Imposter in Zebra-striped Briefs by C.C. Dado Page B

when he heard Nathan’s name at the reception desk.
    “I got a call that my son, Nathaniel Harris, was brought here.” David turned and saw a well-dressed woman in slacks, heels, and pearls at the reception desk. Noting to himself that Nathan was in fact short for Nathaniel.
    He got up and went to Nathan’s mom.
    “Um, hi, ma’am. I couldn’t help but overhear you’re here for Nathan,” David said, feeling about ten years old with the way this lady was looking at him.
    “Nathaniel. Yes. Do you know my son?”
    “Yes, my name’s David. Nathan and I are… dating,” he said, knowing this was the perfect first step to being the type of guy Nathan deserved.
    By the look of complete horror on her face, it was abundantly clear she did not know her son was gay, and David had just thrown Nathan out of the closet.
    “What? What are you talking about? My son is not gay!” she practically screamed, completely horrified by the thought.
    “I’m so sorry. I thought that you knew,” David said, not knowing what to say to make this better.
    “My son is not gay,” she adamantly repeated.
    “I’m pretty sure he is since he’s dating a guy. That’s kind of the definition of gay,” Josh was kind enough to chime in.
    “My son is obviously confused. Do you just prey on young men with mental disabilities?” she said, looking disgustedly at David.
    “What are you talking about?” David rubbed the back of his neck, confused and outraged at the audacity of this woman. “Listen, I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about,” David said again.
    “My son is severely autistic,” Nathan’s mom declared, loud enough for the entire hospital to hear.
    David’s head was spinning. How in the hell could he not know if Nathan had autism? Wouldn’t there be signs? Sure he was quirky. Maybe he had one of those high-functioning conditions. David had seen a special on that one time. Oh God, had David taken advantage of Nathan and not even realized it?
    “I don’t know what to say…. I didn’t know. How could I not have known he’s autistic?” David asked himself, running his hand through his hair.
    “Oh, for the love of all that is holy, Mother! For the last time, I do not have autism,” Nathan hollered, hobbling out of the exam room on a pair of crutches, wearing a hospital gown.
    He moved in between his mother and David, turning to look at David before he spoke.
    “You really believed I was autistic. Really?” he asked. David looked ashamed and lowered his eyes apologetically before Nathan turned back to his mom. “And I heard you pretending you didn’t know I was gay too. I’ve been telling you that since I was fourteen. You just choose not to hear it.” Brandon came through the door behind Nathan, carrying his clothes.
    Nathan paused as Brandon’s mom came over and took hold of Brandon’s hand. Suddenly Nathan raised his shoulders like he was prepared to do battle, and looked at his mom.
    “Listen, Mom, if you want to be a part of my life, you can be, but things are going to change. If you are not proud enough to hold the title of ‘Mom’ and accept me for who I am, then you need to walk away.”
    She looked at the group of people who had gathered behind him like an army, adjusted her purse, turned around, and left the hospital without looking back. Nathan deflated as David placed his hand on Nathan’s shoulder, knowing his heart was broken, wanting so bad to be the one to fix it. For as much pain as Nathan’s mom had caused him in his life, she was still his mom. David couldn’t even imagine what that would feel like to have the person who was supposed to love you unconditionally turn their back on you.
    “Hey,” David said, massaging Nathan’s shoulder, trying to break him out of his saddened trance. “I’m sorry,” David continued when Nathan wasn’t making any move to acknowledge him.
    Nathan suddenly faced David, almost knocking him off balance. “The same goes for you. If you