Follows RT - Parents & RT - Trouble
The ride home was the most awkward experience Tyler had even been through. His oblivious father sang softly to the Christmas carols playing on the radio, while his very knowing mother kept glancing at him, causing him to squirm in his seat.
"Um... can we stop at a diner and get some food?" Tyler asked, hoping it would give him some more time to save himself from embarrassment.
"We just ate, Tyler..." his father answered and shook his head, "You're still hungry?"
"We have food at home, dear," his mother said sweetly and gave Tyler a small smile, "Besides, don't we have something important to discuss when we get home?"
"No. No, we don't, mom, there really isn't much to discuss," Tyler replied with a strained smile.
"What is it?" Mr. Sims asked, "Does it have to do with Reid and Tyler disappearing?"
Mrs. Sims smiled while Tyler sank in his seat and covered his face with his hands.
"We'll talk when we get home, honey."
At home, Tyler tried to rush off to his room, but his mother caught him by the arm and pulled him to the living room, where the three of them sat down. Tyler sat on a couch by himself while his parents sat on the couch facing him.
He was pretty sure the anticipation was going to give him a heart-attack.
"What's going on?" Mr. Sims asked and looked between his son and his wife. "Why is Tyler slowly sinking into the couch?"
Mrs. Sims was about to say something, but Tyler cut her off.
"Me and Reid... we... go out."
Mr. Sims slowly nodded as he absorbed the information.
"Secret's out, gotta go, bye," Tyler blurted out and got up to rush off.
"Tyler..." Mr. Sims sighed, "Get back here."
Reluctantly, Tyler came back and took his seat. "Look, I'm sorry, but it just happened, and we go good together, and please don't make us break up because I don't know how that would work, and why aren't Pogue and Caleb suffering too? They knew about us and said nothing! So... yeah."
Tyler's parents watched in amusement as their son rambled, understanding why he was so nervous.
"Tyler, we've always trusted you, and this is no different. I'm not saying I'm completely comfortable with the thought of my only son dating another boy, one I regard as a son while we're at it, but Reid has always been there for you, and if I had to choose any boy for you to go gay for, it would be him."
"Daaaad, I did not go gay!" Tyler groaned and deflated on the couch, using a cushion to hide his face.
"Whatever you call yourself, we'll try and accept it, Tyler."
"Can I go now?"
Mrs. Sims sighed and gave in, "Go, sweetie. We'll talk more tomorrow."
"Goodnight," Tyler said as quickly as possible and got up to leave. He got as far as the stairs before rushing back and engulfing both of his parents in a hug. "Thank you," he whispered, then let go and rushed away before he could regress into a five year old child.
