“I’ve been giving all that some thought, too. I’ve been at Stafford High for a longtime, and I’ve been what you might call quietly out the whole time, so no one ever says anything about my being gay. You and I have been seen together at the soccer matches by quite a few students, and I’ve no doubt we’ve also been seen around town at restaurants, the mall, church, and the gym. Again, no one has said anything. But if word gets around that we’re lovers, I don’t know what might happen. Maybe nothing. I want to shout to the world that we love each other, but let’s be cautious for now, okay?”
“I understand what you’re saying, and I agree. As I said, I don’t want to do anything to make matters difficult for you at school.”
“You know, I thought I’d considered just about everything last fall when
