Coming Out

'"The Queers", Patsy sighed'

"Am I the only one who doesn't despise them?" Patsy asked, hoping more than anything for the answer that she wanted to hear.

-"Of course not sweetie, I don't quite understand what all the fuss is about really. They're only loving, and like sister Monica Joan said earlier, there's no crime in that"-

"Who?" Trixie replied casually, as she wiped off her vivid red lipstick. Patsy on the other hand, felt far from casual as the familiar sickening feeling of fear swept over her body like the ocean. She had become accustomed to it by now though, since the wave of panic rushed through her vains and her heart seemed to beat one hundred times faster whenever the topic was brought up. "The Queers", patsy sighed. The word itself sent a shiver down her spine, reminding her of the awful events of the fast few days and of poor Mr Amos. The words "homo" and "flaming queer" were still ringing in her ears and the thought of the whole ghastly thing made patsy shudder. "Of course not" Trixie replied, almost flippantly, "I just don't think it's our battle to fight thats all."
"Who will then?" Questioned Patsy with a rather cold tone, trying her very best to conceal the frustration bubbling inside her.
"Why do you care so much?"
Silence. Patsy couldn't find any words to answer her. Her heart stopped. What if Trixie found out? She sat there staring back at Trixie, frozen.
"Patsy?"
Every inch of Patsy searched for something to say, but she couldn't do it any longer. At that moment, Patsy's face crumbled and tears began to stream down her face. They poured out of her all at once along with the secrets that Patsy had been keeping for what seemed like forever.
"Oh sweetie!", Trixie exclaimed, not even realising that she was holding her hand over her mouth in shock. She sat down next to Patsy on the bed, at a loss for what to do or say. Patsy sat up and Trixie slipped her arm round her and held her close. She brushed her hand across her head like a child, as if she was trying to protect her from everyone who was causing her pain. Patsy sobbed into her shoulder, still neither of then saying a word. It felt rather good to open up and let her feelings show, as she was not often vulnerable in front of anyone except her Deels. She had to remain strong for what felt like forever until they were finally alone together and it was utterly unbearable. She simply couldn't do it anymore. A sound of approaching footprints could suddenly be heard, making Patsy flinch and panic.
"Oh Patsy, it's ok sweetie. You don't have to worry anymore"
"Nurse Mount?, *knocking on the door* everything alright?", they heard Phyllis say in the hallway. Patsy jumped in panic again and tried to wipe away her tears as if everything was perfectly normal, but Trixie gently lay her hand over her arm, stopping her from doing anything except rest her head on Trixie's shoulder and let her carry her worries for a while.
"Oh, Poor lass!" Exclaimed Phyllis as she slipped through the door, closing it behind her to give Patsy some privacy from the nuns.
"I......" Patsy started, trying to conjure up an explanation.
"I know, ........ I know" Phyllis assured, as she sat down on the bed on the other side of Patsy. She put her arm around her, trying her best to offer some comfort. "You've been so strong through all of this, " she told her, as if she knew. Perhaps she did, she's always so wise. "...but you don't always need to be tough you know" she continued. She knew, she definitely knew. Patsy smiled through the tears at the thought of Phyllis having known all this time and being so accepting and not bringing it up. "Now then lass, " she began, authoritatively, as if she were giving a command, " Nurse Franklin and I are right here whenever you need us, so you're not to be struggling on your own. You've done quite enough of that. Do you understand?" Patsy nodded and she couldn't keep the smile off her face as Trixie wiped her tears away with her handkerchief and Phyllis squeezed her hand tightly. She felt a wave of warmth and love; She wasn't alone anymore.