When it was time for dinner, Creek’s mum came out to fetch us. We were sat around a large table with Creek’s older brother and sister, their father, their father’s sister who also lived with them and her boyfriend. I had never been at such a large family dinner and couldn’t imagine this being a regular thing. Like a thing that happened every night? My dad and I usually ate in front of the telly, watching some pretty cheesy sci-fi films.

It was a little overwhelming, especially when they started passing the different dishes around. Two different salads, a big bowl of chili con carne, lots of fried rice with beans, freshly baked bread… There was just so much, and I wasn’t sure how much I should take of each.

That’s when Creek decided to take over and fix me a plate. He sat it down in front of me and offered me the breadbasket. At least I could do that on my own. I took one piece.

“So, Gael, Creek tells us you’re in the art department as well?” Creek’s dad said, pushing his black-rimmed glasses a little further up his nose.

“Uh yeah. Painting and print making. With Fred.”

“Such a lovely girl,” Creek’s mum, Maura, chimed in.

“What’re the job prospects for a degree like that?”

“Dad,” Creek groaned and rolled his eyes.

“There’s always Danton’s Bakery,” I tried and awkwardly smiled.

Creek’s dad, Carlson, burst out laughing and nodded. “Nothing shameful in that though. Liza works there.”

“Right but Dad, again, bakers is an actual profession. Don’t know why you always forget that part.” Creek’s sister, Liza, rolled her eyes. “You’d be very welcome at the bakery, Gael,” she said, turning to me and smiled.

I smiled back and tried to not make it a grimace. “It’s a nice bakery.”

“Alright, I think we’ve all fried Gael enough now?” Creek groaned.

“You’d rather we fry you?” Creek’s aunt asked and tipped her head to the side. “Is Gael your boyfriend?”

Creek groaned louder this time. “No, Gael is my friend, and he’s dating Abel, who’s also my friend. I am capable of having friends.”

“Abel? He’s hot,” Liza chimed in. “Good catch.” She winked at me, and I couldn’t stop a laugh even if I fought hard for it.

“Abel’s a good boy,” Maura said then. “Very sweet boy.”

“That’s my mum’s way of saying he’s as dumb as a door,” Creek muttered.

His mum totally heard. “I’ve never said such a thing.”

“He’s doing his masters,” I said a little defeated, wanting to defend my dumb boyfriend.

“Being smart is about more than education,” Carlson chimed in. “But there’s not a mean bone in that boy’s body and that’s what matters in the end.”

I nodded a little but still felt I had to defend him. I mean… He wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer when it came to social interactions, but he was so nice and there were never any mean intentions behind any of his actions.

“I don’t think he’s dumb,” I said then and frowned a little. “There’s different kinds of smart. I can’t follow any of what he’s doing in school and to be honest, I’m not really… Smart with people.”

“You’re friends with very good people, so I’d say you’re plenty smart.” Maura smiled. “We love Creek’s friends. All of them.”

“Even Abel, despite him telling us our house was cluttered.” Liza laughed.

I looked to Creek for an explanation, and he cringed a little.

“Well, he didn’t exactly say it was cluttered, but like, he knocked over a lamp and apologised and said he’d never been in a house with so much stuff and so little space.”

“Okay yeah.” I chuckled a little. “So, he’s not always the one with words.”

“You just gotta know that about him though.” Creek shrugged a little. “And he has gotten better lately, in fairness, which I think we should all acknowledge.”

“Not like this family is the crown jewel of social interactions either. Everyone’s roasting someone who isn’t even here. Gotta go,” Creek’s brother, Casper, rose to his feet with his empty plate in hand.

“Where are you going?” Maura said immediately and sent him a scathing look.

“Practice.”

“Casper’s on the town’s football team. He’s the goalie,” Creek explained.

“Come to our game sometimes.” Casper made a two-finger salute at me and then hurried out of the dinging room.

“You don’t have to come to the game,” Creek said with a low voice.

I snorted. “Thank fuck. I don’t do well with sports.”

“Like any respectable queer,” he laughed.

The dinner went on without any hiccups and I didn’t make a complete fool out of myself. Maybe a little awkward when the pie was put on the table, and I probably drooled on the table. Maura only took it as a compliment and even gave me some to take home to Abel too.

The whole family seemed so nice but also honest. Like if they had an opinion, they’d let it be known, no matter if it was positive or not. I didn’t mind honesty like that because it didn’t seem malicious.