The View From Here

24. Mama Bear

*Conner POV*

Walking back into the living room, I get ready to grab Ambrose, run away from here, and let my mom deal with this train wreck when I suddenly hear June's agitating voice. "Great, now that you're back, Conner, why don't you go upstairs to help your dad pack the important things you'll need? He's already up there, so just hurry along."

"Ya know I'm gettin' sick n' tired of you comin' in here an' actin' like you own the place when yer, not even a guest here." Ambrose exclaimed in the most southern accent I've ever heard from him, but why do I kind of like it?

"I have been trying to be friendly to you, but just look at how rude you're to me. I think it's time for you to run back home already before I have you thrown out of here." She threatened, making me feel like the blood in my body was draining. I'm just glad that Ambrose was the one taking care of all the talking because I think if I had been the one arguing with this woman, I would have started crying a lot earlier. I just don't understand why she's like this all of a sudden, or maybe she's been like this the entire time, and I just didn't notice.

"I'm not going to leave my boyfriend here with you. If you want me to leave, then i guess yer fresh outta luck cus i'm not movin' a muscle."

"I'll be right back." I say making my way to the stairs.

"Ah, at least one of you is listening to the adults here."

"I'm going to tell dad to leave my stuff alone because I'm staying here. I'm not going anywhere with you guys." I sneered at her, reveling in her shocked gasp as I headed to my room. Hearing Ambrose standing up to her gave me the confidence to fight back. I think it's because I know I have other people I can now rely on; people around me have accepted me for who I am. I've finally found someone I can see myself spending the rest of my life with, and I don't want to just give him up because people like June think it's not normal for boys to like other boys. Making my way into my room, I don't hear any movement besides my dad's heavy exhale.

"Considering the doors open, I assume you heard what I said. I'm staying here with mom and Ambrose. I don't care if you think we aren't what you consider norma—"

"Do you love him?" He interrupted; it was the second time I had heard him speak all night.

"Yeah, I do, and he loves me too."

"I think that's all I need to know. I love you, Conner. You are the most important person to me. a–and I want you to be happy. I'll always be on your side.

"Why—why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"I think a part of me was still trying to process what was going on, and another part wanted to see how far June would go."

"And?"

"She went past the point of no return."

"So what happens now?"

"Well—" my dad was cut off by the sound of a door flinging open, and my mom's loud voice began to fill the air.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"

"Sounds like your mom's home. Wanna head downstairs so we can continue this without having to repeat anything?" He said before gently pushing me towards the commotion coming from the entryway.

"Who're you?" I heard June say to my mom's loud intrusion.

"Who am I? Who am I? I'm the owner of this house, and I'd like you to leave right now."

"Oh so you're Lucy? I'm glad you're here because we've decided to take Conner back home with us." Babbled June while I made my slow descent from the stairs.