Why We Laugh (#Wattys2018)

20. I Laughed Because He Was Gay

Hi guys!

This a chapter that includes curses and offensive terms. Some people may be insulted by this chapter, but please understand, it is and never will be my intention to insult anybody. The things the characters say in the book does not reflect my own opinion or even the truth of the world. This chapter includes words like 'fag' and the 'F-' 'Sh*t' and 'Ass' Those words are terrible words to use, especially the first one. To call someone who is part of the LGBT community that is insulting and disrespectful. I say it in the book to move the story forward. But when you see the word come up, like I say in the book, the characters mean it to be 'joking.' But no matter if you're 'joking' or not, it is insulting to call anyone bad names.

Note: I took this chapter down and changed it because I realized I made a discriminatory remark about a religion, even if it may occur, I'm ashamed that I wrote it and changed it.I did not mean any offense and I believe all relgions have the right to believe what they would like. When I do mention religion in this chapter I use a broad term, not specifying religions because all religions have different views and I shouldn't have shed bad light on a religion by relating an iduvidual's contradictory beliefs with a specific religion, for the person's beliefs may not represent everyone in that relgions beliefs and I shouldn't have stereotyped. I understand every religion has different point of views and I should not have put a religion's name to something people may not accpet, because everyone has a right to believe in what they want. I apologize and am utmost ashamed. I hope you can forgive me.

20.

I hadn't slept in two days and my diet consists of cheetos, rocky road ice cream, and microwavable noodle soup.

That's all we have left in the house. My mom hasn't made dinner since my brother was arrested and sent to a psych ward for his "kleptomania" heck all she's done is scream at my father all bloody night.

They get bad. Terrible. Curses flying as my mom says it was because of my dad's failure to institute "good behavior" and she blames him for not teaching Eric "How to express his emotions."

Tonight was one of those nights.

"He wouldn't be in some psych ward if you didn't yell at him whenever he cried. You're an emotionless bastard,"my mother's voice was bitter and enraged that it didn't seem like her anymore.

My father laughed dryly, "I'm emotionless? You're the one who is a workaholic and never took time to be a parent."

I could imagine my mom's sterling grey eyes like thundering clouds that were flooding with tears.

And my father...

We'll I could see his large forehead and his face red, more with annoyance then anger.

My mother wasn't wrong, he did tell us (especially Eric because he was a boy) that showing weakness is not acceptable.

I remember the time Eric's goldfish died (the one he stole from the carnival.)

He cried all day at home and at dinner with my dad's boss, there was fish on the menu and he sobbed.

My father grasped his wrists so tight and lead him outside. They thought they were out of earshot but I heard my dad yelling at my brother saying it was a "f-cking goldfish. Be a man. Don't cry."

Now you must think my dad is some cruel man, but he's not. He's always kind and spoils us. We're very lucky. He's patient when we mess up-front example when I failed my test he didn't get upset, he just helped me with homework.

He'll help us as long as we don't cry. And if for the holidays we get a great gift and we shriek and jump and make noise he just grimaced and threatens to take it away.