The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School(27)

“Sure, yeah, I’d like that.” I feel myself blushing and I don’t know why.

It’s about an hour before we finish the entirety of the junk food we bought. If I don’t leave soon, I’ll be walking home from my stop in the dark. I know the logical solution would be to let Bo drop me off at home, but after seeing this house, that’s definitely not happening. I ask her to drop me off at the light rail again. On the way home, I distract myself from thinking about Bo and my not-crush on her by finishing my homework for the week. Who knew denial could make me a star student?

When I get to the corner of our street, I see there’s a car in our driveway I don’t recognize. And when I get inside, someone else’s backpack is on the kitchen counter. It doesn’t sound like anyone is in the house, though, so I drop my bag on the stool next to the mystery person’s bag. Then I see them through the window.

Cesar is standing in the backyard with Jamal, his friend from Rover. It gives me an uneasy feeling to see someone from our old life here. I never really got to know Jamal, but we were on a “nod when you see each other in the hall” basis. I liked him because he always seemed to have Cesar’s back when I wasn’t around. I know of a few times Cesar got jumped and Jamal hopped in to help. A lot of girls liked Jamal, but he never paid any of them any mind. He’s tall and thin, and he stands all proper, always tucking in his button-down shirts. If he wasn’t Black, he’d fit right in at Slayton.

I hear my mom’s car pulling in the driveway. Jamal should leave soon, because Mom doesn’t like when people she doesn’t know come into the house. Especially when she’s not home. I start walking to the back door to warn them. Before I get to the door, Jamal hands something to Cesar. I squint and lean forward, but I can’t make out what it is. Takis? Money? Something worse?

I’ll ask Cesar about it later, but now I need to warn them about Mom, or she’ll kill all three of us. When I reach for the handle, Jamal reaches for Cesar’s hands, and they kiss.

Wait.

Did I see that right? They kissed!

I may have seriously misjudged this situation. New diagnosis: GAYYYYYY!!!!

It takes every ounce of willpower in my soul not to shout that shit out loud. My brother! And Jamal! For a second, I feel like that meme of the white lady with all the math equations behind her. Is Jamal the person Cesar has been up late talking to every night? God, I hate that I of all people assumed it was always a girl. But obviously I’m not upset about this discovery. I know I shouldn’t be this excited, but goddamn I cannot contain myself right now.

I hear a car door shut in the carport outside the laundry room just before the door opens. I turn around so fast I almost fall back against the screen door I was about to open.

I can’t let Mom see them.

“Mami!” I rush over to the laundry room and give her a hug, putting all the lingering giddiness into my “distract Mom” performance.

“I didn’t bring you no food.” She laughs.

“Dang, Mom, can’t I just love you?” I say, leaning to the side when she tries to sidestep me.

She gives me a look, then walks right past me. This is why I could never actually be a secret agent.

I run in front of her and stand on the opposite end of the screen door, so she doesn’t see Jamal. She does, however, see his backpack.

“Yamilet. Who is in my house?”

“Mom, don’t be mad—” The screen door opens, and Cesar and Jamal walk in. Cesar freezes when he sees Mom. Both of them look like their lives are flashing before their eyes. She didn’t see anything, though. All she knows is there’s a stranger in her house. A much easier problem to solve.

“Uhhhh . . .” It sounds like Cesar’s brain broke. Real nice.

“Mom, I, um, I want you to meet my boyfriend!” I step between Jamal and Cesar and hold Jamal’s hand. It’s clammy and gross, but I guess I’ll forgive him for being sweaty, considering my mom is about to murder him. “Don’t worry, Mom. Cesar was just giving him the protective-brother talk, so he’s got you covered on the whole ‘scaring my boyfriend to death’ thing.”

Jamal lets go of my hand and wipes his palms on his pants. Then he reaches out a hand to my mom. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Flores. I’m Jamal.”

She doesn’t take his hand, instead crossing her arms over her chest. Jamal waits a moment before awkwardly clearing his throat and putting his hand down.

“Jamal.” She nods. “I’ll give you a pass, since Yamilet clearly hasn’t taught you the rules yet.” The venom in her voice is directed at me, not him.

“Thank you, Mrs. Flores.” His voice is so soft I can barely hear him. He looks down and rubs the back of his neck.

“Rule number one: no boys allowed when I’m not home.”

“Yes, Mrs. Flores.” He swallows. “Sorry, Mrs. Flores.”

“Next time you come into my home, I expect you to do it right.” She points at the door, telling him to leave.

“Yes, ma’am.” He grabs his backpack and rushes out the door. I’m surprised he didn’t shit himself. I almost shit myself. Mom can be scary when she wants to be.

As soon as the door is closed, she laughs. “Oh, I like him!”

Cue record scratch.

“Really?” Cesar and I say at the same time.