Listen

"Ey kiddo!"

"Morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"I slept alright, what about you?"

"I slept good actually."

"That's nice."

"...."

"Your mom and I met a family a few days ago, at church."

"..Cool."

"You should come with us kid, it'd be nice."

"Can you grab that pot for me?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah."

"Thank you."

"Of course Gregory. Now, kid-"

"Dad. No."

"Hh. Gregs, it'll be nice. They have a kid your age! Maybe you could go play with her?"

"I'd prefer to do my studies."

"You can always do those later."

"It's Wednesday. My routine is making noodles, eating them, going to school, coming home-"

"I know-"

"-making an egg sandwich, studying and then reading-"

"Gregory, it's okay for you to change your routine, it's only a day-"

"It's my day. I'm not going with them. Especially if mom's involved. And church too?"

"..Church and your mother aren't all bad, Gregory."

"I- no. I know. I just don't want to deal with that. I want my routine."

"She and I got to know the family. They're wonderful. You should meet their daughter."

"Dad."

"..What?"

"Are you and mom, pairing me up with someone?"

"Wha-.. Yes, but that's besides the point! You deserve a lovely girl, and she seems lovely! At least get to know her, for your mom and I."

".. I'm gay, dad."

"I.. It's the thought that counts?"

"I- pfft- dad."

"I know Gregory. For your mother at least? You're almost eighteen. You and I can leave after?"

"...Yeah."

"Alright, good."

"..."

"Does that mean your going?"

"Pffft- dad!"

"What?! You can't blame me!"

"No. No I can't. At least let me do an hour of studying, okay? We have a test in third period."

"Can do. What's third period again?"

"Physics. We're doing a test for the reminder of the third quarter, reviewing kinetic, potential and total energy, the equations and everything."

"Yeck- Thank our Lord I don't have to deal with that anymore."

"Pfft- says the physics teacher."

"Retired, physics teacher."

"Like that makes a difference."

"It does! You learned it in high school when you were my age and were like 'Ah yes, I'm going to study this for my career!'."

"Pffft- That is not how that went!"

"I know dad, I'm just playin' with you."

---

"You look so handsome, my son!"

"Thank you mom."

"Of course dear, blue looks wonderful on you."

"Oh, you went with blue today?"

"Yes, always, dad."

"It works wonders on him, leave him be."

"I am!"

"Pfft- calm down you too. We're going to that one family?"

"Your dad filled you in! Wonderful! Yes, we are. The Barrle! They own a farm near the coast. A bit odd isn't it- oh well, they know how things work-"

"Mom. How are they?"

"Oh- yes, they're wonderful. Mrs. Barrle works on the herbs and things like that, she's such a sweetheart. And then Mr. Barrle works with the animals. Considering he kills them, he's awfully fond of them-"

"Lily dear!"

"Oh oh right- they're all so sweet, very respectable. From a good religion. Very successful, especially their dear girl: Maria. She's selling artwork! I've never thought a career in art would be so successful-"

"That's interesting, cool mom, let's go, yeah? Don't want to keep them waiting!"

---

"Mrs. Dock, Mr. Dock! Hello, welcome to our home!"

"Oh hello Mrs. Barrle, it's an honor to be here."

"Thank you for inviting us!"

"Of course! Oh hello dear, you must be Gregory! It's such a pleasure to meet you, I'm Mrs. Barrle, you can call me Jessie!"

"Ah- hello there. A pleasure to meet you too Jessie. Also, you can just call me Greg."

"Alright dear, why don't you all come in now?"

"Oh your house is lovely!"

"It is, yes."

"Oh why thank you, Mrs. and Mr. Dock!"

"Of course!"

"Grego- Greg, why don't you go upstairs while your parents, my husband and I talk? I think my daughter and son are upstairs, Maria and Johnson."

"Mhm- alright, cool. Talk to you folks in a bit!"

---

"Hello?"

"Ay! You must be that kid: Gregory!"

"I go by Greg, you must be Johnson?"

"Mhm, yeah, you got that right, come in now."

"Okay."

"Maria, this is the kid mother and father were talking about. He goes by Greg."

"Hey, it's lovely to meet you!"

"You too Maria!"

"How're you doing?"

"I'm good, and you two?"

"We're doing alright. Pretty bored with this though, ya know? You'd think our parents would know we want to go out or something."

"Oh- yeah, it's odd."

"Mhm. Oh Greg, what do you do?"

"Excuse me?"

"What do you do for classes? You attend Rock right? I do too, I'm taking their art courses!"

"Ugh, Maria loves talking about those. Good luck, I'mma take a dump."

"Er- okay-"

"Ew! Johnie!"

"Uhm. Anyways. I'm taking their literature classes, languages too."

"Oh that's awesome! How're those going?"

"Pretty good, and your art classes?"

"Pretty good too! I'm surprised my mother let me do them."

"I am too honestly."

"Oh?"

"Yeah- everyone's so strict about it. Look nice, be presentable, don't act like your everyday-"

"Cishetallo. Obnoxious, huh?"

"Johnie-"

"What?"

"Oh- is something wrong Maria?"

"I- no- you. You're not annoyed about his comment?"

"No- are you?"

"Phew! Oh Gods no!"

"Seeeeee? I told you the rumors were true Maria!"

"Wait- what rumors?"

"That your gay. It sucks your mom's set on you and Maria being a thing."

"I-"

"Don't worry Greg, I'll get you with a friend of mine. Or have you get to know him at least- and his friends. They're all trans so they're used to people hanging out with them to remain true to themselves but please their paren-"

"Maria!"

"Wh- woah you two!"

"That's not an okay comment to make!"

"Ugh. It's the thought that counts you two. It'll work, don't worry!"

"I- Maria- that's-"

"It's alright Johnson-"

"Greg."

"Eh."

"Fine."

"Seeee?"

---

"Kiddos, it's time to come down!"

"Ha- that's what she said."

"Johnie!"

"Pfft-"

"Wha- nooo, not you too Greg!"

"What? It's funny. Come on, let's go see 'em."

"Kids!"

"We're coming!"

"Oh look at that, they're already responding like family!"

"Of course they are Lily."

"Heh, it's not that difficult. We all go to the same school, and Greg and I both like literature."

"That's interesting! What else do you do Greg?"

"Languages, I hear that Johnson is considering doing medicine too, how do you folk thing of that?"

"We're so proud of him!"

"Literature and medicine, that's wonderful, you should consider that too!"

"Oh but Mrs. Dock, isn't your son doing languages as well, that should be just as successful!"

"I- ah, yes, he will be-"

"See Lily dear?"

"Ooo, family discourse?"

"Maria!"

"Ay, it was supposed to be funny!"

"It's the intention that counts?"

"No, Mrs. Dock!"