Happenstance (LGBTQ) [Editing]

Four

"I still can't believe it opened. Isn't that great, Elliott?"

Mom asks, looking at me for a brief second before turning back to the road.

"Yeah."

We're driving now behind Adam's car towards his home. It's a miracle really that all of our sensitive documents are undamaged. It'd be a hassle to replace them. But at least we have something to build upon. To what I don't know, but it's a start.

"Elliott, are you okay? You've been really quiet."

"I'm okay. It's just a lot to come to terms with, but I'll be alright, we'll be alright."

I don't know if I'm trying to convince her or myself. I don't see how we'll come back from this, but I have to be resilient. If not for me, then for her, since I know her mood often depends on my own. She's very protective of me.

Probably more so than the average parent but she's had to be, with all the difficulties I've faced due to my orientation.

"We will. It'll take time, but we have each other, so I know things will turn around for us. Let's have hope." Mom agrees.

Oftentimes, I wonder how she maintains this overwhelming sense of optimism about everything. It's one of the things I admire most about her. The way she always keeps a positive outlook even in the most pessimistic of situations. For example, the times she and I were dealt hate and judgment outwardly from others because of how I looked.

Mom has always supported me. She's never tried to make me conform to my biological sex role. Not when others her age advised her how to parent me. Saying things like "Andrea you have to make Eliiot dress like a boy. Don't let him play with dolls. He's not supposed to wear lip gloss."

She would always ignore whatever she was told even to the point where she was ostracized by those who once claimed they were her friends. Now I'm all she has in this world. We are all each other has to count on and depend on.

"Elliott look! Look at Adam's home."

We must have traveled a greater distance than I realized. I think as I hear what's said. I focus on the home in front of us. It seems more like a mansion than a home. About three times our old house. Standing three stories, golden bricks, grey roof. Surrounded by a bountiful of trees. There are even several fountains in front with perfectly landscaped scrubs and little square-like ponds.

The entire scene and view could have been plucked straight from a movie. Like a grand castle in a princess movie or something. It's beautiful and surprisingly seemed to suit him.

I continue taking it all in as Mom pulls behind Adam. I gathered my bag and cell phone. We don't have anything else but what we had with us today.

Mom turns off the car, grabbing her things too. She had carefully placed all the papers into her purse earlier to ensure they stay clean. I'm sure she'll probably put them in a safer place as soon as we're provided with where we'll be staying.

I wonder how long we'll be staying here?

"Come Elliot let's not keep him waiting."

"Hmm."

I acknowledge.

Adam was in fact waiting for us when we stepped out. He faced us with a wide bright smile. Making those lines around his mouth more present. But even with them, he's still attractive.

"This is my home, now it'll be your home too. Are you guys ready?"

"We have everything." Mom answers for both of us.