"My parents abandoned me in Paris because I'm gay, Kevin." I said the words but didn't expect them to hurt the way they did. Kevin, on the other hand, stared at me. He didn't say a word. I expected him to say something negative. I expected him to punch me, hit me, or push me to the ground. But, none of that came. He continued to stare at me. His expression never changed. I looked down at my half eaten blueberry muffin. I could feel tears prick at the edges of my eyes. I clasped my hands together and bit the inside of my cheek. I refused to cry. But, Kevin, he…he had other ideas. I heard the scraping of a chair against the floor and then I could feel strong arms engulf me into an embrace. As Kevin pulled me against his chest, I lost all of my self-control. I let my tears flow until they soaked the front of his shirt. I abhorred the thought of crying in public, but I let it go this one time.
"It's alright, Dee. I'm here. You're going to be alright though. Do you know why?"
I shook my head.
"Because," he continued, "You have the Sisterwives. You have the Guys. You even have Queenie. They care about you and they love. You really think they're going to leave you if you tell them you're gay? Hell no they wouldn't! I won't leave you either. I promise. I'll always be here. And I'll always be your biggest supporter. So I'm not going anywhere. Neither is anyone else. If your parents can so easily abandon you in Paris because you're gay, then fuck them. They aren't worth your tears. If they truly loved you, they wouldn't have done what they did." After his speech, he picked my face up off his chest and wiped away my tears. For a moment, he looked like he was going to say something else, but both of our phones went off. We sighed in unison.
"Ten bucks says it's Princess." He laughed, it was the sweetest sound to break through to my conscience. I wanted to hear more of it.
"Hel-"
"Where the fuck are you Barr?"
"Whoa! Who the hell is this?"
"It's Queenie."
"How'd you get my number, Queenie?"
"It doesn't matter. What does matter is the fact that Dee disappeared and I can't find him. He was supposed to come straight home."
"Q, chill. He's with me. I took him into Peach City for a bite to eat."
"-sigh- Good. At least he's okay."
"Everything okay, Q?" He asked, sounding worried.
"Yeah. Just please bring him back. It's important."
"Sure."
-click-
He looked at me a moment. Then put his phone back in his pocket. "Let's get this cleaned up and get going. Queenie says she needs you back at the house. Says it's important." After cleaning up our table, we left and headed back to Peach Creek.
Forty-five minutes later, we pulled into Kevin's driveway. After helping me off his Harley, he got off and helped me with the strap to the helmet I was wearing. "Do you want me to come with you? Make sure nothing goes wrong?" He asked me. A worried expression marred his handsome features. He really was a perfect specimen. I longed to stroke away the worried lines currently taking residence upon his freckled face. "No. Stay here. It may be nothing." Even as I said it, I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach.
I left him standing in his driveway as I made my way across the street to my home. Upon entering, Queenie "popped" into view from the kitchen.
"Double Dee! Finally!"
"Er….how can I be of assistance, Queenie?"
"I was wondering….can I have your birth certificate and other important documents? Please? It's important."
I stared at her in confusion. "Uhm. Yes. Of course. Let me go upstairs and gather the necessary documents that you require." I noticed that she didn't look me in the eye. Going up the stairs, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and looked at the id. Kevin's name flashed on the screen.
KEVIN: Dude. A car just pulled in your driveway.
DOUBLE DORK: Whatever do you mean, Kevin? Does it look like my parents car?
KEVIN: Nah, dude. I've never seen it before. But the guy who just stepped out of the car looks super business-y. He's carrying a briefcase and what looks like a computer carrying case.
DOUBLE DORK: Kevin, "business-y" is not a word. Ha. But, I don't know what is going on right now. I will text you once I know something.
KEVIN: Okay Double Dork!
I put the phone back in my pocket. Gathering the documents that Queenie requested, I was about to head back downstairs when I stopped. Gut instinct told me to grab my bag. I didn't know why, but I felt like I needed to. So grabbing a few changes of clothes, toiletries, and my charger, I left the room and started down the stair. Half way down, I stopped and again, gut instinct told me I needed to do something. Taking out my phone, I sent a quick text to Kevin. Pocketing the device again, I started down the stairs again and headed into the kitchen where Queenie was waiting. Along with our newest guest.
Setting my bag down in a chair closest to me, I turned towards Queenie and the guest she had let in while I was upstairs. "Eddward, this is Mr. Danny Cage. He's a lawyer that I've hired." She explained. "Why would you need to hire a lawyer, Queenie?" I heard the softest of sighs and she looked me in the eye, "Edd...your parents are selling the house and in turn tossing you out. I...I'm making arrangements to ensure that doesn't happen. I'm filing an application to become your legal guardian until you reach eighteen. And Mr. Cage is here to make sure that happens." Her eyes looked moist. I dreaded what came next. "Queenie...how do you know my parents?" I choked back a sob. Mr. Cage stepped in. "Eddward. Your parents were her doctors. She is here because they offered her the house. If you look to the screen, your parents have a message for you."
He turned on the computer and we all stared at the screen. My parents blinked into view.
"Eddward, honey," my mother started, "If you're watching this, then that means that you have found out we are selling the house. Your confession in Paris hurt us deeply and we are confused as to why you feel the way you do. Where did we go wrong in raising you? Was it something we did, said? How could you hurt us this deeply? Especially your own mother? We are extremely disappointed in you, Eddward. Extremely disappointed. This is not how we raised you. Queenie has the necessary paperwork to obtain the house. Afterwards, you will need to find another place in which to reside. This is our last communication between the two of us. Au revoir."
The screen went black. Everyone's eyes were on me as I sat staring blankly at the computer. That was it? No I love you? No I'm sorry for abandoning you in Paris? At the realization that my parents had disowned me and that Queenie was here on terms other than she let on, my heart shattered. Keeping a tight reign on my tears and the wracking sob aching to break free, I looked at the lawyer. "Mr. Cage, papers if you please." He handed over the papers that needed my signature. After signing, I got up to leave. But the lawyer had one more thing to say, "Eddward. There is problem with what your abhorrent parents wish." I turned to look at him. "What do you mean Mr. Cage?"
"I mean, they cannot sell the house to Ms. Romanov here. The house was, in a way, a gift for you." I continued to stare dumbly at him. He let out a sigh. "Did your parents not tell you?" I shook my head no and he continued. "Let me explain before I tell you all of this. Before I came here today, I did my research. A good lawyer does not go into 'battle' without doing their research. Now, the day you were born, your grandmother, I believe on your father's side, bought a house. This house, for you. The lease is in your name. All that was required of your parents was that they pay the bills until such time came that they were no longer able to do so. But, your grandmother was smart, she set a clause in place. In this clause it states that if anything extreme took place, the house and all its add-ons were to be permanently placed in your name. This house now belongs to you. They aren't able to sell it and Ms. Romanov is unable to buy it from you. I would assume that them disowning you is more than extreme. This house is yours." He finished.
"Mine?" I echoed.
"Yours." He repeated.
I was shocked to say the least. After a few moments, I turned to Queenie. "You knew my parents, this entire time, and you didn't tell me?" I was angry, but I didn't stay for an answer, I don't think I wanted to. I grabbed my bag and ran for the door. Slipping on my shoes and opening the door to leave, I could hear Queenie. "Dee! Wait! Please let me explain!" I ran. I knew I wouldn't have been able to reach Marie's house, or Ed's or Eddy's houses. So I ran to Kevin's.
He must've seen me because right as I made it up the steps, he opened his door and pulled me in. He wrapped me in his arms as the first sob tore through me. My knees buckled and we crumpled to the floor. I clung to him and he clung to me. I sobbed not because of Queenie's betrayal, but for my parents. I cried for the parents who couldn't...wouldn't love me enough. I cried for the parents who no longer wanted to be there. But I mostly cried for myself. As I sobbed even harder into Kevin's green sweatshirt, he gathered me into his arms and stood up. He carried me to his bedroom and laid us down. Wrapped in his arms, I felt safe. I felt warm. And all Kevin did was be there when I needed him the most. And for that, I am thankful.