Chapter Five
After I got home that night, I succeeded in avoiding my father. I wasn't quite ready to reveal that I was dating Butters to him yet. It was all still very fresh in my mind. I poked my head in Karen's room - she went to bed earlier. That's okay, I'd tell her in the morning. So as I sat on my bed, I pulled out my phone. There were a few people who needed to know.
I started a group text.
ME: Hey dudes, I got news.
ERIC: wat do u want asshole
KYLE: What's up dude?
STAN: ?
ME: So Kyle, remember what we were talking about earlier?
KYLE: Yeah?
ERIC: no
ME: Shut up, Cartman. So...Butters and I are sort of a thing now.
STAN: Whoa.
ERIC: HAHAHAHAHAHA
KYLE: That's awesome dude!
ERIC: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
STAN: Like a thing-thing?
ME: Yeah
ERIC: DUDE THAT IS SO FUCKING GAY
ME: Well, yeah kinda. Butters came out to me as gay.
ERIC: I FUCKING KNEW IT
ME: But you can't tell him I told you that?
ERIC: y not dude?
KYLE: Because, fatass, Butters hasn't come out to everyone yet, and if you out him, it could have negative consequences.
STAN: Well, I say good for you two. It's about time you found someone.
ME: What do you mean by that?
STAN: I mean like you haven't had a girlfriend in a while.
ERIC: So he settles for a dude. Makes sense.
ME: Shut the fuck up, Cartman.
KYLE: I say whatever makes you happy.
ERIC: u would say that jew
KYLE: Not now, Cartman.
ME: Well, it's still kind of new to me. Butters was really happy when I said we could give it a try.
ERIC: What, buttsex?
STAN: DUDE!
ERIC: What, gay guys like buttsex
KYLE: Cartman…
ERIC: Am I wrong?
ME: You're a dick, that's what you are
ERIC: But am I wrong?
KYLE: Anyway, I was gonna text you guys anyway. My aunt invited us out to New York for a summer vacation thing before we all go to college.
STAN: Oh shit, dude! Sweet!
ERIC: Spending summer with jews. my idea of a great time there
ME: I don't think I can go
KYLE: Why not?
ME: Can't afford it.
ERIC: Figures.
STAN: Maybe we can work something out
KYLE: I can talk to my dad. I really want you to go.
ME: Guys, please don't do that for me.
ERIC: yeah he already gets enough handouts from the gvmt
ME: Fuck you, Eric.
KYLE: Dude, seriously, we want you to come. We're gonna invite Butters too.
ERIC: Fuck, now I really don't want to go
STAN: Don't be a dick Cartman
ERIC: I'm going i'm going sheesh
ME: I won't stop you if you do...I'm just saying you don't have to.
I put my phone away after that and flopped back onto my bed. A lot was happening so fast. First, I'm dating Butters. Now, I'm being invited to go to New York with my friends? I figure I might as well just accept their offer to pay for the ticket. It may be the last time the gang's all together for a long time.
My phone buzzed again. I glanced at it, and saw it was actually Butters.
BUTTERS: Hey
ME: Hey what's up?
BUTTERS: I told my dad
ME: Oh
BUTTERS: yeah
ME: How'd he take it?
BUTTERS: Actually, surprisingly well, considering he was kind of hoping I wouldn't be gay
ME: And your mom?
BUTTERS: She already knew
ME: Really?
BUTTERS: I told her before anyone. A few months ago.
ME: Oh, wow.
BUTTERS: And she was with me when I told my dad. Had my back and all. And my dad told me that if this is what I wanted, he'd accept it.
ME: Wow that's great.
BUTTERS: Have you told your folks?
ME: No. Somehow I feel like they'd be far less understanding.
BUTTERS: You gotta tell someone.
ME: I'm gonna tell my sister in the morning. Maybe my mom.
BUTTERS: Your dad?
ME: Too drunk right now. I'll catch him when he's moderately sober.
BUTTERS: When do ya think that'll be?
ME: Uhhh...it's anyone's guess, honestly.
BUTTERS: Oh, so Kyle just texted me about going to NYC. You going?
ME: I suppose. They said they'd help me pay for the ticket. It might be the last time we're all together.
BUTTERS: Not you and me though
ME: ?
BUTTERS: It won't be the last time we're together! :)
ME: Well, yeah
BUTTERS: We'll still be together after that, right?
ME: Can't think of any reason why we wouldn't be. If I think of one, I'll let you know. ;)
BUTTERS: Hahaha well, good night, Kenny 3
ME: Good night :)
I stuck my phone onto its charger. I listened out the door. It finally got quiet, so I figured this would be a good time to sneak into the kitchen for water. I got up and slowly opened the door, making sure not to make any noise. I lightly stepped along the carpet down the small hallway and through the living room. I got to the kitchen, grabbed a relatively clean glass and got some tap from the sink.
"You're still up, huh?"
I turned around, and it was my mother, sitting at the worn out table across the room, staring at an empty glass.
I turned off the tap. "I was just grabbing some water before bed," I said, walking over to the table. "What was Dad going on about tonight?"
My mother shrugged. "Nothing special," she sighed. "Just the usual bullshit."
I sat down adjacent to her. "Ma, can I talk to you about something?" I asked her, nervously. I figured now was as good a time as any.
She looked up at me, her eyes tired and dark, as if she hadn't slept in days. "Sure, Kenny," she nodded.
I sighed. "I have a boyfriend," I said outright. I didn't feel like dancing around the subject. "It's Butters."
My mom chuckled. "Butters?" she repeated. "I thought maybe it'd be that Eric kid."
I smirked. "Eric's an asshole, Mom," I teased. "I wouldn't ever."
She smiled at me. "Good," she responded. "I always did like Butters. What'd his parents say?"
"They're supportive," I informed her. "I'm worried about telling Dad though."
She thought for a moment. "If you need me to, I can be there when or if you decide to tell him," she stated, taking my hand. "I want you to be happy, and not to have to keep your life a secret. I don't know how he'll react, but at least know you have me and definitely Karen by your side."
I leaned over and hugged her. "Thanks, Mom," I breathed. "I really needed that right now." I stood up and finished my water before leaving the room.
When I got back to my room, I pulled out my phone again.
ME: Hey, I know you're asleep, but I just told my mom. She is totally accepting and okay with it, and she says she'll be there when I tell my dad. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet, but I promise I won't keep you a secret. Good night.
I put my phone down on my night table, and I undressed myself for bed. I laid down, and snuggled down under the blankets. As I closed my eyes, my phone buzzed. I picked it up, and I glanced at the screen to see the response:
"3"
