Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
The next half-hour passed in a blur. After my meeting with Saul, I was brought to the set, where I met with the three hosts and other guest commentator. We went over talking points and season highlights, while the sound crew set us up with mics and earpieces.
Then Gary, the lead host, listened to something coming through his earpiece and turned to me. “I’ve just been told you’re getting two minutes before we cut to commercial for some kind of announcement. You returning to the game, Royce?”
“No. It’s something else.”
He waited for me to elaborate. When I didn’t, he said, “Alright. I’ll do your lead-in once we wrap up, and then I’ll shoot it over to you.” My throat felt so dry that it was tough to swallow, but I nodded and tried to concentrate on calming the hell down.
Pretty soon, the blinding studio lights went up, and a pair of makeup artists rushed around doing final touch-ups. Then it was showtime.
This opening segment was ten minutes long. The three hosts were all older veterans of the game, while the other guest commentator and I represented the younger generation of former players. Most of the discussion centered around a promising young quarterback who’d been making his mark this season. I was pretty surprised that I was able to contribute to the discussion, given how nervous I was.
The time flew by, and then Gary said, “Before we go to commercial, Hudson Royce has an exclusive announcement. Hudson, what would you like to share with our viewers?”
I shifted my gaze to a camera zooming in for a closeup and took a breath. I could still bail out. I could talk about how great the season was, or I could wish everyone a Happy New Year or something.
But no. I had a job to do. This was for Kel and Noah. It was for me too, and it was important.
“Thank you, Gary,” I said, as I linked my hands on the desktop to stop them from shaking. “Most of you know me, and you certainly know my dad, Terry Royce. What I’m about to say is going to come as a surprise to him, and I’d actually like to speak to him directly for a moment.”
I paused before saying, “Dad, all my life, I’ve looked up to you, and I’ve tried to make you proud. You had a lot of opinions about who I should be, and what my life was supposed to look like, and I really tried to live up to your expectations.
“But by doing that, I had to hide who I really am. The thing is, I’m gay. I’ve known it since I was a kid. I’m also in love and in a relationship with two men.” I could hear an audible gasp among the crew. Coming out as gay was one thing, but coming out as poly was another thing entirely.
I took another breath and continued, “I know this isn’t the life you imagined for me, Dad. But here’s the thing—I’m happy, really, truly happy, and that has to count for something. I feel incredibly lucky to have met and fallen in love with not one but two extraordinary, kind, and amazing individuals, and I can’t wait to build a life with them.
“Dad, I know it’ll take you some time to process this, but once you do, I hope you reach out to me. I’d love it if you and Mom continue to be a part of my life, but I’ll be fine no matter what.”
The stage manager began counting down silently to the commercial break, and I brought it home by saying, “Finally, to my boyfriends, I want to tell you I love you, and I’m sorry this took me so long. I was always so scared of what would happen if people found out my secret, but I’m not afraid anymore. Thanks for loving me unconditionally and teaching me how to love myself.” I smiled at Kel and Noah through the camera, and then the light switched from green to red and the “on air” sign went dark.
There was stunned silence in the studio as I removed my earpiece and mic and placed them on the desk. Then I got up and turned to the show’s hosts, who were staring at me. “Have a great New Year, guys,” I said, before walking off the set.
I loosened my tie and unfastened my shirt’s top button as I hurried down the hall to my dressing room. As soon as I stepped through the door, Kel and Noah tackled me in a hug, and Kel exclaimed, “Holy crap, Sonny, I can’t believe you did that!”
“It was epic,” Noah added. “Way to come out loud and proud!”
“Like I said, I owed it to both of you, and to myself.”
Kel asked, “Why’d you decide to do it on the air? That must have been terrifying!”