Faded Embers

14

Atlas' POV:

I sit at The Warren, a nice gastropub in Manhattan. Of course, I could have gone to the Midtown Garden and utilized my awesome employee discount, but I really don't want to see anyone I know right now.

My mom, Diana, lives in New Jersey, and my two younger sisters, Camryn and Julia, live together about twenty minutes away from my mom. They haven't seen me since I ditched Veronica at the altar, and I've been careful to avoid all of their phone calls and only sent a text to confirm I'm alright.

Sean and I have been going on dates and been in the talking-cuddling stage for the last month and a half, so I think it's time I come out to my mom and sisters. They're my family and I get along with them really well; in fact, the only times I fought with Camryn and Julia were when they got mad at me for staying with Veronica. My sisters did not like her but they supported me... now that I look back, they were always suspicious of my ex.

At least now I (kind of) have Sean.

I just need to make things official, but I want to come out to my sisters and mom first before I tell them about Sean. Well, I also need to tell them about my job and what happened there, but I think I'll lead with my sexuality.

I've been at the table I reserved for about ten minutes when my sisters and mom arrive, Camryn immediately leaping on me and hugging me. She's my baby sister and I know she'll be more forgiving of my lack of communication than Julia and my mom will.

"Long time no see," Julia says, not cracking a smile. "I'm glad you're alive."

"Yeah, what the hell?" Camryn exclaims, pushing away from me but she doesn't seem angry; more annoyed and a little hurt.

Mom interrupts Julia, who has started to demand to know why I haven't been in contact with them, as I usually see them a few times a month and call them frequently.

"How about we sit down and don't make a scene," Mom says sweetly, taking her seat across from me, Julia right beside her.

Camryn sits beside me and rolls her eyes. "Why are you so pissy, Julia? You said you were happy that he left that bitch- uh, I mean, Veronica, at the altar!"

"Yeah, leaving the bitch was fine, but not talking with us and causing all of us to panic? We were worried, Atlas!"

"I texted you..." I mumble.

I don't like that my little sister is bitching me out, but I definitely deserve it. My sisters and I were super close growing up, because we're all close in age, so they deserved more than a text message.

"One text because I threatened to call the police to make sure you weren't going to do something stupid!" Camryn growls, climbing on the hate-on-Atlas bandwagon. "I'm glad you're alright though, Atlas. What even happened?"

The waiter comes over and takes our drink order, but once he leaves I know it's time to talk.

"I'm sure you all could have guessed this, but Veronica was mildly abusive when we were together. She was verbally abusive and sometimes hit me when she was pissed off... I thought proposing would be a good idea because it could help us reconnect and re-spark our relationship, but I obviously did not commit to that," I say, and I'm sure my face is pink because I'm so embarrassed by my stupidity.

"It was funny," Camryn says softly, ignoring Mom's scowl. "Mom, you thought it was, too!"

"I didn't say it aloud," Mom says, but there's a ghost of a smile on her face. "She was not a nice girl though, honey, so I'm glad you didn't follow through... are you still seeing her? Or are you seeing a new girl?"