Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

he’d been a fool. Tim had told him once never to fall for a straight man. And while Len was never sure what would have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted that evening, more and more, he was coming to realize 16
    Andrew Grey
that it must have been his imagination. Then the first dance ended, and the floor filled with couples.
    After a while, the bride’s dance was announced, and Len got in line and paid his money. He saw Ruby smile as he approached and started to dance with her. “I was so happy you decided to come.”
    “Me too. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you since I got the invitation.” They moved together easily; they always had. “Are you seeing anyone?”
    “I was, but I’m not now.” It was an easy answer that rolled off his tongue. He knew he was playing up the casual thing he’d had with Tim, but he needed something to hide behind.
    “What was he like?” Len heard her clearly and almost stumbled, but Ruby just smiled and kept dancing, tightening her grip on his hand. “How…?” He forced his body to keep moving, even as he felt his stomach tighten and the chicken from dinner try to make a reappearance. “How did I know? It wasn’t one thing.” She grinned. “But I’ve known for a while.” Her smile remained. “It’s okay. I’d never tell anyone.” “Does Cliff know?”
    Her smile brightened. “Good God, no. Are you kidding? He’s got a bigger mouth than Sheila.” Her smile faded a little. “I think it’s cool, and I’d never tell anyone, but I wanted to let you know that it doesn’t matter, that you’re still my friend, and that I’ve missed you.” Before he could say anything more, he felt a tap on his shoulder indicating that his time was up. He let go of her hand and was about to step away, but instead he leaned forward and gently 17
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kissed her cheek, “You’re quite a lady.” Then he stepped away and let the next man in line dance with the bride.
On his way back to his chair, he made a point to say hello to Cliff. To Len’s surprise, he remembered him.
“Len, I’m glad you could come.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you invited me.” He glanced at the bride, who was now dancing with a very old man. “She’s really something. I sincerely hope you’ll be happy.”
“Thanks.”
    Len wasn’t sure what else to say. He most certainly wasn’t about to mention the short kiss they’d shared—that he thought they’d shared—those years ago. So he shook the groom’s hand and headed back to his table. After a while, the lights dimmed again, and the dancing continued. The bride and groom made their way around to the tables, talking with everyone and accepting good wishes.
    After a brief stop at the table the happy couple moved on, and Len decided to call it a night. He said good night to everyone and then headed to his car and drove home.
    His mother was sitting in the living room, watching the end of a Fantasy Island rerun. She turned and smiled as he came inside. “Was the wedding nice?”
    “Yes, very nice. The food was good, and I danced with the bride. We didn’t really get a chance to catch up, but she said she’d call in the next few weeks so we could get together.” He sat on the sofa, loosening his tie, half watching the end of the program and half watching her. The show came to an end, and she got up and turned off the television, “I’m going to miss that show when they take it off the air in a few months.” It was his mother’s favorite show; she never 18
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missed it. “Is there something on your mind?”
    “Well, kind of….” Ruby’s candid revelation about him had thrown him for a loop. He’d always been close to his mom, and it didn’t feel right to keep secrets from her, particularly when someone else knew. He was just worried how she’d react.

    She sat next to him and patted his knee. “It’s okay, honey, just tell me what’s wrong.”

    He wasn’t sure of the right way to say it, so in the end, he just blurted it out. “Mom, I’m gay.” He turned to look at her reaction, and she sat there unmoving for a split second.
    “Is that all? I thought you were going to tell me something I didn’t already know.”
Len was taken aback. “You knew. Geez, does everybody know?”
“I don’t think so, and what do you mean everybody?”
    “Ruby told me when I was dancing with her.” This was not the reaction he was expecting from her, but he was thankful for it nonetheless. If he were