As a child Jonathan’s father would always take them out for breakfast on Saturday mornings. This all ended when Jonathan turned 14 and figured out he was bisexual. He’s heard his father’s ramblings many times before about “the gays”. Jonathan suddenly didn’t feel safe around him anymore.

One Saturday morning in January, the Dennis children and their father went out on their usual breakfast to the Waffle House. Jonathan was in 10th grade, his only sister was in her freshman year of college and Samuel was on his way to becoming an architect, but somehow they were all still together and going out for breakfast with their father.

They sit at the small yellow table and wait to order their food. Jenny sits beside Jonathan across from Samuel and his father.

After ordering their food Mr. Dennis speaks up. “Why are y’all so quiet? What’s going on in life?” None of the children say anything. Their father sighs, “Fine, how about we all go around and say something new? Hmm?” Jonathan sighs, he just wanted to stare out the window and watch the cars go by on the freeway while having the glorious smell of waffles and bacon shoved up his nose. Why couldn’t the family accept each other’s existence; wasn’t that enough for love?

“Well, I’m passing all my classes,” Jenny says without any emotion. She stares at Sam, gesturing that it is his turn to speak. “I’m starting my plans on my very first building,” he finally speaks. Before Jonathan can announce his news, their waitress brings their breakfast. The 10th grader quickly thanks the Gods and Goddesses who timed this situation.

As they chow down Delirious’s father speaks up once again, “So Johnny, anything new?” His chubby little hands grip a little tighter onto the fork. Cue in one of the “That’s So Raven” visions as Jonathan remembers his recent “play date” with Weston. The two were hanging out in the bedroom of the 11th grader. Weston was showing Delirious the new video games he got for Christmas. One of those games being Silent Hill 2. Weston was too scared to explore the abandoned hospital so Delirious took control. All Weston stated was, “You’re so brave,” and the two made the mistake of making eye contact. Delirious ignored the zombie nurse limping over to him and he set the blue Dualshock controller down. Weston’s hand was warm on Delirious’s black painted nails; painted by Weston’s sister. The teenagers push their lips together, but they don’t pull away instantly. Weston closes his eyes and continues his hand up to Delirious’s arm. The black tipped fingers play with the strings on the gray hoodie of his friend’s. Weston finally pushes away and slowly opens his brown eyes, “I like you,” he finally says; his lips trembling. “Why?” Is the first word that comes out of the young clown’s soft lips. “I’m fat,” he states and looks down at himself. The older boy grabs his chin, “That doesn’t matter,” Weston answers. They both smile. Weston was the one and only boy to say that to Delirious.

Back at the diner Jonathan smiles, “I’m dating someone.” The whole family gasps, surprised that the younger boy had a girlfriend. Well, everyone was thinking girlfriend.

“Who is she?” Mr. Dennis immediately asks. Jonathan frowns and picks at his chocolate chipped waffle, “It’s not a “she” Dad,” he answers and sinks further down into his seat, trying to hide behind Jenny. The two other siblings turn to their father to see his reaction. His nose flairs and he takes another bite out of his omelette. He doesn’t look at Jonathan for the rest of the meal, or the car ride home, but as soon as they returned home Jonathan got an ass whooping and was banned to ever hang out with any friends until his stupid phase was over.

Jokes on his dad, the boy he was dating was only a window away.

Plus it wasn’t a phase.

“How’s the Waffle House sound?” Luke questions, but his shoulders droop at the sight of Delirious obviously ignoring Vanoss. “What the fuck guys?” He throws his arms up, “Welp, I’ll see y’all in the car.” The front door slams. Delirious groans, “I hate the fucking Waffle House.”

“Why?” Vanoss questions as he stands up off the couch. He waits for Delirious to get up, just in case him standing up makes him dizzy. The clown clears his throat, “I… I told my father something when we were eating breakfast there and he strongly disapproved.” Multiple ideas of what Delirious told his father then went through Evan’s head. One of them being that he was gay. Deep down Vanoss had only hoped, which was really stupid in the owl’s logical part of his mind.

After watching him Vanoss fixes his denim jacket and follows Delirious out the door. The car seating is the same as it was merely an hour ago. Delirious messes with the radio trying to find a good song or good station. Woman Woman by AWOLNATION comes on and Jonathan gradually head bangs; harder and harder. He smiles, the music flowing through his veins. Evan easily jams in the back, tapping his foot. This was the type of music he liked and the kind he composed. Luke notices both of them jamming, but still not saying anything to each other, maybe Evan could help Luke help Jonathan; that is what Evan is here for.

At the Waffle House the boys order and chat while they wait. Luke starts up a deep conversation, “So, Delirious, how do you feel about dating?”

“Just because you’re taking me out for breakfast doesn’t mean I’ll fall for you CaRtOoNz.”

“Not like that you damn clown. I meant, like, what if Evan and I helped you set up a dating account on something to help you find someone.”

“How will dating help?” The raccoon questions. Luke clears his throat and quickly looks at Evan and then back to Jon, “If someone finds you attractive and likes you for who you are, maybe it’ll show you how to love yourself.” Evan nods in agreement with his other friend, “He’s right Delirious.”

The food arrives, but the conversation continues, “So, what happened at the Waffle House many years ago Delirious? You told me you hated it,” Evan questions while he bites down on a piece of bacon. Jonathan’s heart pounds in his ears. He strongly grasps his fork and clear his throat, “Well Vanoss, as I said before, I told my father something and he didn’t like it. That’s all.” Evan nods and respects his answer, but Luke pushes, “Wait, what? You never told me this.”

“Fuck,” Delirious throws his fork down and rests his head on his hands. Evan jumps at the sudden angry action. The owl watches the fork sink into the syrup on the clown’s plate. “Jon-?”

“I told my dad I was datin’ a fucking boy and how I was bisexual. Okay? We got home and he fucking lashed out on me! Okay? Y’all happy that you know? Huh? You both know why I hate the Waffle House and now Evan knows my sexual orientation. Merry fuckin’ Christmas!” Jonathan stands up from the table, grabs his crutch and rushes to the bathroom, “I don’t need to eat anyway, I’m big enough,” he mumbles.

Evan slowly turns to CaRtOoNz. They both have worrisome looks on their faces. “Should we go after him?” Vanoss asks Luke. He shakes his head, “No, he’ll come out eventually, we’ll just have to wait.”

They waited a very long time.

***