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.Goodbye, Benjamin.Chapter Twenty-seven Lovely, Gordito! The whole ceremony was just lovely.We re so proud of you! Tim s mother raised a wine glass, prompting Tim and his father to do the same.The restaurant wasfull of other fresh graduates and their parents, celebrating after the big event.Tim clinked glasses andsmiled, even though he wasn t in the most festive mood.Not since Ben s name was called at theceremony.Tim had half-stood, catching his last glimpse of Ben before he resumed the idyllic life thatTim had interrupted. Now what? his father said with a knowing smirk. That s what you re wondering.I remember thefeeling, worrying about job prospects or if you graduated with the right degree. Yeah, exactly. Somehow Tim managed to hide his sarcasm. You ll find your way, son.You could always work for my company.We could use a new sales repin Austin. Ella beamed at the idea. That would keep you on your feet until you find the right architectural firm. Tim nearly laughed.Architecture wasn t his future.It was merely a convenient answer when peopleasked what he planned to do. Actually, I ll probably take a break for a while.Maybe travel or focuson my painting. You can t make a living on your art, his father said.That was for sure, but they didn t know about the money.Eric had left him enough that Tim could liveoff the interest without touching the actual inheritance, if he was careful.But his parents wereclueless, thinking he still lived at the frat house.They didn t know a thing about his real life.Or Eric.He thought of Ben, of how much secrecy had already cost him.That was Jace s true advantage.Ascool and confident as Jace might be, Ben never would have left Tim if he hadn t clung so desperatelyto his secrets.But he had, which allowed Jace to slip in and take his place, unhindered by anyneurotic hang-ups.Now it felt no matter how hard he ran that he would never catch up to Jace.OrBen.Maybe it was time that changed. I have my own place now, Tim said as dinner wore down. Come see it. We have a three-hour drive, his father replied. Just stop by, Tim pressed. Mom wants to see it, don t you? We have time, Thomas. Very well. Tim led the way, alone in his car as they headed up to West Lake Hills.He could only imagine whathis parents were thinking as they drove through a neighborhood of homes worth astronomically morethan their own.They must have thought he was joking when he pulled into the driveway. What is this? Thomas said, shutting the car door. Is this a frat house? It s my house, Tim said, walking to the front door so his parents had to follow.An awkwardsilence accompanied them until Tim opened the door, Chinchilla scampering around in greeting.ThenTim started speaking. There was this guy.Eric.He was also a brother in Alpha Theta Sigma,although a little before your time, Dad.Eric Conroy.Did you know him? His father shook his head, and Tim led his parents to the living room.Once seated, he told them thetruth.All the important parts, at least.He didn t tell them about Travis, but he did say Eric had oncepicked him up when he was down, and possibly saved his life.He told them everything wonderfulabout Eric, even if it didn t help ease their confusion, and then he told them how he had died.His father was incredulous. And he left all this to you? Yes. I don t see why he would, his mother said. Because we cared about each other. Thomas cleared his throat. If you have all this money, then why have we been paying your tuition? I ll pay you back, I don t care.Just listen to me.Eric was a good person, and we weren t more thanfriends, but we loved each other.The thing you need to know about Eric, even though it shouldn tmatter, is that he was gay. Oh, Tim, his mother said as if Tim had been conned or coerced. I wasn t with him like that. Of course you weren t! his father nearly shouted. But he was obviously deluded enough to think hecould buy you. Tim clamped down on his anger. Do you remember Ben? From back in high school.He had dinnerwith us that one night. His mother nodded, and when she spoke, her voice was quiet. They called his name at the graduationceremony
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