Prompt 35- Closet

...

Ribbons of steam wafted from Sandy's tea cups as she poured out some Texas tea for her visitors- her twin brother, Randy, and her friend SpongeBob.

"Here ya are, you two!" Sandy said perkily, handing them their tea, before sitting down at her seat, admiring the flowers both of her guests had brought for her.

"Shucks, thanks Sandy!" Randy drawled. SpongeBob echoed the sentiment, before they got to business.

"So, SpongeBob- before we talk to Randy, I just want to say that he prefers...oh, how's the easiest way to explain it?" She asked. It wasn't that SpongeBob was a homophobic- her poriferan pal just didn't understand romance beyond a certain level, due to his naivety and childish nature.

"It's okay, Sandy, you can tell me." SpongeBob said, smiling.

"She's trying to say I'm gay," Randy cut in, before Sandy could say anything. "That means I like guys, rather than girls- to date, that is."

"Yeah- I knew I could trust ya to know this, SpongeBob. You're not a judgemental sort."

SpongeBob nodded. "So, is this...a secret?" He asked curiously. He had a feeling that Sandy seemed almost afraid to let on that her twin was...what was the word? Oh, wait- homosexual. It was a strange word.

"Well, it shouldn't hafta be a secret, but there are people who just don't think that love between same sex creatures is...natural."

"But...but love happens naturally! You told me so!" SpongeBob argued, unable to believe that there were people who were capable of being so horrible towards two people who loved each other.

"Yeah, I know. But life ain't fair, SquarePants." Randy answered. "I told Sandy about it before she moved down here- and I've been called horrible names, given cold stares, and unfair judgements- just because I'm not attracted to females."

"Well, that's a horrible way to be treated!" SpongeBob cried indignantly. "I don't think that's right!"

"It ain't right, but that's how it is." Sandy said, clearly annoyed that her friend couldn't just accept that things weren't always fair. But that was SpongeBob for you- unwilling to give up on the world and the goodness of those within.

"Randy, I want to help you," the fry cook said determinedly. "I don't know how, but I want to help."

"Man, this guy doesn't quit, does he?" Randy asked his sister in amusement, jerking a finger in the sponge's direction as she shook her head in frustration. "But hey, it's a good thing, sis- I could use a friend like him- someone who would help me persuade others to understand that homosexuals are for – and deserve- respect and love, and are not to be treated like some travelling freak show." The male squirrel put a hand on SpongeBob's shoulder-or as best as he could, anyway, considering his water helmet.

Sandy allowed herself to soften at seeing SpongeBob's determined face- it was clear that her fry cook friend was determined to help the two squirrels, and show Bikini Bottom that Randy deserved to be treated with as much respect as the next guy.

"Well, I could never win your argument, Randy." She said fondly. "Well, alright, SpongeBob, y'all can help."

"Really- oh thanks Sandy! I wouldn't let you guys down!"

Sandy smiled at her friend's enthusiasm, but was secretly worried at what could happen if they weren't careful.

She just didn't want SpongeBob to witness the true horrors of bigotry like she and Randy had been forced to back on land.