Stone looked awestruck by the question. “How did you-” he laughed shortly and shook his head. “We were in the hall playing. The door was cracked open and the ball rolled in. Aaron and Gabe were too scared to get it. Pop said not to go in when he wasn’t there, so...I figured if the ball stayed, it’d be a dead giveaway we were there so...I went in, got the ball, hit the table with the lamp on my way out,” he chuckled.
“We all ran. I closed the door on the mess. Dad never mentioned it. We always figured one of the maids cleaned it up. How did you know?”
Athena leaned close, smoothed the back of her hand down Stone’s cheek. “One of the maids did clean it up-the head maid. Me. The door was cracked because I was already inside cleaning.”
Stone’s face shone with awe. “Why didn’t you say anything? Punish us?”
“The moment was useful for me.”
He frowned. “How?”
“Gave me the chance to observe you all that day.”
“Observe us.”
“Mmm, it’s been helpful. Especially as you’ve all gotten older. That day, Gabriel went to his room and looked through all the books on his wall. I can’t say he was actually reading any of them, but he flipped the pages like he was definitely looking for something. I asked if I could help, he said ‘no mommy, I’m just looking’, he never said for what.
Aaron found me, asked if he could help with anything. I was sure he would confess it, that maybe he’d seen me clean the mess, but no, he just wanted a task. I had him clean the bathroom even though it was spotless. And you...” her violet eyes sparkled with memory as she looked around the kitchen.
“You came in here. We were between meals, so there was no one around. I asked if you were okay, you said ‘yes Mama, I’m just here’. I asked if you wanted to eat, you said. ‘No Mama, I’m just sitting’. Over the years, the three of you have acted similarly. The circumstances may change, but the outcomes when the aggravation eats at you, mostly the same.”
Athena stood and kissed Stone’s forehead. “My point is, I know the difference between just sitting and sitting.”
Athena resumed her humming, while taking the warm bread from the oven. She turned the heat down under the soup and went back to the table with the butter and bread. Resuming her place there, she began to prepare Stone a slice.
“Mama, I’m gay.”
The knife barely clattering to the plate, was the only indication Athena gave of being surprised. “Are you sure?” She asked, her voice level as she made an effort to continue buttering the bread.
“I am. I am,” he stressed when she looked at him.
Athena pushed aside the bread. “How long have you known?”
Stone didn’t respond right away, looking as if he needed time to think. Finally, he smiled. “I believe I’ve always known.”
“Mio amore,” Athena moved closer, smoothing the back of her hand down his cheek once more. “You’re a baby. How could you possibly be so certain? So definite about it?”
Stone captured his mother’s hand, kissed the back of it. His deep greens fixed on her striking violets then. “I’ve been with men, Mama. I like it very much.”
Athena shuddered and Stone set her hand down with care. “I understand if you’re disgusted by-”
She snatched his hand up with both of hers, clutched it to her chest. “Never!” The word was a fiery whisper. “You’re my beautiful boy, my strong stone, un grande pietra,” she sighed, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Stone blinked, slowly shaking his head in wonder. “I expected you to be sickened.”
“Shh...” she patted his hand, rubbing it methodically. “How can I be sickened by something that once enticed me?”
Stone flinched. “Mama?”
“Si, ah si, bello...” something secretive softened her eyes and lingered on her voice. “I too played on the same side of the fence once. Mariana...she was the last of them-the sweetest. I haven’t thought of her in years.”
“You loved her?”
“I...enjoyed her. I very much enjoyed her.”
“And Papa? Does he...”
“He knows,” there was faint laughter in the acknowledgement. “He never judged, even gave me the chance to choose. I chose him and I never regretted it.”
Stone’s expression tensed again. “It’s not the same for me. There are no women I want that way.”
“Have you tried, love?”
He shrugged. “Well enough,” he smirked, “More than well enough.”
Athena tensed then. “I don’t mean sex, boy. Attraction involves much more than mere physical need. It’s talking, discovering and learning what makes the other person come alive.” She eyed her son curiously. “Besides the mere-mechanics of sex, have you ever tried from a different perspective?”
Stone shook his head, hesitant at first and then with more effort. “It’s never worked-not for long anyway. I feel like I’m being dishonest-a girl deserves better,” he said.
“Would you try again? For me?” Athena added when he looked ready to refuse.
“Ma,” wearily, Stone rubbed one side of his jaw. “Not really in the mood for finding a girl to date.”
“You don’t have to. As it happens, I have someone in mind.”
Stone dissolved into laughter that had his eyes watering.
Athena slapped his shoulder. “Stop it, now. Stop it.” She ordered through her own broad smile. “Be serious, now. The girl is very lovely and from a family I admire.”
