, seems to be a trend, people coming out or being outed at barbecues.”
Skyler snickered at the comment.
“She showed up with her girlfriend at the time, but no one knew it as her girlfriend. I wasn’t even born yet, so this is all from what my mom told me. Anyway, grandma thought Nadine had shown up with a college friend, which was fine, and I guess didn’t connect the dots when she saw them holding hands. Everyone else did. Nadine was the pretty one, the girlfriend was…uh…’a bit butchy,’ as grandma said. I guess they went inside to get more drinks or desserts and a moment later grandma followed them in, wanting them to bring something else outside, too, and when she came around the corner, they were full-on making out.”
“Oh wow.”
“Yeah. Grandma wasn’t happy at all. It also wasn’t how Nadine wanted my grandparents—or the family—to find out either.”
“What did they do?”
“My mom had to explain to grandma that Nadine liked girls. I guess there was this whole family meeting thing, right in the middle of the barbecue, like an intervention. My grandpa was pretty silent through the whole ordeal, but he had tears in his eyes. I don’t think my grandparents knew what to do with it. And at the time, Nadine wasn’t helping much by lashing out in anger. I’d say it took a few years for them to calm down and get over it. They didn’t cut her off or do anything drastic, thank goodness, but the holidays were awkward for a few years because Nadine would generally have someone new every few months. It wasn’t until she met Deanna, her wife today, that she settled down. So, to make a long story even longer, they dated and lived as partners for years and when same-sex marriage was legalized here, they planned a wedding and it was beautiful. I was the ring bearer. Everyone came, including my grandparents, as they had become so much more supportive over the years. That was probably because Deanna was a total sweetheart to them. She was sensitive to their struggle, and that was huge to them. They learned to respect her because she respected them for where they were at. I think my grandparents had written me and my twin off as their only grandchildren, but…”
“Wait, you have a twin?” Skyler sat up in shock.
“Yeah, I didn’t tell you?”
“No! No one told me. You only said you had a brother.”
“Oh, sorry. Well, his name is Kyle. We’re identical. Except he’s straight.”
“Wow. There’s two of you?” Two identically sexy guys?
Kalin laughed. “No, there’s one of me. Kyle is my twin and he’s his own person.”
Skyler wrinkled his brow. “That’s not, uh, that’s not what I meant.”
“I know, I’m giving you shit. Everyone says that to us.”
Skyler sat back in the kayak again. A twin. No shit. “Please continue.”
“So, yeah, I think my grandparents thought Kyle and me would be their only grandkids, but when Nadine and Deanna announced their plans for adoption, life changed. It’s like a switch flipped in my grandparents. Even I could see it. Months later, when Nadine introduced my grandmother to Alexa, her infant granddaughter, my grandparents had come around completely. They totally accepted Nadine, and Deanna as her wife, and Alexa as their child. A year later, they welcomed Alexa’s brother, Peter, into the family.”
“Wow.”
“There’s probably more I don’t know about, but it made it pretty easy for me to come out when I did. I mean, Kyle always knew because we are close, and we talk about everything. When he started checking out girls, I realized I was checking out the boys. But he instinctively knew what I was doing. I guess that’s what sharing the womb with someone for nine months does, right?”
“Uh, sure, but not that I’d know.” Talking with Kal makes me feel so…at peace.
“True. Sometimes I forget most people don’t have a twin in their life.”
“Weird. I don’t assume anyone has a twin.”
“Different perspectives, huh? Having a twin is my version of normal.”
“I guess so,” Skyler, said. A few moments of silence passed before Skyler decided to change the subject. “What about you, have you had a boyfriend before?”
Kalin bounced his head from side-to-side. “I’ve had a few, uh, special friends, I guess, but nothing serious, nothing long-term in the way of the true meaning of boyfriends. I’m kinda waiting for the right one, I guess.”
“Cool.”
“Uh, not to ruin the fun, but we have to paddle back against the wind and current to the boat launch…we should probably start heading back. It’ll be more work than paddling out here.”
“Let’s do it.”
Kalin and Skyler laughed and joked as they paddled back toward the boat launch. They splashed ashore and pulled their kayaks out of the water and walked them back to the car. Skyler helped Kalin lift each kayak into the J-bars of the roof rack. He dismantled the paddles and packed the life-jackets in the trunk as Kalin secured the kayaks with nylon straps.
“That was a lot of fun,” Skyler said.
“Want to do it again?” Kalin asked.
Skyler could sense the hope in his question. “Absolutely, Kal-El.”
Kalin smiled. “So…is Kal-El my nickname now?”
“Yeah, I guess it is,” Skyler smiled, blushing a bit.
“You’re a nerd. But I like it, and…I like you,” Kalin said. He gently flicked Sky’s chin and headed to the driver’s door. “Let’s go,” he said, noting the time on his phone. “I’m actually a little late for a family dinner party thing. I need to get home and get ready for it.”
Skyler’s heart sank a little. He had hoped to invite Kalin to spend the late afternoon and early evening with him at the pool. It was a Friday night date night for Dale and Liara, and he figured CK would either be out or would give them space. But now, that wasn’t going to happen.
“Oh, okay,” Skyler said. He couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice. He climbed into the passenger seat of Kalin’s car.
Kalin started the engine and took Skyler’s hand in his. Skyler smiled and felt his heart jump again. He glanced over at Kalin.
“Don’t you worry,” Kalin said. “We’ll do this again, like maybe tomorrow or sometime this week. Depends on our schedules.” Skyler nodded and smiled when he saw the beautiful smile dancing on Kalin’s face.
A good song came on the radio and Kalin cranked it. They sang like fools and held hands until they were parked outside of Skyler’s home.
Kalin shut off the engine and looked over at Skyler. “I had a lot of fun today, Skyler. I’m glad you were able to come out kayaking with me.”
“I had a lot of fun today, too.”
Kalin tenderly stroked the side of Skyler’s face with the back of his hand. “I really like you, Skyler.”
Skyler swallowed. He felt completely lost in Kalin’s brown eyes. You keep saying that. Oh, wait, this is it, isn’t it? My first kiss with Kalin. His heart pitter-pattered in his chest like a marching band at a football game. Skyler saw Kalin’s pupils dilate and he leaned forward a little. Skyler did as well, until he saw her scowling at them.
The Plant Lady.
She was standing near her flowers with her gloved hands on her hips, a gardening trowel
held in her right hand. Her feet were anchored into her manicured lawn and Skyler could feel her disapproving glare boring right through him. In a flash, he saw Rebecca’s disapproving look in the Plant Lady’s face. Intense awkwardness overcame him.
Aw, damn.
“Uh, yeah, I’ll…see you tomorrow,” he stammered, pulling away from Kalin. “I…I better go.” Skyler turned away and fumbled for the door handle. He opened the door and hopped out, almost tripping on the curb.
“Is everything okay?” Kalin asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I just gotta, uh, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Skyler closed the door and started walking toward the house.
“Sky, wait.”
Skyler turned back only to wave goodbye. He walked faster to the house, his heart pounding with newfound fear and fury. He felt his pockets for his house keys but couldn’t feel them.
Shit, my keys are in the waterproof box in Kalin’s car…with my wallet and phone. He heard Kalin start his car. He turned around and ran back toward the car.
Dammit.
Skyler waved at him to get his attention, and the passenger window rolled down.
“Forget something?”
“Yeah,” Skyler said. He approached the car and leaned on the door with his elbows. “My stuff is still in your waterproof box thing.”
“Right.” Kalin reached into the back seat and handed Skyler the box. Skyler started opening the latches.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“Uh, well, yeah, sorry about that. It’s not you, I promise. I really like you, too…but the lady over there made me, uh, remember something.” Skyler jerked his head in the direction of the Plant Lady.
“Total buzz kill, apparently?” Kalin looked at her through his driver side window.
“Completely.” He removed his belongings from the box and pocketed them. He placed the box on the passenger seat. He felt the paranoia wash away. He looked over and searched Kalin’s face. He seemed more confused than hurt.
“I promise I’ll tell you, Kal. Just not now, okay?” You gotta go, and I gotta calm down. I got spooked. It was her. She reminded me of…ugh, never mind. The thought of Rebecca made him nauseous.
“Thank you for explaining what was going on with you. I thought I did something wrong.”
“No, definitely not. It’s not you at all.”
I’ve got too much baggage right now.
“Okay handsome, I’ll talk with you soon, all right?”
“Yeah, definitely. Thanks again for today. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Skyler stood and stepped back from the car. Kalin winked at him and then drove off. He watched him drive away until the car disappeared around a corner. Skyler looked back at the Plant Lady, who was still watching him. He winced and clenched his teeth. Skyler raised his hands up in an exaggerated gesture and yelled at her, “Can I help you?”
She grunted and went back to her gardening. This time he glared back at her. He lowered his hands to his sides. This was the first and only time you keep me from kissing him!
He looked at his hands. They had balled into fists as he trembled with anger. He shot one last unreciprocated glare at the Plant Lady and walked to the house.
17 | Ready to Defend Me
SATURDAY MORNING ROLLED AROUND AND after Skyler finished his morning chores and a long bike ride, he headed upstairs to shower. He relaxed his body under the hot stream of water, letting the hot water soothe his sore back and arm muscles. He also savored a moment of personal time before heading downstairs to the pool deck, where CK and Cody relaxed and waited for him to talk about his afternoon. When he lived with the Tinsdales, he had learned the shower offered a quiet retreat from the world and provided a sanctuary that allowed him the chance to be alone with his thoughts. He also realized it was the only place the energetic and younger Tinsdale children wouldn’t bother him.
“Privacy is next to godliness, Skyler, and your privacy is to be respected by everyone in this home,” Rebecca had said to him one day shortly after his twelfth birthday. If the younger children misbehaved and walked in on him while he was using the toilet or the shower, she asked that he tell her right away. But Skyler surmised they had already been told not to. In hindsight, he gleaned it was because he had hit puberty and his body had been changing. He eventually surmised Rebecca didn’t want to explain puberty to the younger children yet.
Privacy wasn’t an issue at the Kelley’s. His privacy was naturally respected by Dale and Liara, and even as brazenly open and comfortable as he and CK were with each other, Skyler sensed a line CK wouldn’t cross. He just couldn’t figure out where the line lay.
He leaned his head against the wall of the shower and enjoyed the quiet…until he started berating himself about his botched kiss with Kalin yesterday after they kayaked.
He grunted and gently banged his head on the shower wall. Sighing, he turned off the water and toweled off. When he was sufficiently dry, he pulled on a pair of gym shorts. He grabbed the sunscreen again and headed downstairs to the pool deck. Outside, CK and Cody relaxed in the poolside lounge chairs. Cody looked like he had fallen asleep. CK held a book in one hand and his phone in the other.
“Hey, Sky, what’s up?” CK asked in a soft voice.
“Not much,” he said, pausing briefly to look at Cody. “He asleep?”
“Yeah, it’s nap time for him. He’s been training extra hard for football practice.”
“I didn’t think practice had started yet?”
“It hasn’t. He’s an overachiever of sorts. Coach has some of the bigger guys doing cardio and weights already.”
Skyler nodded. “Figures. He must work out a lot to get a body like that.” He is definitely sexy, but I’m glad I’m not into him.
CK smiled. “Yep, he’s one sexy bitch. Wanna jump in the pool?” CK asked.
“Nah, I think I wanna get some more sun today,” he answered.
“Okay, well come lay out with us. The sun is pretty warm today.”
“Yeah.” Skyler bent down and grabbed the sunscreen. “Will you rub this on my back?”
“Sure.” CK took the bottle from Skyler and squirted some sunscreen in his hand. Then he rubbed it on Skyler’s back. Skyler noted how different CK’s hands felt from Kalin’s. The touch was not as tender or interested.
“So, how was your quasi-date yesterday?” CK asked. “We didn’t really get to talk about it.”
“Ha, well, the day was amazing. I’m not sure it was a date though. I think we’re hanging out for now. He took me kayaking, as you know, and I’ve never done that before. It was an absolute blast.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. And yes, Kalin is a confirmed gay, and he’s totally into me.”
“Ha, thought so.” CK gently slapped Skyler’s back. “You’re all set back here.”
“Thanks.” Skyler took the sunscreen from CK and squirted some into his hands. He started rubbing it into his chest and arms.
“If you had such a good day, why do you look…I dunno…look like you didn’t have a good day?” CK sat back down on his lounger.
Skyler took a deep breath and sighed.
“Oh-oh,” CK said. “Sky, what happened?” He cocked his head to the side and waited for an answer.
Skyler kept his eyes focused on his hands as he spread sunscreen over his skin. “Nothing terrible, really. It was amazing. It was so nice and peaceful to be on the lake. Kal told me all about his family. He’s wicked smart, too.”
“Wicked,” CK echoed. “You’re definitely from New England.”
Skyler sniggered. “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I didn’t get into much, I wasn’t ready to open up to him with all my crap, you know?”
“Uh, okay.”
“And I guess you didn’t tell him anything, so thank you for that.”
“Of course not, why would I?”
“Uh, well, no you’re right, sorry. I just…” I guess only you guys know who I am and where I’ve come from. To everyone else, those par
ts are still my secrets. Good. “Never mind. We talked about the barbecue, too. Apparently, I’m pretty much out to the entire school, so there’s that.”
“Maybe. But honestly, Skyler, I don’t think the entire school knows or even cares to be honest. Those who were at the barbecue might suspect.”
“I think I’ll be okay. I had hoped to come out on my own but…”
“Annika.”
“Yeah, that bitch,” Skyler said, emphasizing the last word.
“Sorry.”
“Not your fault. You didn’t know she was coming.” He set the bottle down, sat on his lounge chair, and applied sunscreen to his legs.
“True. But I think you care more about being gay—negatively—than anyone else. And I get it.”
Skyler put his hand up and pointed at Cody. “Wait, you need to answer something first. At the barbecue, Annika told Cody he would never see her again. What did that mean?”
CK chuckled and looked over at his sleeping friend. “Well, Cody is a horndog. I warned him, but, yeah, they banged.”
“You didn’t get mad?”
“Oh heck yeah! I got all pissed off about it at first, but then I realized I wasn’t jealous about it. I was freaking out because I was scared for him. I knew he was walking into a world of hurt, but…he was smart enough not to date her. Anyway, he got bored with her pretty quick, despite what she says. But I guess she was excited to nail one of the hottest football players at school, ya know? I think she has a thing for him, though, which is why she’s such a bitch to him. I think he totally regrets it now, but life moves on.”
“I see.”
“Yeah,” Cody said. He turned his head to look at them and stretched his tall frame out on the lounger. “We had sex. Big mistake though. Such a stupid move on my part. But my sex life isn’t what we’re talking about right now though. We’re talking about you caring more about you being gay than anyone else…I think.”
“You’re awake?” Skyler asked, squinting at Cody.
“I woke up when one of you said bitch. I figured it had to be about Annika and I didn’t want to miss out. Then I put two and two together.” He wrapped his hands behind his head. “If you need CK to yourself, that’s fine. I can go.”
The Climb Page 27