Classy (LGBTQIA+)

Conversion Therapy

Sophie sat cross-legged on her bed, her nose buried in a book. Pinky was curled up beside her. Each page flip was intermittent with the snores of Pinky.

"Not only are you the ugliest cat, you are the noisiest cat too!" Sophie complained, flopping back on her bed. She couldn't focus on her book because of Pinky's snoring. Her father knocked on her door and stepped in. A flash of annoyance passed over her face, you were supposed to walk and WAIT for permission to walk in, not just stroll in. Her parents were never good with privacy.

"Sophie?"

Sophie didn't reply, just studied him as if he was a cockroach that had stepped in to her room.

"Oh come on baby, don't treat me like that."

Sophie didn't open her mouth. Every time she opened her big mouth she got in trouble. Her dad walked over and sat beside her. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. Tension crackled in the air.

"How could you?" Sophie finally whispered. She couldn't cry, not now. Not in front of him. Her dad didn't reply, just put a hand on her shoulder. Sophie took it off and moved away from him.

"Why do you let her bully you like that?" Sophie asked, keeping her voice cool. A lump of sadness threatened to situate itself in her throat.

"Because I love her," Her dad paused. "Maybe you are just too young to know what love is."

That's not what love is supposed to be! She groaned inside of her head. There was something very, very wrong with their relationship and it was the elephant in the room that everyone refused to talk about.

"Dad, you're relationship isn't healthy. I may be too young to see what love truly is, but I know that that's not healthy."

Her dad sighed, and put a hand against his forehead. "I don't know... I just, our pastor said God hates divorce. Too many people are breaking up over the littlest things and I don't want to be one of those couples."

Sophie wanted to say more, but she knew that her mom could be listening. She was snoopy and hated them talking about her when it wasn't to her face. So she spied. Instead, she just sighed and put her hand on her dad's shoulder. She was still kind of mad, but she got it. Their mom was a bully to both of them.

"I'm sorry, honey." Her dad muttered. Sophie frowned and rubbed his shoulder. She wanted to let forgiveness and passion fall from her mouth. Instead she pressed her lips tighter. She was still angry with him and they didn't need to let her bully them. It was because they were weak. It's our fault, she thought to herself. Her mother was much stronger than them. They spent a few more minutes in quiet, reverent silence before her dad stood up abruptly.

"Well, I should probably go and find whatever other mischief I can get myself into. Love you,"

"Love you too," He had left before he could hear her reply. Pinky had left with him, and Sophie couldn't help but feel as if she was alone in the world.

~*~*~*~*~

Abeni was standing in the corner and watching Sara with a reserved stare.

"Good morning, Abeni. Nice to see you watching me while I sleep."

No reply. "Sorry. That wasn't very nice. Sometimes I just can't keep my sarcasm under control, you know?"

Still no reply.

"Well, you always were a talkative one." Sara muttered, sitting up on her bed. Her head looked as if it had thrown a party she was not invited too. She ran her fingers through it a few times, wishing that it was less wild. Maybe she should give herself a haircut? Maybe they would give her a haircut.. Probably not. They wouldn't allow any of the patients to be anywhere near something as dangerous as scissors. A shiver ran down her back.