Highly Illogical Behavior

With Lisa’s imminent arrival for her second visit, it suddenly strikes Solomon that he should tell her that he is gay. He hasn’t told anyone yet because the way he figures it, “why would he ever need to acknowledge his sexuality if he didn’t ever plan on leaving the house again?” (76).

When Lisa arrives at the front door, Solomon is in the living room with his father. He is seized by the beginnings of a panic attack, and his father helps him to his room to sit and count. Valerie distracts Lisa and makes excuses for Solomon’s lateness. She also asks Lisa if Solomon is likeable and begs her to stay his friend until he gets outside and into the pool. Solomon recovers and comes downstairs, where he and Lisa put a comedy movie on the T.V.

Solomon confides to Lisa that he hadn’t been picking matching socks as his mother said, but was in the beginning throes of a panic attack. Lisa tells him his mother told her about the pool, and when Solomon jokes that his family hopes they’ll fall in love, he blurts out the truth about his sexuality. Lisa is supportive and unfazed, but this is a major moment for Solomon as she is the first person he’s ever told.