Oliver and Henry by Michael Hartwig

Author:Michael Hartwig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay fiction, gay romance, Vatican and homosexuality, Gays and the Catholic Church, LGBTQ books
Publisher: Herring Cove Press
Published: 2021-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

A few days later, Giancarlo sat facing Oliver on the fast train to Venice. The Tuscan landscape passed swiftly past their window. Giancarlo attended to some work emails, and Oliver read up on the history of Venice. It was his first trip with Giancarlo, and he couldn’t have been more excited. A text popped up from his moms. “Hope you’re doing well. We miss you. Send photos.”

Oliver replied, “Miss you too. I’m heading to Venice with a friend.”

They replied, “You keep referring to a friend. Who?”

Oliver hesitated. The last couple of days with Giancarlo had been more than he anticipated. They got along well. It was easy to talk with him about all sorts of things. He was handsome, affectionate, thoughtful, and generous. He was now racing off to Venice and wanted to share his excitement and joy with his moms. Slowly he typed in the letters GIANCARLO in the text and sent it.

He knew his moms would be intrigued and, within seconds, they replied, “Giancarlo who? Did you meet someone? Call us. Right now.”

Oliver pushed their number on the phone and waited for them to pick up. “Oliver?” they asked as they picked up.

“Ma and mom – why are you up so late?”

“We couldn’t sleep.”

“Why?”

“You tell us.” His moms were intuitive and were always picking up on things – even remotely. He knew they had to know something was up.

“I met someone.”

“Well?”

“His name is Giancarlo.” Oliver could hear their muffled voices concealed with their hands covering the microphone.

Rita then said, “Congratulations. This must have been unexpected.”

“Yes, very much so.”

“How did you meet?”

“He is Henry’s financial advisor. We met when Henry named me his beneficiary.”

“We’re still troubled by that. I hope he doesn’t try to nuzzle his way into our family.”

“He won’t. Trust me.”

“So, tell us more about Giancarlo.”

“Well, he’s handsome, about thirty,”

“Thirty? You’re only twenty. Oliver, are you sure?”

“Yes, mom. He’s been nothing but gracious and caring and respectful.”

Anna then jumped in, “A man, then?”

Oliver knew this was the big question. At some level, he didn’t want to self-identify, to fall into categories of straight, gay, or bi. He just loved Giancarlo. It wasn’t about being gay or not. But he had to admit to himself that what he felt with Giancarlo – both emotionally and physically – was so radically different from anything he had ever felt with or for a woman. “Yes, ma. A man. I think I’m gay.”

“Are you sure?”

“After this week, yes. I’m pretty certain. I finally feel myself.”

“Oh, we’re so happy for you,” they both said in unison on the phone. “Can you send a picture?”

“When we’re finished talking.”

“So, what does Henry think?”

“He doesn’t know. He’s kind of conservative and Giancarlo has to be discrete.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“It is, but it’s fine.”

“Well, we don’t want to keep you. Have fun on your trip and send us photos.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

After Oliver hung up, Giancarlo looked up at him and said, “You just came out to your moms. Wow!”

“Yes, it was both less momentous and more profound than I expected.

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