“Caleb…” Dad’s voice breaks the silence. I look up at him, blinking through tears. His face is a blur.

He takes off his glasses and pinches his nose. I suck in a breath, awaiting for the final blow. Maybe this is it. This is when he completely turns his back and leaves me on my own like I had always feared.

“What made you think I wouldn’t be okay with that? Do you think I’m that type of man? Do I seem like a homophobe to you?”

My jaw drops. Okay, not what I was expecting him to ask. I guess I’ve never heard my dad saying anything along those lines. “Well…no, but you really wanted me to marry Sarah.”

“Yeah, because I thought you loved her. You were always back and forth with her. I figured you were being indecisive and wasting both your time. Son, you’re not the best with commitment, forgive me if I assumed you were just being avoidant,” he huffs.

I bow my head. I guess he’s right with that one. I’ve never really been good at commitment. To anything. But…Nathaniel is different.

“But son…” he clasps his hands together on the desk, “you will always be my son. Your identity is important to me but I don’t care who you marry—woman, man, nonbinary, I just care that you’re happy. Does this person make you happy?”

My mind drifts to Nathaniel. A lump forms in my chest. That weekend we spent together. Laughing, flirting, just simply talking. Seeing him has always been the happiest part of my day. I nod slowly. “Happier than I’ve ever been. But I think I might’ve lost him…”

“Well,” Dad says, adjusting his glasses and going back to his papers, “you said it yourself—it’s time to get serious. If there’s someone out there waiting for you, don’t let them get away. Go get ‘em.”

I take that as my cue. I rise from the chair and start walking toward the door.

“Oh, and Caleb?” he calls out.

I stop and glance back at him over my shoulder.

“I love you,” he says without looking up, putting his glasses back on his face.

My shoulders drop. I’ve waited a long time to hear those words.

“I love you too, dad. Thanks.” I smile.

***

I take a big breath in. I haven’t seen Sarah since that night at the wedding, and I have to admit, I’m feeling pretty nervous. Not necessarily about seeing her, but more about what she plans on telling me.

Is she with Nathaniel now? Are they back together? Engaged? Expecting babies? Ugh. My stomach twists. I head toward the restaurant, trying to calm myself down.

Apparently, I’m all about big moments today. First, quitting my job. Then, coming out to my dad. And now, this conversation with Sarah. I’m really on a roll.

I round the corner and walk up to the same café where this whole thing started, or ended, when it came to me and Sarah. But it also started something incredible with Nathaniel. My heart sinks just thinking about him and how far away he feels now.