BIGGER BUBBLES

*Chapter 20: Sunday Dinner*

*Sunday, 4:50pm*

Adrian’s dad’s house smelled like chili and laundry detergent.

Same as it had for 22 years.

Lily stood on the porch with Adrian, holding a pie. Her hands were sweating.

“You don’t have to do the whole speech,” Adrian said, squeezing her hand. “We can just eat.”

“I know,” she said. “But they deserve the truth.”

The door opened before they could knock.

*Dad.* Gray hair. Adrian’s eyes. He looked at Lily, then at Adrian, then back at Lily.

“You brought pie,” he said. “Come in.

Aunt Carol was already there. Adrian’s sister Maya. Two cousins.

Everyone got quiet when they walked in.

Milo got treats immediately. That helped.

They set the pie down. Chili was on the stove.

“Okay,” Adrian said. Cleared his throat. “So. We have something to say.”

Lily’s heart was in her throat. This was the first time. Public. On purpose.

“We’ve been seeing each other,” Adrian said. “For a while. And we did it wrong before. Kept it secret. Lied by omission.”

He glanced at Lily. She nodded.

“We’re not doing that anymore,” he said. “It’s us. Out loud. And I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”

Silence.

Then Aunt Carol: “Is that why you two were weird at Thanksgiving?”

Lily laughed. It came out shaky. “Probably.”

Dad looked at Adrian for a long time.

“You look tired,” he said finally.

“I am,” Adrian said.

“You look happier too,” Dad said. Then to Lily: “You good to him?”

“I’m trying,” Lily said. Honest.

“Good,” Dad said. “Then sit. Chili’s getting cold.”

No one made it weird.

They asked normal questions.

“How’s work, Lily?”

“Did Milo eat the couch again, Adrian?”

“Who’s making pie for Christmas?”

Halfway through, Maya leaned over.

“Hey. I’m glad you told us,” she whispered to Lily. “He was a mess before. You’re good for him.”

Lily felt her eyes sting. “I’m trying to be good _with_ him.”

Adrian’s dad stood to get more cornbread. As he passed Adrian, he squeezed his shoulder.

Once. Hard.

That was it. That was everything.

Lily was quiet in the car.

“You okay?” Adrian asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “I thought it’d be harder.”

“It was,” Adrian said. “I threw up in the bathroom before you got here.”

She turned to him. “You didn’t.”

“I did.” He smiled. “Worth it.”

He reached over. Took her hand.

“My dad told me after Mom died that the people who stay are the ones you tell the truth to. Even when it’s ugly.”

Lily squeezed back. “Are we the people who stay?”

“I think so,” Adrian said. “I hope so.”

*10:02pm*

*Adrian: Dad said you make good pie. High praise.*

*Lily: Tell him I’ll make it again. Tell him thank you.*

*Adrian: Already did. He said ‘bring her next Sunday too’.*

*Lily: Bigger bubble.*

*Adrian: Bigger bubble. And Lily?*

*Lily: Yeah?*

*Adrian: Thank you for not running today.*

*Lily: Thank you for not letting me.*