J is for Joshua (and Jaime)
J is for Josh (and Jaime)
Josh knew that his parents were oblivious. They still asked him when he was going to get a girlfriend. Josh didn't let it hurt him, he knew that it was just that they, like the rest of society, assumed normal meant straight. He knew that if he were to tell them that he was gay they would accept it and start asking about boyfriends. It just annoyed him that being gay had to be acknowledged instead of it being an automatic assumption. After all, how hard would it be for parents to ask “So, interested in someone?” instead of asking “So, interested in any girls?”.
Josh knew that the accepted number of non-heterosexuals was 10% of the population. Josh also knew that that number was much lower than the reality. That 10% was only the number of gay people who answered the question honestly and didn't take into account those who lied, who were bisexual, nonsexual, asexual, and any of the other sexual orientations.
Normally Josh didn't think about these things. He was content with being himself and knowing that his brother and his Auntie knew the truth. He was content with his decision to not bring it up with his parents until he had a reason to. After all, as accepting as his parents would be, they'd make a big deal out of it instead of just going on with their lives. He loved his parents but they had a tendency to blow everything out of proportion.
The reason he was thinking about all this was Jaime. He had stopped in to chat with his Auntie and come face to face with the most breath-taking beautiful person he'd ever seen. Josh had studiously ignored his Auntie's gleeful smirks and put all his attention to his Auntie's new neighbour.
Since that first meeting, things had progressed as they were wont to. Now Josh faced the meeting of parents and boyfriend. To make things more stressful, this wasn't a meeting Josh had arranged and was able to prepare for. His Auntie had decided to invite all her neighbours to the annual 'It's Summer!” BBQ this year. She hadn't informed Josh of this decision until he walked into the backyard and saw Jaime already chatting with his parents.
Josh took a deep breath and walked towards his parents and Jaime. Any nervousness Josh felt disappeared at the smile Jaime gave him. That smile was worth anything.
Josh walked up beside Jaime and took his hand. Turning to his parents he said, “Mom, Dad, I see I don't need to introduce you as you've already met my boyfriend.”
Josh ignored the smug laughter floating over from his Auntie's direction as his parents gaped and Jaime tightened his grip on Josh's hand.
***
Note: Not that it's important, but Jaime is a Spanish name and is pronounced 'Hi-me' or 'Hi-may'. I use the first pronunciation because that's how my friend accepts me saying his name. And, just because Joshua is my nephew's name.
Note 2: I really hope neither Jaime or my sister read my LJ. If you do....I'm sorry....I love you :)
Josh knew that his parents were oblivious. They still asked him when he was going to get a girlfriend. Josh didn't let it hurt him, he knew that it was just that they, like the rest of society, assumed normal meant straight. He knew that if he were to tell them that he was gay they would accept it and start asking about boyfriends. It just annoyed him that being gay had to be acknowledged instead of it being an automatic assumption. After all, how hard would it be for parents to ask “So, interested in someone?” instead of asking “So, interested in any girls?”.
Josh knew that the accepted number of non-heterosexuals was 10% of the population. Josh also knew that that number was much lower than the reality. That 10% was only the number of gay people who answered the question honestly and didn't take into account those who lied, who were bisexual, nonsexual, asexual, and any of the other sexual orientations.
Normally Josh didn't think about these things. He was content with being himself and knowing that his brother and his Auntie knew the truth. He was content with his decision to not bring it up with his parents until he had a reason to. After all, as accepting as his parents would be, they'd make a big deal out of it instead of just going on with their lives. He loved his parents but they had a tendency to blow everything out of proportion.
The reason he was thinking about all this was Jaime. He had stopped in to chat with his Auntie and come face to face with the most breath-taking beautiful person he'd ever seen. Josh had studiously ignored his Auntie's gleeful smirks and put all his attention to his Auntie's new neighbour.
Since that first meeting, things had progressed as they were wont to. Now Josh faced the meeting of parents and boyfriend. To make things more stressful, this wasn't a meeting Josh had arranged and was able to prepare for. His Auntie had decided to invite all her neighbours to the annual 'It's Summer!” BBQ this year. She hadn't informed Josh of this decision until he walked into the backyard and saw Jaime already chatting with his parents.
Josh took a deep breath and walked towards his parents and Jaime. Any nervousness Josh felt disappeared at the smile Jaime gave him. That smile was worth anything.
Josh walked up beside Jaime and took his hand. Turning to his parents he said, “Mom, Dad, I see I don't need to introduce you as you've already met my boyfriend.”
Josh ignored the smug laughter floating over from his Auntie's direction as his parents gaped and Jaime tightened his grip on Josh's hand.
***
Note: Not that it's important, but Jaime is a Spanish name and is pronounced 'Hi-me' or 'Hi-may'. I use the first pronunciation because that's how my friend accepts me saying his name. And, just because Joshua is my nephew's name.
Note 2: I really hope neither Jaime or my sister read my LJ. If you do....I'm sorry....I love you :)