This Is Happening: Molly's Story.

05: This Is Important

05: This Is Important

Ren sat at the dining room table in her parents' large, well-appointed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. General Phillip Archer Sheppard and his wife Patricia were both dressed for the occasion in a formal manner. Ren was also dressed for the dinner and she missed the jeans, thick fuzzy socks, and scoop-necked sweatshirt she was wearing just 30 minutes prior. Grandma Yuko looked, Ren thought, quite comfortable in yoga pants, a turtleneck, cardigan sweater, and orthopedic trainers. It wasn't fair. Ren smirked at her grandmother and Yuko grinned back. She was seemingly reading her mind.

For the second year in a row, the Sheppards celebrated Thanksgiving without the presence of their youngest daughter, Archer, who was currently working a two-year appointment in the State Department on the Ivory Coast. Ren's little sister was a slightly taller, more "grounded" version of herself. When the lieutenant general heard the news that his second child would not be a boy, he defiantly named his daughter Archer Phillip Sheppard. She had been trying to live up to those expectations from an early age.

General Sheppard loved both of his daughters deeply but Ren did not fit into his preconceived notion of what the first daughter of a military general should be, and Archer wasn't male as he had hoped. As a result, their relationships were sometimes strained. It was Ren's grandmother Yuko, General Sheppard's mother, who helped bridge the gap for both women.

When he looked at his daughters, he could see his mother's eyes and remembered her loving touch. The General's father was military and he met Yuko while stationed in Japan. His father was brutally rigid when it came to raising his only son. While he loved Phillip, he valued order and obedience above all else. It was his mother that spoke to him softly at night, who taught him to value discipline, and empathy, and to embrace perspective. When he got older, he felt like her mentoring was no small part of his success within the military ranks.

When The General became frustrated with his daughters or simply did not understand them, his mother counseled him by quietly listening to him vent and suggesting patience. Or, by insisting that he sit in silence with her while she sipped tea. He would never let his colleagues see him interact with his mother. His reputation as a man who let no one question his wisdom or judgment would be ruined.

----

"Ren," Patricia stopped moving food to her mouth, "don't forget we have your father's holiday party in the city next month." "Of course, Mom, I'll be there." Patricia nodded and returned to her meal as she spoke. "It's too bad Archie will miss another dinner." Everyone nodded silently, missing the youngest Sheppard. Only The General called her "Archer."

"We can talk with Archer after dinner." General Sheppard raised an eyebrow but avoided eye contact. "Ren, you'll be coming alone, right?" Grandma Yuko grimaced at him.

Ren surveyed the table and spoke with a degree of resignation for a couple of reasons. First, her father's resistance to acknowledge her in public for who she was and second, she was single and had been for some time. "Yes, sir. I think. I'm not seeing anyone seriously."

Patricia sighed, feeling the tension rise at the table. "Well, you're more than welcome to bring a friend, honey. Just let us know."

The General almost inaudibly cleared his throat. Ren heard her father's response and knew she shouldn't, but she just couldn't help but push a little. "Should I bring a friend or a date? I mean, I could. I'm certain I could scare someone up."

The General shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He really wasn't ready to introduce his lesbian-artist daughter to the officers, their wives, and "his men." He hadn't been ready to take that step since she came out to him shortly after she graduated from NYU. And, he was still a little pissed that he was the last in the family to know. "Ren, this is important. It's a formal, holiday gathering with my superiors and my men. If you need an escort, I am certain that one of our young officers would be happy to do that."