Tiny Love Stories: ‘My Father Didn't Mind Her Lie'

New York Times

23-07-2025

A Label That Works for Us
'This is my boyfriend,' Cate said when she introduced me to a mother at her son's bouncy castle birthday party in her ex-wife's backyard. The woman's eyebrows rose involuntarily. She knows Cate as a lesbian — if she has a boyfriend, what does that make her now? We didn't even mention me being a trans man. Cate and I glanced at each other and smiled wryly. The truth is, we don't know what to call ourselves either. Straight queers? Gay heterosexuals? Pansexual partners? Luckily, we landed on a term that makes us both happy: fiancés. — Aron Cleary
'Cruel and Kind'
Dad was propped up in bed in Louisville, Ky., his handsome face gaunt. This was among his last days, but I didn't know that yet. 'I've been a selfish bastard my whole life,' he said. I was shocked: Dad wasn't one to apologize. I took his hand, buying time. He'd gambled away rent money, cheated on my mother, was critical and grumpy. He'd also read me books, walked me to school and taught me about politics. 'We're all a lot of things, Dad: selfish and generous, cruel and kind. You're human.' He smiled at me. Two days later he died. — Ellen Birkett Morris
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