Friday Morning

October 25, 2019

"Morning Sweetie!" My mother chirps when I walk into the kitchen. There's surprise in her voice and confusion shimmering in her eyes. Technically, I should be at Gwen's right now getting ready for school not standing in my home.

My dad turns in his chair at the table. "What're you doing here champ? Shouldn't you be at Gwen's?"

I look down at the floor, my hand lifting to rub the back of my neck. My stomach knots and nausea comes to life in my body as anxiety takes hold of my nerves. I enjoy confrontation about as much as the next person, but I'd chosen to do this and I have no intention of going back.

After last night, after speaking with Gwen and Carmen, I came to understand that I can't keep hiding who I really am. Peter had been right. It's a pitiful way to live and today I'd be changing that.

I look up at my parents. "There's something I need to  tell you both and it's not easy for me to say."

My parents look to each other before turning back to me, concern in both their gazes. I love them for that concern and fear mingles in my body, twisting my stomach in an unnatural way that has me feeling as if I'll be sick. What if, after I tell them, that concern disappears? What if they look at me as if I'm a stranger? As if I'm not their son any more or, worse yet. What if they look at me with disgust?

A lump forms in my throat and I swallow it down, my mouth becoming dry. The sound of my heartbeat rings loud and slow in my ears.

"We're here for you no matter what it is, Steven." My father says and I nod.

"No matter the hurdle or challenge of whatever you're facing right now, we'll get through it together sweetie." My mother walks over to me as she speaks. She pulls me into a tight hug. Being in her arms quiets my nerves. I feel like a small child once more seeking out the comfort of his mother. My hands curl into her shirt not giving a second thought to wrinkling her outfit.

"I hope so," I whisper, my voice wobbling at the words. With every fiber of my being, I want to be strong. I want to be like Peter and face the world with a straight back never casting my eyes at the ground but it's hard. I always knew that, of course. Until this moment, though it never hit. Peter is strong, standing against the world every day, never letting anything knock him down for being who he is and here I am gripping onto my mother for dear life because I'm scared. Scared of how they'll react.

Scared of what they'll say.

Scared of who I'm about to become.

You're about to become yourself.

But who is that really? Who even is Steven Kings anymore? I've been living in a lie these past two years and now, all I know is that who I am isn't the person who looks back at me in the mirror. That's the person I've put on for everyone. The persona I put on for myself to blend in because I'm scared of a person who I don't even know.

"You're scaring us, Steven. Just tell us what's wrong." My father speaks up and he places a firm and comforting hand on my back.

"Will you still be able to look at me after?" I asked them, unable to stop the words. "Can I still be your son afterward? After I say what I have to say will you hate me?"

My mother laughs, though it's tinted in concern making it sound distorted and strained. "Steven, sweetie, you're our son. We will always love you. No matter how bad things get, no matter what you say right now, your father and I could never hate you. We could never not love you. I carried you for nine months in my stomach. That was no easy feat let me tell you." She tries to lighten the situation and it works. I laugh and the atmosphere smooths some.

"Your mother is right." My father confirms. "We're a family and you're a huge part of it, Steven. Nothing you can say or do will change anything. So, trust us when we say we're here for you no matter what."

I pull away from my mother and look at them both. People say I'm the perfect mix of my parents. They all say we're a beautiful family when we go to church. That we're so well-matched God must have blessed us when I was born.

"I'm gay."

A/N: Steven has finally come out to his family and friends! Thoughts on the matter? On the story so far? The next chapter will be the final so look forward to it! If you enjoyed this chapter, or the story thus far hit that little star button below!