Straight

by Seth King

Who is the guy in Ty’s most recent picture? For a second I think she hates me, and she won’t respond. But soon she starts typing. Hey. Sorry about what happened, first of all. You heard? I ask. Everyone did. And I’m not gonna lie to you, it’s his ex. He’s in town, and they met up. Everything inside me slides to my feet. The thought of him touching someone else…laughing with someone else…having sex with someone else…it’s too horrific to bear. I need help, I tell her. I’m not ready for this. What’s going on? What is he doing? Well, they’ve been hanging out a little… Are they in love? They are, aren’t they? She doesn’t respond. Seriously are they???? I ask. Finally she starts typing again. Sorry, my dog just shit on the floor. No, are you kidding? He loves YOU. This is only a desperation thing. He’s only hanging out with this guy because he’s miserable and needs to get out of the house. This makes me feel better, but only a little. He’s still out there, with someone else, and I still feel like too much of a fucking fool to try to go out and get him back. What would I even say? Has he told you any specifics? I ask. Nothing too in-depth. But I think he feels bad, and he feels like he scared you off with some speech he gave about how homophobic the world is. What should I do, then? Just get him! Go get your boy!