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Dani’s watery eyes flicked to her mother’s. Brynn stood, and Aaron was right behind her. He held his hand out for Dani. She got up and walked over to him, shoulders hunched.
Aaron looked down at his parents’ confused expressions, bracing himself before he spoke. This might be the last time he ever saw them because he wouldn’t tolerate their ignorance. “You will not disrespect my family, especially in our home.”
His mother’s mouth opened, then closed. His father remained stoic; his mouth set in a grim line.
His mother shifted in her seat. “How is this disrespecting your family? Your job, sure, I see that. Like I said, it’s best to avoid business at the table, right, Samuel?” his mother pressed.
Dani tugged at the hem of her dress nervously. “I didn’t ask to be born in the wrong body.”
Brynn left his side and pulled Dani into her arms.
His parents’ attention focused on her. His mother’s forehead pinched together before she covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. “You mean . . . ?”
“Dani is just like Emmanuel. My brother. And if you can’t accept her and love her for who she is, then you should leave.”
“Aaron, don’t be like this. We were having a good dinner. Let’s just avoid the topic. I think that’s best for everyone.”
“I can’t do that,” Aaron said.
Brynn turned to him. “We can go.”
He strengthened his hold on her waist, keeping her in place. “No. They can leave.”
“Let’s go, Iris.” His father threw his napkin on the table and stood. When his wife didn’t move, he tugged her hand. “Iris.”
She shook her head, getting to her feet. “I just got him back.”
“We’re not wanted here.” His father’s voice was firm.
His mother wiped away the tears freely falling down her face and turned to Brynn. “It was lovely to meet you and be a part of this day.” And to Dani she said, “You were so helpful, and you set the table beautifully.” Finally, she focused on Aaron, pain lancing over her features. “Despite what you must think, I love you. But I can’t go against my beliefs.”
“If you can worship a god that would send people you claim to love to a place of everlasting torture and you’re okay with that, then you don’t really love me.”
His mother gasped before his father wrapped his arm around her and ushered her out of the dining room. Her tears ripped a hole in his chest. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his mother. He was being torn in two, but he had to remember they were the ones choosing this.
Brynn and Dani stayed silent. The door opened, then shut. He watched from the window as they passed by towards their car.
“Dani,” Brynn said, “why don’t you take a plate of dessert into the kitchen?”
After a moment of hesitation, Dani agreed.
Brynn stepped towards him. “Aaron—”
He held up his hand. “I just need a minute.”
Aaron walked by, heading to his office where he shut the door and uncorked his bottle of whiskey. He grabbed a glass, poured in three fingers, then took a gulp. Alcohol burned down his throat. He sat in his chair, his shoulders heavy with defeat. Emotions pricked the back of his eyes. He grasped the glass tighter, as if that would give him an ounce of control of the riot of emotions clamoring through him. He’d just lost his parents. And for what? Why did they put so much faith into one verse and not another? How about the one that commanded them to love everyone as they would love themselves? How about the judge not lest ye be judged?
Aaron drained the rest of his glass, then set it on the table before leaning his head against the chair. And I just walked away from Brynn when she tried to talk to me, probably ruining any progress we’ve made. But he couldn’t support her until he’d processed his own emotions.
He turned to gaze out the window as a few snow flurries fell. What can I do to fix this?
