We sat on a grubby mattress in a large room of the big house share. Except for the music downstairs vibrating through the floorboards, it was quiet. Kal took my hand.
“What’s going on?” I was concerned.
“I have wanted to tell you something since we were kids.” Kal sounded panicked.
“What? You are starting to worry me now,” I could feel the tears well up.
Kal took a deep breath and he too welled up.
“And I have to tell you now. Today. This is so difficult.”
Since we were both 7 years old, Kal and I had told each other everything. I had never seen him this uncomfortable in the 20 years I had known him.
“Kal! Spit it out! What’s going on?”
He sat upright and I could see a million thoughts flashing across his eyes. It felt like ages before he finally froze in the moment and looked deep into my soul. “I am gay!”
The intensity of the moment came to a head and I burst into tears.
“Oh my god!” I felt Kal crumble in agony as he collapsed into the cushions. “I knew you would hate me!”
“Hate you! Hate you?” I suddenly felt alone and very distant from Kal. “How could I hate you? How could I hate you for being gay?” I reached out to touch Kal.
“Especially when I have always known…”
Kal looked up from his huddle, tears still streaming down his face.
“You did?”
“Oh yes!” I smiled. “How could I not?”
A smile started to appear behind the anguish as he sat upright, took me into his arms and held me as tight as he could.
He did not need to say anything else. Neither did I.
Dale burst into the room.
“Hey you guys! Everyone is asking about you. Are you coming down? The Tequila has come out…” he winked.
Kal and Dale gave each other a knowing look.
And that was the beginning of a new, exciting, and often challenging path for Kal.
And for our relationship? A deeper friendship, of not just knowing each other, but understanding each.
This moment of friendship will live with me forever.
