I’m going to let you go and you’re going to get the hell out of here, you understand me ? My dad threatens him as Joey nods his head, reaching to touch his pocket where his car keys were sitting.
Stop ! I scream louder as my father tightens his grip before letting his go. Joey gives me a look of apology before running out of the house as I fall to the ground on my knees as my chest keeps building up along with the lump in my throat.
My dad walks over to the coffee table to grab my phone and keys to put them into his pocket before he grabs my arm to pull me up. He pulls me over to the stairs where he throws his finger up to point at them. Go up to your room and do not leave it.
I run up the stairs as tears start pouring down my face as I can hear my mother start to yell at my father about what had just happened. When I get in my room, I slam my door shut before collapsing against it as I start to sob into my hands.
Kade’s POV
A few minutes after hearing my mom yell at my father, I hear footsteps on the stairs before there’s a knock on my door, vibrating my body that’s pressed against the wooden surface. I sit there with my knees against my chest with my arms wrapped around them while my head lays on top of my knees and and arms.
Kade, open the door, my mom whispers through the door and I find the strength to stand up before swinging the door open to reveal my mom who now has tears also running down her face. As soon as she sees me, she pulls me into her arms to run her hand through my hair. I’m so sorry. When he calms down a bit, I’ll talk to him about that. He’s not going to get away with what he did to Joseph, alright ?
I set my head on her shoulder, holding her really tightly because it felt like everything was just crashing down around me. Mom, I don’t know what to do.
What do you mean, baby ? She asks as she guides me over to my bed to sit on the edge of it as she pulls me down so my head rests against her shoulder.
I love Joey, but I also know that Dad hates him and will hate any guy that I’m with, I whisper to her.
Baby, your father doesn’t hate him. He’s just not used to you being with a guy, she tells me and I sit up to stare at her in a confused look because is she that oblivious that she doesn’t realize how he actually feels about me being gay ?
I lift my leg up to lay underneath my other one as I turn to face her on the bed. Mom, he will hate any single guy that I bring here because he hates the fact that I’m gay. He hates the fact that his only son doesn’t like girls like he raised me too.
Kade, what’re you talking about ? That’s not true.
I let out a deep sigh. Dad told me once that he was disappointed in the man I was becoming because I wasn’t masculine like him. He always hints to me that he hates what I’m like. When I came out to him, the only reason I did was because he forced me too and if he hadn’t pushed me like that, then I probably would’ve never told him that I was gay because of how he reacted around everyone else that was !
What’re you talking about ?
I reach over, taking her hand in mine. When I was little and he would have his work friends over to drink in the garage after a big presentation they had or whatever, I would hear them talking about the ‘fags at the office’. He hates my sexuality, Mom, and I don’t know how you don’t see it, but it’s true and I’m sick of feeling so wrong for being happy with my boyfriend just because of how my father feels.
She turns her head to the side and I notice the way her eyes fill up with tears. You should’ve told me… I mean, I understand why, but you should’ve told me, baby. I never, ever want you to feel wrong for being who you truly were meant to be. I’ll talk to your father and we’ll figure out how we need to deal with this situation, together.
I bite my tongue as I hold back from telling her that I’m not interested in working through this because of what just happened. I can see the worry in her face and the way she looks at me that tells me that she really wants to work through this. Okay.
She leans over to kiss my forehead before standing up with a sigh. Stay in your room while I go talk to your father.
I nod to her, wishing I could just have my phone to call Joey and make sure he’s okay since we still haven’t figured out how to do the long distance mind link yet. I laid down against my soft bed, suddenly feeling super tired and let my eyes drift closed before falling into a deep sleep.
A few hours later, I wake up to feel someone staring at me and when I open my eyes, my father’s face is hovering over mine. I jump up, falling out of bed before grabbing onto my sheet to pull me back up. When I recover from my fright, I notice the look on his face and realize that my mom’s talk with him might’ve worked.
I look up at my dad as he sits down on my bed as he grips my blanket in his hands to stop them from shaking. Kade, look, I’m sorry for what I said years ago. I really am. That was wrong of me because I’m supposed to be your father and your biggest supporter and I feel like the last few years, I’ve been your biggest enemy.
But you’re still not okay with it ? I ask because I don’t expect him to suddenly just do a 180 on me and be perfectly okay with me being gay after all this time.
He shakes his head, setting his hand on my shoulder. It’ll take some time, but I don’t want for you to hate me just because I’m not okay with who you are. I’m going to try my hardest to get used to it, but it won’t be easy for either of us. After talking with your mother, she made me realize how much my actions were affecting you and I’m so sorry for that, Kade. You’re my son and I love you.
I nod my head. I know.
He looks down at the ground and I realize that this wasn’t the only thing he wanted to talk about and by his face, it doesn’t look like something that will make me happy. I’m going to get used to you being with a guy, but the guy isn’t Joey.
My eyes widen and I shake my head. Dad, but the guy is Joey.
No, I don’t want you to be seeing Joey anymore because the fact that he’s this magical creature is too much for any of us to handle, he tells me, shaking his head.
No, Dad, you don’t understand. If I’m not with him, then I can k- I start, but he interrupts me by putting his hand in my face to shush me.
I don’t care, I’ve made my decision and if you respect me enough, then you won’t tell your mother about this conversation of ours, he tells me as he stands up.
When his hand reaches for the door knob, I speak up. What if I don’t listen to you and I continue to be with Joey anyways ?