Chapter Two

Kelly let out another nervous breath as she put her car in park. Her car was parked right outside her parents' house. She could easily see her brother's blue minivan in the driveway. The lights in the house were on, and she could see the vague outlines of people walking around in the living room. "I can't," she whispered softly as she pulled the key out of the ignition.

"It's dinner," Tracey reminded her girlfriend. "We don't have to tell them tonight if you're not comfortable with that." She smiled slightly as she opened her door and got out of the car. The warm air felt nice against her body. She walked over to the other side of the car and opened the driver's door. "Ready?" she asked as she extended her hand to Kelly.

Kelly nodded as she moved her feet outside the car. She grasped Tracey's hand tightly and pulled herself out of the car. Tracey hugged her briefly for support. The two of them smiled confidently then linked hands and began walking up the sidewalk leading to the door. "It's going to be fine," Tracey assured Kelly as the couple stepped onto the porch.

Kelly gave a weak nod as she let go of Tracey's hand. She took two small steps towards the front door before placing her hand on the cold metal doorknob. She exhaled deeply as she turned it slightly. As expected, the door was unlocked. Kelly gently pushed it open then walked inside. Tracey was right behind her.

"Aunt Kelly!" came the exited greeting from Kelly's four-year-old niece Tara. Seconds later, the girl's arms were wrapped around Kelly's waist in a joyful hug.

Kelly smiled as she knelt down to pick the young girl up. Once the girl was secure in her arms, she moved into the living room where everyone else was. "Hey," she said with a small smile.

"Always nice to see you," Kelly's younger brother Brian said as he gave her a wave from the couch.

His wife Rachel sat next to him with their infant son Logan in her arms. "I like what you did with your hair," she commented as she shifted her son's position on her arms.

"Thanks," Kelly said with a weak smile and a look to Tracey. Tracey was the only other person who really noticed things like that. "Um, everyone, this is my co-worker Tracey Kibre," Kelly introduced. "Trace, this is my brother Brian, his wife Rachel, their two-month-old son Logan, and their four-year-old daughter Tara." As she said their names, the members of her family made some sort of gesture. Kelly turned around to face her parents. "And these are my parents, Connor and Alina Gaffney."

"It's nice to meet all of you," Tracey said politely with a small smile. She walked over and sat down in the loveseat next to the couch.

"An equal pleasure," Kelly's mother stated. "Well, dinner's about ready," she announced as she walked over to the kitchen. "Kelly, would you mind giving me a hand with the drinks?"

"Sure," Kelly agreed as she followed her mother. Her heart was pounding inside. She knew she wanted to be in the same house in which she was raised. It still smelled the same and had the same family feeling to it. It felt comforting, but she was too nervous to notice. All she could think about was telling her parents about Tracey. She had no doubts that they would not like Tracey as a person, but she could not be sure if they would approve of the relationship between the two of them.

"Are you ok?" her mother asked as they reached the kitchen. She began taking glasses out from the cabinet above the counter.

"Fine," Kelly answered as she snapped out of her thoughts.

Her mother eyed her suspiciously but disregarded it. "If you say so…" she muttered softly to herself. She glanced over at her daughter who was now standing next to the refrigerator. "Ok, we need milk, water, coke, beer, and whatever you and your friend want."

Kelly nodded absently as she began getting the various bottles and containers from the refrigerator. She did such silently as she was too preoccupied with how exactly she was going to tell her parents. Her mind was made up. She knew she wanted to tell them that night, but she was unsure of how. She sighed heavily again as she reached for the small red plastic cup and began pouring milk into it.

"Kelly, are you sure you're ok?" her mother asked as she took the water from her daughter and began pouring two glasses. "You seem a little out of it. Are you sick?"

Kelly shook her head. "No, I'm not sick," she assured her mother. "I just have a lot on my mind right now."

"Do you want to talk about it?" her mother asked. "It might make you feel better," she pointed out as she started taking the drinks to the table.

Again, Kelly shook her head. "I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it yet," she admitted honestly.

"Relationship problems?" her mother asked sympathetically.

"You could say that," Kelly responded with the same amount of honesty as her previous statement. "It's complicated."

"Always is," her mother told her. She placed the last glass down on the table before walking over Kelly and wrapping her daughter in her arms. "You'll find someone eventually, honey. And that person will complete your life. Don't loose hope. It will happen for you."

"I know it will. It already has," Kelly desperately wanted to say. Instead, she said nothing. She broke free from her mother's embrace and walked into the living room. "Dinner's ready," she announced. "Trace, what do you want to drink?" she asked casually as her family began walking into the dining room.

"Water's fine," Tracey answered as she slowly followed behind. She looked at Kelly.

Kelly did not have to ask to know what Tracey was thinking. She met her girlfriend's eyes and shook her head no. "Not yet," she mouthed before walking to the kitchen and pouring an extra glass of water for Tracey. She placed two ice cubes in it and then walked back out. She handed the glass to Tracey then sat down next to her.

"You know, Kelly, Jim Bede is single again," her mother started. "You remember Jimmy, don't you? Nice boy. He's a doctor in Mount Kisco," she reminded in a tone of voice that hinted she wanted the two of them to get together.

"I'm not interested," Kelly responded weakly as she began eating her lasagna.

"He's handsome, too," her mother added. "Surely much better than those doctors on that television show you watch."

"I appreciate this, Mom, but I'm just not interested," Kelly said as she kept staring down at her food. She could feel Tracey's leg nudging against hers.

"What's wrong with Jim?" her mother asked. "He's a perfectly nice man, and quite frankly, you should find someone soon if you want us at your wedding."

Kelly sighed heavily as she pushed her chair back slightly. She made up her mind. "Mom, there's nothing wrong with Jim. The truth is I'm in love with someone else."

Tracey glanced up at Kelly and mouthed "Now?" at her.

Kelly nodded as she stood up, taking Tracey's hand and grasping it tightly in hers. "Mom, Dad, I know you probably don't approve, but Tracey Kibre is more than a co-worker to me. She means the world to me. I look at what the two of you have and what Brian and Rachel have, and I see pure joy and happiness. Tracey brings that to me."

Kelly's mom looked at the two women in front of her. They were both standing and holding hands. Mrs. Gaffney blinked twice then fainted.