At 30

Day 24: Support And Love

Chapter Twenty Four

I actually have nothing special to do today. Until I saw a teenage boy crying on the streets. His parent walking away from him. Today, I am going to let him know that there is perfectly nothing wrong to be gay.

I saw Noah when I was still thinking of what to do today. I was in a cafe enjoying some time myself eating a cheesecake and drinking some hot peppermint chocolate. He was a booth behind me.

"Mum, dad. I have something to tell you. And I want you to know that I am still the same Noah..."

"Yes? What do you want to tell us?"

"I am gay..."

There was silence. His parents kept quiet. I felt bad listening in and when I was about to put in my headphones, his dad slammed his hand on the table. It's not okay.

"No. You are not. This is just a phase."

"No, dad. This isn't a phase. Please... just listen to me."

Noah was blinking tears away. He looks at his mum as if asking for help.

"Come on, James. He's our son. Just listen to him."

"Are you crazy, Marrie? Your son just tell us that he's gay! He's sick."

"No, dad! This isn't an illness! It is who I am!"

James walked away. Marrie looks apologetically at Noah before following her husband out. Noah chases after them before dropping down on the streets, sobbing uncontrollably.

I walk out and sat beside him.

"Hey, I didn't mean to overhear the family's conversation. Can I join you?"

Noah didn't look up. He just nodded. I handed him a tissue and simply just be there. He vents, cries, screams, laugh and questions. He started telling me how he wants to die and that his parents aren't going to love him anymore. People were staring at us. I didn't care.

"You didn't have to do this."

"I know. I want to."

"..."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah."

"I have cancer. I have about maybe one week to live."

Noah looks at me slightly shocked. He didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry your dad reacted that way. It was terrible. But look around us! This society is slowly, but surely, accepting the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike me, you still have time. You still have a chance to let your dad knows that you are nothing different from anybody out there. You will always be their son. Your family will always support and love us at the end of the day no matter what. I know mine does."

Noah hugged me. I walked him home and his mum was waiting outside for him out the porch. Marrie ran out to give Noah a hug and promised him that she is going to support and love him just the same.

I heard Noah and Marrie waking back to their house and closes the door. Noah turns to look at me one last time before I left. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

~