Later that week, Rhy moved more of his things into Mason’s house from the cabin. Though Mason was working most of the day, he sensed that Rhy seemed quieter than usual.
After dinner, Rhy said to his siblings, “There’s something I want to show you.” He took a disc out of his backpack and walked to the entertainment center in the family room. The others followed. He turned on the TV and set up the DVD player. “This is Granddad reading his will. If you don’t think you can watch it, I understand. But I thought it would be good for you to see it.”
“Rhy,” Heather said, “I…I don’t know if I can.”
“It’s okay. He says some things I’d like you to hear when you’re ready.”
She grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. Dora jumped up and curled into a ball next to her, head resting on Heather’s thigh.
The image came on the screen. Rhy’s grandfather looked to be in his mid-seventies when the video was recorded, but he sat tall, looking robust, and spoke with a deep, resonant voice. After reading through the legalities, he went on to the bequests, naming Rhy as his sole heir.
Then he looked into the camera and said in a clear, intense voice, “Austin, I know this isn’t what you expected. Your mother and I spent many hours discussing this, and kept coming to the same conclusion. You’ve built a successful business, and we’re proud of that. But you’ve failed your eldest child.
“First Timothy says, ‘If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.’ It hurts me that you’ve chosen this path. God knows I’ve tried to change your mind.
“As my last act as your father, I beg you to repair your relationship with your son. He’s a fine young man. I couldn’t be prouder of him, and you should be, too. Don’t let your prejudice blind you to the bond of love that still exists somewhere in your heart. Rhy has been a blessing, a joy to my life. I hope you can accept that blessing into yours as well.”
The image went dark. Tears streamed down Heather’s face, and Travis had gone pale.
“Why did you want us to see that?” Travis asked.
“Granddad never gave up on the idea of us all becoming a family again. I’m not giving up, either. I will always be open to my parents coming back to me in a spirit of love. I don’t expect it, and I won’t let them manipulate me. But I won’t close myself off to them, either.”
Rhy leaned forward with his forearms resting on his lap. “I know you two need time and distance to figure out your own path. I support you in that. But I’m going to make one more try to get them back. Not as my family, exactly, but as people I share a history with. I don’t want to hate them forever. Hate takes too much energy. I want to reach out and give them a chance.”
“What are you going to do?” Heather asked.
“I’m still figuring that out. But I’ll let you know when I decide.”
***
Dressed in suits, Rhy and Mason stood outside a little white-painted country church with a tall steeple and a gravel parking lot. Just the sight of the building renewed the queasiness Rhy had felt going to Sunday School at this place. He had even been baptized here. The thought of it rankled.
The anti-gay messages hadn’t really started until he was about twelve. Right around the time he was starting to understand his sexuality, he realized the church would never accept him.
But he hadn’t expected the same of his parents. He dismissed the church’s message as the small-mindedness of some people who took the Bible too literally. He thought his parents would, too. Orientation was something they had never discussed. It was as if they were in denial that LGBT people even existed.
He breathed deeply. Though his heart was beating fast, he felt in control. This would be difficult, but with Mason at his side, he could do anything.
“I want you to be prepared,” Rhy warned him. “Some of the things I say may make you uncomfortable. I know how to communicate with these people, how to speak their language. Chances are, I won’t get through to anyone. But I have to try.”
They had waited to arrive until after the service started to avoid any chance of a confrontation. After finding a copy of the church bulletin online, Rhy knew what time they needed to be there. Quietly, they entered and took a seat at the back to avoid being noticed.
When the preacher asked whether anyone was moved by the Spirit to speak, Rhy stepped into the aisle with Mason following behind. As they walked, a few gasps and murmurs rose from the crowd. Rhy kept his head high. He was here on a mission, and he would fulfill it.
Reaching the altar, he turned and faced the congregation. “Good morning, friends. Some of you may remember me. I’m Rhy Burroughs. My parents Austin and Elena have been members here for many years.”
The expressions looking back at him ran the gamut from disgust to curiosity to fondness. The people here weren’t all bigots. Maybe some were truly happy to see him again.
“I’ve come to say that I have sinned.” Rhy focused his eyes on his parents. His mother leaned forward, as if hopeful he would finally say the words they’d wanted to hear from him. They’d wanted him to renounce his identity, and he couldn’t do it.
“I’ve committed the sins of anger and pride, and I need God’s forgiveness. I’m here to follow the Fifth Commandment, to honor my father and mother. We haven’t spoken for many years. But I’m willing to put aside my anger and pride to heal our family, if they’ll accept me.”
He looked intensely at Austin and Elena. “I never wanted this rift to happen. I don’t believe you did, either. Now is our chance, before God and these friends, to put our differences behind us. To start anew. To forgive one another, as Christ taught us to forgive.”
Austin stared straight ahead, and Elena’s gaze turned stony.
“Please,” Rhy said, “I’m begging you. You can have your family back.” He walked up to them, stretched out his arm and said, “All you have to do is take my hand.”
His father turned away, red-faced and silent. His mother held his eyes a moment longer, then looked away, too.
“You don’t have to choose between your son and your beliefs,” Mason’s voice said behind him. “Jesus never said to love the sinner, hate the sin. He just said to love the sinner—and we’re all sinners. You don’t have to agree with Rhy’s choices to love him. You only have to love him. It’s easy to do. He’s the smartest, kindest man I know. You should be proud of him. This may be your last chance to make your family whole again.”
Mason’s palm rested softly onto Rhy’s shoulder, but Austin and Elena showed no reaction. So Rhy took Mason’s hand and led him down the aisle and out the front door.
They didn’t get far along the sidewalk before a voice calling Rhy’s name beckoned him back. He turned and saw a smiling face that looked comforting and familiar.
“Do you remember me, hon?” asked the woman, plump with gray hair and a smooth, round face. Her eyes were a gentle blue.
“Of course, Mrs. Kopecki.” She had been one of his Sunday school teachers. She’d had a kind way of interacting with the children that engendered affection and mutual respect.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said. “I’ve just been heartsick over the falling out between you and your parents. I’m glad you came today. I don’t know if anything will change their hearts, but I’m happy to see you haven’t given up on them. I always knew you were a good boy.”
Rhy’s chest swelled until it hurt. “Thank you.”
She hugged him, smelling vaguely of cupcakes, her figure soft. Pulling back, she said, “Now who is this handsome young man?”
Rhy beamed. “This is my partner, Mason Kane.”
She shook Mason’s hand. “You must be Maggie’s son. I can see the resemblance. She was my agent when my late husband and I bought our last house. She had just started her business then. How time flies!”
“It’s good to meet you, Mrs. Kopecki.”
“You too, Mason.” As the worshipers began to leave the building, she looked around and said, “Well, I’d better get to the fellowship hall and help set up the refreshments. We’re having a little birthday celebration for one of the children. Don’t be a stranger, Rhy. I hope to see you here again.”
Rhy and Mason were about to head toward their car when a young man—teenager, really—brushed past and quickly shoved something into Rhy’s hand before walking on.
It was a torn page from a hymnal with some words scribbled across it. I’m gay and I can’t tell my parents. Can you help? The plea was followed by a phone number.
Rhy swallowed, dismay fluttering through his body. But the sensation was quickly followed by one of empowerment. If he could help this boy, then maybe some good had come from this visit after all.
He would call Brenda Mendoza at the LGBT center to see if she could join him in meeting the boy for coffee sometime. Maybe Mrs. Kopecki could help the boy navigate the situation, too. A kid shouldn’t have to go through this alone.
Rhy caught sight of Austin and Elena leaving the church. He waited. Austin plodded along in his usual way, as if Rhy were a ghost he couldn’t see. But Elena made eye contact for the briefest moment before looking away.
He didn’t know if there was any hope for him and his parents. He wasn’t sure he even wanted a relationship with them—that wasn’t what this was about. He just wanted the hostility to end, so they could live in the same small town without the fear of conflict arising at some random moment. He didn’t want to worry about having some big emotional reaction just because of their presence.
This really had nothing to do with them at all.
Rhy wanted to live on his terms. That meant rejecting the hatred that had been his parents’ legacy. The only effective weapon against hate was love. So that’s what he would give them. Even if they didn’t deserve it. Even if they didn’t want it. Love was his path to healing for himself, and so he could be the man Mason needed him to be.