“In the courtyard!”
The leaves still on the trees were brilliant red and orange, but today the weather was fair. His parents sat outside at their patio set, under the wide cantilevered umbrella, with a spread of lavash, feta cheese with grapes, watermelon, and fresh herbs laid out on the table. A large pitcher of water with lemon and cucumber sat next to it.
But it wasn’t only the unusual appearance of appetizers that brought Ari up short as he stepped onto the patio.
His parents weren’t alone.
“There you are!” his mother said warmly as she gestured him forward as though she hadn’t planned an ambush. “Come and meet everyone.”
Byeveryone, Ari assumed she meant the middle-aged couple casually holding hands on the table and the younger man who, from his features and age, was obviously their son.
He should have seen it coming.
With no way to back out without being inexcusably rude, Ari forced himself forward and greeted the guests. “Salam,” he said belatedly, offering his hand first to the older man. “As you must have guessed, I’m Ari.”
“It is good to meet you, Ari. I’m Armin, and this is my wife, Jaleh.”
Ari shook her hand as well and inquired after their health.
Then, of course, there was nothing to do but face the elephant in the room.
“And this is our son, Sohrab.”
Sohrab looked slightly abashed to be meeting Ari this way, but they shook hands and went through the social prerequisites without either of them actually dying of mortification.
“Armin worked with me at the hospital,” Ari’s father said before Ari had even sat down. Oh good, they were already at the “look, an eligible gay man from a good family” portion of the evening.
Ari smiled politely and offered everyone refills of their water glasses. Then he poured his own. “Oh?”
“My husband is a cardiologist,” Jaleh said proudly. “Sohrab is finishing his residency in oncology.”
Trust his parents to attempt to set him up with a doctor. What did they think was going to happen when Ari went on tour? A doctor couldn’t very well follow him, and he was gone for months at a time.
Not that it mattered in this case, since Ari was not interested in dating anyone who wasn’t Jax, no matter how accomplished or—he could admit it—attractive. “Very impressive,” Ari said evenly, meeting Sohrab’s gaze. “You must be very dedicated.”
Sohrab smiled. “I’ve always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps.”
Ari froze with the most pleasant expression he could muster, wondering if Sohrab’s insult was intentional. Neither Ari nor Afra had elected to follow medicine, despite not-occasional prodding when they were growing up. Eventually their parents had accepted that they would pursue their own interests, and they were supportive. But Ari knew they were still disappointed—and that some would see it as shame.
Awkward.
“Well,” said Ari’s mother, “I am sure your parents are very proud of you, just as we are proud of our children.” She shot a look in Ari’s direction.
He wished he didn’t doubt her sincerity—that the glow of pride under her look wasn’t tainted under the suspicion that her praise was aimed at Sohrab, hoping he’d see Ari as worthwhile. Feeling miserable and guilty for being so uncharitable, Ari pushed those thoughts away and sipped his water.
It didn’t take long for their parents to send them off together. “Ari, we need chai, but that’s so many cups to carry. Sohrab, why don’t you help him?”
They stood awkwardly in the kitchen, waiting for the kettle to boil.
“So,” Sohrab broke the silence, “shall we address the elephant?”
Ari blew out a breath. “I suppose we must.”
“I’m not against a dinner date,” he said with an encouraging smile.
Embarrassed, Ari flushed and rubbed at the back of his neck. “Actually—I mean not that you’re not, but I….” Why was this so hard?
“Ah, there is someone else. And since I’m here, your parents either don’t know or don’t approve.”
