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My voice cracked. “Since seventh grade.”
Mom covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes flitting side to side as she saw memories I couldn’t. All the comments made at church when we went with my grandparents. All the jokes made at gay people’s expense. Every word like a thousand paper cuts doused in lemon juice.
“Five years,” she whispered. “And you and Stefon? You dated that whole time?”
“We were there for each other,” I said, tears falling down my cheeks. “We didn’t want to disappoint anyone.”
She choked on a sob, extending her arms to me. My legs carried me toward her, and she held me tighter than she ever had before. “You could never disappoint me, baby. You’re my only daughter. My only child.” She pulled back, holding my face in her hands, a look of wonder in her eyes. “You’re my baby.”
Tears fell quickly down my cheeks. Tears of relief. Of gratitude. Of love.
“I love you, Mom.”
She held me again. “I love you so much.”
We stayed like that for a long time, just rocking back and forth, holding each other until the back door opened and Dad and Grandpa came inside.
Mom cleared her throat and said, “Daryl, we need to talk to you. Sorry, Daddy, we need a minute.”
Grandpa nodded and said, “A catnap sounds good to me.” He patted Dad’s back and walked to the bedroom where Grandma had gone.
Taking in Mom and me, Dad’s expression quickly grew concerned. “Is everything okay?”
Mom nodded and looked to me. “Do you want to tell him?”
No, but Mom’s reaction had given me enough safety. Even if I lost my dad, I’d have her. “Dad, I’m a lesbian. Stefon and I, we’ve been pretending to be together so no one would bully us. So I wouldn’t lose your love.”
A crease grew between his eyebrows as he looked between Mom and me. Mom nodded, and he scrubbed his face with his hand. “Ki—I mean, I had no idea.” His voice was hoarse with emotion.
“How could you?” I asked, my lip trembling. “It was all I could do to keep the secret. But it’s been crushing me in ways I didn’t even fully understand until today.”
“What happened today?” he asked.
I looked between him and Mom, a smile touching my lips despite all the fear I’d felt only moments ago. “I met someone. And she asked me to the pride prom.”
Mom glanced toward the clock. “It’s almost seven... When does it start?”
My smile fell. “I didn’t even think to ask. I didn’t know if I’d be allowed.”
Dad said, “Allowed? Kiyana, you’re an adult now. It comes with some extra responsibilities, but it also comes with freedom to do what you want with your life. We can’t choose that for you. Only you’re in charge of that.”
Mom nodded. “You’ll make mistakes and learn a lot, but Daddy and I will always be here for you, no matter what.”
All the pieces of my heart I hadn’t even known had been broken came together in that moment. I was loved, seen, in every way. But there was something none of us had mentioned. The elephant in the room—or rather the guest bedroom. “What about Grandma and Grandpa?”
Mom and Dad exchanged a look, and Mom took my face in her hands. “You are our family. If they can’t accept you, they don’t need to be a part of it.”
“But Mom—” I hated the idea of losing them.
She shook her head. “One in four, Kiyana. I willnotlet you be one of them. We willnothave people around who make you feel like you are worth less than what you deserve. And, baby girl, you deserve the world.”
My jaw trembled, and I hugged her hard. “I love you.”
“We love you too,” Mom said.
Dad said, “Now, don’t you have a prom to get to? I don’t want you to miss it.”
I smiled up at him, wiping my eyes. “Thank you. I’ll go get ready now.”
