So, I've been taking a step back from the fandom some for my own personal reasons and mental health and that's why I haven't been as active. Because of this reason, I'm posting two chapters today. They are connected to aspects of Mei-Li's life I've revealed in Future.
Mei-Li hesitantly descended the stairs and saw her parents working on patient reports at the dining room table. Carlos was at football practice, but it didn't matter if he was home or not; he already knew what she was about to tell her parents. She walked into the dining area and cleared her throat. Melendez and Lim looked up at her and Melendez smiled, "Is there something you need, mija?"
"Yes," Mei-Li responded, her answer barely audible, "I wanted to tell you both something, but I'd rather do it in the living room."
Melendez and Lim nodded and joined their daughter on the living room sofa, Mei-Li in between the two of them, "Honey, what's wrong?" asked Lim, tucking a lock of her daughter's dark brown hair behind her ear.
"I don't even know where to begin," said Mei-Li, "Well, throughout my life, I've always felt different, and in this case, it's not because I'm a person of color or biracial. My entire life I've always thought boys were cute and girls were pretty, but I didn't think anything of it at first. Then, all of the other girls started developing crushes on boys. There's this one boy at school, Mark, whom I've had a crush on since freshmen year…"
"Oh my God; you're not pregnant are you?" asked Melendez defensively.
"What?! No?!" shouted Mei-Li.
"Neil!" scolded Lim.
"Sorry," he apologized, "I shouldn't have interrupted you. Please continue, mija."
"Anyways, now there's this girl, Danielle, who just moved here from Sacramento this year. I've been developing a friendship with her, but as we've gotten to know each other, I think I might like her as more than a friend. But I wasn't sure, so I kept it a secret from her and you," a few tears fell down Mei-Li's cheeks.
Melendez and Lim looked at each other and took deep breaths to calm their nerves, "Sweetheart, it's okay," said Lim soothingly.
"Well, this is going to sound stupid, but when we went to Walt Disney World for my sixteenth birthday and we visited Epcot, I realized when we were in China in World Showcase that I thought both Mulan and Li Shang were attractive. Again, I know it sounds stupid, but then I knew that I really do like Danielle as more than a friend, but that I'm also attracted to boys as well," Mei-Li started to cry, "Mom, Dad, I think I'm bisexual."
Melendez and Lim took a moment to absorb the news before Lim wrapped her arms around her daughter, "Oh honey, it's okay," she rubbed Mei-Li's back soothingly, "There is NOTHING wrong with you; you know that right?"
"But what about what I learned in Sunday School classes or Faith Formation classes for confirmation and my quinceañera?" asked Mei-Li tearfully.
Melendez patted his daughter's knee and said, "Mija, I know the Catholic Church doesn't have the best record when it comes to support for LGBTQ individuals, but I can promise you that there isn't anything wrong with you. Mei-Li, we love you and support you no matter what."
"So I'm not going to Hell?" asked Mei-Li.
"No, mija; God won't send you to Hell for the being the woman He made you to be," Melendez hugged her and kissed her temple.
"Honey, we're with you 100%. We'll listen to you and let you share your thoughts and feelings with us and we'll do and learn everything we can to support you," said Lim, "But most importantly, we love you," Lim emphasized.
"I love you too, Mom," said Mei-Li.
"Te quiero, mija. Siempre," said Melendez.
Later that night, Neil came out of the bathroom to find Lim reading on her iPad. He crawled under the covers next to her. He kissed her temple and Lim closed her iPad. She laid it on her nightstand and looked over at Melendez with an anxious look in her eyes, "What's wrong, Audrey?"
Lim's breath shook before she said, "I think it's finally sinking in about what Mei-Li told us earlier."
Melendez nodded and said, "But you don't have any problems with the LGBTQ community."
"I don't and you don't, but there are many people in the world who do," said Lim, "And we'll never fully understand what she's going through. In regard to prejudice, we both understand racism, I understand sexism, but neither one of us will ever go through homophobia or biphobia. She's our baby girl, Neil. It's our job to protect her from the harm in this world, but we can't possibly shelter her from everything."
Melendez took a deep breath and grabbed her hand, "It's a lot to process right now."
"As they were growing up, we made sure to be open about sex and sexuality and never stigmatize it. We made sure they knew about the LGBTQ community. If they ever wanted to discuss something about what was going on with them physically, mentally, or emotionally, we were willing to listen. But to actually hear Mei-Li say she's bisexual…I'm just scared, and it makes me feel guilty to feel scared. I mean, we've had many so patients who are a part of the LGBTQ community; but now that our daughter is a part of that community…"
"Audrey," Melendez wrapped his arms around her, "I don't think there's a single perfect reaction to finding out your child is a part of a minority group."
"I know," Lim admitted, "We can love her and support her, but there are just so many unknowns right now. If her first time is with a man, I know what I'll tell her: take the pill, use a condom, you know, the usual. But what if her first time is with a woman? She obviously can't get pregnant, but there's still the risk of STDs."
"Audrey," Melendez silenced her, "We just found out eight hours ago. I don't think we have to have all of the answers tonight. We just need to read and learn and support, and most importantly, listen to Mei-Li's thoughts and feelings."
Lim sighed, "Yeah, you're right. It's just all so overwhelming right now."
"I know. I'm a little overwhelmed too. But I don't think Mei-Li's expecting us to march at Pride next month; she just wants support," Melendez comforted.
Lim smiled a little at her husband's response and replied, "I know I want to be supportive; I'm just not 100% sure how to be."
Melendez kissed Lim's temple and said, "Loving her unconditionally is the first step."
"And that we do."
