Chapter Text
Everyone at Joe's college could talk to a therapist for free if they wanted. At first, Joe didn't think he needed that, but at the end of his last college year, he knew he needed to talk with a therapist. So, one Saturday morning, Joe went to the address provided by a secretary at the college's office.
"Joseph Franklin Lancelot Jones," Marian said. "That's quite a name you got. And a beautiful one."
"I can thank my Mom for that," Joe replied. "She insisted on naming me after my Dad. And I love her for it."
Marian smiled.
"Do you want to talk inside or outside on the patio?" Marian asked. "Or we could go for a walk."
"I think I would like to talk on the patio," Joe replied. "It has to do with I'm trying to enjoy the sight of the ocean as much as I can before going back home to Holland."
"More than fine with me," Marian replied. "Do you mind if I make a phone call first? It should only take two minutes."
Joe had no problem with that, and while waiting for Marian, he waited on the patio.
"I brought you a cola," Marian said. "Unless you want something else to drink."
"A cola is fine," Joe replied as he took the cola. "And thanks."
Marian gestured towards two chairs, and they sat down.
"We will have this talk at your pace," Marian said. "And we got the entire day if you need it."
Joe nodded and took a sip of the cola.
"I bet you wanna know why I'm here today," Joe said. Marian nodded. "It has to do with something I haven't told my parents and friends back home. And I don't know how to tell them that something."
Joe looked at Marian.
"Start with telling me what you haven't told people back home," Marian said. "That way, I know better how I can help you."
Joe took a deep breath.
"The something is that while I have been away from home, I've figured out that I'm gay, and while I've been here, I never thought the need to tell them at home about my love life," Joe said. "Does that make any sense?"
"It does, yes," Marian replied. "Are you afraid that if you tell the people you know back home that you're gay, they will turn their backs on you?"
"I know my two best friends will be cool about it, because one of them is gay," Joe replied. "And my friends have always had my back, just as I have always had their backs."
"It sounds like you got great friends," Marian replied. Joe nodded. "And what do you think your parents will do if you tell them you're gay? Are you afraid they will disown you? What..."
Joe held up a hand to stop Marian from talking.
"I know why you're asking those questions," Joe said. "You think that because I look Arabic, I got Muslims parents, but I should tell you that I was adopted by a Dutch couple, who found me in their pizzeria as a baby."
Joe told Marian the story behind his adoption.
"I have no love left for my birth mother or father, for that matter," Joe said. "To me, the only parents I have ever had are those I call Mom and Dad, and that will never change."
Joe drank the rest of the cola.
"I need you to promise me something, Joe. If you ever feel like talking about your adoption or about your birth parents, you'll contact a therapist who specialises in that area," Marian said. "Can you promise me that?"
"Sure," Joe replied. "But I cannot see the purpose of it."
"You will see the purpose on the day you need it," Marian replied. "Trust me on that."
Joe nodded.
"But back to why you are here today," Marian said. "While you have been away from home, have you been in any relationships?"
"Just one, but it was more of a fling than a relationship," Joe replied. "Why are you asking? We didn't do anything wrong."
"I'm not saying that," Marian replied. "Let me rephrase my question. What did you tell your parents if they asked you about relationships?"
"That I'm still trying to figure things out, and that was not a lie, because I'm still trying to figure things out," Joe replied. "It was enough to keep them off my back for now, but I know there is a chance that once I get home, things will change if people start asking me how my dating life is going."
"Ah, I think I understand what you mean," Marian replied. "Are you afraid your parents will discover you are gay before you have told them?"
"Yes," Joe replied. "More than anything."
Joe rubbed his face.
"And that's one of the reasons why I have said yes to moving in with one of my best friends when I get home. It's a way to avoid questions from, especially, my parents about my dating life," Joe said. "And yes, I know that is a sign off that I'm running away from telling my parents I'm gay."
"You realising that tells me you know there is a problem you need to deal with, and that's good," Marian replied. "So, I'm not worried about you."
"Well, that's a good thing," Joe replied. "Or am I wrong?"
Marian shook her head.
"Good," Joe said. "So, how do I tell my parents that I'm gay? Throw a big reveal party, like parents do with babies when they are revealing their gender?"
"That's up to you to figure it out, because you're the one who knows your parents the best," Marian replied. "But if you're scared of doing it alone, I would suggest having your friends with you for support."
Joe thought about what Marian had just said.
"And I want to tell you one more thing, Joe," Marian said. "If you are searching for the right moment to tell your parents about your sexuality, I am sorry to inform you that moment doesn't exist. What you are about to do is one of the hardest things in the world to do, but if your parents truly love you, then they will accept you for who you are."
"I don't follow," Joe replied. "What do you mean?"
"You being gay is a part of who you are, and nothing in the world can change that," Marian replied. "And just as you have accepted who you are, people have to accept it too. Yes, some people will accept the truth about you while others never will, and that's how it is, and it's something you have to learn to live with."
Joe looked out over the ocean.
"I think I get the gist of what you are saying," Joe said. "And if I find the courage within the next ten days, I think I am going to ask my parents if we can go for a walk on the beach and tell them that I'm gay. If I do that, I know how my relationship with my parents will be once I get home."
"That's a really good idea," Marian replied. "And if you need another talk after talking with your parents or before, then call me."
"Okay," Joe replied. "I thought we students would only get one talk with you."
"That's the rule, but I don't care about the rule, because I care about you students," Marian replied. "And if the students need a second talk or a third, then they will get it."
"Thanks," Joe replied. "I'll remember that."
Joe stood up.
"Thanks for the talk," Joe said. "It really helped me in more than one way."
"You're welcome," Marian replied. "And I'm glad I could help you a bit."
After thanking Marian once more, Joe left the therapist.