Keep It Brief

Confession (250 Words)

I wanted to make this one much shorter, but I just couldn't.  Hope you enjoy ;-)

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(250 Word Story)

"Mom, Pop, I have something to tell you." Mark stood before his parents, who were seated on the sofa.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Mom inquired. The boy looked so nervous. Had he dented the car? She asked him.

"No. I um..." His legs feeling weak, Mark used the coffee table as a seat. "I..." He sighed, hanging his head. "This is so hard."

The light above Pop's balding head switched on. "It's all right." He regarded his boy with understanding. "Just tell us."

"You know?"

Pop nodded. "I know."

"How?"

"I saw you with your... friend, Oscar. At that restaurant. You were seated next to the window."

Mark's cheeks reddened. "That was last week. You didn't say anything..."

"Wanted you to tell us when you were ready."

Puzzled, Mom glanced between them. "Tell us what?"

"Mom, I've been hiding something. I can't deny it any longer."

Mom fiddled with her necklace while staring at her son. "Deny what?"

"My feelings."

"For?" she asked in a voice soft as a feather.

"Mom, I'm... carnivorous."

Her mouth dropped open. "What?" She shook her head. "No. I didn't raise you to be that way."

Mark was unsurprised by the reaction. "Oscar and I ate steak."

Eyes wide, Mom gasped.

"Mom, I'm still the same person."

Speechless, she hurriedly left the room.

"Just give her time. She'll come around." Leaning forward, Pop gently squeezed his son's shoulder.

"You're not upset?"

Pop shrugged. "Meat or no meat, you're still my son and I love you."