Two Boys Kissing

Craig’s mother sits watching the kiss, and when her eyes meet Craig’s, they both cry again. “There are all these moments you don’t think you’ll survive. And then you survive” (84). Harry gestures for his phone, and for Craig’s, and he texts Craig to see if he’s okay. He asks if Craig wants to stop, but Craig is determined to break the record. Harry’s mother shows Craig’s mother the messages of support for their sons from all over the world. Craig’s mother says nothing, but she squeezes Mrs. Ramirez’s hand.

Caitlin gives Ryan and Avery pink lemonade and oatmeal raisin cookies, and they sit together at her kitchen table. Aunt Caitlin’s house is where Ryan felt most at home for much of his life because she allows him to be himself. She asks him how he and Avery met, and they tell her that they met only the night before at the prom. She tells them that their connection happened so fast because they were supposed to have met each other earlier and are feeling all the time together that they’d missed. She offers to show Avery embarrassing childhood pictures of Ryan, and Avery is eager to see them.