My mother and I were anticipating my brother's return from the post office this morning when the door suddenly cracked open and my brother came in with a tall blond boy following behind.
"This is Andrew," my brother clearly introduced. Though he often brought friends home, he seldom introduced them to us directly. I have become quite acquainted with his regular group of friends through regular interaction. With this kid I was unfamiliar. I was quick to follow up my mother's polite introduction.
Andrew seemed quite reserved as he stood by the door. He was dressed in a black button up and dark faded jeans. He had a narrow face, very unlike my brother. We asked him to sit down at the table for lunch. My mother and I then went upstairs to prepare ourselves to do some grocery shopping.
When I came downstairs, Andrew and my brother were sitting side my side playing one of those obscure fighting video games. It was then that I saw the potential.
When the game stops, silence would fill the room. My brother would look at me nervously. Andrew, mustering up all his courage, would stand up and look at me in the eyes. As gently as he could, he would sat, "Actually, I'm your brother's boyfriend." The surprise would stab at my throat and I would be incapable of speech. I would look for my brother's uncomfortable face, ashamed when he should not have been.
But that silence never happened and neither Andrew nor my brother ever admitted to being gay. Everyone eventually turned up and it turned out to be another ordinary day with the guys.
