Two Worlds

CHAPTER TWO

The restaurant I took Alex for our first anniversary was full. When I looked around at the bustling tables, I saw all kinds of different people living their own lives. To our left there was an old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. To the right of our table, a group of young women in their mid-thirties, collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby, looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits, whiskey in hand discussing politics and the uprise in the economy. Behind us there was a small group of European tourists, trying to decipher the menu that they held in their hands. The noise level in the restaurant was high, but it didn't bother us, we got used to it pretty quickly.

That night felt special. It was our first anniversary and we splurged on a nice date. We went out to a fine dining restaurant in our finest attire. Alex wore a dark navy blue gown made of soft, satiny fabric. A semicircular, high collar made of silk-like materials headed the ankle-length robe. I wore a simple, yet elegant black V-neck jumpsuit. Hand in hand we talked and enjoyed our meal. However, though that night was special it felt a bit different compared to others. Alex seemed off and didn't talk as much as she usually does when we're out. I had a feeling she had something on her mind, but I knew if I pushed her to tell me what was going on, she would shut me out. So I waited until she felt ready to tell me what was bugging her during dinner.

After dinner, we shared a small custard soufflé with a nice pairing of white wine that the waiter suggested for us. Halfway through our dessert, I saw Alex take a small spoon full of the creamy confection before sitting back comfortably in the velvet chair.

"Honey, I have something to ask you." She said hesitantly.

"Yeah, what's up babe. You know you can ask me anything." I reassured her, as I grabbed her hand off the chair's armrest.

"We've been together for a year now and I think it's time that you meet my parents. So I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming over for dinner tomorrow night?" She faltered, squeezing my hand while giving me a kind of worried look.

"Alex, why do you look so worried? I would love to meet your family. If you're scared we won't get along, you don't have to worry, parents love me!" I giggled, leaning over the table to place a gentle and loving kiss on Alex's lips.

"It's not that they won't like you. It's just..." She hesitated. "They don't particularly acknowledge what I am."

"Oh... They don't want to acknowledge that you're gay. I'm sorry to hear that. But I'll be there the whole time, I'll protect you." I said, giving Alex a gentle smile.

But before I could add more, it looked like Alex wanted to correct me on something, but stopped herself before saying anything. Like always I didn't want to start anything, so I didn't urge her to tell me what I had gotten wrong.

"It's gonna fine Alex, I will follow your lead. I will say what you want me to say. You don't have to worry." I reassured Alex before waving down the waiter for our check.

Once we got back to my apartment, we laid in bed talking about how messed up our families are. How both our fathers are drunks and didn't care for us as kids. How our mothers were loving, yet distant. The more we talked the more I realized that my life wasn't as bad as I thought. Even if I moved from home to home, I was still loved and cared for by my foster families. The way Alex would describe it, her parents brought out the very worst in each other. Each of them backing up each other's vices as if they were virtues. People always told me bad parents were traumatized as children, caught in the fires of their own suffering. Their thoughts swirling around like a hurricane in their mind. I've always known there are people in worse situations than I was, but I hadn't really realized until Alex.