It happened when I was a boy – grade school or junior high – I don’t remember. I was in bed trying to sleep and my father popped in to say goodnight, as was his custom. Sleep usually came easier after we chatted a bit.
Dad sensed my uneasiness and asked me if something was wrong. “I think I’m a homosexual,” I whispered. He looked at me, then out the window toward the junior high school across the street. I felt awkward. He looked back at me and said “Oh, don’t worry about that. Lots of young boys go through a phase like that.” He shut the light and left. My tension did not leave. He must have known, and the light came on. He came back in the room and said, “You know, if that feeling doesn’t go away, that’s ok too.” He shut the light again. Sleep came. I will always be grateful for that night.
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