Loving you isn't a crime

Chapter Three

     
TRIGGER WARNING: more homophobia and now transphobia, and mentions of cancer.

A week later..
     "Dad-...I like Ari and all, but I dont LIKE like her..It's not right to lead her on. Can I please break up with her?", Zac asked, sweat dripping from his forehead.
     "In time, you will learn to love her. I'm not letting you embrace-...", He shuddered, "Your homosexuality.."
      Zac bit his lip. He was angry. No. He was furious.
      "What the h3ll is so wrong with being gay, anyways? Huh?! You're my dad! Shouldn't you want me happy?!", He yelled.
      His dad was shocked by his assertiveness then smirked. 
      "It's not natural. Women and men are biologically meant to be with each other. It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.", He took the plastic film off his T.V. dinner.
     "God, Dad, you couldn't give me at least a new s***ty explanation?", Zac felt a warm tear roll down his cheek.
      "God, Zac, next you are going to tell me you're trans. It's just natural!!!! Women love men, and men love women. Men are born men. Women are born women.", He scooped some mashed potatoes into his mouth.
     Zac stared at his dad. Maybe he's right...he thought. The tears started flowing and  he was frozen in place.
     His dad glanced up.
"God, you're so weak! Stop crying and man up!", He yelled.
     Zac ran to his room and burst through the door.
     "I HATE MYSELF!", He threw the flower vase he made for his mom in 2nd grade against the wall.
     He looked at the remains of the broken pottery and realised what'd he done. He dropped to his knees and sobbed.
    "You would have been supportive, ma.", He held his knees and remembered how good his mom was...
 
Ten years prior....(age 7)

"Zac!", His mom laughed, her laughter a gentle tinkle.
     "Mom! Watch me!", He beamed, and did a backflip in the bounce house but messed up the landing.
     Zac turned red, but his Mom cheered from the outside anyways.
    "Great job, baby!!!", She clapped. Zac's blush slowly melted into a smile.
   

The good memory faded away...and he was transported into a hospital...

Four years prior.. (age 13)

"Zac, we have to go say our goodbyes...", His dad knelt down in front of Zac, both of their faces completely soaked in tears.
      "I don't want to-..", Zac's voice broke as he choked on tears.
      "We have to let her go, Zac..", He smoothed out his hair and hugged him. They stood in the hallway of the hospital,crying.
      "Are you ready?", His dad asked, softly. Zac nodded, and wiped a tear from his eye. Zac took his Dad's hand and they walked into his mother's hospital room.
      She was upright, in her bed, smiling at her son. " I'm so sorry...", She said, cupping his head in her hands.
       "I'm going to miss you so much!", He sobbed, collapsing into her arms.
        "Its going to be okay. Just know ma loves you, okay?", She looked at him reassuringly.
      He nodded, "I love you too."...

beep. beep. beeeeeep.

Present Time

Zac stared at the floor. Why did she have to go....Why did she have to get cancer? They were such a happy family before....
    "I miss you so much, Ma..", He rocked back and forth on the floor.
     He looked up at the ceiling at imagine her looking down on him from heaven...
      "Whatever happened to Dad..? Since you died-...he hasn't been the same...I know-..", Zac sniffed, " That obviously he is going to be changed...But he is so horrible now and I'm sorry I know that I am horrible for saying that-..but-.."
      He stopped talking. It felt like someone was watching him.. He looked around and saw no one there. Then, he looked back up at the ceiling and smiled...
     "I love you, Mom..", Zac said, and he realized that he never truly lost her...