QUEER

Chapter 29

"I haven't seen Kyle for two weeks." Elaine stirred her coffee. "Did you fight or something?"

"We're just busy," kaswal na sagot ni Dane. "Magkikita kami mamaya sa charity event."

"Tell him to come by," saad niya bago humigop ng kape. "He can be with us on Thursday."

"They have their own Thanksgiving dinner, I guess."

"He hasn't talked about his family, though." Seryosong tinitigan ni Elaine si Dane. "Have you ever talked about his parents? Does he have brothers or sisters? Have you been to his house?"

"No, I'm not too nosy. Family stuff just bores the fuck outta me."

"I guess I raised a coldhearted asshole." Elaine rolled her eyes in seeming annoyance.

"Are we cutting back on the heating costs?" tanong ni Dane.

Tumango si Elaine. "Sorry."

"Why don't you let me help?"

"No, you can't find a job. Do you know how hard it is to work and go to college at the same time? I don't care if I die at work trying to support your education."

"Whatever you say, mom." Inubos na lang ni Dane ang mangkok ng cereal bago umalis. Ilang araw na rin siyang nagmamanman sa paligid. Wala naman siyang nakitang kakaiba, mga taong nagmamanman, o kung ano. Napanatag na rin siya. Ngunit mas mapapanatag sana siya kung alam niya ang ginagawa ni David, who had been ignoring him since they last saw each other.

Binati siya ni Kyle nang marating ang meeting place nila para sa charity event. Nasa slum area sila ng lungsod kung saan maraming mga out of school youth na binigyan nila ng mga lumang damit, lumang libro, at mga pagkain. Their organization was able to bridge the gap between schools that provide scholarships and kids who needed them. For Dane, it was a fulfilling experience. Parang nakikita niya ang kamusmusan niya sa mga batang masayang kumakain ng ice cream habang kinakausap nila. Natapos din ang araw na ito na walang nangyaring kakatwa.

"Hey, Kyle."

Lumingon ang presidente ng student council habang inaayos ang mga gamit sa likod ng kotse.

"Elaine was wondering if you could spend Thanksgiving with us."

"Are you serious?" Matamis ang ngiti ng binata.

"I told her, of course, you're spending it with your family."

"My family's in Nevada and I don't think I could come home on Thursday."

"Great!" Nagliwanag ang mukha ng nag-imbita. "So we're expecting you then."

"I can't say no to you."

Kumislot ang puso ni Dane.

"Bye guys!" sabay na sigaw ng mga kasama nilang nakasakay na sa van paalis ng pook.

"Don't get pregnant, Dane!" sigaw ng isa pa.

Natawa na lang si Dane bago pumasok sa kotse.

"We haven't really talked much about your family, have we?" tanong ni Dane nang nagsimulang umandar ang kotse.

"Really?" Sumimangot si Kyle. "That's weird."

"Why?"

"Because I remember talking to you about my parents."

"You're lying," biro ni Dane. "You know, I can look at your memories."

"Go try."

Ngumiti ang telepath.

"I'm serious. Go take a peek."

Kinabahan si Dane na sandaling napaisip. He's just kidding, right? Sinakyan niya na lang rin. "All right, your dad's a businessman. You're mom has nice jewelry." Inimbento niya lang ang mga ito dahil ayaw niyang basahin ang memories ng kausap.