Life in the rainbow

Rori

When I came out, my mother smacked me across the face. If I try, I can still feel the burning pain of her hand, and when I look in the mirror, the scar from her wedding ring sits on my cheek, mocking me. My father just sat there. After seeing Mom do that, he looked down and whispered, "Get out." That hurt more than the searing of my mother's hand, it stung more than the pierce of her ring. I turned and ran.

I am Rori, and I am gay. I've lived on my own for a year now, finding shelter wherever I can. I don't see why my parents kicked me out. My dad always told me that he would be proud of me. My mom always said she loved me no matter what.

I guess this wasn't included.

But living on the streets at the age of 14 does things to you. You start to appreciate things more. The first meal I ate on the streets felt even more delicious than anything else in the world, even if it was just some popcorn from the local gas station. Oh, God, popcorn. I've always loved it, but at that moment, it tasted like heaven.

It brought me back to those winter days with my sister, when we would curl up under every blanket we could find and watch Disney until we couldn't take it anymore. I would pop the corn over the stove, and she would melt the butter.

My sister. Oh, damn, I missed Rylie. She was my best friend. When I came out, she smiled. I remember her face when Mom hit me. The poor girl was only 9, and she started crying and ran to her room. When I was packing my things, she said to me through her sobs, "But it's not fair, Rori. Boys like girls. You can, too." And when I left, she ran to her balcony screaming my name, crying hysterically for me to come back. I was crying, too, but I didn't look back at her, because I knew that I would only mourn more.

I wonder what she would do if she saw me now. She's 10 years old now, her birthday was last month. I didn't get an invitation. I don't blame Rylie for being scared to ask. I'm sure she was. And I'm sure that when she grows up, she'll be scared of my parents still. But she'll still love me.

Maybe she'll make me some more popcorn.