ANOTHER LONELY DECEMBER, Riley Johnson

All's Well...

🎧: Wasting My Young Years - London Grammar

The cold air burned my nose as I walked around, trying to find Abby and John. The fainted sound of their voices guided me to the back of the garden, near the large, opened gate. Snow cracked under my feet as I approached them. John was talking about his coming out story which I surprisingly hadn't heard before. He was so proudly and loudly gay it never occurred to me that he hadn't always been that way.

"My dad... kicked me out of the house and didn't talk to me for thirteen years after I told him" he spoke, trying to keep his composure. He noticed my presence and paused for a moment. I stood next to Abby, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Everybody's story is different" he said. That words echoed through my brain for a moment. I was born and raised in a fairly open-minded family, my sister came out when she was pretty young but there I was, a full-grown adult, only starting to figure myself out.

"Abby, there's your version, there's my version, and any other story in between. But no matter what you story is they all have one thing in common, we all have one thing in comment. That feeling in the moment right before you say those words, that fear that people might not accept you and keep on loving you for who you are. You're standing there and your heart is racing and you have no idea what's coming next. That moment is really terrifying because deep down you know that once those words left your mouth, there's no going back. There's a before and an after, and no matter what happens you have to be ready for that. It's not given to everyone to be ready. Just because Harper isn't ready right now, doesn't mean she never will be and it certainly doesn't make her love you any less" John spoke in a way I'd never heard before. He sounded serious and wise. I only noticed I was crying when warm tears rolled down my cheeks, making the cold air slightly more bearable.

"I want to be with someone who is ready" Abby whispered, throat tightened by the emotions. John and I both nodded in agreement before he opened his arms and wrapped them around us.

"Family hug" he whispered making us all chuckle. He truly was the closest thing to a brother we ever had. I had never been more grateful to have him in our lives, especially in Abby's life.

"Let's go home" I smiled, holding onto my sister tightly. I didn't want to go home, but that was what Abby needed and there wasn't a single thing I wouldn't do for her. We made our way back to the house as everybody else left. I was hoping Riley was still inside as we didn't run into her but when we walked in the house was empty. Ted was reprimanding the girls who all seemed really sorry about their behaviours.

"I'm just getting my stuff" Abby excused herself as John and I stood close to the door, hoping to get out of there as soon as possible.

"Wait, Abby. Wait" Harper demanded, stopping her in her tracks. "Sloane wasn't lying. I'm gay. And I am in love with Abby. I'm sorry I could share this with you guys sooner, but I know how much reputation and appearances matter to you so I didn't want to jeopardize that. Me being gay didn't exactly fit into the plan" she confessed. Her mom looked confused; her dad slightly disappointed. "Years ago, I made up this awful story about Riley, I made her life at school a living hell because I was so scared you would figure out I wasn't who you wanted me to be. I deeply regret it and I can't do that to Abby. I don't want to throw away the life we built together" she cleared her throat, more tears rolling down her cheeks as she did so. "So, I am done lying and being scared. I love you" she said looking directly in my sister's eyes.

The room went silent. We all looked at each other, not really knowing what to do or say until Sloane got up and admitted she was getting a divorce. She explained how they'd been separated for months but she felt like she couldn't tell anyone because without her perfect little family her parents made her feel worthless. I felt deeply sorry for them, for the three of them. Love shouldn't be earned, not when it comes to children, not ever. It didn't justify their behaviour but it most certainly explained it. Ted was so upset that he left the room and went to his office, locking the door behind him.