My mother couldn’t resist it. She had to throw a party. And when she sets her sights on a celebration, she doesn’t fuck around. There are over four hundred of our ‘closest friends’ around the pool in our backyard, another thirty in it, and more filtering in through the kitchen where my mom is holding court and pretending like the brownies she cooked were the most taxing thing she’s ever done. She’s even got a splash of well-applied flour on her cheek; a nice touch. But at least she’s not high.

The band Broken Bells is setting up to play on a tall fantastically lit stage built for the event in the east corner of our backyard. Food trucks with Salvadorian, New Orleans BBQ, and Thai delicacies are off to the west, having driven in through the gate our landscapers normally use to get back here.

Making my way to my favorite group of people, I thank guests for their kind words, with more than a polite smile on my face this time.

I’m happy to be back in L.A. and I’m grateful for the party, but mostly I’m just relieved to be breathing smog-filled air and not fucking salt water.

“There he is!” Jenna smiles from her lounge chair. “They can’t get enough of you guys today and I don’t blame ‘em.”

Jack grins and hands her the drink she was trying to reach for on the table centered among us. “I can’t get enough of them either. It’s a different feeling isn’t it, buddy?” he says.

I nod and sit next to Alec on a sturdy, red ottoman that’s large enough for five. Rue’s in the lounge chair beside her best friend and Jack sits on the ground creating a circle of sorts, his shorts wet and sticking to him from the dip he just had in the pool. “I can’t believe you went in the water,” I say under my breath.

He laughs, “If I can see the bottom, it’s all good. But I am seriously considering having the dark bottom taken out and replaced with floodlights.”

Rue’s smiling at him and she glances over to catch me watching her. Her eyebrows rise. “Yes?” Since we got home, she’s been sweet and quiet. I think she’s been waiting for us to throw her out, and Jack’s enjoying that, but this time from a playful place. I have a feeling their sibling rivalry ain’t leaving anytime soon. I’m starting to like the show now that the weapons have been thrown away.

Leaning on my elbows, I cock my head toward the house. “My mom seems to like you.”

Rue blushes, looking over the house. Pursing her lips, she glances back to me on a smile. “We had something greater than the past to help us into the present.”

Jack pipes up, “Oh yeah? The plane crash?”

She shakes her head, looking from me to Jack with a sweet, heartfelt smile. “Love.”

Jack straightens up with mock-surprise. “You guys love each other? Isn’t there enough same-sex lovin’ going around?” We all laugh and Jenna just shakes her head at him like she’d punch him if he were closer.

When we were picked up at the airport, after the reporters got a statement and cameras grabbed photographs of Mom, Alec and our new sister joyously greeting us with hugs and tears, we climbed into a stretch limo and I announced I was gay. The door hadn’t even closed yet. And I never wanted it to close again, metaphorically speaking.

Rue was the only one who didn’t seem surprised. “I saw you looking at that guy in Ibiza,” she confessed to my surprise.

And since coming out to my closest people, I’m now telling everyone.

This party is abuzz with two bits of news: we survived, and I like cock.

This is how it’s been all morning: “Great to see, Sean. We thought you were dead.”

“Yeah, thanks. Not dead, but I am gay. Good to see you, too.”

Clap on the back and I’m out.

“I’m bi. I can go either way,” Jenna smirks.

Jack smirks back at her, his bruised and swollen nose looking painful and kind of funny as he tries to be sexy. “What about my way? You think you can handle me?” Jenna laughs and kicks at his shoulder, the possibility there. “I’m huge, by the way. Like a monster is in my pants huge. Or my shorts. It’s right here.” He grabs himself and Jenna squeals with laughter.

Rue says, dryly, “Shut up, Jack.”

Alec’s been doing his best not to pay much attention to Rue, keeping his eyes on me and my brother more often than not, but his words back in Ibiza weren’t lost on us. I know how he feels about her, and the respect he’s giving us makes me feel good, but it’s unnecessary. Any brush with death will teach you that you have to grab opportunities for love when they come.