Both parents looked at him expectantly, and the silence threatened to swallow up all of Paul's practiced words. He fought to get the next words out.

"The thing is," he said, "there isn't going to be a nice girl for me. Ever." He let that sink in.

Helen was still confused, but Paul could see understanding dawn in his father's face.

"You mean you broke up with somebody?" Helen guessed.

"Not exactly, no."

Holly squeezed his leg under the table and gave him a bolstering smile.

Paul tried again. "The thing is --"

"You're queer," Jack said flatly. The air left Paul in one big breath and he looked at...