"This is Austin. He's my, uh, boyfriend."
His mother pursed her lips in disapproval, but extended her hand out in an act of courtesy. "I'm Katherine. It's nice to meet you.
His father was much more cheerful in his introduction, and a tight hug ensued. "Austin! It's so good to finally meet you! Abel has told us so many wonderful things about you!"
Austin flushed under the attention while Abel hid. He knew that his mother wasn't going to be enthusiastic about the boyfriend. She barely acknowledged his preference for guys. She could have at least defrosted for an hour to meet the man.
The four sat down at their table on the patio of a local café. Austin and Abel's father, Charles, got along wonderfully. They rambled together about technical computer talk as Katherine occasionally chimed in with a cold word or two.
Abel just sat in his chair, feeling sick.
