Chapter Three
"Please say something," Kelly said softly as she glanced over at her parents from her seat. The room was empty save for her and her parents. Rachel was out in the living room watching a movie with Tara while trying to rock Logan to sleep. Brian and Tracey were lingering near the stairs waiting until it was appropriate for them to get back in the argument. More specifically, uncomfortable silence.
Mrs. Gaffney had regained consciousness and was now sitting back down in her chair. She was still shaking slightly from the experience, or more likely from the news that caused her to faint in the first place. She had a small glass of water in front of her. She took another sip of it before slamming it against the table. The sound caused Kelly to jump. "What do you want me to say?" Mrs. Gaffney asked angrily. "I don't know what to say to you, Kelly. You're obviously very confused."
Kelly immediately shook her head back and stood up again. "I am not confused!" she argued. "I know who I love, and I don't care if it's against what you think is right, but that who is Tracey."
"'What we think is right?' Kelly, there is no thinking in this situation. There's just the truth, and you're wrong," her mother scolded. "Horribly wrong."
"Why?" Kelly asked as she folded her arms across her chest. "Love is a good thing. Look at the two of you. You're in love, and it makes you happy. Brian and Rachel are in love, and they're happy. Tracey and I are in love, and yea, we're also happy.
"I work for the District Attorney. I see the truly horrible things that go on in the greater New York City area," Kelly continued as she began pacing back and forth. She stopped when she was at the seat formerly occupied by Tracey. She placed both hands on it and faced her parents. "Murder, rape, kidnapping, bomb threats, people crashing planes into buildings. Those are the actual horrible things, but I don't see you chastising every criminal in jail!"
Mrs. Gaffney scowled. "That's different," she said. "This isn't how you were raised, Kelly. You made the wrong choice."
"Wrong choice my ass!" Kelly yelled. "Look, I understand that this is a shock, and it will take time to get used to, but it's still the truth! Tracey Elizabeth Kibre is my girlfriend."
"By your choice," her mother argued. "I pray for you, Kelly. Pray that you will see your error."
Tears were forming in Kelly's eyes, but she could not give her mother the satisfaction of getting to her like that. "It's not an error," Kelly spat angrily. "The only mistake I made was thinking you'd be happy for me," she said as she walked past the two of them without a glance behind her.
Tracey immediately noticed Kelly's anger and sensed that her girlfriend needed to leave. She did not say anything. She simply grabbed her coat and took the keys from Kelly's coat pocket. She handed Kelly her coat, and then the two of them were out the door. Kelly had remained strong until the door had closed. She then broke down crying into Tracey's ready and receptive arms.
Tracey pulled Kelly in closer and hugged her tighter. She did not need to say anything. She knew what Kelly was feeling. "Go," Kelly whispered. "I don't want to be here any longer."
Tracey nodded again and began walking to the car. She opened the door quickly and guided Kelly into it. "Drive," Kelly whispered between tears.
Tracey kissed Kelly's forehead gently before walking over to the driver's side and getting in the car. She quickly put the key in the ignition and started the car.