Starbucks has a café located on the Citrus City campus and Malarkey stands in line to buy a Caramel Brulée Latte. It’s Christmas time, but in Citrus City the weather never changes so it would be hard to tell without the Christmas baubles. Global warming doesn’t exist in a globally warm climate, so denial is a way of life. Standing behind him is a lovely young woman about twenty years old, with long blonde hair and blue eyes, who’s wearing very short cutoff jeans and a flimsy halter-top that exposes most of her nubile breasts. Malarkey moves up a bit more in line, but the line is somewhat long so he’s not at the register yet. In the meantime, he turns and looks behind him and pretends he’s looking for someone when, in fact, he just wants to get a better look at the co-ed’s fulsome breasts. Malarkey turns back toward the register, but the line still isn’t moving very fast. He turns again toward the co-ed who’s so absorbed in scrolling through her cell phone that she has no clue as to what Malarkey is doing. Then, suddenly, without notice, Malarkey turns, pulls the halter top down and cups both hands around her breasts to see what kind of reaction he gets. The co-ed, absorbed as she is in scrolling through her cell phone, doesn’t react at all, but if thoughts were things then Malarkey would have been sacked on the spot.
But fortunately, for Malarkey, thoughts are not things and Malarkey returns to his office to pick up a few things before their trip. Waiting in the hall is Matthew who, from the looks of it, is preoccupied.
“Matthew. How are you?”
“Fine. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course.”
They enter Malarkey’s office.
“Have a seat? What’s up? Ready for break?”
Matthew sits down. He’s obviously grappling with something and is trying not to become emotional. Malarkey sees what he’s going through, leans forward and taps him on the thigh.
“What is it, Matthew? Are you okay?”
Matthew nods without looking.
“Take your time.”
“I’m struggling.”
“With what? Certainly not your studies.”
“No, my … sexuality.” Malarkey pauses for a moment realizing he needs to focus.
“I see. What about it?”
“I’m … gay.”
Malarkey is unfazed by the comment. It’s not as if he’s had a lot of experience with this sort of thing, but enough to know it’s a major moment in Matthew’s life if not Malarkey’s.
“And?”
“And I’m not sure how to tell my parents.”
“What do you think will happen if you tell them?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What’s the worst case?”
“They’ll be upset. Shocked, disappointed, angry. Especially my father.”
“And not your mother?”
“No, maybe her too, but he’s …”
“He’s what?”
“He’s very religious, a man of God and I’m not sure he’ll understand.”
“Matthew, I can’t tell you the best way to tell your folks, but this is what I can tell you.” He leans close to him. “You have nothing to feel shameful or guilty about. Your sexual orientation does not define you as a human being. Our identities are shaped by what we do in our lives and how we deal with other people and I can tell you this … you are an exceptional human being. You need to pick a time that’s good for you. Perhaps, a place and tell them what you’re feeling. You can do no more.”
Matthew keeps his emotions under wraps and nods his head.
“Thank you for your time.”
“No, thank you for coming to me. I feel privileged that you would do so and don’t hesitate to talk to me whenever you feel like it.”
Matthew gets up as does Malarkey. Matthew starts to leave, turns and hugs Malarkey who embraces him as his own. Malarkey has some difficulty controlling his emotions as well since more than anything else, Malarkey tries to hide those things. After all, he’s a professor.