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"