“These new neighbors,” my uncle sighs as we sit at the dinner table. “I can’t stand them. They’re setting a bad example for the kids.”
“Why?” I ask. “What’s wrong with them?”
My aunt wipes her mouth after taking a bite. “Well, the neighbors are… They’re... “
“A bunch of dykes if you ask me,” my uncle goes off. “It’s just wrong.”
“What’s wrong with being gay?” I ask. Even as know what his answer will be.
“Honey!” My aunt snaps. “Homosexuality is a sin that will get you a one-way ticket straight to hell.”
“Damn straight. God made Adam and Eve, not Amanda and Eve,” my uncle throws out with an edge of nastiness in his words. “These lesbos have no business moving into our neighborhood.”
“They need a come to Jesus meeting,” my aunt continues with the same harshness.
“I’m not feeling so good,” I spit out. Knowing how they feel and being reminded of it while my heart is in pieces only adds to my fear and anxiety. How would I ever tell them my true feelings?
“Is everything okay, honey?” my aunt asks.
“Yeah, I just had a long week. I think I might go lie down,” I pretend. God, I just need to get away.
“Okay, honey. I’ll put your leftovers in the fridge for you,” she says. “Do you want me to take your temperature?”
“No thanks, I’ll be fine. I just need to get some sleep,” I say as I make my way to my room. Once I’m behind closed doors, I collapse on my bed and cry. I just don’t understand…I don’t understand how something… How can something so beautiful be so wrong?
Sarah’s one of the kindest girls I’ve ever met. She’s not at all what I had thought. She goes out of her way to help. And what about Cat and Kennedy? How have any of them done anything wrong? How could it ever be wrong to love someone? What if I’m gay? Would they think I’m a sinner? Would I go to hell?