Red, White, and Royal Blue

Alex finally works up the courage to tell his mother about Henry. On a personal level, she has no problem with her son’s bisexuality. However, the political implications are an entirely different matter. Ellen prepares a PowerPoint presentation showing Alex the intricacies of the problem. As a last bit of advice, she adds, “So you need to figure out if you feel forever about him. And if you don’t, you need to cut it the fuck out” (238). She then fires her son from her campaign because his involvement might jeopardize her reelection.

With too much time on his hands, Alex frets, even though Henry tries to console him from a distance. As a way to relieve the pressure, the Washington Trio stages a getaway to Oscar’s ranch in Texas. Alex invites Henry to join them there. The group spends idyllic days, swimming in the lake and eating barbecue. Oscar guesses the nature of his son’s relationship with Henry. When Alex asks for advice about what to do, Oscar says, “That kind of love is rare, even if it was a complete disaster […] Sometimes you just jump and hope it’s not a cliff” (255-56).

In the days that follow, Alex is convinced that he’s fallen for Henry and wants to confess his love.