Friday, December 30, 2011

Like Nothing Happened

Today was the day.  This was the day I was going to meet up with my childhood friend who now knows that I am gay.


He called me at about 11:00 this morning to tell me he was about an hour away.  I was just getting out of the shower when he called and I answered the phone naked and still a little wet.  (Note to T: Don't say it!)


I got dressed and picked up odds and ends around the house to make it look neat and tidy.  


I got a text from K that she was taking the kids out to lunch.  I asked her if she, and they wanted to join us.  K and Ted's wife went to high school together, though they were not in the same grade and she lived next door to K's best friend (who also turned out to be gay).  If it was only Ted coming to visit, I would not have invited them, but since he was bringing his wife and kids (who are both college age) I figured it would be cool to bring my kids.  After all, Ted has not seen my older kids in more than 10 years and he has not seen my little kids at all.  


Ted and family showed up right on schedule.  I met them at the door.  Gave Ted a firm handshake, a hug for his wife and handshakes for the kids.  I noticed how Ted's son looks a lot like Ted did at that age.  They all came into the house and we chatted while we waited for my kids and K to show up.


When she got there, we did all the introductions and then headed for the cars for the ride to Chili's for lunch.  We had a good meal and we hung out there for about an hour and a half.


I was struck by the ordinariness of the lunch.  We talked about the people we both knew.  Got caught up on the events in our lives.  We talked like we had just seen each other last week.  Like our phone conversation the other day, I searched for any hint that he might be different.  For any hint that my old friend might have a problem with me being gay.  I didn't find it.  It was not there on the phone and it was not there in person.


After lunch we sent Ted and his family on their way home.  I would have loved to hang out with them longer, but I knew they still had a six hour drive home.


As K drove me back to my house I was feeling happy.  I was glad that there were a few more people in the world who know who I really am and they still like me.

4 comments:

T said...

Say what?
I only worry about you getting a cold!

Biki Honko said...

Yippee!!! And yet another biggie mile stone is passed successfuly! Fantastic news, yeah?

Buddy Bear said...

I'm sure the vast majority of people who knew the "real you before you came out will react the same way .... that your being gay makes no difference at all.

After all, you haven't changed fundamentally have you.... your sexuality is just one aspect of your whole persona.

Also, I'm sure you weren't counting among your friends the religious nut-jobs, the bigoted, closed-minded or the intolerant.

jlo said...

I am glad everything went well. It is always nice to reconnect with old friends. Happy New Year. LOVE AND HUGS