Through Thick And Thin

Chapter 2

I sit down at my spot at the table. My brother, Joey, sits on my left. My mom usually sits on my right, and my dad is across from me. It's Ashford Family tradition to sit down and eat dinner together every night. It doesn't matter the time, we will always have dinner together. We tend to talk about our days. Most of the time, it's the same type of conversation.

Tonight will be different.

My mom grabs the remainder of the food from the kitchen and sets it on the table. As we all put the food we want on our plates, the conversations start.
"Joey, sweetie, get something other than a burger. Get veggies or something," my mother tells my brother.
"Yes, Mom," Joey says.
"How was your game, Joey?" My father asks.
"It was fine," my brother replies as he stabs a cooked carrot with his fork then shoves it in his mouth.
"Betty, how was your day?" My father turns to my mom.
She finally sits down in her seat with a smile.
"It was great. How was yours, Frank?"
"I can't complain too much. Emma?"
I raise my head, slightly startled. I was thinking of how to tell them the truth about me.
"Oh, um, it was okay. Hope came and studied for a bit."
I was nervous. I could feel sweat rolling down my face. My hands started to get clammy. I kept drawing blanks. I knew I needed to tell them, but how?

"That's nice," My father was saying. "Well, you guys will never guess what happened today."

"What happened, dear?" my mother asks him.

"Two girls came in the store, holding hands, and kissing."

At that, I start to twitch. Please, please don't say anything bad.

"I mean, how could people live like that? It's almost repulsive," he says.

I slam my fork on the table. I get up from the table, grab my plate, and go up to my room.

I hear the faint conversation of my parents before I finally hear gentle footsteps go up the stairs and to my room. Thankfully it's my mother.

"Sweetie," she says as she opens my door, "are you okay?"

"What Dad said was really messed up, Mom."

"It was. That stuff has never bothered you much before. Why now?"

This is the moment to tell her. At least one parent will know.

"Mom," I say slowly, "I'm a lesbian."