I was fidgeting outside the kitchen, where my mom was making snacks for Tamara and me.
"You don't have to do this today. We can do it tomorrow." Tamara whispered.
"No I want to come out today. I am ready.. I am ready for love, for you." I stared at her beautiful pools of perfection intensely.
She sniffled back some tears and smiled, "okay."
"It's ready kids, why don't you go sit at the table and I'll bring it over. Tell me all about your day. Tamara, I want to hear about your day too. Mandy has never brought home any of her friends. I was starting to worry she doesn't have any. So I need to know everything about you."
Tamara just giggled nervously and a certain garment I was wearing started to get wet.
"I think this shirt looks good on you, Man.. You know Tamara, I keep telling her to wear more fun clothes, ones girls her age would wear, but she never listens. I think you would be a good influence on her."
"If only you knew," I mumbled and Tamara hit me discreetly.
We were all sitting at the table and digging into the homemade spring rolls, when my mom started hitting Tamara with questions, "Tamara, I thought you two didn't get along?"
"I didn't have a problem with her, Mrs.Kal-"
"Oh please, call me Viv."
"Sure, Viv."
"Did my daughter behave rudely to you?"
Tamara's trademark naughty smile appeared and she said, "Let's just say, Viv, I put her in her place."
"Well, good. Sometimes I feel she is too smart for her own good, you know and that can lead to hardheadedness," my mother smirked at me, glad at finding a companion to bitch about me.
I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. I started speaking a couple of times, but words wouldn't come out.
"So, you're a cheerleader? I was one too, you know. Back in the day, the routines were as complicated as the ones you do. But, it was still considered prestigious to be on the team. Then, you grow up and realize what you do and what you are matters more than these facades we put on to try and be 'popular'," she completed with air quotes.
"I agree, Viv. I used to think, being a cheerleader and dating the popular guy is the right thing do, but-"
"Mom, I'm gay."
For the next whole minute, silence was palpable.
"Well, can't say I saw that coming. Dad will be here soon, you can tell him when he comes."
"Won't dad get mad? Wait, aren't you mad?"
"As long as you don't turn into a sociopath, you are my daughter and I will love you, always." She leaned over and kissed me. But that wasn't enough. I was so relieved, I had to hug her close.
"So, I'm guessing Tamara isn't just a friend?"
Tamara's face was wet with tears but her she was smiling brighter than I have ever seen her.
"No mam, she's my girlfriend." I said, never taking my eyes off her. She was positively gleeful.
"I knew I should have put money on that." I heard my dad's voice behind me.
"What?" I looked at him perplexed.
"That night she stayed over, I told your mom you guys were more than friend, but she didn't believe me."
"I thought my daughter was so innocent, she didn't start thinking of sex.."
"Mom.. come on.. don't talk about sex."
"Why not? It's not like you two were considerate enough to keep it down.." my mother was enjoying this too much. Tamara had turned a shade of red I'd never seen before.
"But you scored big huh? That's my girl. Up top." If Tamara was blushing earlier, her face was on fire now. But I couldn't leave my dad hanging. So I gave an apologetic look to T and gently slapped my dad's hand.
My dad grabbed me up and hugged me tight. "You will always be my baby. Never ever doubt that, okay?" He murmured into my hair and I hugged him as tight as I could. "I love you, daddy."
"So Tamara, what are your intentions with my daughter?" Tamara choked on her juice.
My dad laughed heartily as my mom got up to where he was and hit him gently. "He's just joking, dear. Don't mind him. He thinks his juvenile sense of humor is funny" Before dad could interrupt her, she raised a hand and said, "which it isn't".
After spending an hour or more with my parents, who loved Tamara, we went to my room. I was so ecstatic after being honest with my parents and what's more they didn't even make a big deal out of it.
"I love your parents."
"I love you," I thought.
"They are so friendly and cool. My dad wouldn't even know what grade I am in. Oh actually, he would. Because after this year I will finally leave his premises and he can fuck any trash on two legs without worrying about me."
"I'm sure he loves you in his own way. May be he's still trying to cope with your mom's death."
"How do you know she's dead? No one talks about her. I don't even know her name. I don't know anything about the woman who gave birth to me."
"Haven't you tried looking for her?"