“Mom, I’m gay, and David is my lover,” I said abruptly. Elena showed no surprise. She was a con-summate actress.
“Are you sure about what you’re telling me?” she asked me as if I were mentally challenged.
“Well, I’ve been living with him for six months, but I could be wrong,” I replied.
“I don’t know what to say. You know that I love you more than anyone in the world, and this changes nothing,” she replied. “But are you sure that with a man who lives off tips you will have a life that you deserve?”
“Mom, remember that I am also going to work, and I hope that your acceptance is real. Whatever it is, I am happy.”
Elena was out of her territory. The trip was distressing her, and the news seemed to be one of the many unpleasant things she anticipated. Besides, she was happy to have me with her and get rid of her travel companions.
“Don’t rush. This could be a phase in your life. You don’t know if it will last and if you will continue in the same way,” she said.
I was content with this and returned to Washington.
Years later, with more confidence, Elena told me that I had ruined the trip for her and that she had thought about jumping off the ship.