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“Juliette… I won’t pretend to be happy about this, but you’re right. Rejecting you is not what Jesus would do. I’m… I’m going to try to be better. You’re gay, and I love you. I’ll get used to the idea. I just need a bit of time. Can you grant me that?”
Juliette eyed her suspiciously, wondering if this was some kind of long con to get her into a conversion camp. “How do I know you really mean that?”
“I know I need to prove myself to you. I failed spectacularly as a mother at your coming out, but I can be better. Perhaps this will start to prove to you that I really do intend to try.”
Laura took out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Juliette. Juliette scanned it, her eyes widening as she read.
“A plane ticket to Belgium?”
“You go get your girl.”
She stared at Laura for several seconds, hardly able to believe it. “You… you want me and Liv to be together?”
“I want you to be happy. If that’s with Liv…” Laura took a deep breath. “… then that’s what I want for you. The idea is going to take some getting used to, but that’s my problem, not yours. I promise, you won’t be exposed to any more bigotry from me. Kane has already found me a support group for family members of queer people who are struggling with their situations. I think – no, I know – that I can get this right.”
The paper fluttered to the floor as Juliette flung her arms around her mother. “I love you, mom,” she sobbed.
Laura hugged her tightly back. “I love you too, Juliette. But there’s time for that later. Your and Liv’s flight leaves in less than an hour. I suggest that you hurry.”
With no time to pack anything, Juliette grabbed her ticket and flew from the room.
11
Olivia
“Alex already has a room prepared for you. He’s so excited to meet you.”
“That sounds great, Meg.” Liv tried to match Meg’s enthusiasm, but she didn’t quite manage it. Meg babbled on excitedly, and Liv did her best to pay attention to it, but her heavy heart cast a pall over everything. It was like hearing and seeing through a layer of thick fog.
The fog of despair surrounded Liv, leaving her feeling isolated, even though the room was full of people.
As much as she was looking forward to the new life she would be starting, right now, she too busy grieving the life she’d be leaving behind to feel much anticipation.
She would miss her father, friends and colleagues, to be sure, but most of all, she would miss Juliette.
The others, she could keep in contact with. She and Juliette weren’t even speaking. Once Liv left, this was it. In all likelihood she wouldn’t ever see Juliette again. Never hear her voice or touch her lips…
“Liv? Liv, are you there?”
“I’m here,” Liv mumbled, forcing herself to look at Meg.
“Are you sure this is the right decision? You look like you’re about to collapse. I’m sure if you just talked to Juliette –”
“We’ve said everything there is to say. This is the only way. Besides, don’t you want to go?”
“More than anything. But I also don’t want you to be unhappy. Do you really think you’ll find what you’re looking for in Belgium?”
What she was looking for was a way to escape the memories of her too-brief time with Juliette. Would Belgium offer that?
“I don’t know. I have to try something, though. I can’t keep living like this. It’s not a life, Meg.”
Meg sighed. “I understand. I’m sorry things can’t be different.”
Liv blinked back tears. “Me too, Meg. Me too.”
“We’re boarding. Come on. You can do this.”
They got into the line for boarding.
