the minor details

the name game

i was walking home from gwens as slow as i could, my mind racing with ways to explain why i lied about where i was. i didn't tell gwen that my mom was pissed and knew i lied, i just said that i had to get home and do homework. she'd probably freak out and have a panic attack if i told her the truth. i could see my house coming up in the distance and i still had no explanation to give to my mother. i could say i was studying at a friends house, but why would i lie about being at rhi's? i'm so fucked.

i walked up my driveway and in the front door of our boring two story house, and saw my mom creepily sitting on the couch in the living room.

"hi?" i said as i kicked my doc martens off.

"sit" she demanded and nodded to the chair next to the couch. i complied and took a seat. "where were you?" she asked. getting straight to the point i see. i racked my brain for a decent answer.

"....a friends" i lied.

"what friend?"

"you don't know them"

"why'd you lie?"

"i dunno"

"i don't appreciate you lying. you know how shady this all looks?" i shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling my moms eyes burning holes in me.

"...i lied because...i was on a date! yeah i was on a date...with a girl...and i didn't think you would be okay with that" i mentally patted myself on the back for coming up with such a good lie.

"you're gay?" she asked, her angry tone disappearing and a confused look on her face.

"i don't like labels. but yeah i guess you could say that." i've had girlfriends before but i never took them to meet my parents and i never told my parents about them. coming out has always seemed so terrifying, i just decided id tell them the day before my wedding. right now i was sweating profusely and my hands were shaking relentlessly. my mom sat in silence for a few seconds, before she got up and embraced me in a bear hug. i was confused, but i reciprocated the hug.

"you're not mad?" i whispered.

"of course not. you'll always be my baby, who you love doesn't change that" she said back. "plus i'd love to have a daughter in law" she said as she pulled away, a huge smile on her face. this was the mom that i had been longing for. one that actually was proud of me and cared enough to listen. i found myself crying and overwhelmed with emotions. my mom wiped my tears away and kissed my forehead.

"i'll love you no matter what sara" she said. i nodded and gave her a small smile. "what do you want for dinner? it can be anything you like. i'll even cook!" she said. i laughed and said,

"spaghetti?"

"alright i can do that. i'll let you know when it's ready." i nodded and began to head to my room.

"hey sara?" i paused and turned around to look at my mom. "thank you for telling me" she said with a genuine smile. i nodded again and smiled to myself as i bounded up the stairs. i walked over to my record player and turned on an abba record. 'when i kissed the teacher' came on and i immediately started laughing. how ironic. i flopped down on my bed and pulled my phone out of my jeans pocket. i had two texts, one from rhi, and one from gwen. i opened gwens first.

gwen: you left some of your clothes here. i can bring them to you at school if you'd like?

me: that would be great, thanks:)

gwen: alright i'll give them to you during your lunch. there's a stevie nicks t-shirt of yours that i'm wearing right now, but i'm keeping it. i laughed and rolled my eyes.