Chapter Four

As soon as the door had slammed shut behind the two women, Kelly's brother Brian stormed back into the dining room. His face was flushing with anger to the extent that one would think it was he who came out to these overly religious people. "That was harsh," he said as he gestured at the door.

"Kelly's a big girl," Mr. Gaffney said as he looked down at his barely eaten meal. It was getting cold. He would have to heat it up again. "She'll come around," he added as he stood up from the table with his plate in his hands.

"Are you even listening to yourselves?" Brian asked them. "This isn't our life to live for her. She can live her life however she chooses."

"Exactly!" Mrs. Gaffney interrupted. "Chooses! This is her choice, and it's wrong. Did I make some horrible mistake in raising all of you?" she asked.

Brian rolled his eyes. "Let's not get into that," he said.

Mrs. Gaffney did not hear him. "It's because she lives in the city. She needs to be sheltered, but she can't be sheltered in the city. She was mesmerized there and hypnotized into believing it was ok to be with…women." The hatred in the last word was painfully obvious.

"Um, just one woman," Brian corrected. "And I think it's going to work out with them with or without your approval. I talked to her, and--"

"You what?" Mrs. Gaffney interrupted angrily. "You actually spoke to that anorexic whore who has the nerve to do God knows what to my little girl?"

"And she genuinely cares about Kelly," Brian continued. "I could tell from the way her face lit up as she talked about her. Those two are in love, and you're going to have to face it. You have to options. One- deny it and make all the family events less eventful and more boring, or two- accept it and make them bigger and bring in more memories. I've chosen to do the latter."

"This doesn't anger you?" Mrs. Gaffney asked in shock. "After all I've taught you?"

Brian shook his head. "I would have preferred it if she didn't make her announcement in front of my four-year-old, but I know this is what will make her happy. Face it. I haven't seen two people more in love since the day I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Rachel."

"And I'm just supposed to accept this?" Mrs. Gaffney asked.

Brian nodded. "Damn right you're going to have to," he stated. "Tracey's a name we'll be hearing a lot, a face we'll be seeing a lot," he said. He sighed as he looked at his mother's still shocked and angry expression. "I know it's a lot. Take the night to cool down and think about it. First thing in the morning, call Kelly. You at least owe her that."

((A/N: There will be more soon, I promise. Until then, I like reviews, and they help motivate me to update quicker, so please review. Yay.))