Avi was sitting a few tables away from Scott on his left and Kevin on his right. He saw Scott point at him and a small brunette, who he took to be Mitch, waved. Avi smiled at him. He couldn't deny the boy was attractive, however, Avi had a thing for dark skin and big muscles. This thought made him glance over at Kevin who caught his eye and winked. Avi turned a light side of red before directing his attention to his parents and sister.

"Josh says to tell you hello and he misses you. He's wrote to you but you know slow mail is from Israel." Shelley starts.
"Yea ma, hopefully it'll be here soon though. I miss talking to him."
"It will son. So how are things? I know I missed the last visitation day because of work. And I'm sorry your mother and I haven't been by lately."
"It's okay dad. I understand. Things have been good though. Got a new cellmate. He's nice so there's that."
"That's good. How's the other cellmate. Ummm, what's his name, Keith?"
"Kevin, dad. His names Kevin. And he's good. He got into a bit of trouble last week but he's okay."
His mother spoke up again, "and what about you Avi? Have you been staying out of trouble?"
"I have ma. I haven't been in a fight in months."
"Looks like you're changing baby. Maybe being in here is doing you some good?"
"There are definitely some good things." Avi spared a glance at his boyfriend who was too deep in conversation to notice him. "Uhhh, mom, dad... I have something I need to tell you."
Shelley noticed the change in her youngest child's demeanor, "what's wrong Avriel?"
"I think I'm pansexual... I know I am." Esther reached across the table to hold her brother's hand. "I know because I love someone, a guy. I have a boyfriend."
"Son, you know we love you just the same. You know we would never judge you for something like that." Michael reassured.
"Your father's right sweetie. But if you don't mind me asking, how did you manage to make a connection with someone in here? Or are they from before you got arrested?"
"He's from in here. And we have a connection because he's one of my cellmates. Please don't mention it to anyone. I don't want to have to switch cells. I need him with me."
"Which one is he?" Esther asked, excited her brother had found someone. Avi subtly pointed to Kevin.
"Oooooo, he looks good Av!" His sister loved gushing about boys with him since she rarely got the chance.
"He does, doesn't he. Even with the black eye and bruised cheek."
"What happened to him Avi? Does that have to do with why he was in trouble?" Shelley questioned.
"Yea. There was an issue where I was having a hard time thinking about him getting released and leaving. I was crying and an absolute mess. He came over to my bunk and laid with me, we ended up falling asleep. He got solitary because he took the blame for it all. Then when he was there some kid was saying things about him and about me too and none of the guards would shut him up. Kev got angry, which never happens, and they got in a fight. He just got back into general population today. It's been a struggle without him these past two days. I think Scott was ready to strangle me."
"He got in a fight because someone said something about you?" His dad asked.
"Yup, said if the guy was just talking about him he could have let it go. But when he mentioned me Kev lost it." Avi smiled at the thought of his boyfriend defending his honor.
"He sounds like a good man Avi."
"He is dad. He truly is one of the greatest people I've ever met. He calms me. He's the reason I haven't been in trouble as much. He keeps me grounded."
"Well, I can't wait until we get to meet him. I'm happy for you Avriel."
"Thanks momma. You have no idea how much that means to me. I was so scared to tell you guys."
His dad reached out to rub his arm, "you know we love you no matter what son."
"I love y'all too."

The rest of their time was filled with idle chatter about friends and family and the latest gossip at synagogue. Avi was slightly relieved that Mrs. Brooks was caught cheating on her husband because it meant that him being incarcerated was no longer the main source of talk around the temple. When it was time to leave, each family member gave him a hug and he was lead away with tears of both joy and sadness falling.

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Kevin was scared, not just nervous, he was down right terrified. His parents were both very conservative Christians. He didn't know how they were going to react to his announcement. He had decided that he wouldn't tell them who he was dating if they reacted poorly. He didn't want to risk them telling the guards and having to change cells. He had been without Avi for two days and it was horrible. He couldn't be moved somewhere else, it would kill him. He looked around the room, meeting Avi's eyes every so often. He also noticed Scott pointing him out to a group of his friends. Kevin nodded toward the small boy who waved, he guessed that it was Mitch from the way he held onto Scott's hands. Kevin smiled, glancing over at his own boyfriend deep in conversation with his family. He then redirected his attention back to his own parents who were blabbering on about church and the latest sermon that had been given.

"Kevin, have you been praying regularly?"
"Yes father."
"Have you been reading your Bible?"
"Yes father. Everyday," Kevin lied.
"Good job son. Your mother and I are happy you're continuing your religious studies."
"Yes father." Kevin hated how one sided his conversations with his parents typically were.

His mother continued conversation, asking about his health, especially about the injuries to his face and hands. Kevin was forced to retell the story, leaving out the detail that it was the comments about Avi that pissed him off the most. His father scolded him about losing control in such a manner, saying it's unchristian and he was raised better than that. Kevin just sighed, used to being reprimanded.

Lunch was over and his time was dwindling with his parents, he knew if he was going to tell them it was now or never.

"Mother, father, I have something I want to tell you."
"What is it Kevin?" Curline asked.
"I want you to know that I love you both."
He father stared at him while his mother spoke, "we love you too."
"But after I tell you this you may change your mind."
"I couldn't change my mind about loving you, you're my son. I gave you life. Nothing can change that."
"I'm bisexual. I have boyfriend. I met him in here. And I'm in love with him."

His father shot daggers with his eyes, Kevin knew he was angry. His mother just sat, mouth agape, shocked.

"Please say something," Kevin was starting to tear up.
"What would you like us to say Kevin? This is a sin."
"No father, it's love. I promise. I prayed about this. I swear I did. It's not a bad thing."
"Yes it is bad, very bad. You can't be a Christian and lust after men Kevin."
Kevin was getting upset at his father's comments. "I'm not lusting. It's love. I know it is."
"I do not support this." His father stood and left the table. His mother stay behind.
"Kevin, I'm not sure what to think about his. Is it just the fact that you're locked in here with a bunch of boys? Or is it something else? What about Alyssa? You've only ever dated girls before."
"Mother, this is how I've always been. I've just kept that part of me hidden."
"Are you sure son?"
"Mom, I'm positive. I love him mom. So much it hurts to think about not being with him."
"If you're sure about this I'll support you. And I'll work on softening up your father. He's just shocked, you know he still loves you."
"I guess."
"It's going to take a while but he'll come around."
"I hope so."

His mother stood up to engulf him in a hug before leaving. Kevin sat teary eyed, waiting for a guard to take him back to his cell, desperately needing comfort from his boyfriend.