The Bummage Chronicles, part 5

June 28, Saturday: The avocado tree at home (dad’s house) had produced copious amounts of fruit once again. Ate Marcia (preggy sister-in-law-to-be) asked for some so I went with them to get some. (The trip for three people ended up with four kids, Ate Marcia’s big sister, and Loida.)

When I got there, Loida was already up the tree, gathering avocadoes. While she did that, Ate Marcia and her sister asked me about the neighborhood and the various sights. They saw attorney’s mango and suha trees, Aling Tess’ langka and cacao trees, and the various greenery that grow in our yard: sampaguita, kamote, siling labuyo, and the coconut trees.

I was hit by a sudden attack of nostalgia. The old neighborhood had changed. Mr. Tan demolished his house and is now building a new one, and there are no kids around anymore (the kids in that neighborhood were now grown up and have moved away, like my brother and myself), among other things. But some things still haven’t changed. Like the fruit exchange every year. We give away our avocadoes and get mangoes, langka, and other stuff whenever the said fruits are in season.

Oh-kay. That really wasn’t the highlight of the day. When the visitors had left, I stayed with my dad for coffee and cigarettes. We got to talking about the old kids in the neighborhood (read: my old punchb-- er, playmates). Since dad used to have a school service and took a lot of the kids to school, he has made it a point to find out how each one turned out. In the middle of the conversation, my dad said, “Remember Jet? Pip’s son, the one you had a fist fight with when you were a kid.”

Me: What fistfight? I had a fistfight with Jet? I remember making Marlon and Andrew cry, but not Jet. (This shouldn’t be a surprise. I’ve been a tomboy since childhood.)

Dad: You had a fight with Andrew? I didn’t know that. (In my mind, I remembered that only my lola was home when that happened. Details later.) You bloodied Jet’s lip! Of course, that had his mom come here and speak to your mom (who apparently laughed it off but still gave me a couple of hits with a tsinelas).

Me: I really don’t remember.

Dad: You said you had a fight with Andrew? He works at the bank now. He looks okay, though the stilettos are really something.

Me: Excuse me?

Dad: You know those pointy shoes women wear?

Me: HE’S GAY?

Dad: Well, yes. Come to think of it, Jet’s gay too.

Me: O_O

 

Rica’s explanation: Maybe they realized they were gay when they got hit on the face.

It’s ironic really, since I turned out gay, too.

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Gamer’s note: The Overlord, Noreen, texted me and said, “Confirmed ang Diablo 3.” AAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! *dies*

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Related convo with Kuya yesterday, July 18. He was looking over my shoulder while I showed him a couple of stuff on the Internet.

Kuya, looking at my Gmail inbox: What's that interview for?

Me, absently: A gay and lesbian magazine.

Kuya, almost tentatively: Bakit, lesbian ka ba?

Me, still only half paying attention: Bi.

Kuya: WHAT?

Me, looks at him: What?

Kuya (voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper): Alam ni Nanay?

Me: No.

Kuya: Alam ni Tatay?

Me: No.

I think I gave him quite a scare there. I half expected him to have a heart attack on the spot. Anyway, he knows I don't care if he tells Mom or Dad so he can't use the information (and if he does, I'll call him a raging homophobe forever). Haha. Sorry for the fright, bro.