Camp Correction

1

I swallowed, fiddling with my thumbs and bragging at the hem of my shirt.

My parents were sat down across from me awaiting my confession.
Sweat began to bead upon my forehead as tension transitioned the air from cool to humid.

"M-mom, dad."
The silence was thicker than fog between us.
"I'm transgender."

They looked taken aback for a few seconds, then my father began shaking his head while my mother was screaming at the top of her lungs, "THIS IS RIDICULOUS. PATHETIC EVEN. I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU!" Her mess of dark brown locks were shaking from side to side in a disappointed gesture, mirroring my father.

My gaze fell and I was looking down, "I'm not happy.." I whispered, barley getting those three words out on the brink of tears.

My mother cackled, "YOU'RE NOT HAPPY?? WELL GUESS WHAT! IM NOT HAPPY HAVING A DAUGHTER LIKE YOU! YOURE THE TROUBLE CHILD, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE."

She stomped off into her room in frustration, muttering curses under her breath My father stood up and shook his head, "we're getting you fixed. This is absolutely pathetic. I expected more from you." I knew that his deep green eyes would be cold towards me so I avoided them and kept my gaze on my hands.

Tears began to stain my freckled hands as sobs wracked through my unprepared frail body.

This can't be happening .

Fixed?

What does that even mean?

You can't fix this...

My mother walked back in with her arms crossed over her chest and a crappy little flip phone in her hand, "get packed. You're going to camp."