Malcolm was on the phone with April when Madam Boy turned to Amy in the car.
Amy wanted to run for the hills.
She had just met a mother-in-law figure that day, in the strangest way possible, and she was genuinely not ready to impress anybody.
"You know… for the longest time…" Madam Boy started in a whisper, "we thought that he was gay?"
Amy choked on her saliva.
Madam Boy laughed before pulling out some tissues and a water bottle from the front seat and handing them to her.
Amy could tell Malcolm was worried as he glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
She managed a small smile his way. He nodded, then returned his focus to April on the line.
Amy took out her phone, typed quickly, enlarged the text, and showed it to Madam Boy.
"Oh," Madam Boy trailed off as she read, "so you're the naughty type…"
I can't speak, so I'll be using this to talk to you.
Will that be okay?
Madam Boy glanced at Malcolm, still driving, before turning back to Amy.
"Did… uh… did he…? Are you two dating because you're mute?"
Amy scoffed and shook her head. Before she froze, horrified. She didn't know!
Madam Boy still didn't look all that surprised.
"Do you love him?"
Amy blushed at the question, peeked at Malcolm, and when she was sure his attention was elsewhere, she nodded, biting down her lower lip.
Madam Boy laughed, then suddenly grew serious.
"Then let me tell you something before my head turns into mash."
Amy listened intently.
"Whatever you like about him… it's not all real," Madam Boy said.
Amy frowned.
"I know that boy," Madam Boy continued, shaking her head slightly, "but I could never say I know everything about his inner world. He had quite a life growing up."
She sighed softly.
"He learned to protect people before he ever felt safe himself. Performance comes naturally to him."
Madam Boy looked at Amy carefully.
"Don't just love what he gives and shows you. Love the wounded boy inside, too."
Amy felt something heavy settle in her chest, for Malcolm.
Suddenly, Madam Boy burst into gospel singing out of nowhere.
"Don't panic, or she'll panic too," Malcolm said into the phone looking at Amy through the review mirror, forcing calm into his voice.
Amy understood immediately and clapped along.
"Hey, mister," Madam Boy asked, peering out the window, "are we there yet?"
"No, ma'am," Malcolm replied with a tight smile, "but I've got a gospel playlist that'll get you to the fellowship in no time."
"Really?" Madam Boy clapped her hands like an excited child. "Put it on! Put it on! Put it on!"
Malcolm chuckled and connected his phone to the car speakers.
Madam Boy squealed when the first song played.
"This is my favorite!" she cried, singing along.
Amy was completely overwhelmed when Madam Boy suddenly shook her out of her daze.
"Are you going to the fellowship too, dear?"
Amy blinked. She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again. She turned to Malcolm for help.
"Uh… that's my girlfriend," Malcolm said awkwardly.
Madam Boy smiled warmly.
"You have a very good woman with you."
She turned to Amy.
"Don't forget God when you find what you were looking for."
Amy blinked again.
"Men ignore these things," Madam Boy continued, "but it's our duty as mothers to thank the Lord for the little things in life."
Amy wanted to get out of the car. It was all becoming too much.
She wasn't sure how Malcolm had learned to function so normally around this. How many times had he lived through moments like this until they dulled into tolerance?
No matter how long the road felt, they arrived at the establishment in one piece.
April was already waiting by the gate.
Madam Boy practically jumped when she saw her and rushed out of the car to hug her tightly.
Malcolm stayed seated, hands gripping the wheel, eyes closed, head resting against the headrest.
He wished he could cry.