FROM: [email protected]
DATE: Dec 20 at 1:45 PM
SUBJECT: Oh baby
Jacques,
You’re not going to believe this.
I got home from school yesterday, and both of my parents were there. I know that doesn’t sound crazy, but you have to realize that my mom almost never leaves work early, and my dad has literally never driven up here with no advance notice before. And he was just up here two weeks ago. They were sitting on the couch in the living room, and they had been laughing about something, but they stopped abruptly when I walked in.
I felt so queasy, Jacques. I was positive my mom had told my dad I was gay, which would just be—I don’t know. Anyway, there was this excruciating half hour of small talk, and then my mom finally stood up and said she was going to leave my dad and me alone for a minute. And then she went into her bedroom. The whole thing was just so weird.
Anyway, my dad seemed really nervous, and I was really nervous. We were talking, and I forgot what he said, but I realized my mom hadn’t told him anything. And suddenly I wanted him to know. I felt like it had to be that very second. So, I was listening to him talk and waiting for an opportunity to tell him—but he just kept talking and talking, and it was strange and tangential and boring.
Then, all of a sudden, pretty much out of nowhere, he tells me that my stepmother is pregnant. She’s due in June.
I was really, really not expecting that. I’ve been an only child my whole life.
So, yeah. If anyone can find the humor in this, it’s you. Please. Or just distract me. You’re good at that, too.
Love,
Blue
FROM: [email protected]
DATE: Dec 20 at 6:16 PM
SUBJECT: Re: Oh baby
Blue,
Wow. I’m just—wow. Congratulations? I don’t know. I can’t tell a hundred percent how you feel about it, but it seems like you’re not thrilled. I guess I wouldn’t be. Especially if I was used to being an only child. And then there’s the dad having sex factor, which is always horrifying (and he bought YOU a book by freaking Casanova?). Ugh.
Also, I’m sorry you got all prepared again to come out, and didn’t get a chance to do it. That really sucks.
I’m trying to find the humor here for you. Poop? Poop is funny, right? I guess there will be a lot of it. I don’t know why it doesn’t seem funny to me right now. POOP!!!!! I mean, I’m trying.
That’s so weird the way your parents told you, like they were both in on it. I guess he wanted to give your mom a heads-up first or something? And then he was nervous to tell you. It’s like he’s our age telling his parents he knocked someone up. Which is totally the straight person equivalent of coming out.
As a side note, don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.
Anyway, I don’t know if any of this is helping. I guess I’m a little off my game (kind of a weird day for me, too). But just know I’m sorry this is hitting you out of nowhere. And I’m thinking about you.
Love,
Jacques
FROM: [email protected]
DATE: Dec 21 at 9:37 AM
SUBJECT: POOP
Jacques,
First of all, your email helped a lot. I don’t know—something about poop and Casanova and the phrase “knocked up” in reference to my dad. It’s all such a train wreck. I think I do see the humor. I guess it’s not necessarily a bad thing to have a little fetus sibling. I’m pretty curious to find out if it’s a boy or a girl. Anyway, I feel a lot better now that I’ve gotten some sleep. And I think just talking it over with you makes everything better.
Sorry you had a weird day, too. Want to talk about it?
It is definitely annoying that straight (and white, for that matter) is the default, and that the only people who have to think about their identity are the ones who don’t fit that mold. Straight people really should have to come out, and the more awkward it is, the better. Awkwardness should be a requirement. I guess this is sort of our version of the Homosexual Agenda?
Love,
Blue
P.S. By the way, guess what I’m eating at this very moment.
FROM: [email protected]
DATE: Dec 21 at 10:11 AM
SUBJECT: Re: POOP
Blue,
I hope for your sake that Little Fetus is a boy, because sisters are a freaking handful. I’m glad you’re feeling a little better about things. I don’t know how I did it, but I’m glad I was able to help somehow.
Eh, don’t worry about my weird day. Someone got angry at me, and it’s kind of hard to explain, but it’s a stupid misunderstanding. Whatever.
The Homosexual Agenda? I don’t know. I think it’s more like the Homo Sapiens Agenda. That’s really the point, right?
Love,
Jacques
P.S. You have me curious. A banana? Hot dog? Cucumber? ☺
FROM: [email protected]
DATE: Dec 21 at 10:24 AM
SUBJECT: The Homo Sapiens Agenda
Jacques,
I love it.
Love,
Blue
P.S. Mind out of the gutter, Jacques.
P.P.S. More like a giant baguette.
P.P.P.S. No, really. It’s Oreos. In your honor.
FROM: [email protected]
DATE: Dec 21 at 10:30 AM
SUBJECT: Re: The Homo Sapiens Agenda
Blue,
I love that you’re having Oreos for breakfast. And I love your giant baguette.
So, here’s the thing. I’ve been typing this and deleting this and trying to think of a better way to phrase this. I don’t know. I’m just going to come out and say it: I want to know who you are.
I think we should meet in person.
Love,
Jacques